04/18/24
September 10, 2003
2.2 pounds of Cocaine. Wiretaps. Broken Leg.: A sad ending to a sadly more familiar story. Is the NFL to blame?
Not sure of the details but I've seen numerous mentions of players getting waived after accepting injury settlements, especially during cutdown time at the end of the preseason. Not sure how that plays in to Stewart's arrest, though, since even if he'd come back from the injury, average career for a running back is less than five years. And personally, I think people get into drug dealing because of greed.
posted by billsaysthis at 01:55 PM on September 10, 2003
I'm not sure what rules govern an NFL team's ability to release an injured player from his contract. I know that players do not receive guaranteed contracts, but whether a team can drop a hurt player I have no idea. Perhaps someone else can chime in. The lack of guaranteed contracts in the current CBA stems from the weak player's union, especially relative to other leagues. This factor, on the other hand, has benefitted players by stabilizing their league, leaving it in much better shape than other leagues both short and long term. And frankly, they still earn a good chunk of change... That leaves me with very little pty for a guy who tossed away a perfectly good education (wink wink) and a shot on an NFL club for a sales position in the exciting world of crackrock. Does it suck that he got injured? Yes. But ask Robert Edwards what a strong desire and a hard work ethic can do for you. What really sucks is that he decided to go sell crack. How we can blame the NFL for that is beyond me?
posted by 86 at 02:04 PM on September 10, 2003
Just playing Jerry Springer for the moment. However, both of you fail to recognize he started selling crack/coke/yay-yo/the white princess years after being released from his NFL team. Hypothetically, given the mental and emotional security of a roster spot on the team, the chances of coming back are vastly increased. I know nothing of his 'Cane days, and given the profile of that school's program, its not far-fetched to think he may not have been squeaky clean back then either. But it is entirely relevant to consider job security, or lack thereof, in one's turning to narcotic trafficking.
posted by garfield at 02:17 PM on September 10, 2003
....especially considering the education he probably received at such a fine institution. 'Rocks for Jocks' don't pay the bills when you ain't scoring TDs.
posted by garfield at 02:23 PM on September 10, 2003
Disclaimer: I, in no way, shape, or form condone the buying, selling, or use of narcotics. Except of course if you have a dime bag. For some reason September is dry every year. And though 420 is not even close to a narcotic, it is classified as such.
posted by garfield at 02:28 PM on September 10, 2003
I think you nailed in on that second point garfield. I would say this says more about the Farce That Is The NCAA than it does about the NFL. If he'd been well prepared for the idea that he will have to face a life after football (90 something percent of college players) perhaps it wouldn't have come to this. And even then, his decisions remain his responsiblity. Hell, he was granted so many more opportunities than others ever receive and it's apparent he just tossed them.
posted by 86 at 02:29 PM on September 10, 2003
So true, eh? Still, I want to get to bottom of this 'releasing' issue. Albeit, without actually reading the friggin CBA.
posted by garfield at 02:31 PM on September 10, 2003
Here's a start, a history of the NFLPA and CBA ratified in 1993, a description of 'Termination Pay', and the actual CBA itself.
posted by garfield at 03:00 PM on September 10, 2003
Article XII. Seems reasonable. Though the first clause seems a bit dubious. What's with the 'last game of the season'? Now, if only I didn't have deadlines this week.
posted by garfield at 03:07 PM on September 10, 2003
Garfield, I think the whole sports connection here is BS. I've been unemployed for over two years (fucking economy) and have yet to turn to drug dealing or other illicit means of generating cash. I'm sure Stewart had an opportunity/connection and decided to take the 'easy' way to potential riches, like many other foolish young people before him. But as is so often the case, this was hardly the easy way.
posted by billsaysthis at 04:44 PM on September 10, 2003
Hold fast Billy, I just got a job after a long time in line. And if I can get a job...
posted by 86 at 05:08 PM on September 10, 2003
I am holding fast 86, my point is that there are alternatives to dealing drugs.
posted by billsaysthis at 05:58 PM on September 10, 2003
Bill, no doubt I would have a hard time convincing anyone the only way to make a buck is through dealing. Thats not my point. My aim is to figure out why it seems to me that the NFL is able to 'release' players who were under contract. The drug theme is just for shits anf giggles. U of Miami embodied (thats past tense), how shall I put this, prototypical college football ills. Stewart probably picked up a few bad habits during his stay there, which is not exactly rare given the infamous NFL off-season barrage of not so flattering press clippings. However, from a glance at his stats, it would seem he had a decent to sub-par NFL career ahead of him. But he was cut loose due to injury (from what I've read), like he was treated like a greyhound. Maybe this issue glares brighter due to the fact there is no farm system for the NFL where players could be 'sent down', but with Clarett contemplating a challenge to the age-rule, isn't the NFL just farming players without much care or concern beyond one calendar year? Given the brutality of the game, something seems amiss.
posted by garfield at 07:48 AM on September 11, 2003
There are other places to play football Garf. Canada, Europe, etc. Not sure if these were options to him, but no one promises that you'll have a long career. What about insurance? Did he have a injury protection policy? I know lots of cats do that. Big ups to all the New York peeps on this most unfortunate of anniversaries. Keep the peace.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 08:28 AM on September 11, 2003
much love weedy. btw, get your ass down here before I get old and grey. or gray, if you prefer.
posted by garfield at 09:37 AM on September 11, 2003
Alright, I'll give up. But, NHL, NBA, MLB don't 'release' players, and I want to know how the NFL gets away with it, if its really all that bad, and how I can not achieve my 'business goals' and still get paid handsomely.
posted by garfield at 09:41 AM on September 11, 2003
I'm trying man, I really am - timing isn't really the problem - it's money. Though the exchange rate isn't likely to get any better - oh wait, sure it is, Bush is in power.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 11:51 AM on September 11, 2003
Anybody remember this party? Here's a great rant on the topic.
posted by vito90 at 12:35 PM on September 11, 2003
garfield: I did mention that the NFL seems to allow negotiated settlements for injured players, who are then waived.
posted by billsaysthis at 12:56 PM on September 11, 2003
Negotiating a settlement and being released aren't exactly the same thing. One entails involvement of both parties in the process, while the other is a one-sided affair. Maybe Stewart did voluntarily negotiate his way out of the NFL. I'm wondering about the involuntary waiving/releasing. I think the truth of the matter lies in the minute details, and I haven't mustered up enough ire to go combing through those.
posted by garfield at 01:38 PM on September 11, 2003
vito, did you see the Thursday night coverage with Irvin in the parking lot explaing shot WR shit? Of course you did. Those fans rocked!!! I love how he tried to parlay the overwhleming 'boos' into a self-cheer at the end of the segment. Facking Hilarious!
posted by garfield at 01:44 PM on September 11, 2003
This past week I was caught up in a discussion comparing the virtues of the different professional leagues, and the NFL seemed to come out on top for putting together the best product. This was credited to the last CBA, which includes a salary cap and in some manner the right of the team to release injured players. Either I need to be further educated on this mechanism that enables teams to dump injured players, or said mechanism should draw more criticism. As in this particular case, a promising young back (4.36 yds per carry) is let loose after his rookie season in 1995 because of a broken leg. Where is the job security?