Taking the Fun out of football

What if in the days of Coliseum the most popular gladiators were protected from certain slashes and kicks? What if they could not be hit while vulnerable? What if a defenseless gladiator could not have been touched, but that gladiator was TRAINED to be an assassin, taking advantage of any weak moment of another gladiator? And if the gladiators that violated these rules were fined the precious coin that they worked so hard to earn and/or suspend them. How about if the celebrations were removed from the arena as well? What if they were fined for that as well? How watered down would that have made the battles in the Coliseum?

And this, my fellow fans is what we are going through today.

The football field is our modern day Coliseum. The players are our modern day gladiators. Defenders live for that bone-jarring collision that they get the better of. Good blockers love to get the crack-back (term for peeling back on an unsuspecting defender running for a tackle) Defenders love free shots on quarterbacks. This is what they get scholarships for. This is what they get contracts for. This is a physical sport.

But new rules are being put into place that stop a lot of the collisions that we love to see. True. I will say that some rules are needed. Leading with the helmet, helmet to helmet contact, the horse collar, and going for the quarterback legs are all needed rules to protect players longevity in the game. Concussions are becoming an all too familiar injury on the television each week.

But some rules are protecting certain players on the field too much. The NFL running back takes more abuse than any other player on the field. They are hit almost every play. There are few rules to protect them. Get them down by any means necessary, except by horse-collar or facemask. But if you get the quarterback on a free run, you cannot drive him to the ground, you cannot hit his legs, you cannot hit him long after he releases the ball.You cannot crush a wr anymore, but you are supposed to break up plays.

Also the players have rules on how they can celebrate a td. I know I watched the NFL to see what Chad Johnson and Steve Smith had planned for the td they scored that week. You can't leave your feet, or you can cost your team 15yrds. I know this is about the NFL, but look at what happened to Jake Locker, This is translating into the college game as well. In case you are not familiar, Locker scored a td and just threw the ball up in the air and cost his team 15yrds and a game. A player should not be penalized for having a celebration that is not degrading another player. Again there are exceptions, because taunting should not be allowed. But come on guys...

Football is a game of emotion. Highs and lows, happiness and sadness. The field is where all your hard work shows. Protect all players. Quarterbacks are not the only players in the league. NFL... Please don't stand for the No Fun League. Give the players an identity and a chance to have one.

Loyalty or Royalties

Brian Dawkins was the ideal player to retire from your organization. He fought hard on every down, motivated teammates by not just talking the talk, but walking the walk. He was a leader on AND off the field. He is what EVERY owner and coach dreams of. He was a great player who also has great character and leadership ability. Jerry Rice is the G.O.A.T. No question in your heart and mind. When people say at the end of the day who is the GREATEST WR to play the game of football, his name is the first to populate thoughts. He gave San Francisco 15 pro seasons, numerous super bowl rings and made 2 quarterbacks hall of famers. What do they have in common? They were both released by the team that they led to glory. What owners, general managers, and coaches are doing is a disgrace. And it is not pledging an allegiance to the players as the players are pledging allegiance to what is the success of their organization and more importantly to them, their jobs…. Numerous players play with injuries, taking the numerous risks on every play going across the middle of the field where killers are lurking to knock them into next week. They carry the ball 300+ times a season, get abused 89% of the time they touch the ball. They sacrifice family time to train, many creating rifts in their marriage in order to be the BEST they can be at any given moment for that team. They give everything in them for that one sack to save the game, that one game saving tackle, that one 4^th down stance, that one completion between 4 defenders, that one catch on the tiptoes to stay in bounds. They give their undying loyalty to their teammates, the owners, the fans their organizations. They are the face of the franchise for numerous years. What are you rewarded with? A call to your agent telling you, “Thank You for the years, but your services are no longer needed.” Then are thrown to the wolves to play for ½ of what they FEEL they are worth. Sounds familiar? Sounds like what LT is going thru right now with San Diego, right? He was the best running back in the league, now people are evaluating his effectiveness because of his age and his mileage. Seriously NFL, are you really doing this to a future hall of famer?The NFL as well as its owners are profiting for these players giving everything they have for their team. They are the face of the NFL on billboards, posters, and community service initiatives. They are selling jerseys with that player name on the back of their TEAM’S jersey. Then when that player is traded, that jersey value goes down to practically nothing. They are forgotten and they are not relevant anymore until it is time for induction into the HOF. It practically shows just how expendable these players are to their teams and where loyalty lies. NFL General Managers and owners... Love your players as much as you love the royalties they bring in for you and the job security they create. As much as they love your organization and they love the game. From dedication grows passion. From passion grows allegiance. Allegiance forms loyalty. When will a passion for the players produce a loyalty to the players? When will loyalty become more important than royalties?