Protecting the Shield ?
By Ralph Garcia-Sr. Writer Southeast Region-Football Reporters Online
It’s 2010 and the new sheriff in town has made it clear that if you embarrass the shield you pay. He showed that if you do wrong, you will pay, even if the laws of the land don’t make you pay. We have seen so many examples like Pacman Jones to Ben Rothlisberger. It is a good thing that the NFL has a man in charge that wants to keep the integrity and respect of the game. The problem is we still don’t understand the lines that can be crossed.
When the Tennessee Titans used the number six pick to take Pacman back then, fans sighed from the point of the pick. Some asked why him instead of another DB. The question of course was his character at the time. Turns out that Tennessee made a bad pick and now Jones is sending text messages to coach Schwartz to let him know he is willing to play in Detroit. No kidding Adam?
The Cincinnati Bengals have been known to take players in question. It has become a feeding ground for writers of all likes that want a story in between stories. Chad Ochocinco has given plenty of food for thought through the years. No matter the story we will cover it so long as it is a story.
We have seen plenty of instances in all sports that have made us wonder what the hell is going on. What will it take before some owner or organization puts integrity for the sport first instead of just money. Now these incidents are happening. No longer, thanks to technology, will you be able to hide what is really happening.
There are two stories that moved me to this article. The first one is the drafting of Myron Rolle by Tennessee. There were the likes of Tony Dungy questioning his commitment to the Tampa Bay Bucs asking him why he abandoned his teammates at Florida State to get a Rhodes scholarship. We speak of commitment to the game and the league, yet we look at out NFL criminals like stars. Forget the fact that you have smoked pot or did a few lines of the other. Let’s not even take into account that you may have beaten your wife or significant other. Hey if you show the NFL that you drink too much they will punish you by letting Peyton Manning call you an idiot kicker.
Rolle was able to finish school early, excel at football and then became a scholar. When he came out of high school he was the number one recruit in the land. Did that not take commitment on his part? He finishes college in less than three years and his commitment is still questioned? Then instead of hanging out at school and playing football he goes to get an honor only a handful of students are afforded. Has the commish come out and thanked this kid for the positive he gives to the SHIELD? Since I cover the Titans I will say clearly that you all must watch this guy. He is more intelligent than those he will be around.
The next story was the one where the Dolphins GM asked Dez Bryant if his mamma was a prostitute. Nice going NFL and its representatives. In a time where the world is trying to promote positive why not take this opportunity given to make a point. The point is the NFL will not only punish those for crossing the SHIELD, they will not acknowledge the good for the SHIELD as needed right now.
Some have argued that the question about his mamma was legit. They say that if you are an organization investing millions in an athlete you have the right to ask that question. WRONG PEOPLE. The NFL draft is about homework and investigating the players you want. You scout the player to see if he fits into your system and the needs of the team. If you need some info outside of football you go to his neighborhood and ask questions. Now if you want to know if a person addicted to crack is a prostitute you went about it the wrong way. It is well known in the streets that if you're a crack head you will give it up to supplement your habit. Prostitution is the form of work where you sell your body for cash. Trust me folks, a crack head is not trying to sell the body. They are selling their souls because they know no better. So why would you ask this kind of question if you knew how to do your homework?
So with all of this information why doesn’t the commish punish Miami for the colossal mistake it made. How can anyone argue that the move was an absolute embarrassment to the integrity of the league? Why is it that we want our players punished but instances like this have yet to be addressed?
Some former players have hinted that it is easier if the league and your team knew that you had no way out after football. This way they won’t question your commitment because you have no avenue after your done. The point was brought up that a player with that kind of intelligence might even threaten how a coach coaches him.
Lastly is the story of Caleb Campbell, the U.S. Army 1st. Lt. who has just completed 2 years of active duty and is now allowed to play football again. He was all ready to play for what turned out to be the 0-16 Lions two years ago. He said on Nashville radio that he still does not understand the rule that kept him from his dream. He will be moved from S to LB and the transition won’t be easy.
Just a few stories that tell and show the good side of the shield. Stories that are not told to the public, that need to be told. Players like these are not as rare as one may think but with no mention of it, they remain hidden in all the other stories. Stories that make us say…this is not my dad’s NFL anymore.
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