Are Fans and NFL teams too demanding of players?

[TheMalcolmConnection]

I don't think that teams are asking too much. I mean they are paying out the ass to expect their players to act like professionals. They are paying them to PLAY A GAME, millions of dollars, so you'd think it's not too much to ask for them to be responsible. Because if the team sucks the next year due to a certain player not being there, the owner catches the flak for the team not being good and the player will deservedly catch some flak because that's the business you're in. If you can't take the heat, well you know what to do.

[724Skinsfan]

Ben plays football. Ben also lives his life the way he wants to. If he really wanted to play professional football and maintain and long healthy career he would take all the necessary precautions. He's just living to whatever suits his fancy. I don't see anything wrong with that. I'm sorry he got injured, just like I'm sorry anybody gets injured. He's just a man that happens to be a professional sports athlete. The Pittsburgh Steelers have often been a championship level team long before Big Ben and they probably will continue to be one after. Maybe not in the immediate future but as they say: the game goes on.

[TheMalcolmConnection]

Originally Posted by 724Skinsfan

Ben plays football. Ben also lives his life the way he wants to. If he really wanted to play professional football and maintain and long healthy career he would take all the necessary precautions. He's just living to whatever suits his fancy. I don't see anything wrong with that. I'm sorry he got injured, just like I'm sorry anybody gets injured. He's just a man that happens to be a professional sports athlete. The Pittsburgh Steelers have often been a championship level team long before Big Ben and they probably will continue to be one after. Maybe not in the immediate future but as they say: the game goes on.

So you don't see anything wrong with doing something detrimental to your career in your free time? I'm not saying stop riding the bike, but at least wear a helmet.

[724Skinsfan]

Originally Posted by TheMalcolmConnection

So you don't see anything wrong with doing something detrimental to your career in your free time? I'm not saying stop riding the bike, but at least wear a helmet.

Not at all. It's a choice that he made and without a doubt he was aware of the potential consequences. If Ben was all about football and playing for the Steelers he wouldn't have been on the motorcycle. His career is not as important to him as having a good time and enjoying himself. That's not the same as saying his career is not important. As far as his financial future, he will always have money, unless he's into heavy gambling or major substance abuse. If he's the free spirit that I think he is, nothing holds him back from doing the activiites that he wants to do. Ten years from now he may regret riding that motorcycle but right now he did what he felt like doing. Good for him.

[ArtMonkDrillz]

Originally Posted by 724Skinsfan

If he's the free spirit that I think he is, nothing holds him back from doing the activiites that he wants to do. Ten years from now he may regret riding that motorcycle but right now he did what he felt like doing. Good for him.

Can't you say the same thing for Ricky Williams and a ton of other atheletes who have thrown away their careers for drugs/alcohol/gambling/whatever? In the history of professional sports there are probably hundreds, if not more, of potentially great atheletes who have thrown away all their potential because they didn't want to be held back from doing the things they wanted to do.

[724Skinsfan]

I would say the same thing for any professional sports athlete, including Ricky Williams. I'm going to lunch but I'll comment further later on.

[ArtMonkDrillz]

Originally Posted by 724Skinsfan

I would say the same thing for any professional sports athlete, including Ricky Williams. I'm going to lunch but I'll comment further later on.

I all these players are, when it all comes down to it, people who should be free to make their own decisions, but I just feel like someone like Ben or Ricky should really think about the responsibility that comes with their huge contracts. They should realize that they are being paid these outrageous sums of money because they are expected to be able to perform at a certain level. From all accounts, it seems like Ben was asked repeatedly to stop riding, or at the very least to wear a helmet, because of the risks involved.

I just feel like he has a responsiblity to his team to try and avoid off-field activities that could result in on-field problems.