NFL Truly Has Class

by John Bena on Jan 5, 2007 1:22 PM MST in Darrent Williams News

I have to tip my cap to the National Football League. In light of the Darrent William tragedy the league has shown that it has it's priorities in order.

First came word that the Commissioner, Roger Goodell, would be in attendance at the funeral service tomorrow. Could you imagine David Stern or Bud Selig missing playoff games in their respective leagues to attend a funeral? Vice president of player development Mike Haynes and NFL vice president of public relations Greg Aiello are also expected to attend.

In addition to the league office, representatives from other NFL teams and Oklahoma State, where Williams played college ball, as well as the NFL Players Association are expected to attend.

If all of that weren't enough, it was brought to my attention(hat tip to Broncette) that the NFL announced it was returning the $15,000 fine Williams received for arguing with officials near the end of the November 19th game with San Diego. The money will go to the Williams family, most likely to the Children's Fund. The NFL didn't have to do this. And while 15 grand is nothing to a multi-billion dollar giant like the NFL it is huge to that family and those kids, and the NFL showed why it is the best of the major sports leagues in this country.

Well done, Roger Goodell, Well done National Football League

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this is all fantastic

Finally the NFL is getting some things right. They've been such scrooges in the past when it comes to fallen players (the two most obvious instances that spring to mind were fining Plummer for continuing to wear his sticker honoring Pat Tillman and not letting Peyton Manning wear special shoes for Unitas.) I hope they give free reign to the Broncos for however they want to honor Darrent.

Bronco gal in Raider country

by broncette on Jan 5, 2007 2:23 PM MST reply actions

I have to...

admit, I like the fact that they don't bend their rules. As long as the Broncos make it part of their uniform they are ok. If you allow Peyton to wear black shoes, what's next??

I hear ya, though, you'd think there would be bigger fish to fry for the league...

-TSG www.thesportsguru.com www.milehighreport.com

by John Bena on Jan 5, 2007 2:29 PM MST up reply actions

What's Next?

What's next is Ocho Cinco insisting on wearing his ridiculous shoes with a collage of himself on them in a game. I agree w/ TSG, everyone should have to do it... (of course I'm a little uni-centric myself... religious reader of www.uniwatchblog.com)

by SD Bronco on Jan 5, 2007 3:33 PM MST up reply actions

I read

that every day too. Although I find myself disagreeing with him on a few things, it's still interesting. I see nothing wrong with black shoes, etc. Part of what is cool about baseball is the option to wear short pants, long pants, etc. A little individuality isn't a bad thing.

by Knepster on Jan 5, 2007 6:19 PM MST up reply actions

I know what you mean

but I do think in certain instances (the above being obvious ones) it shouldn't be hard for the NFL to just come up with a basic process where players can make a request to do a certain thing, and the NFL can either say Yes or No. It would have been a really cool tribute to Unitas, and the NFL would have looked better for having allowed it.

I guess I don't have a problem with say, a baseball player writing something on the underbrim of his cap (which they are now eliminating by making the brim dark grey or something.) Or if there was a football equivalent.

Bronco gal in Raider country

by broncette on Jan 5, 2007 6:18 PM MST up reply actions

Very classy

indeed. Thats one of the reason the NFL is superior. I was watching the Chiefs and Jags get into it last week with a few occasional jabs at each other but it NEVER escalated into anything more. No Miami-Florida Atlantic (or was it International) brawl. No running into the stands to hit a fan. Just grown men knowing where the line is and not crossing it. Makes for a hell of a game...

Arrowhead Pride

by Chris Thorman on Jan 5, 2007 6:52 PM MST reply actions