To everyone griping about the Baltimore Ravens’ “lack of honor” or “dishonesty” because they loopholed their way out of acquiring Maxx Crosby from Las Vegas by way of buyer’s remorse after paying too steep of a price:
Are you freaking kidding me?
The NFL is built on “lack of honor” and “dishonesty.”
The Ravens followed the template of greed and megalomania established by the entire league in its effort to obsess America (and beyond) 24/7/365.
Billionaires rarely come by and maintain their pile ethically.
What the Ravens did won’t damage their ability to interact with the league’s franchises and players more than minimally and temporarily. Because the NFL’s other billionaires understand what Baltimore’s billionaire did.
Out loud, some may be mortified.
But quietly, they whisper, “Nice move.”
It sure didn’t take Trey Hendrickson long to sign with the evil empire, did it? Money talked.
If the Steelers had crawfished thusly and finagled the happy ending the Ravens got, the locals would be bleating, “OH MY GOD, THE KHAN ARTIST! WHAT A MOVE!” (BTW, GM Omar Khan should have traded T.J. Watt for a couple of first-round picks two years ago. Then not reneged.)
Steelers fans are outraged by Baltimore’s perceived fraud because they love pantomime villains. The better to detract from nine years without a playoff win.
I’d rather have cutthroat than soft.
The Ravens did what was best for their team. The Steelers throw away money in pursuit of one-helmet happiness.
The NFL is a merciless meat grinder. A place where words like “honor” and “honesty” just don’t fit.
Here’s why:
• The NFL keeps adding games. It went from a 16-game regular season to 17 games in 2021, will soon go to 18 and here’s betting it ultimately gets to 20. The players acquiesce because they’re greedy, too. But the owners don’t get their brains and bodies broken.
• The NFL doesn’t give guaranteed contracts beyond a chosen few. It’s the most dangerous and damaging sport, but offers its players little protection. MLB, the NBA and NHL all have guaranteed contracts.
• The NFL compromises journalism by engaging media “partners,” nee stooges. Those who aren’t thusly engaged kowtow for fear of losing access. (There’s no shortage of outright fanboys, either.)
• Gambling should be kept as a safe distance. It’s an addiction. Instead, the NFL allows it to saturate its culture. For hefty compensation, of course.
• In its attempt to monopolize, the NFL plays on more and more days of the week, further endangering players by making them play games too close together. Sunday, Monday, Thursday, the odd Saturday, black Friday, Thanksgiving Wednesday this year, holidays. It takes TV time, revenue and viewers away from other sports. You watch, more Saturdays will soon be usurped from college football.
• Flag football will be played at the Los Angeles Summer Olympics in 2028. It’s a long-established amateur sport in America, played by men who are highly proficient. But the NFL is going to bigfoot those guys out of the Olympics to put NFL players (or ex-players) on display. It’s a wanton display of pettiness.
• The NFL charges too much for literally everything. It’s beyond supply and demand. It’s a game to these diamond-encrusted grifters.
It’s megalomania at an insane level.
It won’t stop. It will only grow.
So don’t obsess over the “Ratbirds,” or whatever they get called in the Acrisure Stadium parking lot.
They pulled a fast one. So what?
The Steelers still don’t know who their quarterback is.