Tag NFL

It’s said money can make everything go away, but the past has a way of staying close.

In the United States, there’s no doubt football is the most popular sport, and the National Football League (NFL) is the biggest example why. As popularity grew (and continues to grow), so did the money, to the tune of over $23 billion in annual revenue. It’s sad this is often the case, but what happens is organizations, and leagues in this instance, might have a mission or values in mind at the beginning. As soon as dollar signs enter the equation, anything about a mission goes out the window, and the only thing that matters is making cash hand over fist. Such tunnel vision leads to other problems, like preferential treatment of employees, and if a worker brings a lawsuit against said organization, the latter can normally make it go away with a financial settlement (better known as hush money), or get the case thrown out altogether. Ever so often, leagues will have to answer for their practices, and despite their best efforts to get the notion dismissed, that’s the reality facing the NFL at this time.

Before bringing the actual lawsuit into focus, lets go back to 2003, when the league started a policy known as the Rooney Rule. This policy (named after late Pittsburgh Steelers owner Dan Rooney) requires teams to interview minorities for coaching and front office positions. First, the fact the NFL created this rule shows they knew a diversity issue was prevalent, and this was their way to address it. Secondly, all the rule says is minority candidates have to be interviewed. It doesn’t specify the number, and teams can basically bring someone in just to meet the requirement, without any intention to actually consider hiring him, her or they. It’s hard to get inside the brains of the owners and general managers throughout the league, but one can only hope deciding who has these positions has everything to do with character and credentials, not skin color and gender. Having said that, if someone said there is racism and bias used in these decisions, it probably wouldn’t be out of place. What we do know is there’s at least one current employee who believes race is a reason why he’s not a head coach (which brings us to the lawsuit) in the current climate.

That individual is Brian Flores, who is currently the defensive coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings. Flores filed a class-action lawsuit in February 2022, alleging the NFL and its teams engaged in systemic racism and used “sham” interviews to satisfy the Rooney Rule. Specific teams named in the original suit include the Miami Dolphins (where Flores was the head coach from 2019 to 2021), New York Giants, Denver Broncos, and Houston Texans. These teams were accused of using discriminatory hiring and firing practices. In an amendment of the lawsuit, the Dolphins are also alleged of an attempt to breach Flores’ contract and retaliate against him for bringing the suit. In a way, it’s amazing Flores is still working as an assistant coach while he has an open lawsuit against his main employer, because that probably would not be the case almost anywhere else. On the other hand, the lawsuit forces the league to act in good faith, because the last thing the NFL money train can have is a legal roadblock that could significantly alter the way business is conducted.

Through it all, acting in good faith is putting it nicely, because it’s not like the league didn’t do everything they could to sweep the suit by Flores under the rug. First, they tried to run everything through their arbitrary process, which basically leaves the final say in the hands of commissioner Roger Goodell. After that was denied, the NFL tried to appeal the ruling, but a Manhattan appeals court said the case could continue through the process. The league would finally take their appeal to the Supreme Court, but even they said this case is going to go through. When a lawsuit is filed, one of two things normally happens (along with the predictable denial). Either the accused is going to say they have nothing to hide and fight it out in court, or they’re going to do what they can to get it dismissed. Seeing the NFL going all the way to the nation’s highest court to get a case thrown out speaks highly about what could get uncovered by this lawsuit.

It’s understood most people measure success by how much money a person or corporation brings in, and the NFL isn’t topped by many in that department. Everyone wants to get what they feel their fair market value is (at least), but is that chase for wealth worth stepping on or over others to get there? For many, the answer is yes, but those who feel slighted from the endeavor don’t forget, and they will come back for accountability in their own way. This isn’t the first time the NFL has found themselves in the boiler for questionable business tactics (probably won’t be the last), but the difference in this case is Flores chose not to let the shield intimidate him. Now, the league has to answer for their actions in a court of law, and accountability is a good thing, regardless of who’s involved.

Author: bestkeptsecret19

I’m just a man trying to be listened to. Hopefully, I can motivate and inspire people on the way to making a widespread positive difference.
View all posts by bestkeptsecret19

Disappointment reigns supreme when it comes to these overrated clubs

Here we are, at that time of the year when training camps are underway throughout the NFL. This is truly the occasion where all of the teams arrive with hopes of winning the Super Bowl. Of course, games will be played, and the field dwindles down until one squad is left standing in February. Until then, the hype trains will be gassed up in record levels, and there are a few who continue to have many fans and media try to speak a championship season into existence. Much more often than not, the results (inevitably) fall far short of the hype, and these teams fit that category perfectly.

It probably shouldn’t be much of a shock the Dallas Cowboys are amongst the top when it comes to results and hype not matching. If marketability and business is the topic, there isn’t a team on this planet that beats the Cowboys, with their value being over $10 billion (with a “b,” according to multiple sources). While Dallas is on top of the franchise value world, games are actually played on the field, and the Cowboys aren’t thriving between those lines. The normal talk has already started. Quarterback Dak Prescott will be looked at as a potential MVP candidate. Wide receiver CeeDee Lamb will get pub as someone who can break the receiving yards record. Defensive end/linebacker Micah Parsons (who’s in a contract dispute with the team, much like Prescott and Lamb was at this time last year) will get built up as the best defensive player in the league, not just currently, ever. What has happened in previous years is Prescott, Lamb and Parsons have inflated their stats against inferior opponents, only to get exposed when a step-up in weight class occurs. That’s Dallas as a whole, and if they didn’t wear that blue star on their helmets, the hype isn’t nearly as loud. It’s widely know the Cowboys haven’t been to the NFC Championship Game since the 1995 season, and there is no indication that changes as long as Jerry Jones remains the team owner in Dallas.

Speaking of clubs that can’t get right, there’s no need to look past the Los Angeles Chargers. How many years (in a row) have people waited for the Chargers to take the next step toward becoming a championship contender, especially since Justin Herbert has been the QB? Now, that talk has only amplified since Jim Harbaugh took the reins as the head coach before last season. Harbaugh made some interesting comments a few days ago, saying everyone else on the team has to get on Herbert’s level. If that’s the case, higher levels need to be strived for, because there hasn’t been a playoff win with this “elite” quarterback leading the pack. Football is the ultimate team sport, and there is probably truth to what Harbaugh is saying. With that said, multiple things can be true, and if Herbert is the top QB everyone seems to think he is, then he will elevate his teammates to a level where they can challenge the Kansas City Chiefs for the AFC West crown (and beyond). For a reminder, titles cannot be given to someone. They have to be earned, and while Herbert has shown signs of brilliance throughout his career, it’s not worthy enough to match the hype. It’s past time for the Herbert and Los Angeles to put some substance behind the style, and it’s questionable whether or not that happens in a few months.

While this team may not be on the level of disappointment the Cowboys and Chargers have given the hype pushers, the Green Bay Packers are starting to enter that territory. This goes back to the latter years of the Aaron Rodgers (now with the Pittsburgh Steelers) era, and has carried on with Jordan Love as the triggerman. Like Prescott and Herbert, Love is in the conversation for MVP, but with the exception of the second half in the 2023 campaign, the performance has been a little underwhelming. This is supposed to be the season where it all comes together for Love and the Packers. The roster looks like it’s one of the best in the league, and they have a good coach in Matt LaFleur. Now, there’s no excuses, and it’s time for Love to lead the charge bringing another championship back to “Titletown, USA.” It won’t be easy, especially considering Green Bay plays in the NFC North, which might be the toughest division the NFL has to offer.

With these three teams (and there are others), the noise surrounding them has been loud, and the hype has been just as blinding. After a while, the truth always comes to the light, and people can only believe the words without substance and action for so long. No matter how hard many try, there’s no argument for results, and if the Cowboys, Chargers and Packers want to change their respective narratives, then it’s time to actually win on the field. Hope springs eternal, and there’s every reason to be optimistic. Based on past history, it shouldn’t be a surprise if (and probably when) these clubs have a derailment of the hype train.

Author: bestkeptsecret19

I’m just a man trying to be listened to. Hopefully, I can motivate and inspire people on the way to making a widespread positive difference.
View all posts by bestkeptsecret19