- Joined
- May 28, 2005
- Messages
- 13,274
- Reaction score
- 0
http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/reiss_pieces/
If this "wasn't all about the money," Deion, then what the hell was it about?
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?
Last edited: