Tom Brady played all of last season with a torn MCL

[True Dough]

I respect the guy's accomplishments, but I'm not a fan. This is pretty gritty stuff though.

Link to tweet

[Rebl2]

1. I am not

a fan and what he did was foolish.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

2. Many years ago, around the time my oldest was about one,

I saw a documentary, probably on PBS, that profiled two different NFL players. They were essentially journeymen players. Don't recall their names or their teams, and those things aren't important. What was horrifying was how their bodies had been severely damaged after only a few years of play. I'm sure what position they played was a factor, but still. Neither of them could pick up their own very small children, which to me was heartbreaking.

I do have respect for the skills of professional ball players. My older brother used to play rugby at the club level, and I once asked him what was the difference between him and the professional rugby players, and he said essentially that there was a huge gap between players like him, and he was a pretty good player at his level, and the pros. A gap that was almost completely insurmountable. He had no envy at all. He clearly understood his skill level and was honestly happy he'd had the chance to play at all.

Additional story about brother. His team did several European tours, playing like teams. One time they went to Ireland, and he called a cousin (family is Irish) and asked to get together. The cousin said, "Ah sure, I'd love to, but my son is playing this American rugby team tomorrow." As you've already guessed, the American team was my brothers. A good time was had by all.

[RockRaven]

3. And apparently violated league rules on injury reporting all year long.

Whether you blame the Bucs or Brady, it is clearly against the rules. Not Brady's first, or second, time being exposed for breaking league rules.

Yes those injury report rules are broken all the time. Yes those rules are inconsistently enforced. Yes the NFL is sticking its head in the sand with a "no comment" and hoping it goes away because it is the off-season and people are preoccupied with other things.

But the NFL is getting into bed with sports gambling companies, that going to really accelerate over the next decade. Hell, NFL owners already own portions of gambling companies. Letting people fuck around with the injury reports is going to be a much bigger mess when it is not only fans but also corporate partners who get screwed by someone flaunting the rules.

[True Dough]

4. Good post

And I hear ya and agree with ya, for the most part. This would be particularly concerning to me if it was done with a young player. But old man Brady is playing on borrowed time already so I'm more apt to forgive and forget.

I realize the rules should be consistent for all, but there are numerous examples of athletics superstars being "above the law."

[a kennedy]

5. 🤮 too bad so sad.....NOT

[Iggo]

6. Gritty. Stupid. Tomato. Tomato.