“This ain’t the right time, this ain’t the right place,” says Sunday NFL Countdown host Chris Boomer. It’s not surprising that he’d be making this comment about the 3-5 Philadelphia Eagles, a team forecast as an NFL powerhouse that hasn’t lived up to the expectations. And to make matters worse, in the wake of an upsetting MNF loss to the Chicago Bears, Eagles head coach Andy Ried benched his all-pro wide-out/punt return man DeSean Jackson for oversleeping an important special-teams meeting the Saturday before game day.
Jackson’s $3 million contract will expire at the end of the Eagle’s season. Jackson wants the Eagles to make him another offer, one with more money. The Eagles haven’t made any indications that they’re planning on signing Jackson for next year. Some fans and players may sympathize with Jackson. But when has boycotting your job ever become a means to get what you want? We live in a competitive world. Nothing comes easy. Plenty of NFL stars have a story to tell about underprivileged childhoods, escaping poverty and crime, etc. – the point being that we, the fans, understand how lucky, and how privileged professional athletes are to be in the positions they’re in.
We get it. But there is nothing to “get” about not showing up for a job that puts six figures in your bank account. There is nothing to be accepted about negligence.
Hypothetically, Jackson could’ve contracted an illness Friday night. Au contraire. Mr. Jackson slumbered through his alarm clock, a noise that for most people is strident and insufferable. Instead, Jackson gained the attention of a spotlight, revealing his depraved angst.
In Jackson’s defense it should be known that the NFL deals with contract issues all season long. Last Sunday, NFL countdown made the point that Chicago Bears’ punt return phenom Matt Forte is in his final year of his contract. The Bears haven’t offered Forte a contract extension. Forte admitted that things in the locker room have become weird. His teammates are confused as to why he hasn’t received a new deal from the organization. His talents are unmatched among all punt returners in the league. Yet Forte makes it to practice on time, shows up for game days and meetings. His professional attitude has gained the acceptance and respect of his teammates and quite possibly the heads of the Bears organization.
All good things come in time, and with patience all good things can mature. Is Jackson on the wrong end of time? The question now evaluates the maturity of this young, vibrant superstar.
What is the right thing to do in Jackson’s case?
C’mon man! The reality is that the NFL doesn’t want to lose the hype that Jackson brings to the league. The dual reality is that while the NFL doesn’t want to lose him, there are plenty of all-star wide-outs in college that would be glad to fill his absence.
I mean, for crying out loud. Give me number 10’s jersey and I’ll run a few deep flies and post routes. The kind of money Jackson is receiving now can reinvent a man.
My advice to Jackson is don’t spoil a good thing. You don’t want to be seen as the young superstar who couldn’t compete with the big boys because he couldn’t cash his check without throwing a hissy fit. You’re rich. Am I right? You’re famous and you’re successful. You have the beat on millions of other people in a world stricken with poverty. Your profession didn’t require a lot of education. Yet you’ll eat a steak every night of the week with money you DO have.
Tonight I’ll eat a Tony’s pizza. The sauce will likely smart my lips because my oven will cook it too fast. If I let it cool down for too long the dough will become soggy and the sauce will taste spoiled. If I want to I could try to peel the plastic off of the preserved meat toppings. Instead I’ll devour the entire pizza. When I’m done I’ll forget I ever ate anything. Thirty minutes later I’ll believe I haven’t eaten anything and my hunger will begin to consume me.
So what should Jackson do? Do what is right for the stardom he’s gained over the past few seasons. Jackson is a role model, a figure looked up to by millions of NFL fans all over the world. And he has a job to do.
On Sunday, Nov. 13, DeSean Jackson will stand on the sidelines watching his teammates try to elevate their team to new levels. He should be on the field, is expected to be on the field, but invariably will not be. Because the NFL teaches that greed and childish angst can overcome any problem? Again, au contraire. But this situation doesn’t shed positive light on the league.
DeSean, you’ll get your new contract and you’ll receive extra benefits and a pay increase. You won’t have to fuss for much longer. And for now I’ll continue to eat Tony’s pizza for dinner, until I run out. Then I’ll begin making grilled cheese with stale bread and a block of cheddar cheese. Good luck to you.