Jake Plummer Defies NFL

[lt.america]

Fill me in.

[Living Free in NH]

Real brilliant thought. Tillman died a true American Hero. He didn't profoundly affect 'one' player. His courage is what made this country great. If another player comes along and shows that much courage and loses his life then put his number on a helmet too. To equate Pat Tillmann to

I don't believe it's a poor analogy at all. Hundreds died as true American heroes trying to save the victims of 9/11, yet the NFL will not allow FDNY or NYPD logos on the helmets. The point is this: Where do you draw the line? The NFL allowed them to wear "40" on the day they retired his number. If that's not good enough, then people are just looking for something to whine about.

[LS]

I have to say, I despise Chris Collingsworth, but yesterday he said something incredible and right:

"I don't think the NFL is doing ENOUGH (his emphasis) to honor Pat Tillman. I'd like to see something at the Super Bowl--a major tribute. This guy (Tillman) represents everything that is great about the NFL, about America, patriotism . . . ." (I may have gotten the last part off, paraphrasing, but these were his sentiments. I've never heard CC talk about "patriotism" before).

[auboy]

Good for Jake Plummer.

IMO, college football on Saturdays makes the NFL look sad and pathetic on Sundays.

[MileHi]

He worw the number 40 on his helmet. The fines are more like $10,000 per game. As I have it, the Arizona players may wear the number but all the rest of the teams may not per the NFL. I say let Jake wear it, he and Tillman were friends and team mates. It is a memorial, not a commercial endorsement.

[lt.america]

You have to establish relevancy. If Wayne Chrebet had joined the NYPD or FDNY and had lost his life trying to save someone else's, then I would expect for the NFL to be paying tribute to him the same way they should be paying tribute to Pat Tillman.

[lt.america]

You have to establish relevancy. If Wayne Chrebet had joined the NYPD or FDNY and had lost his life trying to save someone else's, then I would expect for the NFL to be paying tribute to him the same way they should be paying tribute to Pat Tillman.

[Living Free in NH]

You're right about that. But realistically, relevancy isn't the issue; it's the duration of the honor of Pat Tillman. So I guess I'm guilty of going off on a tangent, but I stand by my initial claim that he's been honored in a way the the NFL believes is sufficient and all players should respect that.

[PleaseNoMore]

That is a fantastic idea. I am going to do the same as is my son. If nothing else everyone should bombard him with mail of encouragement.

[wallcrawlr]

I wonder how many NFL players dont honor PT's service?

[lt.america]

The NFL did have a fitting tribute to him during week 2, but I think where the made their mistake was having players put stickers on their helmets during that that week then mandating they take them off. I see your side of the argument and think that is what the NFL envisioned but they did not factor in the symbolism of taking that sticker off. I think they should have either said we will have the stickers on the helmets for the entire year or we will not wear them at all and just have the week 2 tribute w/o helmet emblems.

The NFL has done a remarkable job at keeping this on the "down low" so I am interested to see how they handle Jake Plummer.

[gunnedah]

It is OK to honor drug users,terrorist and traitors but not one who gave his life for the sorry lot over the NFL.

[RabidBartender]

I wonder how many NFL players dont honor PT's service?

From http://www.spectator.org/dsp_article.asp?art_id=5857

For many observers, Tillman's decision had to have an explanation more rational, and less abstract, than mere nobility.

Certainly that was the attitude of Tillman's former teammate Simeon Rice, who now plays with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Rice suggested that Tillman might be joining the army because he wasn't a very good football player anyway. While Tillman was not an All-Pro, he did set a Cardinals team record with 224 tackles in 2000. Even if Rice's charge were true, it takes an especially small person to voice such a thought publicly. But then the NFL happens to be densely populated with such men, including Rice's Tampa Bay teammate, the repulsive Warren Sapp.

In his inability to understand Tillman's patriotism, Rice no doubt spoke for many of his NFL colleagues. His incomprehension was further in evidence when, prompted by an interviewer, he acknowledged that his former teammate's decision was "admirable." Did Rice belatedly realize that it was patriotism -- one of the oldest virtues -- that had motivated Tillman? Of course not:

"Maybe it was the Rambo movies?" he asked. "Maybe it's Sylvester Stallone and Rocky?"

Right. If it isn't pure self-interest, then it must be unadulterated fantasy. Such is the mentality of a good portion of professional athletes today, particularly in the NFL, a once-proud league now overrun by exhibitionists whose constant preening is often difficult to distinguish from professional wrestling.

[huskerone]

the morning show on KFRX 103.5 FM in Denver suggests that fans across the country wear white T-shirts to the NFL games with the Number 40 on them to show support for Mr. Plummer.

[lt.america]

That was a very idiotic statement by Rice. It would not have surprised be had it come from Sapp (being a cheap shot artist and all).

[Hat-Trick]

I know the cause was much different and much less significant back then, but this in a way reminds me of another "rebel" from a few years ago:

[kayak]

Hats off (or maybe that should be 'helmets on') to Jake Plummer for taking this stand!

[FesterUSMC]

I say let Jake wear it, he and Tillman were friends and team mates. It is a memorial, not a commercial endorsement.

I say let whoever that wants to wear it go ahead!

[Osage Orange]

Rozelle was his girlfriends name........

[Hat-Trick]

Rumor has it that he also stenciled his "girlfriend's" name on the inside of his jock strap.