To Play Or Not To Play In The NFL
To play or Not to play, That’s the question surrounding the NFL today. The league has changed a lot from years past. Gone are the days when being in the NFL was a privilege, where you showed up to work and played as hard as you could every game. Today the money has grown tremendously higher than it was when the NFL started and rightfully so. But with that comes the problem.
NFL Players Are Chasing The Bag
NFL players want their money first. It’s no longer a deal when you sign a four-year contract and play all four years before seeking another contract. Now you have rookie deals, and this term they call “outplaying your contract”. Due to this being a violent sport, the longevity of an NFL career is 2.5 to 3 years. And with NFL contracts being non-guaranteed, players are now choosing not to sign or report to camp when they are approaching their last season. They do this to secure another long-term deal or more upfront money just in case they get injured that final season.
Many top players who are all pro or outplay their contract tend to try and lock in another deal to secure their future. Sometimes it works out and other times it leads the team to force trade them. I’m a little biased on the situation. One, I’m all for getting your money, get as much as you can guaranteed. But two, I’m also for doing what you signed up to do and that’s play for the duration of that current contract. Yes, I know the market changes but these guys are part of an elite group who should be proud of being a professional.
On the other hand, some of these players are making pennies, and they are expected to play with the same passion as some of the higher-paid players. According to ESPN.com, Brock Purdy signed a four-year, $3.7 million contract. He was guaranteed just $77,008, roughly 0.2% of what No. 1 overall pick Travon Walker was assured by the Jaguars when he was picked.
Purdy is in the top 10 qb’s and his pay doesn’t reflect his ranking. According to NFL.com, The Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa agreed to a four-year, $212.4 million contract extension with $167.1 million guaranteed. So how is Purdy supposed to feel after hearing that news? The Dolphins haven’t been to the big game since 1985. I rest my case!
Here’s the big elephant in the room, These athletes signed their contract, meaning they agreed to the terms of the league. Can a school teacher tell their supervisor, that they are outperforming their contract and need more money or they are going to quit? No, they probably would be fired. But with so much money out there some players put the game of football behind them and the main focus becomes money.
We have seen so many athletes sign that next big deal and then their output on the field takes a decline. One name that comes to mind is Ezekiel Elliott. And Jimmy Garoppolo “Who in my opinion stole money from the 49ers, and conned the Raiders,” says former NBA star Darius Rice. But that’s another story for another time.
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This is what causes owners to be skeptical about these deals. If I give you this money, will you still take the game seriously and be as hungry as you were? Or will you turn prima donna and your game falls off?
With the salary cap and other factors teams scramble to make decisions on cutting their key players and continue building the full team, or overpaying a player and losing other key pieces to win a championship. Tough decisions and I’m torn on it but like I said, Get your money, young fella!
Professional Athletes Who Followed In Their Parent's Footsteps
Julius Erving and Alexandra Stevenson
Both are amazing and accomplished athletes.
Alexandra Stevenson is the father of Julius Erving. Julius is known for being the face of the American Basketball Association. Dr. J as he was known is an iconic player who was also in the ABA and NBA. He’s a four-time MVP and 16-time All Star, according to his personal Instagram. Alexandra Stevenson is the daughter of Dr. J, and is an accomplished teisplayer. She’s one of the only women to reach the Wimbledon semifinals, The Sun reports. She also is an ESPN tennis analyst.
Pam McGee and Imani Stafford
Pam McGee was a 1984 Kodak All-American, a finalist for the 1983 Wade Trophy, and a finalist for the 1984 Naismith Award, according to Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame. She was a “first-round draft pick in the inaugural season of the WNBA, and she is the first WNBA player to have a son play in the NBA,” the Hall of Fame website states. Her daughter, Imani Stafford is also a WNBA star and has played for teams like Chicago Sky, the Atlanta Dream and the Dallas Wing.
Kenny Williams and Kyle Williams
Kenny Williams is a baseball executive and former MLB player, according to the MLB’s website. Aside from being a player, he rose to the ranks and became the vice president of the Chicago White Sox Association. His son, Kyle Williams, is also a successful athlete. He recently played with the San Francisco 49ers and the Kansas City Chiefs, according to his ESPN profile.
