I'm sure you've heard about the N.O. Saints and their head hunting fiasco. And the Patriots got caught cheating in 2007.
Great role models huh?
Great role models huh?
NFL Head Hunters
- Thread starter Kanewpadle
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cass
Member
ANY PLAYER that accepted a single dime from this bounty system should NEVER be allowed on a football field ever again - no exceptions.
OP
I agree. Although a different sport, what they did is far worse than what Pete Rose did!
Compared to some of today's professional athletes, he's a saint.The Last Standing Knight
Member
Pro Sports has always had more than a tinge of dirt on it over the years. Take a look at the early days of baseball.
As someone who doesn't follow nor care about pro sports AT ALL (long story), when these things come up, I always remember the words of the immortal Vince Lombardi: "Winning isn't everything...IT'S THE ONLY THING!" In the modern mindset, such antics are unofficially approved of and encouraged. Even the governing bodies of pro sports only make token reaction to this behavior, make a few examples, say some pretty words, and then go on about business...which is what it really is; business.
As someone who doesn't follow nor care about pro sports AT ALL (long story), when these things come up, I always remember the words of the immortal Vince Lombardi: "Winning isn't everything...IT'S THE ONLY THING!" In the modern mindset, such antics are unofficially approved of and encouraged. Even the governing bodies of pro sports only make token reaction to this behavior, make a few examples, say some pretty words, and then go on about business...which is what it really is; business.
I agree. Although a different sport, what they did is far worse than what Pete Rose did!
My understanding is that Pete would bet $10,000 on the Reds in a game. In a later game Pete would bet $10 on the Reds. Pete's claim that he only bet on the Reds just doesn't hold much water IF that's true.
There were folks that knew what Pete was betting and adjusted their betting accordingly.
I agree that the *Head Hunters*, their coaches, GMs, etc. etc. should be banned from pro sports for life - College sports too!
Same for the jerks that use their BIG BUCKS to finance illegal enterprises --- Even - say - dog fighting.
jag312
Member
I have heard that Lombardi never said those words. What he said was "Winning isn't everything, but striving to win is everything."
guitar1580
Member
I was reading about the Saints suspensions this week. I think the punishments should definitely be stiff, and should go to the top management, for any kind of cheating, but it's kind of difficult to put a finger on the problems in the NFL.
Yes, the bounty is wrong, but many players will still have wagers, or inner commitments, or discussions about "taking out" a particular Qback or key player. They bounties possibly have been going on for a long time, with many teams.
We do have to protect quarterbacks, but I did feel that James Harrison was unfairly singled out and fined, when many other similar hits by other players were never called. It's a fine line between protecting players, letting them play the game, and toning down the defenses so much that the game becomes lame.
I've said it before, if the league wants to reduce the number of "leading with the helmet" hits, get rid of the elaborate facemasks, or let everyone play for a year with the old school leather cap with zero facemask. Those big ole boys won't be goin in face first for long.
Josh P
Yes, the bounty is wrong, but many players will still have wagers, or inner commitments, or discussions about "taking out" a particular Qback or key player. They bounties possibly have been going on for a long time, with many teams.
We do have to protect quarterbacks, but I did feel that James Harrison was unfairly singled out and fined, when many other similar hits by other players were never called. It's a fine line between protecting players, letting them play the game, and toning down the defenses so much that the game becomes lame.
I've said it before, if the league wants to reduce the number of "leading with the helmet" hits, get rid of the elaborate facemasks, or let everyone play for a year with the old school leather cap with zero facemask. Those big ole boys won't be goin in face first for long.
Josh P
CBus660R
Member
I agree. Although a different sport, what they did is far worse than what Pete Rose did!
Sorry, but in baseball, there was only 1 Commandment, Thou Shall Not Gamble! It was the only rule and it had clear cut punishment. Pete got what he knew was coming. It's seriousness compared to other crimes in the real world is irrelevant.
With regards to the head hunter issues, IMHO, the players got a little more than they should have and the coaches and GM got off easy. Head hunting and questionable hits are part of the game. When the coaches and GM are encouraging it, the players are gonna respond. Heck, it happens in college and even high school between the players without the hefty $$$ bonuses. It's part of the brutal game that is football.
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LedFowl
Member
Suppose offensive players ever set a bounty system? Maybe players should have to play both ways.
OP
So what your saying is that the players don't know right from wrong? That's a cop out. And it's part of a bigger problem. Professional athletes are not always held accountable for their actions.
CBus660R
Member
I'm not saying they don't know what's right from wrong, what I'm saying is that what happens between the lines of an athletic field (talking Pro level here) doesn't fit within the constraints of normal society and to judge and punish the players and their actions as if they do isn't fair. If these guys were headhunting Avg Joes in the supermarket for a bounty put up by their coach, then I would have a problem with it.
quneur
Member
These are sons and grandsons to most of us here. Would you recommend your son or grandson to play football as a slot receiver knowing the opposing secondary will be head hunting and/or that the opposing team has a bounty on him?
There are other brutal sports like MMA, boxing, hockey, etc. but those players have months to train or have enormous amount padding (which football doesn't because movement is important). They are trained to expect to be hit, block and retaliate; whereas in football, the receiver is helpless.
There are other brutal sports like MMA, boxing, hockey, etc. but those players have months to train or have enormous amount padding (which football doesn't because movement is important). They are trained to expect to be hit, block and retaliate; whereas in football, the receiver is helpless.
Football is a violent contact sport by design. Players are going to be hit and they expect that - itis part of the game - not the whole game. These players with intent to injure did not go out to play the game. They went out to critically injure, targeted opposing player.That makes them felons - not players and the bounty system that was in place makes that defensive coordinator guilty of running a criminal enterprise. ALL participants, including the D/C should be banned for life - with no possibility of reinstatement.
