This morning I got up at 7 am to drive forty-five minutes to the Probowl practices. As Dolphins season ticket holders, we were supposed to be VIPs for this event. If there was a VIP, it certainly wasn't me. The players never so much as glanced in the direction of the fans, nor did they come near the stands to sign autographs. Normally I would think this was business is usual, but didn't we vote them into the probowl???
For a paid weekend that is voted on by the fans, the players seem to be forgetting that it is time to say thank you to those of us who make them household names. Some of the honorees are only there because of name recognition even though they had paltry seasons and should be the first to hobknob with the fans who know them. Just ask DeAngelo Williams who missed last year's probowl even though he was the league leader in running back touchdowns. Look me in the eyes and tell me Clinton Portis was more impressive in 2009. I dare you.
To his credit, DeAngelo was a social butterfly running around in his red hat, and when we screamed his name he turned to the stands and waved at us. Not as good as actually signing my jersey....but still the least reprehensible of the lot. Another Panther who shall remain nameless (Okay, it's Julius Peppers) never once looked at the stands or picked up a pen, but he did have to show up for practice today and that must have been excrusiating.
The players seemed calm, jovial, and thrilled to be in the warm January sun. It was funny to see McNabb and Romo tossing the ball back and forth. Players who had played at the University of Miami basked in the spotlight. Some even gave genial interviews to a jolly Warren Sapp that were broadcast over the live speakers. It was the only time we knew anyone was aware of the fans. DGPCEN6AMT6N
2 comments:
I keep reading on sites such as ESPN.com and NFL.com that players are upset and want the ProBowl to be changed back to the way it was and of course we all know they will get their wish next season. Again it is all about the players. They like to take their family to Hawaii. But last I checked the base salary was around 300K for NFL Players, and how many of them Pro Bowlers are only making the base salary? I think they can afford to take their family to Hawaii in the off-season on their salary!! If not use the 20K you get for making the Pro Bowl and take your family with that money. If money gets tight stay at a 3 Star Sheridan instead of the Ritz Carlton. I cannot agree more with the original post, the Pro Bowl is about the fans. As a Dolphins season ticket holder, which believe it or not you can get two tickets and a parking pass to all the games for a thousand bucks even, I was able to get ProBowl tickets for $42.00, thats right $42.00 a ticket. That is about the fans, why not keep then down week during a 2 week circus of media regarding the Superbowl as having an interesting side note. Previous years there is such a lull of having no football and having every media clown down at the Superbowl venue and on TV that I get to learn things from what kind of underwear Tom Brady wears, pink G-String I believe it was, the kind of GAP insurance Strahan has on his sports car, and the type of Toothpaste Peyton Manning uses. I will be honest the last one i wanted to know about. But this years ProBowl give people who live in the city hosting the Superbowl an oppurtunity that they may not have been able to do before and that is see the best players in the world play live for under a hundred bucks. Something they can take their kids to see or tell their kids about later on in life. The ProBowl should change venues every year to give people the oppurtunity to see these players live. Let the die-hard fans that cnnot afford the trip to Hawaii the chance. Sorry players but to be honest I really don't care what you want, this weekend should be about us. And let me appologize by saying how sorry I am that you have to only get paid 20K, with all amenities paid for, to come down and spend a week in Miami!!!!
Jerkass has a bald spot
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