Former New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez was arrested on Wednesday and charged with first-degree murder and five firearms-related charges. As details continue to emerge the story becomes more troubling.
The latest reports indicate that the shooting of Odin Lloyd may be tied to a double homicide last July in Boston and the possibility of Hernandez being involved in those slayings as well. Whether the connection will be made at trial there is a good probability Hernandez will face at least some jail time for the lesser charge of destroying evidence.
Hernandez's case raises the issue again on players and violence. Many players feel it necessary to own and even carry weapons. Many of these players have no problem showing their guns off on social media sites. These players will say it is for protection, which considering their fortunes and celebrity is understandable, but doesn't this same line of thinking sometimes lead to more harm than good?
There are responsible gun owning players, but what about those who have some history of mental instability or violence? Too many players have been involved in shootings whether of themselves or others or both.
Unfortunately Hernandez is not the first NFL player to face murder charges. Former Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis once faced murder charges but was aquitted in 2000 and former Panthers wide receiver Rae Carruth was indicted on conspiracy to commit murder in 2001.
Hernandez's case faces more scrutiny than Lewis's or Carruth's cases because of social media and 24 hour news channels that constantly cover the story. In the court of public opinion, he has already been found guilty before ever going to trial. Even though the case in largely circumstantial, his defense team face an uphill battle trying to clear their client's name.
Hernandez is a player showing an inability to detach himself from friends from his past. Friends who would not keep Hernandez from getting into trouble. This is a lesson many players have had to learn the hard way.
Becoming a professional athlete means having to grow up and let go of many friendships and hangouts that may lead them to trouble. It means being accused of "changing or "being different". Too many young players worry more about street credit than the teammates and fans they will disappoint if they are involved in criminal actions that will keep them from playing.
Ultimately that is the biggest crime of all with the Hernandez case. So much talent but a lack of self control, common sense and discipline.
Thursday, June 27, 2013
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
Rolando McClain-When Talent Alone Isn't Enough
As Rolando McClain returns to University of Alabama after three lackluster years in the NFL the question of what does it take to succeed in the NFL has to be raised. Why do some players fail so miserably in making the transition from college player to professional athlete?
McClain was a very promising middle linebacker while playing for the Crimson Tide. He was an All-American who won both the Lambert and Butkus Awards in 2009 for being the top college linebacker and went on to help lead the Tide to the 2010 BCS National Championship. Entering into the 2010 draft, McClain was predicted to be a top 10 draft pick and was drafted eighth overall by the Oakland Raiders.
McClain would prove to be a major disappointment. In the locker room, he got into confrontations with teammates, was thrown out of practice and coaches complained of his poor decision making. Off the field, McClain was arrested three times from charges ranging from disorderly conduct to providing a false identity to discharging a firearm. The Raiders finally had enough of him this past off season and released him. He was signed by the Ravens but retired just two weeks later.
McClain is not the first player to show great promise in college only to become a disappointment in the NFL, but these aren't issues with ability. Some players just lack the skills to make it in the NFL. McClain doesn't lack the physical capability, he lacks the discipline. This isn't an issue of whether a player is capable to play at the professional level, but does he have the mentality to do so. His locker room and off field antics shows a player who lacks a certain level of maturity to be a complete player.
The NFL isn't just about the physical gifts, there are plenty of players who have the size, speed and capable hands to make it in the league, but they lack the mental and emotional stability to do it. Some players find it hard to leave behind the old friends and hangouts that were a part of their life before the league and unfortunately find themselves in precarious situations. Still others have personal problems that lead them to make poor decisions.
The days of a league that recruited, drafted, signed and played athletes with questionable moral backgrounds is gone. A players off field antics is just as vital as his on the field and locker room ones. There isn't leniency when a player shows an inability to curtail his behavior. Players now face fines and suspensions even when they don't face criminal charges. The league holds players up to a higher standard. The NFL is a privilege not a right. It is no longer just about your talent, but about your emotional and mental stability as well as your moral and ethical character. It may mean losing physically gifted but deeply troubled players but if it stops players from certain behavior than the sacrifice is worth the cost.
McClain was a very promising middle linebacker while playing for the Crimson Tide. He was an All-American who won both the Lambert and Butkus Awards in 2009 for being the top college linebacker and went on to help lead the Tide to the 2010 BCS National Championship. Entering into the 2010 draft, McClain was predicted to be a top 10 draft pick and was drafted eighth overall by the Oakland Raiders.
McClain would prove to be a major disappointment. In the locker room, he got into confrontations with teammates, was thrown out of practice and coaches complained of his poor decision making. Off the field, McClain was arrested three times from charges ranging from disorderly conduct to providing a false identity to discharging a firearm. The Raiders finally had enough of him this past off season and released him. He was signed by the Ravens but retired just two weeks later.
McClain is not the first player to show great promise in college only to become a disappointment in the NFL, but these aren't issues with ability. Some players just lack the skills to make it in the NFL. McClain doesn't lack the physical capability, he lacks the discipline. This isn't an issue of whether a player is capable to play at the professional level, but does he have the mentality to do so. His locker room and off field antics shows a player who lacks a certain level of maturity to be a complete player.
The NFL isn't just about the physical gifts, there are plenty of players who have the size, speed and capable hands to make it in the league, but they lack the mental and emotional stability to do it. Some players find it hard to leave behind the old friends and hangouts that were a part of their life before the league and unfortunately find themselves in precarious situations. Still others have personal problems that lead them to make poor decisions.
The days of a league that recruited, drafted, signed and played athletes with questionable moral backgrounds is gone. A players off field antics is just as vital as his on the field and locker room ones. There isn't leniency when a player shows an inability to curtail his behavior. Players now face fines and suspensions even when they don't face criminal charges. The league holds players up to a higher standard. The NFL is a privilege not a right. It is no longer just about your talent, but about your emotional and mental stability as well as your moral and ethical character. It may mean losing physically gifted but deeply troubled players but if it stops players from certain behavior than the sacrifice is worth the cost.
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
Tim Tebow- A New Beginning with the Patriots?
Tim Tebow is a polarizing player..you either love him or hate him. You either consider him a refreshing break from the often self-centered narcisstic players in the league or you consider him a waste of a pick for his lack of ability. Tebow is glorious in his humbleness and team first mentality, but his lack of mechanics at the quarterback position cannot be hidden by being a nice guy.
Despite his poor performance, the Jets handling of Tebow lacked tact. After a season sitting on the bench and making few contributions on the field, he was dismissed in an inglorious manner. Many predicted this was the end of Tebow's career in the NFL. Team after team expressed disinterest in the one time Heisman trophy winner. Fans and reporters alike suggested Tebow try the CFL or Arena league.
Now Tebow is back. He signed an undisclosed deal to play third string quarterback for the New England Patriots. Patriots have not disclosed whether they will bring Tebow in on wildcat plays but with two great tight ends in Hernandez and Gronkowski there is little chance Patriots are looking to move him to that position. Admittedly this may mean he won't see much playing time, but under Belichick Tebow may be given an opportunity to develop. An opportunity neither the Broncos nor the Jets gave him.
Belichick is known for bringing along players slowly and developing them into quality contributors on the field. Whether he will have the same success he had with Brady, Welker, Branch, Woodhead, etc remains to be seen but there is a potential for a much brighter future for the of the former national championship winner.
Despite his poor performance, the Jets handling of Tebow lacked tact. After a season sitting on the bench and making few contributions on the field, he was dismissed in an inglorious manner. Many predicted this was the end of Tebow's career in the NFL. Team after team expressed disinterest in the one time Heisman trophy winner. Fans and reporters alike suggested Tebow try the CFL or Arena league.
Now Tebow is back. He signed an undisclosed deal to play third string quarterback for the New England Patriots. Patriots have not disclosed whether they will bring Tebow in on wildcat plays but with two great tight ends in Hernandez and Gronkowski there is little chance Patriots are looking to move him to that position. Admittedly this may mean he won't see much playing time, but under Belichick Tebow may be given an opportunity to develop. An opportunity neither the Broncos nor the Jets gave him.
Belichick is known for bringing along players slowly and developing them into quality contributors on the field. Whether he will have the same success he had with Brady, Welker, Branch, Woodhead, etc remains to be seen but there is a potential for a much brighter future for the of the former national championship winner.
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