TheBostonStraggler
Experienced Starter w/First Big Contract
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CLICK HERE to Register for a free account and login for a smoother ad-free experience. It's easy, and only takes a few moments.A lot of posters are beating up on Browner instead of addressing the big elephant in the room, the NFL itself. How many of you realize what a cutthroat business the NFL is? Once you're no longer good enough to play in the league, you're out- that's it. No pension, no health care, no support system.
This, obviously does not excuse Browner from what he, and many other jobless ex-athletes have done. But you have to ask- would things have been different if he had a pension, health insurance (e.g., the ability to seek help), or in general, a support system for ex-players who suddenly have too much time on their hand, and a resume that has no application to the real world?
No argument in general with what you wrote, but the league has been trying to educate players on life outside of football, both during and after their careers. First it was the league rookie symposium for almost two decades, then that was replaced by the team-centric equivalents a few years ago. How far are the teams and the league supposed to go?A lot of posters are beating up on Browner instead of addressing the big elephant in the room, the NFL itself. How many of you realize what a cutthroat business the NFL is? Once you're no longer good enough to play in the league, you're out- that's it. No pension, no health care, no support system.
This, obviously does not excuse Browner from what he, and many other jobless ex-athletes have done. But you have to ask- would things have been different if he had a pension, health insurance (e.g., the ability to seek help), or in general, a support system for ex-players who suddenly have too much time on their hand, and a resume that has no application to the real world?
I have a hard time feeling sorry for anyone who plays professionally and has made at least 1M in career earnings. The average American household takes home 73k before taxes. For an American household to earn 1M, it would take 13-14 years. Even a practice squad player who spends 3 years on a squad earns about 400k (129k x 3 yrs) and then bounces around the league earning the vet minimum of 450kish will still come out ahead of the average American household income.
And then there's the reliable Chris Carter rookie symposium reminding them to be sure you always have a fall guy.No argument in general with what you wrote, but the league has been trying to educate players on life outside of football, both during and after their careers. First it was the league rookie symposium for almost two decades, then that was replaced by the team-centric equivalents a few years ago. How far are the teams and the league supposed to go?
I wouldn't mind seeing the teams or league offer living trust services. Give players the option to put aside signing bonus money, portions of paychecks, etc. into these trusts so post-career health insurance premiums and a stipend are covered if jobs are hard to come by.
Regards,
Chris
On that Butler interception, though....he played it perfectly, did exactly his job. That's good enough to cancel out a few murders, in my book.
Should’ve used Ray Lewis’s lawyer.
I have a hard time feeling sorry for anyone who plays professionally and has made at least 1M in career earnings. The average American household takes home 73k before taxes. For an American household to earn 1M, it would take 13-14 years. Even a practice squad player who spends 3 years on a squad earns about 400k (129k x 3 yrs) and then bounces around the league earning the vet minimum of 450kish will still come out ahead of the average American household income.
I wouldn't mind seeing the teams or league offer living trust services. Give players the option to put aside signing bonus money, portions of paychecks, etc. into these trusts so post-career health insurance premiums and a stipend are covered if jobs are hard to come by.
Sometimes, but far more often it's a combination of having gotten away with whatever they wanted to since fifth grade because of their rare athletic talent. It's learned behavior. Actually, I think that among offenders the higher IQ guys are more slippery and smarter and get away with more.so many players are so dumb....low iq
I didn't see anything in @PP2 's post that suggests sentiment about an individual.
He's talking about a system which will, like all human systems, have predetermined outcomes within a very small range of variance due to individual human effort. And the proof is in the results we already see. The hypothesis is that if the system were different, and some of the resource that's put elsewhere were instead put into comprehensive post-career support, we'd have fewer tragedies like this one. And clearly, career income isn't a vaccination, and may not even be a significant factor.
In contrast, Goodell will earn an obscene $44 million dollars this year for being little more than a dumbass. That's 391 times what a PS player will earn.
Your point is taken, but I'd like to point out that players, up to the time they enter the NFL, spend a great deal of their time and money training for what essentially is a flash in the pan (for most of them). A majority of them will be out on the street, without a safety net, applicable resume, or life skills to take care of themselves.
Surely if the NFL could afford to pay a dumbass that much money, they could set aside a pension for players who are not set up for regular life, like the average American household?
You don't see this with NHL players.Sometimes, but far more often it's a combination of having gotten away with whatever they wanted to since fifth grade because of their rare athletic talent. It's learned behavior. Actually, I think that among offenders the higher IQ guys are more slippery and smarter and get away with more.
I saw it first-hand in Derek Sanderson's nightclub in Boson in the early 70s by the owner himself. If that had happened today, he'd be in jail.You don't see this with NHL players.
A lot of posters are beating up on Browner instead of addressing the big elephant in the room, the NFL itself. How many of you realize what a cutthroat business the NFL is? Once you're no longer good enough to play in the league, you're out- that's it. No pension, no health care, no support system.
This, obviously does not excuse Browner from what he, and many other jobless ex-athletes have done. But you have to ask- would things have been different if he had a pension, health insurance (e.g., the ability to seek help), or in general, a support system for ex-players who suddenly have too much time on their hand, and a resume that has no application to the real world?
No argument in general with what you wrote, but the league has been trying to educate players on life outside of football, both during and after their careers. First it was the league rookie symposium for almost two decades, then that was replaced by the team-centric equivalents a few years ago. How far are the teams and the league supposed to go?
I wouldn't mind seeing the teams or league offer living trust services. Give players the option to put aside signing bonus money, portions of paychecks, etc. into these trusts so post-career health insurance premiums and a stipend are covered if jobs are hard to come by.
Regards,
Chris
Fair enough. In my opinion, there comes a point when personal responsibility needs to come in play. Most of today's incoming rookies go to a symposium, have all kinds of support systems in place, and are well versed in the fact that most NFL careers don't even last 5 years.
You're kidding right? A friend of mine's sister used to date Phil Esposito when he was a player and there was a bar called "King's Corner" in Leominster where they used to hang out. They did pre-season in Wallace Civic Center in Fitchburg. Trust me, the things that went on upstairs at King's Corner would make most NFL players blush.You don't see this with NHL players.