The National Football League is a billion dollar empire that we pay homage to every Sunday from sunrise to sunset with an additional helping on Thursday and Monday night. While the product on the field has become substandard compared to a short time ago, the off-field antics have escalated and are more than just concerning.
The league has already fleeced several thousand players who were involved in a class-action suit that evolved around post-concussion issues. While the players asked for $2.1 billion in damages, the league gave them a “take it or leave it” offer of $756 million to cover over 4,500 players. In their agreement, the league would not admit guilt nor would they be required to testify in court as to what they knew and when they knew it.
How about the preseason stupidity of the Philadelphia Eagles receiver who was caught on YouTube dropping the “N” word when he did not get his way and wanted to fight any and all people of color on a particular night? A week of suspension and then back to work for him. Yep, that’s the NFL.
The league is having problems with players and fines for illegal hits that have infuriated many players. So upset was one player that he has now vowed to go after players’ knees. Washington Redskin defensive back Brandon Meriweather has since been spoken to and has softened his tone.
Then there is that mascot name “Redskins,” which has long been offensive to many Native Americans. The Redskins’ owner insists the name stays. Commissioner Roger Goodell was nowhere to be found in settling this dispute. I guess there are not enough Native American NFL season ticket holders or advertisers.
The Miami Dolphins’ second year player Jonathan Martin has been the subject of the most deplorable disgusting, bigoted and racist act we have seen in some time. Martin was a classics major at Stanford and an All American offensive lineman who provided protection for Andrew Luck, now a star quarterback for the Colts. Teammate Richie Incognito has been accused of being the ringleader of a bullying and hazing campaign that has escalated to the point where extortion and hate crimes have been mentioned. Incognito allegedly has harassed, threatened and intimidated Martin via phone text, Twitter and face-to-face confrontations. These allegations have ranged from public ridicule to racially charged texts and emails about Martin’s biracial parents to extorting money from Martin to threats on Martin’s life.
You may remember Incognito. His stay in St. Louis was an insult and embarrassment. He was released after costing his team a loss with some of the dumbest penalties ever taken in a game. Now he has resurfaced in Miami, and the entire organization looks culpable. For this to go on for over 10 months with not one word spoken by one player, coach or front office member is immoral and criminal.
It came to a head last week when Martin sat down at a lunch table with people who wore the same uniform, and all the players, including Incognito, got up and left. Martin, having had enough, left the facility and has yet to return. The Dolphins tried to play down the incident as just hazing; boys will be boys. They tried to get Martin’s parents to issue a joint statement about Jonathan to say he was experiencing some personal problems. Martin’s parents, who are both Harvard graduates and successful lawyers, declined the invitation.
The Dolphins have since suspended Incognito indefinitely. The league is involved now, as is the players’ association. I would suspect the legal department will be heavily involved in this one.
Mizzou for real
The Mizzou Tigers are for real. They are playing big-time in a big-time conference called the SEC. The atmosphere is unlike anything I have ever witnessed. I have seen great teams that featured the likes of Joe Moore, Kellen Winslow, Howard Richards, Demetrious Johnson, Wendell Ray and Phil Bradley, but folks this is as good as it gets. They are playing like a team that belongs.
You now have people talking about a possible Mizzou-Alabama match up in the SEC championship game in Atlanta. The Crimson Tide is a whole other conversation, but if you have not taken in a game at Mizzou, it may be time – if you can get a ticket. The job athletic director Mike Alden and his staff have done over the years is awe-inspiring.
Cardinal closure
It was some sort of season for the St. Louis Cardinals. With injuries that saw the Redbirds lose two starters in Chris Carpenter and Jamie Garcia, shortstop Rafael Furcal and closer Jason Motte – along with the debut of 10 rookie pitchers – St. Louis found a way to win more games than anyone in the National League. They went on to beat the new darling Pittsburgh Pirates in five and the well-financed Los Angeles Dodgers in six before losing in six to a very deserving Boston team.
Some questions that the Red Birds take into the off season.
What to do about shortstop?
The Cardinals got very little from that spot from the All Star break through the World Series. There is not much on the free-agent market that would create a buzz with the exception of perhaps Johnny Peralta, formerly of Detroit, who also served a 50-game suspension for testing positive earlier this season. A trade could be the route here, as the Cardinals have that wealth of pitching to use in a deal.
What about center field?
Jon Jay’s bat cooled off and his defense was not as good as we have seen in the past. Could be an off season, but he needs a challenge for the position in 2014.
What about Carlos Beltran?
The Cardinals have offered him a contract. He is a classiest Cardinal we have had in some time. If he does not sign with the Cardinals, the team will get a first-round draft choice for him from the team that does. The last time that worked well for the Red Birds – when the former first baseman went to Anaheim, the Cardinals drafted Michael Wacha. Beltran wants to play and swing the bat. He can do that in the American League as a potential DH. He will be missed should he move on.
