All For Show

This past week Arizona Cardinals formally introduced Jen Welter, who is believed to be the first woman to ever serve on an NFL coaching staff in any capacity. It goes without saying that Welter, who will serve as a summer coaching intern and work with the team’s inside linebackers, is indebted to Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians for receiving such a historic opportunity.  I am not one to doubt anyone. she may very well be passionate about football and intelligent. Given the fact that Cardinals aren’t selling many tickets or haven’t had a great football team in while, makes me wonder is this move just to make more money. Welter insists that Arians was keenly interested in her football acumen and that he made her feel like she belonged.

Show Me The Money

Is any athlete really worth this much? Dez Bryant has agreed to a five-year, $70 million contract with the Dallas Cowboys, ending the threat that Bryant would hold out and potentially miss games this season. The contract includes $45 million in guaranteed money. The deal was reached just before the deadline for the franchise-tagged players to sign a long-term contract.  Bryant had indicated he would sit out regular season games if he didn't get a contract by the deadline, which would have been a disaster for Dallas. While Bryant got the long-term contract he so desperately wanted, this deal is a big win for the Cowboys. But as a football fan it really makes me wonder, is it for the love of the game or is it just about the money.

Above The Law

The Tom Brady's “Deflategate” saga continues to dominate the sports headlines to this day since the initial report of under inflated footballs was released in early January. Tom Brady’s reputation has been sullied by the ongoing reports, media coverage, NFL players’ opinions, and the Wells’ investigation which did not definitively prove that Brady was guilty. Roger Goodell dropped the hammer on the superstar quarterback, handing down a four game suspension to Brady; however Brady appealed Goodell’s punishment and the decision on the appeal process has not been decided yet. Now as the New England Patriots quarterback and NFL Players Association await NFL Commissioner ruling on whether to uphold, reduce or overturn Brady's four-game suspension, the threat of a lawsuit looms. It may be a ploy, just leverage for Brady and the union to get the punishment erased. Yet, some maneuverings that could help prevent a suit may be taking place right now behind closed doors. We all know Tom Brady is the face of football and poster child for the NFL, I think the suspension will be lifted, if not most definitely reduced. 

 

The NFL: reality show or nah?

The NFL has successfully turned what was predominantly a violence craved targeted male audience, to an all-inclusive family, feminized spectacle. They targeted certain demographic groups such as women and minorities. This led to female reporters, breast cancer awareness month, the Rooney rule, and several sponsorships that are worth billions. As the NFL continued to grow and owners padded their pockets, consequently they exposed themselves to a higher degree of public scrutiny. The point being is that the NFL has become too big and too powerful to sweep their discretions under the carpet. Too many people are watching and or people care. Politicians are now involved. Congressional hearings are being held. Constituents are writing in, asking their politicians to take action against the NFL. Fortune 500 companies are pulling sponsorships from the players and their teams in attempt to appease shareholders. Women, children, gay, Native American, and animal right groups are all applying pressure on the NFL, ensuring that their agenda isn't being overlooked or ignored. The NFL  deserving or not, has become a mirror for some of our country's biggest social issues.

Saving or Crippling

In 2010 football changed forever. They passed a rule that involves the ban on hitting defenseless players, which includes all offensive positions such as, the quarterback, wide receivers and snappers on field goals or punts. This rule benefits the offense and disadvantages  the defense from performing at top levels. Hits on the quarterback encourages him to rush his plays and make mistakes. Hits on a Wideriever makes him think twice about coming across the field or running into certain areas. With this rule being passed it allows the offense unlimited freedom to do whatever they like with no worries at all and in result of this, in the past few years there have been more high scoring games. The NFL is only trying to make the game safer, but in changing these rules it is only crippling and belittling the real football palyers and fans.

Long Live Football

     Hello, my name is Marcelus Manear and I am returning senior at Bowie State University. I reside in Fort Washington, MD, but I am originally from Baltimore, MD. Growing up sports were the only outlet for me to channel my emotions and feelings. The first sport that I played was football. At a younger age I was very over weight and out of shape. My family and most of my friends would often criticize me and call me names. I took this very personal and naturally it angered me so I became very physical and pushed my self to extreme levels and later I became one of Maryland's top athlete's, making the 2006 all metro team.  My favorite athlete of all time was Sean Taylor; I followed him from the University of Miami until he played on my favorite football team, the Washington Redskins. Hands down Sean was the best safety of all time and the most physical. His intensity and passion drove me as a football player, but when he passed away in 2007 I think he took all of real football with him. Through out my blog hope you come to understand my views and points on how sports have changed drastically.