Work Ethic

I ran across an interesting video segment that Ray Lewis did for the NFL Network. In the first part of the segment, he mentions that there are many players in the league today that are about the flash and athleticism while not particulary taking stock in gameday preparation and working out in the offseason.  Any player worth their salt in the game would want to do everything that he can to make his team and himself better-extra time with the film and the playbook and extra time in the weight room, anything to say “my team is winning and I have something to do with its success.”

When you look at players such as Walter Payton, Mike Singletary, Roger Craig and Jerry Rice, you would not only look at their the amazing talent that that they had,  but you would also look at their stellar work eithic.  These guys stayed glued to the film, the hills-in the case of Payton, Craig, and Rice, and to their playbook. As a result, two are in the hall of fame, one is a first ballot hall of famer, and the other one should have been on one of those ballots.

When it comes to some of today’s players, what Lewis said was right: There are those who are more about the flash and highlights and less about the work it takes to be one of the NFL’s elite. Sometimes you can just tell who did and who didnt earn their trips to the Pro Bowl and their accolades. In my opinion, you can tell this in their team’s win column and if the player turns in great performances consistantly.

Lewis’ work eithic is why he remains on of the elite linebackers in the league.  Manning’s and Brady’s attention to detail and studies in the playbook and in the film room is what sets them apart from other quarterbacks. LaDanian Tomilison is another guy with a strong work ethic. Granted he may not have the flash that seems to be so important to a few sportscasters, but he is one guy that knows about sacrifice in the off season (he patterned his work out regimen after Payton’s) and it got him league MVP honors,  three single season records, and the distinction of becoming the first and only player in league history to rush for 1,000 yards and catch 100 balls in a single season.

This is where dicipline and a strong work ethic takes you!

RESPECT AND BENEFITS MUST BE PAID!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“This isn’t just about the players. This is about families watching their loved ones die.”

-Garrett Webster, Son of Former Steeler Center Mike Webster

“I discovered how the NFL rewards its gladiators who’ve left their body parts on the field-by crapping on them.”

-Hall of Fame Center Jim Otto in his book “The Pain Of Glory“

     Former NFL players and their families were on Capitol Hill Tuesday to take the league and the NFLPA to task over disablility benefits. All I can say is “It’s about time!”

I remember seeing a segment about this topic on “Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel”, and I remember being in complete and utter shock after hearing the stories of the players interviewed. As a fan of the game, it saddened and confused me to hear the tales of former players being disabled, destitute and homeless.

It stunned me to learn that there are some former players out there that are not able to walk without assistance, (35 year old former Bengal Brian DeMarco), suffering from demencia ( Baltimore Colt Tight End, John Mackey), and even dying broke and alone. (Mike Webster)

What’s even more stunning is the fact that the league that these men and many others sacrificed their physical and mental well being for basically put them out to pasture. The numbers are disgusting. Currently, three percent of the NFL’s past and present players are receiving disability payments in a league where half of the players retire due to game related injury (LA TIMES 6/27). According to a Baltimore Sun article on John Mackey nearly two years ago, the NFL only paid $14.5 million for disability. That figure wouldn’t have sounded bad if the NFL did’nt make more than $5 billion in revenue each year. (see NFL neglect of Mackey belongs in the Hall of Shame from the Baltimore Sun for that one)

With all of that said, I am so glad that Iron Mike Ditka and former Giant Harry Carson is among those who are strongly advocating for more benefits for these players. Granted, I know that there are some naysayers like Dave Zirin (NFL Players’ Union Gets Blitzed http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/06/29/opinion/main2999669.shtml)  that is questioning Ditka’s credibility and even bringing up the fact that he crossed the picket line 20 years ago to support that claim. To those critics, I say this: It is not about the messenger. It’s all about the message! The message now is, ‘Give these gladiators what they deserve and what’s due to them! Give them fair benefits and fair pension!’

To Ditka’s credit, he is walking the walk. He is heavily involved with the Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund. In its brief history, the Gridiron Greats went above and beyond their obligations to those suffering ex football players. For instance, the orginaztion spent $20,000 on DeMarco-paying four months rent, assisting with medication,etc.

The bottom line is this, while the recent efforts of the NFLPA is admirable (approval of the 88 plan coupled with a few increases over the years), it is not enough to sustain or improve the quality of life of the legon of disabled players. It is time for the NFLPA to seriously consider revamping thier pension and benefit policies or contiued to be criticized by former players and blitzed by congress-the choice is thiers!

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