But like most people, I understand that football is just a sport. And for any sport to have value, there must be rules that are followed by all players and coaches. Breaking those rules, commonly called cheating, devalues the game and disgraces those who engage in it. I am not talking about minor infractions (like being "offsides" or "holding"), but an intentional cheating to give one team an unfair advantage over another. I believe most players and coaches do their best to follow the rules, but there are a few for whom winning is the only important thing -- even if it must be done by cheating.
And that cheating becomes even more vile and distasteful when it involves the intentional hurting or maiming of a player on an opposing team. Unfortunately, it has recently come to light that this is exactly what has been going on with one or more NFL teams. An NFL coach, Gregg Williams, has admitted that while he coached for the New Orleans Saints he offered his defensive players a "bounty" for intentionally injuring a player on another team. He said the team kept a fund of $50,000 to pay the bounties -- which were $1000 for "cart-offs" and $1500 for "knock-outs".
Williams has also coached for NFL teams in Tennessee, Washington, Jacksonville, and Buffalo (and was recently hired by St. Louis). At least one Washington player has said Williams did the same thing when he coached for the Redskins. One would have to believe it is likely he also did that at his other coaching stops. And some NFL players are now saying the same thing was done by other coaches and at other teams.
This is a shocking revelation, and it could turn out to be a black mark against the entire league. Football is a violent sport, and even when the game is played by the rules there are going to be some players hurt -- some of them seriously. But to pay players a bonus for intentionally hurting an opposing player is way beyond the pale. It is a sick and perverted practice (and if done off the field would be a felony criminal offense).
The NFL has launched an investigation into this. I hope it is a thorough investigation involving all NFL teams. This kind of thing must be stopped -- for the health of the players and the good of the league. Any team found to have engaged in this practice should be very heavily fined and probably even lose some draft choices. The penalties should be severe enough to discourage anyone from ever doing this again.
Williams said offering the bounties was a "terrible mistake" and "we knew it was wrong while we were doing it." Of course they did, and so did anyone else doing it. I'm glad Williams has finally seen the light, but I think he should be banned from ever coaching in the NFL again -- and so should any other coach found guilty of the same thing. This kind of intentional brutality must be stopped.
Let me add one final thought. There is no honor in winning if it was done by cheating. That is true of sports, politics, or any other endeavor.
doesn't any one remember when Buddy(the asshole) Ryan had a hit out on our kicker?..years ago..but I remember it well.
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