not a game, right?

This is absolutely ridiculous!

I can’t even believe that just happened.

There is no excuse for that.

He’s done!

That. Is. Insanity. Wow.

That might have been the craziest thing I have seen in politics.

Don’t touch my rep — let alone disrespect him like that.

Both sides are coming off the field.

I’m all for being a leader and doing the right thing.

Hate to see that in our government.

Never been more disturbed by government.

That’s not what politics is about!

So just for the record, the above dozen tweets are almost exactly, well sort of, kind of, close to verbatim. The truth is they came from peers and prior leaders in the same professional environment, in the immediate aftermath of the crud that occurred this week. Being insiders, they have a little better view than the rest of us, being closer to the situation, comprehending more of the nuances; they can see more of what’s actually going on. 

But yes — please accept my sincerest apologies — I admit: I did take a wee bit of liberty in editing the above, otherwise actual tweets.

I subbed the word “rep” for “QB,” “in politics” for “on a football field,” “politics” for “pro football,” and “government” for “game” or “end of a game.”

The tweets came from current and former players and from multiple NFL analysts. They came after one of the craziest nights in professional football… as called on air, while it was happening — the Steelers vs. the Browns, with few seconds remaining and an imminent Cleveland win…

“And he [Pittsburgh’s Mason Rudolph] takes the snap — 14 seconds to go. He got hit again…

And there’s a brawl going down… they’re going down…

And the Steelers are kicking Ogunjobi in the head!

And the benches are coming off the field! Both sides are coming off the field!

Maurkice Pouncey was kicking Ogunjobi in the head!

Now Freddie Kitchens is on the Browns’ sideline, and telling the rest of his team to stay in the bench area; the Steelers only have about 10 guys left in their bench area.

And security is out in the end zone, stringing the end zone, making sure the fans don’t get out on the field!”

Make no mistake about it; government is not a game. And one could make a fair point that perhaps the two should not be compared. Yet what is true is that in each arena, way too often, the behavior has gotten out of hand. Basic virtues of integrity and respect for all are too often sacrificed. And isn’t it sad, that when only a few words are edited in regard to awful, unethical behavior, the account doesn’t seem like much of a stretch?

Fortunately — at least in the week’s football malfeasance — one opposing team member was quicker to admit his own mistake. Note the statement by Browns’ defensive end, Myles Garrett, who has since been suspended indefinitely by the NFL:

“Last night, I made a terrible mistake. I lost my cool and what I did was selfish and unacceptable. I know that we are all responsible for our actions and I can only prove my true character through my actions moving forward. I want to apologize to Mason Rudolph, my teammates, our entire organization, our fans and to the NFL. I know I have to be accountable for what happened, learn from my mistake and I fully intend to do so.”

Apology. Accountability. Admission of selfishness and wrongdoing.

Wouldn’t that be refreshing if we heard that from the elect, too… on all sides? 

I pray it happens quickly… that is… before we have to bring out increased security, stringing the end zone, making sure the fans don’t also get out on the field.

Respectfully…

AR