danstern Blog Posts

Home Town Discount

Mon, 02 Mar 2009 04:22:53 PST

I recently read an article in ESPN the Magazine about "Home Town Discounts" in which GM's believe they are getting discounts on players who have become mainstays in their respective franchises because the player would rather stay than leave and uproot their family even if (god forbid) they are paid a couple million dollars less. (thank you Matt Birk). Here's my thought: If you are an NFL player making millions of dollars a year wouldn't you want to go to the most competitive team possible? Teams such as the Steelers are mentioned in the article stating that they should be able to get better players for less money because they won the Super Bowl and players have the chance to be apart of a dynasty. This makes sense. What does not make sense is someone like TJ Houshmandzadeh who has spent his career in Cincinnati (not a good team) and he is saying that he is not "stupid" and will go where the most money is. I do not understand the logic of professional athletes. Perhaps it is because I have never been pursued by multiple teams wanting to pay me millions of dollars for playing a game, but it seems as though if I had been losing my whole career while getting paid millions that I would want to go somewhere I could win and get paid millions of dollars.

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Living the Life

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 17:00:08 PDT

The life of a professional athlete must be a remarkable one. Who can imagine waking up everyday and your only objective is to play a game, or prepare to play a game all while being paid hansomely for your awesome task. Like every profession, however, there are ups and downs that come with the job. In professional athletics that downfall often time is the toll taken on your body. Recently we have seen that in the early season injuries to Tom Brady and now the probable career-ender for Patriots SS Rodney Harrison. Two of the most respected and admired (for different reasons) players in the NFL have combined arguably for two of the unluckiest seasons so far.

Rodney Harrison who two years prior tore multiple ligaments in his left knee, has now reportedly torn the quad muscle on the same leg. With this type of injury to such a large muscle it is doubtful not only that he will be not be able to return next year, but to the professional football field at all. A shame for anyone who loves to watch someone like Mr. Harrison play the game with an unmatched passion and intensity. His presence in the Patriots line-up as well as in the league will be sorely missed.

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Football at its purest

Tue, 14 Oct 2008 15:59:39 PDT

Quick thought:

Perhaps for the last year we will be allowed the privilege to watch a legend in action. Joe Paterno has been walking/jogging/sprinting...and lately limping along the sidelines for the Penn State football team for over half a century now. As I watch this man do what he loves to do I cannot help but be in awe of the spirit and passion he brings to the game of football. If only we can be so lucky as to do something we love for the whole of our adult lives. He has inspired countless people including myself to find love in what they do. This is neither a well thought out or purposeful blog, however, as it is my first I just wanted to share my thoughts on a man who has impacted the game of football like no other I can think of.

Who do you believe has had the most impact on the game of football? Let's hear it.

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