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What do you think about NFL hazing of rookies? This rookie says no way.

by TimPhelan
2 replies
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Isn't about time that these hazing practices ended? I mean, these are grown men who are millionaires or very close and they are expected to carry veterans pads, sing songs in front of the team and other acts. This isn't written in any contract or anything. It's a players tradition and in my opinion a dumb one.

Well, here's one rookie with the Cowboys who says he isn't going to go along with this:

Veteran wide receiver Roy Williams was expected to clash with rookie Dez Bryant(notes) in competition for playing time at Dallas Cowboys training camp. I guess they're going to be clashing over some other stuff, too.

It's tradition at training camps for vets to make the rookies carry their pads after practice. Things like that have been going on as long as the NFL has existed. Rookies carry pads. Rookies get donuts. Rookies sing their school fight songs in front of everyone. Rookies are in the back of the line for everything.

After practice Sunday, though, Williams attempted to give Bryant his pads, but Bryant wasn't having it. He let Williams know he could carry his own pads. From Tim McMahon at ESPNDallas.com:

"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]."
Dez Bryant refuses the chores of a lowly rookie - Shutdown Corner - NFL - Yahoo! Sports

What do you think? Should there be hazing in the NFL this day and age?
  • Profile picture of the author Kay King
    Sometimes you go along with tradition - just because it's tradition.

    He doesn't want to do it - up to him. I think a lot of things are silly - but sometimes you have to earn your place on a team. Go along to get along - may seem juvenile - but we're talking about football players here.

    Do I care if a rookie player has to sing or carry equipment? Nope.
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  • Profile picture of the author seasoned
    Tim,

    Frankly I consider it "dumb" whether they are 1 or 100. I ALWAYS have! HEY, I went to a military boarding school. Do YOU know what they did to 12th graders on their birthday? I don't know the WHOLE thing, but I can tell you PART of it. Late at night, while the victim was asleep, they would come in, throw a blanket over their head, etc... and take them out to the pool, where they would be thrown in!

    Luckily, I never got to be the victim there. But let me tell you, they had PLENTY of unfair and dumb traditions that were even close.

    HEY! MOST football players are the types that dished that out. It's only right that they get some ALSO! I have NO sympathy for them. And THEY get paid PLENTY well!

    Steve
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