I cannot believe what I just read.
Apparently the Vikings' WR Troy Williamson missed last Sunday's game because he was planning the funeral for his maternal grandmother.
The Minnesota Vikings docked him a game check.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3100835&campaign=rss&source=ESPNHeadlines
What the hell is wrong with these people?!? Okay, I know that football is a business...but this is ridiculous. Football is a business that generates millions of dollars for its owners...a business that is built on the backs of the players. They can't show enough compassion to have a bereavement policy for those players?
Brad Childress said that the decision was based on a "business principle" and sited examples of other players who appeared in games shortly after the death of a family member.
Let's get a grip, people. My loyal readers know that I am a huge football freak, but in the end it is just a game.
Obviously the Vikings need to re-evaluate their priorities and start valuing their players as human beings, not just as business assets.
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Comments (3)
http://www.fannation.com/throwdowns/show/75479
Cassidy's House: Golden Girl | 11/09/07, 01:35 PM
Report Offensive Commentamen... i think that they should be giving him more money instead because he sprung for his entire family to go to the funeral... the vikings are turning into the chicago blackhawks of the nfl... poor management, disgraceful ownership, and a once-proud franchise that has no dignity left.
thehemogoblin: Tibet: $0.99 | 11/09/07, 09:21 PM
Report Offensive CommentKari: This is copied and pasted from one of Dan TM's throwdowns. I hope it doesn't ruin your day... ;)
...
I am a contractor. I don't get bereavement pay. I don't get sick pay. I don't get vacation pay (in the traditional sense). If I don't show up at work, I don't get paid. No one makes a federal case on *my* behalf. And while I make an alright living, I'm not pulling down anything close to what Williamson makes.
So what? I knew the deal when I signed on, and so did Williamson when he signed his contract. It sounds heartless? Welcome to America, folks. Cold-hearted business decisions negatively affect us every day and we accept it like a great big flock of stupid fat sheep...
But *one* professional football player loses *one* paycheck to attend his grandmother's funeral and we're ready to light the torches and have ourselves a hangin'?
Gimme a break. Sure, I feel bad that his grandma died, but it doesn't sound like he's crying about losing his paycheck. I wouldn't be either. He probably cried about losing his grandmother, and that's what he *should've* been crying about. So why are we all trying to feel sorry for him about his stupid paycheck?
Sneaky Pete | 11/13/07, 01:04 PM
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