Players, Owners, Should Think Charity Rather than Profit

Ever think of something great while you’re doing nothing that relates to your thought? When you get that light bulb feel and say to yourself, “Damn.  That just might work.”  Well, that happened to me this morning.

As I was brushing my teeth around 5:30AM this morning, I started thinking about the NFL Lockout for whatever reason.  And I’m sitting there thinking about how it’s been more than three months now.  Or how the talks two weeks ago were heated and how Goodell just proposed a new solution that has everyone buzzing and all of the sudden a solution hit me: GIVE A PORTION OF THE $9 BILLION TO CHARITY!

I’m sure someone has thought of this before, just let me think otherwise.

The NFL preaches charity involvement, so why aren’t they doing it themselves?  It seems like the players just want to get on the field, but the owners are being selfish.  Chad Ochocinco is flying down to Miami to throw with Jacory Harris for God’s sake.  That kid throws it to everyone but his teammates.  But, getting back on track, here’s my solution.  Take the $9 billion being fought over, and divide it into three.  Give the owners $3 billion (that’s $93,750,000 each), give the NFLPA $3 billion, then you give the charities the NFL sponsors the other $3 billion.

If the owners don’t like that solution, if they can’t live with making almost $94,000,000 over the course of three months, if that doesn’t ‘appeal’ to them, then shame on them.

As an NFL fan, I just want to see some football.  Even though I’m more of a college football fan than an NFL fan, I love kicking back with some wings, my boys, and a beer to watch the big boys play on Sunday.  And while it seems like they just want to get to camp, get in the gym together, and welcome another season, I don’t see why my plan couldn’t work.

Although a different deal than mine will obviously be proposed, think about how much $3,000,000,000 could mean to charities across the country.  Or how about taking some of it and building some wells in Africa to solve their clean drinking water problem?  I know they need/want all the money they can get from this $9,000,000,000; but the NFL’s the most popular sport in the world, I’m sure they can spare a few bucks…especially if regular, less wealthy citizens can do it too.

Just think about it.

Tressel’s Resignation Represent Acts of Love, Protection, and Integrity

*Before reading this please note that I am not an Ohio State fan.  I probably dislike them just as much as a Michigan fan.*

There's a good chance Jim Tressel will never receive another job in the NCAA ever again.  Ever.

He'll get a few juco offers, an NAIA offer or two, even a prestigious high school job in Texas, Florida, California, Ohio, or Pennsylvania may throw him some bait; but the big boys of the NCAA, not a chance.

Tough to say for a coach who has a National Championship, Heisman winner, numerous BCS Bowl appearances, and a 9-1 record against the Michigan Wolverines.

If you've been living under a rock for the past few days, Tressel resigned from THE Ohio State University amidst the fallout of an 'ignorance is bliss' case.  How you don't see your star players tattoos worth thousands and a new car every other home game is beyond me, but they do say the senses go with age.

But what if maybe, just maybe, it wasn't ignorance?  Maybe Tressel taking off his glasses, putting his patented sweater vest in his mouth, and cramming his play-sheets in his ears were acts of love, protection, and integrity for his second family: Ohio State Buckeye football.

Love:

Tressel could have printed out the emails [regarding the cars and tattoos] when they came through his inbox and walked them to the compliance office and no one gets in trouble but his players.  But why would he?  Why snitch on the players when families trusted him with their sons?  He couldn't.  Why throw players under the bus when it's not their fault the NCAA doesn't punish boosters for bending the rulebook?  His arms or heart aren't strong enough.  Bottom line is he has too big of a heart, he's too big of a man to be the next 'Sammy the Bull'.  He had no choice but to shut the door and let the unfortunate events unfold.  It’s what his heart told him to do.

Protection:

People always get caught doing wrong whether your last name is Clinton or Bin Laden.  These players knew what they were doing.  They knew it was wrong.  They probably knew they'd get caught, too.  But they also know they'll still get their shot at the next level while the man who gave you that shot was already at his next level.  Coaching Ohio State football was Tressel's final level.  Yet these players didn't care because they were getting theirs while Tressel was preparing to receive his no matter the consequences.

Integrity:

And to think, before he received what he knew was coming, he did one last favor for his second family.  He resigned.  He resigned with hopes the NCAA will use it as punishment enough for Buckeye Nation.  He resigned in hopes they don't get blasted with probation, suspensions, fines, rescinded wins, rings, and trophies.  He resigned in hopes his longtime friend and interim head coach can finally man the ship instead of being a lifetime first mate.  He resigned in hopes an association can finally keep track of its members instead of finding out about broken rules years after they occur.  He resigned in hopes other coaches follow suit (in his case sweater vest) and come forth with the dirty ways of college recruiting.  He resigned to set an example.