Branch Speaks: "I have three kids. I take care of them. Not the Patriots." - New England Patriots Forums

***pats1*** · 09-11-2006, 06:31 PM

http://www.boston.com/sports/footbal.../reiss_pieces/

Quote:

September 11, 2006
Branch speaks

The Globe’s Ron Borges caught up with former Patriots wide receiver Deion Branch before he heads to Seattle.

Here are highlights of that conversation:

‘‘I felt a lot of happiness and a little sadness,’’ Branch said. ‘‘I feel good about my situation but sad about leaving my teammates. I understand the situation. The organization had to do what it felt was best for the team and I had to do what was best for me and my family. I have three kids. I’m the one who has to take care of them. The Patriots aren’t going to take care of them. Nobody is going to take care of them but me.’’

Branch was set to earn $1,045,000 this year, which included a base salary of $500,000 and another $545,000 in earned incentives from his past play. Now it is estimated he will received a signing bonus in excess of $12 million and an average of $6.5 million a season over the life of is new contract.

The Patriots’s first offer was a three-year extension for $18.45 million with an $8 million signing bonus split over two seasons.

‘‘The hardest days for me were leading up to the opening game knowing I wasn’t going to go back. I’d never missed a game when I was healthy in football season but I knew unless I won the grievances I wasn’t going to play for 10 games. I was getting mentally prepared for that but I’m a football player. When the games start you want to play. But I did a good job staying grounded.

‘‘I’d never wish the situation I went through on no one. If you have as much passion for the game as I do I wouldn’t wish it on nobody. To hold out against an organization like the Patriots it can’t just be about money. Money’s always involved because this is a business. They let you know that from the first day you come into the NFL. But to go through this and stay strong, money can’t be your main purpose.’’

For more on Branch see tomorrow’s Boston Globe.

Posted By: glee | Time: 07:13:00 PM

If this "wasn't all about the money," Deion, then what the hell was it about?

Slagathor · 09-11-2006, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pats1

http://www.boston.com/sports/footbal.../reiss_pieces/

If this "wasn't all about the money," Deion, then what the hell was it about?

Borges caught up with him......

......what a surprise......

***maverick4*** · 09-11-2006, 06:36 PM

Before people start using that kid quote and letting their hate boil over:
You would do the exact same thing as a professional athlete and you know it. Athletes are no different from you and me in terms of seeking monetary compensation.

We all have countless co-workers, schoolmates, or neighbors who chased salary increases or job promotions or job positions, and we haven't hated them, or have those people 'dead to you'.

The Pats got a good deal in return, and Branch found a willing taker for his services. It's fine, and let's just move on. No need to crucify the guy.

BradyManny · 09-11-2006, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pats1

The organization had to do what it felt was best for the team and I had to do what was best for me and my family. I have three kids. Iâ€™m the one who has to take care of them. The Patriots arenâ€™t going to take care of them.

What an effing joke. I hate this "gotta take care of my kids" crap. Right, Deion, did you take care of your kids when you held out while accruing HALF A MILLION DOLLARS IN FINES??

It's such a slap in the face to read crap like this from pro-atheletes. I normally defend how much athletes make b/c I do feel it is proportionate to the number of lives they affect/entertain. But the average Joe Shmoe making 30-40 grand probably reads this and wants to shoot Deion in the face. I know I do. It's the Ty Law business all over again. F them all.

***BelichickFan*** · 09-11-2006, 06:37 PM

Kiss my *****, jerk, the Patriots offered you $6M a year.

RI Pats Fan · 09-11-2006, 06:40 PM

His kids and his kids' kids and his kids' kids' kids.

Another Moral of the story: Maximize your profits while you still can

rookBoston · 09-11-2006, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maverick4

The Pats got a good deal in return, and Branch found a willing taker for his services. It's fine, and let's just move on. No need to crucify the guy.

I agree. This was a great win-win-win situation for everyone. If someone got suckered, it wasn't Branch, and it wasn't the Pats. Unless he goes on to crucify the Pats organization in the Seattle press, I will remain a loyal Branch fan. He's a solid guy, a great player and was instrumental in two SB championships for us.

I find it interesting that in the game of Chicken between Branch and Belichick, Holmgren was the one who blinked.

BradyManny · 09-11-2006, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maverick4

You would do the exact same thing as a professional athlete and you know it. Athletes are no different from you and me in terms of seeking monetary compensation.

The guy was getting fined $14,000 a day for not showing up to work. It takes me half a year to make that. So, yes, I think I will say it's slightly different scenarios, and yes I will crucify the guy because of it. Don't throw the "he could've gotten injured and earned nothing!" crap back at me b/c all these pro athletes have their bodies insured for millions of dollars anyway. These aren't ordinary people, they can't say ordinary things like "I was looking out for my family" b/c he's not. He was looking out for himself, wanting respect in the form of $$ and whatever he is going to buy with his money, it has nothing to do with his children, let's not kid ourselves.

***BelichickFan*** · 09-11-2006, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maverick4

We all have countless co-workers, schoolmates, or neighbors who chased salary increases or job promotions or job positions, and we haven't hated them, or have those people 'dead to you'.

There's a difference between someone wanting $40K over $30K compared to $39M vs. $32M or whatever the sick numbers are.

Branch SUCKS.

Bella*chick · 09-11-2006, 06:41 PM

Whatever, Deion, fine. You take care of your kids, not the Patriots, good for you.

I hope you understand that the Patriots first priority is the PAtriots, and not your kids. That's the way it works, pal.

Now shut up and go away.