I'm sure everyone has heard about this. Every time I turn on ESPN Radio they're talking about it.
First of all, I do agree with Deadspin's Barry Petchesky, that this is a very minor story that ESPN is blowing out of proportion (surely this is the first time they've ever done that). But in case you've been living in a cave with internet access, Roy Williams asked rookie WR Dez Bryant to carry his pads. Which I guess rookies are often told to do. Bryant refused. When asked about it, he said: "I'm not doing it," Bryant said. "I feel like I was drafted to play football, not carry another player's pads."
"If I was a free agent, it would still be the same thing. I just feel like I'm here to play football. I'm here to try to help win a championship, not carry someone's pads. I'm saying that out of no disrespect to [anyone]."
He's getting lambasted almost without fail by everyone I've heard. And I have to say I disagree. A rookie player who wants to treat the thing he gets paid millions of dollars to do like a profession instead of a frat house, and that's a bad thing?
If ESPN is right, I'm definitely in the minority on this one, which I'm ok with. But tell me, what do YOU think?
These minor hazings are meant not to demean or embarrass but rather build camaraderie and team mentalities. Teams have traditions, silly ones, but they're things that are generally accepted.
I see it as a risk/reward thing. If I carry a veteran's pads, do I feel like I'm in Jr. high? Probably. Will it help with being accepted with my new team? Probably. Will I look forward to having a rookie carry my pads in a few years? Likely. When you refuse though, now it's news of you being that guy that doesn't want to conform and maybe viewed by some as rebel or less of a team player.
I respect the guy wanting to stick up for himself, but now there's hubbub and he'll have to deal with it. I feel that in a couple of weeks he'll probably wish that he had just carried the pads to begin with.
I am on the fence on this side. On one side, he is a rookie and he should probably not make waves. He also has a history that is not stellar. So, maybe he should just swallow his pride and get the pads. Having said that, the guy who is bitching about this is lucky not have gotten cut due to how shitty of a Wide Receiver he is. ESPN has too many ex-players of late who have an older mindset about things and to be honest, I think they are embarrassed they didn't have the nuts to tell some shit veteran to go fuck themselves in their rookie year. I also don't buy the team building. Team building comes on the field and in the team meetings instead of this childish bullshit. If anything else, this is a non-story and is only a story, because this is the dog days of sports summer.
I'm not going to knock the guy because since getting drafted, he's done all the right things (for the most part), between showing up early and working his ass off in training camp. I'd suspect that he won't push the issue too much, and it's for the best that he doesn't. He made his point, if it's that important, he might as well carry the pads... then tell Roy Williams to carry the GIANT SACKS OF MONEY he gets for hitting his incentives while Williams keeps the bench from floating away.
You wanted the best, you got... the Out of Context Quote of the Week.
I wonder if Bryant ever made a freshman carry his pads or do some other initiation activity in college. If so, he's a massive hypocrite. But really, I take his side on the issue as it stands now. Rookie hazing is silly and pointless.
Rookie hazing is generally stupid, but it's probably easier/wiser to suck it up and go along with it, especially when you've had question marks about your attitude in the past and know there are people who'll blow any little thing you (don't) do out of proportion.
There's also a dreadful joke here about Roy Williams just needing the help because on recent form he wouldn't be able to hold on to his pads without dropping them, or something.
I think it's great that he's doing this. All the hazing is stupid. Not only that, but he's not "just a rookie" he's their number one pick, who was the first to show up for practice on the day camp opened. He IS there to play ball, and to help them win. If somebody has to carry their own pads, so be it.
Welcome home, men of the 2nd Bn, 127th Infantry, 32d "Red Arrow" Brigade, WI Army National Guard! Job well done in Iraq!
So...a guy as controversial as Dez Bryant is different from every other rookie that's ever played the game, and doesn't have to go along with a harmless tradition that shows a modicum of respect...because HE'S different? Because HE'S special?
Arrogant is more like it. Do what you're told, ya rich rook jerk.
Originally posted by Guru ZimIn most workplaces, hazing would get you fired.
It's absolutely stupid that they allow this crap in the military or in sports.
I don't think it's accurate to compare the type of "hazing" going on here to prototypical forms of hazing you might see in the military, in other workplaces, in fraternities or sororities, etc. Carrying a veteran's pads, ringing the coach water during breaks in practice, buying your offensive line meals - things like that are harmless. We're not talking about tying rookies to trees or trying to humiliate them in some way.
Originally posted by Guru ZimIn most workplaces, hazing would get you fired.
It's absolutely stupid that they allow this crap in the military or in sports.
I don't think it's accurate to compare the type of "hazing" going on here to prototypical forms of hazing you might see in the military, in other workplaces, in fraternities or sororities, etc. Carrying a veteran's pads, ringing the coach water during breaks in practice, buying your offensive line meals - things like that are harmless. We're not talking about tying rookies to trees or trying to humiliate them in some way.
- StingArmy
I can't speak from experience, but I would hope employers would frown upon mocking or treating differently a coworker who refused to carry my work supplies for me just because he's newer to the company than I am.
After reading this article it seems to me that the thread title should perhaps be changed to "Dez Bryant actually WILL carry your pads" because Dez Bryant has decided to go along with the so-called hazing tradition.
Originally posted by ESPNDallas.com's Calvin WatkinsThe issue between Bryant and Williams apparently occurred when the veteran first approached him. Bryant didn't like Williams' tone and -- combined with the fact he didn't know about carrying pads -- that led to the confusion.
I don't know how this wasn't reported before, but apparently Dez Bryant had no clue this sort of thing has happened to rookies every year for decades. Now that he knows, he has no problem with it. Sounds good to me! The end.
Yeah, I knew I wasn't cut out for management when I wouldn't prance around the room like an idiot singing a number that some motivational dipshit was trying to make us memorize.
I decided my dignity was more important than that group of assholes.
It still doesn't make it right. People shouldn't have to be humiliated or put in their place. I don't care how effective it is for controlling them.
If it were anyone other than Roy Williams I'd say maybe you should just carry the pads, but there is something about the guy who isn't really wanted around being part of the story. It reminds me of Ben Affleck's character O'Bannon in the movie 'Dazed and Confused'
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It sure is a good time to be a fan of Minnesota sports, isn't it? (I only wanted to clutter one forum with this though) - Obviously I don't care about Gophers football, but it seems like that team is for real. - The Vikings are off to a terrific start....