Widespread Hazing Problem in NFL

[hwc]

OK, after listening to NFL players talking all afternoon about how the hazing wasn't out of control on their teams, it's becoming pretty clear that the hazing is out of control across the NFL. Miami will be the fall guy on this one, but the ramifications will go much broader across the league.

Just two examples. Bruschi saying that rookies were forced to pick up $30,000 dinner tabs.

Ladanian Tomlinson went on and on about how it was just silly stuff when he was a rookie, not "out of control like this". When asked point blank how much he as forced to pay for a veteran dinner, he said $18,000....

This is going to be a big deal for the NFL. They have to get out in front of it with draconian rules on the teams and players. It could spiral into significant sanctions...

 

[Tunescribe]

OK, after listening to NFL players talking all afternoon about how the hazing wasn't out of control on their teams, it's becoming pretty clear that the hazing is out of control across the NFL. Miami will be the fall guy on this one, but the ramifications will go much broader across the league.

Just two examples. Bruschi saying that rookies were forced to pick up $30,000 dinner tabs.

Ladanian Tomlinson went on and on about how it was just silly stuff when he was a rookie, not "out of control like this". When asked point blank how much he as forced to pay for a veteran dinner, he said $18,000....

This is going to be a big deal for the NFL. They have to get out in front of it with draconian rules on the teams and players. It could spiral into significant sanctions...

This man will take care of things:

 

[Palm Beach Pats Fan]

The Incognito behavior is NOT hazing.

Hazing is making rookies carry your bags, pick up breakfast, sing their college fight song, get a stupid haircut, etc.

It is NOT about taking death threats to you and your family, and sitting there for vile racial slurs.

 

[hwc]

This man will take care of things:

That's exactly why I think this is going to end up being a big deal across a large number of teams. Goodell will try to get out ahead of this one before the rest of the stories start trickling out like Chinese water torture.

If rookies across the league are being forced to buy $18,000 dinners, you know it goes way beyond silly haircuts and funny songs...

 

[Tunescribe]

That's exactly why I think this is going to end up being a big deal across a large number of teams. Goodell will try to get out ahead of this one before the rest of the stories start trickling out like Chinese water torture.

If rookies across the league are being forced to buy $18,000 dinners, you know it goes way beyond silly haircuts and funny songs...

It's hard to believe that being forced to pay for $18k dinners is commonplace. How is it assumed someone, especially a rookie, can cover an unplanned expense like that? Maybe we'll be finding out more about this stuff.

 

[Soadisthebest]

18k? Please. That's like $50 for the average person. Those rookies don't give a **** about that measly money when they'll make it back in a day.

 

[Tunescribe]

18k? Please. That's like $50 for the average person. Those rookies don't give a **** about that measly money when they'll make it back in a day.

You're wrong, $18k is very significant. The base salary for a drafted NFL rookie in 2010 was $325k.

 

[Claremonster]

It's hard to believe that being forced to pay for $18k dinners is commonplace. How is it assumed someone, especially a rookie, can cover an unplanned expense like that? Maybe we'll be finding out more about this stuff.

I would think that the 1st rounders have the most to pay...

Incogweedo is an asshat, but, Martina is a big punanee. Both of them are 2 pea's in a pod. Polar opposites perhaps. Both of them you don't want on your team.

 

[SB39]

OK, after listening to NFL players talking all afternoon about how the hazing wasn't out of control on their teams, it's becoming pretty clear that the hazing is out of control across the NFL. Miami will be the fall guy on this one, but the ramifications will go much broader across the league.

Just two examples. Bruschi saying that rookies were forced to pick up $30,000 dinner tabs.

Ladanian Tomlinson went on and on about how it was just silly stuff when he was a rookie, not "out of control like this". When asked point blank how much he as forced to pay for a veteran dinner, he said $18,000....

This is going to be a big deal for the NFL. They have to get out in front of it with draconian rules on the teams and players. It could spiral into significant sanctions...

There's really very little the league can do. What are they gonna do? Fine some players who took a bunch of rookies out to dinner and made the rookie pay? They can definitely go after Incognito for making threats and racist remarks but when it comes to the rookies paying for dinners, they really have very little power to regulate what players do in their off time (barring, of course, anything that actually violates laws).

 

[Soadisthebest]

You're wrong, $18k is very significant. The base salary for a drafted NFL rookie in 2010 was $325k.

Who said anything about base salary? Guys through the 4th round are getting 300k signing bonuses on top of 600k a year salary. 18k significant, LOL.

 

[robbomango]

18k? Please. That's like $50 for the average person. Those rookies don't give a **** about that measly money when they'll make it back in a day.

That's just asinine, these rookies should be taught good money management they may be out of the league with the next injury. Treating a bunch of fat football players that make 4+ times more than you to Donald Trump dinners is ludicrous. It's a meathead mentality...

The financial aspect of the hazing is very disturbing imo...

 

[Nikolai]

Who said anything about base salary? Guys through the 4th round are getting 300k signing bonuses on top of 600k a year salary. 18k significant, LOL.

So, if you're an average joe making $50,000 a year, that's like being forced to pick up a $1,000 dinner tab.

 

[Soadisthebest]

That's just asinine, these rookies should be taught good money management they may be out of the league with the next injury. Treating a bunch of fat football players that make 4+ times more than you to Donald Trump dinners is ludicrous. It's a meathead mentality...

The financial aspect of the hazing is very disturbing imo...

These rookies are grown men in their 20s. Money management should've been taught to them in high school. You guys are really making a big deal out of nothing. It's not like they're repeatedly forcing the rookies to buy expensive dinners.

 

[BradyFTW!]

OK, after listening to NFL players talking all afternoon about how the hazing wasn't out of control on their teams, it's becoming pretty clear that the hazing is out of control across the NFL. Miami will be the fall guy on this one, but the ramifications will go much broader across the league.

Just two examples. Bruschi saying that rookies were forced to pick up $30,000 dinner tabs.

Ladanian Tomlinson went on and on about how it was just silly stuff when he was a rookie, not "out of control like this". When asked point blank how much he as forced to pay for a veteran dinner, he said $18,000....

This is going to be a big deal for the NFL. They have to get out in front of it with draconian rules on the teams and players. It could spiral into significant sanctions...

Tomlinson was a top-5 pick under the old CBA, which is one case where I don't think it's unreasonable for the rookie to have a fot a $20K bill. He had one of the richest contracts on the team before he ever even stepped on the field.

Bruschi also said that, after that, Belichick got wind of it and instructed the captains to dial it back. And $30K isn't so bad if it's split across a whole class of ~7 rookies.

What really makes no sense, though, is the anonymous reports coming out about a Dolphins rookie who's literally going broke paying for stuff, and crap like that. The vets know that these mid-late round picks are making peanuts compared to them. Working these guys over financially is just BS.

 

[Tunescribe]

Who said anything about base salary? Guys through the 4th round are getting 300k signing bonuses on top of 600k a year salary. 18k significant, LOL.

How much of that ends up being guaranteed is all over the map. Even those who reap significant signing or other bonuses make less than $1 million. So yes, Mr. LOL, $18k for a meal is a significant chunk of change.

 

[Soadisthebest]

How much of that ends up being guaranteed is all over the map. Even those who reap significant signing or other bonuses make less than $1 million. So yes, Mr. LOL, $18k for a meal is a significant chunk of change.

Sucks for those guys. I can't imagine what it's like having to wait an extra week to buy my 5th car.

 

[PATRlOT]

18k? Please. That's like $50 for the average person. Those rookies don't give a **** about that measly money when they'll make it back in a day.

Are you kidding me?

$18k is huge to a rookies who haven't proved anything in the league yet.

 

[shmessy]

These rookies are grown men in their 20s. Money management should've been taught to them in high school. You guys are really making a big deal out of nothing. It's not like they're repeatedly forcing the rookies to buy expensive dinners.

Hey Newbie, the Mods are going out to dinner next week. Fork over 3% of your annual salary pre-tax, or else.

 

[Soadisthebest]

Are you kidding me?

$18k is huge to a rookies who haven't proved anything in the league yet.

Those unproven rookies are getting 5 million in guaranteed money.

 

[shmessy]

Those unproven rookies are getting 5 million in guaranteed money.

You're sloppy with your facts, son.

Who are "those unproven rookies who are getting $5 million guaranteed"? All of them?

And, btw, Martin is not a rookie.