There Is a Reason You’re in the NFL, not the NBA

The next day I am employed as a professional athlete will be my first. For that reason, I think average people like myself who enjoy sports, every now and then, can have a perspective on the best interests of players that is better than the perspective of the players. Sometimes the view from the sky offers a better perspective than the view on the ground.

ESPN reported that Baltimore Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs tore his Achilles tendon while playing basketball, according to some sources. Other ESPN sources report that Suggs suffered the injury while running a conditioning test. While the distinction will be critical regarding whether or not the Ravens are on the hook for Suggs’ multi-million dollar salary, this means, regardless of the circumstances of the injury, Suggs could be out for the entire 2012 season.

Ben Roethlisberger, left, and Suggs, right. This is the only place they should be putting themselves in harm's way. 1

RECREATION AT WHAT COST?

Suggs, a perennial Pro Bowler and, in my opinion, a probable Hall of Famer, is coming off of, possibly, the best season of his nine year NFL career. The reigning Associated Press Defensive Player of the Year factored critically into the Ravens’ plans to make another run at the Super Bowl in the 2012 season. Let me emphasize that there has been no confirmation that Suggs was playing basketball when the injury occurred. However, if he did, in fact, get hurt during a recreational activity, the circumstances beg the question, “Why?”

Two years ago, Carolina Panthers star wide receiver Steve Smith broke his arm playing a game of flag football. In 2006, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger tore the ACL in his knee resulting from a motorcycle accident, just months after winning his first Super Bowl. Suggs may have injured himself playing pickup basketball. It is not beyond the realm of believability.

Dozens of lesser known players miss time, sometimes whole seasons, from non-football related injuries from recreational sports and activities. Marquise Hill, former defensive end for the New England Patriots who played his college ball at LSU, accidentally drowned and died in Lake Pontchartrain in New Orleans while jet skiing. He was not wearing a life preserver.

Marquise Hill did not break or tear anything; he was far less lucky. 2

COMPETITORS ON AND OFF THE FIELD

From my own observations, I think the thread that connects all of the recreational injuries and tragedies among professional athletes is the intense competitive drive that makes their very presence in professional sports a possibility. I think that motivator is more powerful among NFL players, who often win and lose by imposing their total wills against their opponents.

From all accounts I heard in the media, the type of flag football league that Smith was competing in was very physical and very competitive. Perhaps Smith needed the rush of competitive football during the offseason?

Roethlisberger was cited for not wearing a helmet when he had his motorcycle accident. Was he trying to get a rush my living on the edge on his bike?

Was Suggs playing under the basket so physically that he put strain on his legs, knees, and ankles that they weren’t conditioned to handle? Was Hill not wearing a life vest to challenge the forces of nature and/or because he thought he was bulletproof?

Being an LSU graduate, I had an alumni membership to the Sports and Recreation Center at LSU. Many current and former LSU athletes (some of whom play or played professional sports) visit the rec center and play basketball. Many of those athletes are football players. I have played with some of them and I have watched them play. Pickup game or not, they play physically; they play to win.

Roethlisberger and his bike were out of commission. 3

TOO MUCH AT STAKE

To whom much is given, much is expected. With great power comes great responsibility. We have heard these expressions countless times for a reason. They are true in all manners of life.

NFL players have a short career span, averaging 3.5 years. During that time, they earn no less than a six figure salary. The average salary is over a million dollars per year. While we all work to enjoy our lives when we don’t work, we have to conduct ourselves with certain restraints when we aren’t working. Otherwise, we may not be able to return to work.

For most of us, it just means, “Take care of yourself; stay out of trouble.” NFL players earn more than the vast majority of us. You think you’re doing well, earning $60,000, $70,000, $80,000? That’s roughly a fifth of the league minimum salary.

Players’ bodies are their money makers and they have a very short window of time in which they can leverage that earning ability. The average player has far too much earning potential at stake and too little time to make up for any lost time to jeopardize the financial security of themselves and their families by compensating for the rush they are not getting while not working.

I don’t have the answer. I play recreational spots myself and love the rush. But my job will be there and I can probably return to work in a few days if I hurt myself. It is my sincere hope that these athletically gifted men, with the potential to make the world their oysters with their God given talents and hard work, think of some of these examples I have presented today. Think; evaluate the risk versus the reward. Then I hope they take care of themselves and stay out of trouble by taking care of themselves!

Perhaps Suggs could take up stamp collecting in the offseason? 4

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1) Image from www.baltimoresun.com
2) Image from http://blog.nola.com
3) Image from www.ultimatecapper.com
4) Image from www.mansports.com