Posts Tagged ‘Jonathan Vilma’

A Letter to Roger Goodell

Wednesday, May 2nd, 2012

By LeRoy McConnell III

“Commish”:

I  never thought I would see the day when the game of football would be watered down enough to allow women to play in the National Football League!  I never thought this day would happen.  You have shown that you are an equal opportunist, and for that sake I will be entering my seven year old daughter in little league football this fall!

I think it’s ridiculous that we are in 2012 suspending and fining four New Orleans Saints players for being part of the so-called bounty program that lead to no career-ending injuries on the football field.  Jonathan Vilma gets suspended for a year for being part of the bounty program?  Wasn’t he taking orders from his coach?  This is professional football, isn’t it?  Football is America’s newest past time.  Players look forward to the fall season to play this wonderful game because of the love, passion, and without a doubt the paycheck that provides them a good living.   

Mr. Goodell, with all these rule changes, you, the commish are destroying this barbaric game I have enjoyed watching every Sunday.  A defender can’t hit a “defenseless” receiver; I wonder how many receptions are completed because of that rule?  Helmet to helmet hits; Football is a contact sport and collisions happen.  No one is thinking about trying to tackle with their heads.  It’s funny, I have seen players hit with their shoulders and still get a penalty for helmet to helmet contact.  The rules are unnecessary and flawed!  I love the pending new rule about trying to omit the kickoff, because it’s dangerous?  I believe in safety but stop trying to put kid gloves on grown men!  Each individual who plays this game knows the risk of injury.  I don’t feel sorry for football players who go out there each weekend and play this violent sport.  I think it’s a bunch of crap that these players have lawsuits pending because of concussions and other injuries they develop during their careers.  There is risk in anything and everything that you do.  I don’t see anybody quitting the game because of an injury.  I see athletes working their butts off to get back in the game.

Mr. Goodell, I don’t see our Government placing yellow jerseys on our military personnel.  Our  soldiers know the minute they sign up, the risk they are putting themselves in.  Why do you think they sign on?  Is it because of the patriotism, honor, integrity?  We know it’s definitely not for the pay!

What about police and firefighters who risk their lives every time someone calls 911?  Citizens have to think police officers are insane for potentially getting shot at for a living, or watching firefighters go into burning buildings while everyone else is running out of them!  Police officers wear protective vests but it doesn’t mean they won’t get injured.  Firefighters wear SCBA masks to avoid smoke, but somehow are still threatened by black lungs.  I don’t see anyone protecting them.  There are more police personnel and firefighters that are in worse shape long term than anybody in your league.  I guess what I am really trying to say is, I don’t care about injuries in your league!  I don’t care about what happens to the players when their careers are over.  It’s risky business out there.  Do you think your league is the only place people get hurt?  Mr. Goodell, I bet if you asked a firefighter or police officer why they chose their profession they would tell you because of their love and passion. 

Mr. Goodell, you run the National Football League, and ever since you have taken over as commissioner, you have become more of a dictator.  Your fans have paid good money, whether they attend the functions in person, go to a bar, or watch your product at home.  There is nothing wrong with the game right now.  The bounties in the NFL resulted in the suspensions toward the Saints organization.  Who’s career ended because of these bounties?  Did you suspend people because of a tactic to get the job done?  NO ONE WAS HURT from it.  I am sitting here as a novice spectator watching the NHL playoffs and all I see are hits after hits.  Makes me wonder if America should be watching hockey over the newest past time.

LeRoy McConnell of “A Fan’s Point of View”, for War Room Sports