Reiss pens an awesome piece on David Givens

Hope he gets better , I always liked him, sad that the Pats did not keep him, but that is faith.. God Speed David.

Rerouted receiver - The Boston Globe

Re: OT- Old Friend David Givens

Yep. Sad story ... up to a point. He's still a young guy who's made some millions, played effectively in Super Bowl victories, and carved out a small corner of the record books.

All the best to him from here on out.

Never has somebody left for more money and been any classier about how he handled it.

Re: OT- Old Friend David Givens

I agree...all the best to him...a great piece by Reiss...

Yes, great work as always from Reiss.

I love the fact that Givens doesn't hold any grudges with the Pats -- still up here, follows the games, would call the Pats first for a return.

I remember being really angry with him for that drop down the sideline his rookie year against the Jets. But I think that was the last time I ever cursed his name! Good luck, David - he worked for and earned everything he's achieved on the field, and as others pointed out, he's already done a lot.

I admire his saying that he did not appreciate what he had here until he went to Tennessee. I think other players (Law, Milloy, Branch) probably feel the same way but aren't able to admit it. His clarity of vision will allow him to succeed.

Been there so I can relate to his troubles mentaly. It's a time where you do learn who your friends and trustworthy people are, two friends remembered to pick up the phone or visit to see how I was. I also went through three doctors because one made my injury worse and the other couldn't care less if I'm honest.

Forget football and sports, I learned that the simple things in life matter the most and I hope you can regain that normality such as running with your dogs because it's whats most important in life. Normality. Anybody whos been injured for a long time and didn't almost cry for a simple walk to the shop or do a days work is a liar.

I really hope it all works out as best as it can for you David.

wow great article. i was wondering where he has been. wouldve been nice if his knee healed and he came back. what a great post-season receiver.

great article. my prayers with givens to be able to run again without pain

I had no idea his injury was so severe. It must be very hard to adjust to the prospect of being only 28 and possibly never running again. Good luck, David.

Scouse Patriot said:

Been there so I can relate to his troubles mentaly. It's a time where you do learn who your friends and trustworthy people are, two friends remembered to pick up the phone or visit to see how I was. I also went through three doctors because one made my injury worse and the other couldn't care less if I'm honest.

Forget football and sports, I learned that the simple things in life matter the most and I hope you can regain that normality such as running with your dogs because it's whats most important in life. Normality. Anybody whos been injured for a long time and didn't almost cry for a simple walk to the shop or do a days work is a liar.

I really hope it all works out as best as it can for you David.

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Same here. I spent 2 months at Bethesda Naval Hospital. When you are in pain, and confined to either your bed or a wheelchair, and dependent upon others to do just simple things for you, it really changes the way you look at things. I'm thankful just to be able to walk without crutches. There were some really dark times there when there was a chance I wouldn't be walking again, let alone run or jog or swim, or return to flying. It ended one career, but opened a whole lot of other doors.

This is a great article about Givens, and shows that he gets it, what's important, and how to move on, take another tack when you hit an obstacle.

Thanks for posting this story, it's very good, and a good cautionary tale for others, especially young men, athletes and all, who, seeing the world and themselves through the illusory eyes of youth, still believe themselves to be immortal.

Respects,

Sean Pa Patriot said:

Hope he gets better , I always liked him, sad that the Pats did not keep him, but that is faith.. God Speed David.

Rerouted receiver - The Boston Globe

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Givens made the decision to walk for the bigger money. The Patriots had offered him a good contract. Givens chose a better one.

What I find interesting is that Givens basically admitted he made the wrong choice.

Good Luck David and, God willing, hopefully we'll see you back on the field with the Pats next year.

Great article.

Think I might throw in SB 38 and have a watch.

I remember everyone saying how manning was going to manhandlde Givens in the SB.

I fondly remember one play where as soon as the ball is snapped, Manning reaches up and grabs Givens. David just tosses him to the side like a rag doll and makes a big catch.

He was a clutch player who came up big in big games.

They said he didn't have the hands, was to slow and didn't have the physical tools to make it in the NFL.

After his Rookie seeson he spent the entire offseason in the gym and on the practice field working with the "jugs machine I think they call it", getting stronger and improving his hands.

By the second half of his 2nd season he was a starter.

Nothing but fond memories of David Givens.

Reading that article put a smile on my face! I wish nothing but the best for the man!

He showed by his actions that he believed nothing is handed to you, and that the only way to acheive is through hard work.

We've had a load of players to be proud of over the last number of years, but for some reason David Givens was always my favourite. I think perhaps it was because he blocked like no WR we had seen in New England for quite a while.

The two plays that stick most in my mind, are the one sarge mentioned, where he threw Ricky Manning around, and the game-winning TD catch in the comeback against Denver.

I wish him nothing but the best.

i agree; a great piece, no doubt

Wow. I had no idea that he hurt his leg so badly. What a bummer. As Da Bruinz said, God willing, he'll make it back on the field and get to do what he loves.

Great piece by Reiss though. Boy is that phrase redundant. Reiss is awesome.

Given was great for us, especially in the playoffs. It's terrible to see him so affected by injury.

Oh yeah, the Denver catch. That was one of my all time favorite games.

That sucked when he signed with the Titans. He was a great Patriot.



Hopefully he recovers as well as possible.

Danny said:

That sucked when he signed with the Titans. He was a great Patriot.

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I feel bad for the guy and wish him well but you aren't a "great Patriot" when you go running for the biggest contract you can find. Bruschi, Vrabel, Harrison, Warren, et al, they are the great Patriots. The ones who stick around for good money but don't go searching out every last dollar.

BelichickFan said:

I feel bad for the guy and wish him well but you aren't a "great Patriot" when you go running for the biggest contract you can find. Bruschi, Vrabel, Harrison, Warren, et al, they are the great Patriots. The ones who stick around for good money but don't go searching out every last dollar.

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In fairness to Givens, he was offered a crapload more money thhan he would've gotten for staying. We're not talking about a million per year; And as I recall, most ppl at the time didn't think the Pats should've come anywhere close to what Givens was offered.

Also, the Pats are better off without both Branch and Givens (we wouldn't have gotten Welker & Moss had we had Branch & Givens) so I think it worked out for the best.

I think it is possible to be a great patriot, but to also leave for the money (or for the playing time) when its apparant the Patriots don't value or need you as much. I think of Ty Law and Willie McG as great Patriots; they left for the money; but also cause they believed they were still elite; and the Pats believed differently. However, I don't think Givens falls into the great group; he was good for his rookie contract; but not worth paying past that.