Football is a rough and tumble game. Anyone who has ever played it knows that and knows that there always exists the possibility of getting hurt while playing football whether it be played in a stadium in front of thousands of fans or on some back lot where it is played for the sheer love of the game. Players are taught to run fast and hit hard from the first day of football practice way back in Junior High School. Terms like “Push ‘em Back”, “Hit ‘em Hard”, “Knock ‘em Down” are all part of the dogma of the game of football.
In most cases, the rough language used by coaches and trainers is not taken literally but comes off as a type of pep talk used to inspire the best effort out of the players. No one really wants to “kill the quarterback” but, it is an expression that is often heard on the sidelines.
Former New Orleans Saints defensive coordinator Greg Williams has been caught on film sounding off for all the world to hear, he was simply inspiring his defensive backs to do actual physical harm to players on the opposing team. He points out players with existing injuries and suggests that these players are weak points to be attacked, perhaps putting those players out of the game or out for the season. He has been chastised and perhaps is out of the game for good.
Weather any actual money exchanged hands as reward for such damage has yet to be proven but it is quite clear that some folks stepped out of bounds in this case and we should all sit up and take a look at what happened here so as to prevent a repetition of such behavior in the future.
It is not good for the game or for the players. It certainly has not been good for the fans who look to football as a form of entertainment and an escape from the ordinary. We like to think that the guys up there on the TV screen are setting an example of excellence for all. No one wants to see them as villains.
The Bounty Gate saga continues into regular season play now as a 3 judge panel has reinstated the four suspended players in one of the most uncomfortable situations in NFL history.
Reactions from New Orleans Saints players were predictably upbeat.
Drew Brees…..Congratulations to our players and the Saints organization….a 3 judge panel unanimously overturned the bounty suspensions for players.
Jonathan Vilma…..Victory is mine!!!!
Will Smith…..Thank you to everyone involved in the process of this solution… and everyone who supported us through this whole ordeal.
