Each year we examine the strengths of the Lions and Tigers and tough-tackling Bears. Ok, not the Tigers — they’re still busy playing baseball. Yet as much of the nation is again consumed by the games on the gridiron, the Intramuralist enjoys taking a brief snapshot at the stories behind the stories… the questions and relevant aspects that challenge the notion that football is just a game. Allow me to humbly address some one-on-one…
Dear all owners and players… We have missed you! Question: how will you handle the concussion issue? How can we find a balance in enjoying the game but recognizing that it is dangerous and thus, some will be hurt?
Dear Michael Sam… congratulations on making the Cowboys’ practice squad! The 10 member scout team consists primarily of rookies who were cut in camp and are borderline NFL-caliber players. You have admirably said you don’t want your sexual preference to bring undue attention; you want to be evaluated on your football skills alone. Are all the cameras — and your postponed reality show — consistent with your aim? Seems like many are contributing to this, knowingly or not.
Dear Johnny Manziel… You are an exciting player to watch! Before any future accomplishments, maybe learn a few lessons first. Try to embrace humility; remember humility is a good thing. Learn from those who’ve gone before you — from Brady to Manning I & II to also recent rookies such as Newton and Luck. They seem to have more quickly recognized that flamboyancy often falls far short of integrity. Do your job. Best of luck in doing it well.
Dear those currently suspended… Josh Gordon, Jim Irsay, etal. We will miss you while gone some games this year. You have contributed positively to your team, but it hasn’t all been positive. Be sure to maximize the time off, taking full responsibility for what you have done — and not spending so much energy on blaming the league — someone other than self.
Dear Ray Rice… We don’t know exactly what happened between you and your fiance. We know you were married after the incident in which you struck her and dragged her off that elevator. There is no place for domestic violence. I think you know that. I think most people know that. While I hate it when people use domestic violence vernacular for rhetorical persuasion (see Wasserman Schultz, D., chairman of the Democratic Party, who last week compared a sitting governor to a man who beats his wife — geesh), I realize this is a painful and personal issue. Learn from your mistakes. Grow.
Dear Peyton Manning… were you really fined $8,268 during the pre-season? … for taunting?? Is that not the first taunting penalty we’ve ever seen from mild-mannered you? (P.S. Any chance we could amusingly see another?)
Dear NFL fine-makers… really?? You fined Saints TE $30,000 for dunking footballs over the goalposts because of excessive celebration? Please. Surely you’ve got more important things to monitor (please see Ray Rice, Josh Gordon, etc. above).
And so we again begin this season with much to watch. Will the Seahawks repeat? Hardly anyone repeats. Will we witness the end of the careers of QB’s Brady and Manning? Twilight often seems to come so early. Who will get hurt? I pray no one’s life is endangered.
From the Dolphins to Dallas to the Packers and Pittsburgh… from the Bengals and Bucs to the Giants and Jets… let the games begin… and of course, the aspects that challenge the notion that this is just a game.
Respectfully…
AR