One-Sided (Foolish) Loyalty

Jackie Robinson and Muhammed Ali probably rolled in their graves after hearing Dallas Cowboys’ Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott speak about the national anthem debate…

“We’re the Dallas Football Cowboys, America’s Team. We stand for the national anthem.” – Ezekiel Elliott, Dallas Cowboys starting running back

You work you’re entire life to fulfill a childhood dream – a dream that less than 1% get to live. You get there, you realize the average shelf life for said career is 3 years, so you focus on staying healthy and doing the best you can in arguably the most competitive sport in the world. Most people get that.

But read a book, watch a documentary, realize your pro football opportunity is possible because of your athletic ability. That athletic ability, which allows you to run fast, jump high, and throw a ball 70 yards was gifted to you by God or whomever you believe in, not Jerry Jones. Jerry does sign your checks, correct… but let’s hope those checks last long beyond your NFL career. Let’s hope if or when one of you gets hurt (because the injury rate in the NFL is 100%), that Jerry returns the loyalty during your contract year when you’re trying to get paid. Let’s also hope he’s just as loyal when you have a bad statistical season… and there’s a talented rookie who’s making rookie minimum in comparison to your millions, and fans are calling for him to replace you, which would make room in the cap for younger/cheaper players, or better free agents.

The business of professional sports is brutal, and history tells us Jerry won’t be as loyal. Just look at recent history… the Celtic’s had no problem shipping Isaiah Thomas out of town, and you could make the argument that his career has went downhill ever since. How about DeMar DeRozan? Despite being in his prime, being the all-time leader in several statistical categories for the Toronto Raptors, and literally putting that team on his back, they had no problem sending him to San Antonio. (At least NBA players can rely on guaranteed contracts.)

But why such one-sided loyalty? Are these athletes that young, naive, or that beholden to the lifestyle and income that they’re willing to say and do whatever it takes to stay there, or not upset ownership? Maybe it’s all of the above, or maybe it’s something else.

Either way, Jackie Robinson, Muhammed Ali, and countless others who risked their lives and paved the way for guys like Dak and Ezekiel to play in these pro leagues and sign such lucrative contracts, deserve better.