NFL is the governing body of the most popular sport in the United States of America, and it stands for the National (American) Football League; but many players and fans alike, aptly call it the “No Fun League.” A big reason for the “No Fun League” is for the player violations of the rules- ranging from excessive celebration, using social media in meetings, pre-game, during game, after game and amending the rules of the game in any given Sunday to favor certain positions. In essence, the “No Fun League” was coined to critique the league for the many rule changes that inhibits the players from having “fun”. But at times, the NFL has been a forgiving league, especially to previous players who have been in serious trouble with the law. Examples of this can be seen with the likes of Michael Vick, Donte Stallworth, and Ray Lewis. A potential reason as to why, might be their personality and the age of the player – all have been in their mid to late twenty’s. The NFL gave them a second chance to resurrect their American Football career. The most recent NFL player, Plaxico Burress, who was just released from prison from his charges, has been said is “a monumental risk for any team;” which can only lead to the question of –Should Plaxico Burress get another chance in the NFL?
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| Speaking on behalf of Michael Vick's 2nd Chance |
Plaxico Burress, with his large frame of 6’5 (1.96m) and 232 (105kg), and before he was incarcerated, was Eli Manning’s favorite target in the end zone. He is best known for catching the winning touchdown in Super Bowl XLII that derailed the New England Patriots chance of being the second team of having a perfect season and winning the Super Bowl (only team is the 1972 Miami Dolphins). One might ask: what happen to the man that ruined the honeymoon of Tom Brady and Bill Belichick? Well, after this career highlight, Plaxico started to become involved with the law, not for the right reasons but all for the wrong reasons. But the one legal trouble that he could not run from or juke was the accidental shooting at a New York Nightclub. If this story is not familiar to someone, it will be hard to understand, not because of the concept is difficult but for the act of imbecility of the perpetrator. While he was going upstairs, Plaxico Burress managed to shoot himself in the thigh with his concealed firearm. Yes, he shot himself in the thigh, resulting in his incarceration due to the strict New York’s Gun Laws. Consequently, he lost two prime years of his career, two years with his family, missing his baby being born and most important, he left his American Football career in limbo. He now becomes a high-risk player for several reasons; the first being of his criminal past, his difficult personality, and now his age (he entered prison at 32 and left at 34, which is seen as old in NFL standards).
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| Super Bowl XLII TD Catch |
The only thing good that is coming out of the NFL Lockout (if that makes any sense at all) beside Chad OchoCinco’s tweets and endeavors is that the fans truly know now that the NFL is a business first than the fans. The NFL is comprised of thirty-two teams with thirty-two owners, whom invest their money into the team, management, players and so forth. With so much money invested into the team; the owners need to protect their investment and they do so by micromanaging the organization and choosing the people that are a perfect fit for their organization. That being said, would an owner of a team invest millions of dollars into a player who has been known to be difficult with management? A player who has been in legal trouble in the form of civil lawsuits? A player who is unaware of the State of New York’s laws, which can translate into now being aware of team rules? A player who is two years removed from his tremendous contribution to a Super Bowl winning team? A player who is 34 years old or a younger player? Does his 6’5 (1.95m) and 232 (105kg) frame and his skills still warrant to be on a team or has his skills diminish while he was away? As with any investment, especially if it’s a large sum of money, a lot of questions have to be answered before the investor decides whether or not, there will be a return of investment. One thing is for certain, the players aforementioned in the introductory paragraph learned from their mistake and have been given a second chance but should Plaxico Burress receive his second chance in the NFL?
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