Malcolm Kelly's Trip to Liberia

[freddyg12]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

ya think?

If he was interested in self promotion there are far easier ways to go about it.

He really sounds like someone just looking for the spotlight here:

"We take for granted too much over here [in the United States]," Kelly said. "We take for granted that we can wake up, go to a fountain and get clean water. There are people in other countries drinking dirty water and that's what everyday life is for them. So I just want to go over [to Liberia] and be a part of helping out."

"As I have come to know the history and spirit of the Liberian people through Mercy Ships, I feel a real connection to the country," Kelly said. "I admire the way they are rebuilding for the future and I want to do everything I can to help them restore their country."

Read all of my post & you'll see that I was giving him credit for taking the trip before signing his deal. Maybe I should've more obviously praised him, but I did say I'd never heard of a rookie doing that, which he deserves a lot of credit for.

Also, see this part of the article:

"He named Mercy Ships his charity of choice after he declared for the NFL Draft last January."

Charity work I believe is a mandatory aspect of nfl employment. There may be some self-promoting in that he & his agent are starting early in forming a good public image for him that will lead to endorsements, maybe something beyond football. They may be working on his image after his public comments about the 40 at OU.

It's ok to self-promote & do good charitable work at the same time. The two are not mutually exclusive. So long as he is sincere in his work & does a good job & isn't one of those people (celebrity or not, they're everywhere) that just show up for a little while & then claim it's success later. I don't get the impression that he's doing that, cause like you said he could choose any number of easier ways to get publicity. But also remember that the publicity doesn't hurt.

How did it get on redskins.com anyway?

[Ade Jimoh Fan Club]

Originally Posted by freddyg12

Read all of my post & you'll see that I was giving him credit for taking the trip before signing his deal. Maybe I should've more obviously praised him, but I did say I'd never heard of a rookie doing that, which he deserves a lot of credit for.

I think it's fair to give him the benefit of the doubt, but unfortunately the selfish actions of most (but not all) NFL players make us skeptical and cynical.

Regardless, I think a week in Liberia on a medical ship will be a growing experience for anyone, depite what the intentions are.

And I, too, feel that he's going to be the steal of the draft when we look back 5 years from now.

[GMScud]

Originally Posted by freddyg12

Read all of my post & you'll see that I was giving him credit for taking the trip before signing his deal. Maybe I should've more obviously praised him, but I did say I'd never heard of a rookie doing that, which he deserves a lot of credit for.

Also, see this part of the article:

"He named Mercy Ships his charity of choice after he declared for the NFL Draft last January."

Charity work I believe is a mandatory aspect of nfl employment. There may be some self-promoting in that he & his agent are starting early in forming a good public image for him that will lead to endorsements, maybe something beyond football. They may be working on his image after his public comments about the 40 at OU.

It's ok to self-promote & do good charitable work at the same time. The two are not mutually exclusive. So long as he is sincere in his work & does a good job & isn't one of those people (celebrity or not, they're everywhere) that just show up for a little while & then claim it's success later. I don't get the impression that he's doing that, cause like you said he could choose any number of easier ways to get publicity. But also remember that the publicity doesn't hurt.

How did it get on redskins.com anyway?

Charity may be mandatory, but if he didn't genuinely care he would have picked an easy local charity, or at least something in the continental United States. Spending a week in a 3rd world country on another continent isn't exactly a walk in the park, as many of the "charity" work athletes do.

I understand your cynicism on the subject, but I'm buying this one as genuine.

[freddyg12]

Originally Posted by GMScud

Charity may be mandatory, but if he didn't genuinely care he would have picked an easy local charity, or at least something in the continental United States. Spending a week in a 3rd world country on another continent isn't exactly a walk in the park, as many of the "charity" work athletes do.

I understand your cynicism on the subject, but I'm buying this one as genuine.

Good points, and btw, I am somewhat of an afrofile & follow the news on several african countries from time to time. Liberia is quite a choice for charity work & shows that he has an adventurous, curious side as well. Liberia is the country that recieved some 'repatriated' freed slaves from the US after the emanicpation proclamation, only to have those former slaves enslave indiginous people in Liberia. Another reason it will be an educational trip for him.

Don't get me wrong, there are a lot of things to applaud about him doing this & a no. of reasons this speaks positively of him. I would prefer to label my comments as "cautious cynicism" rather than just flat out cynicism. And most of my post was intended to praise him while at the same time pointing out that there is a pr aspect to this as well.