It’s pretty absurd that NFL player salaries aren’t guaranteed, it kind of blows my mind. $13 billion in annual revenue in an industry where every owner is a billionaire (excluding GB). Career threatening and permanently disabling injuries are a realistic possibility at almost all times on a football field. That seems to be something you just have to accept in this horrifically beautiful age of football we’re living in.
That hasn’t stopped me from continuing my annual unhealthy relationship with fantasy football. I’m participating with 8 teams this season, down from 10 last year. My oldest running league went down in flames during a group chat and I was the only person to show at the draft. I’m hoping to improve on my .600 playoff percentage and 1 league win from the 2015 season. I have Drew Brees, Jamaal Charles, Jeremy Langford, Cam Newton, Dez Bryant, Sterling Sheperd, Will Fuller, Tavon Austin, and Tyler Lockett on multiple teams, which is my official endorsement of them for the season ahead.
As a 50/50 Jets/Eagles fan, my dream Super Bowl scenario looks more bleak than ever. The Jets completely botched offseason QB situation has me doubting an offense playing alongside one of the premier defenses in the NFL. The Eagles ongoing roller coaster of emotions leaves me rooting for quarterback savior in training Carson Wentz (also owned in multiple leagues).
Of course the majority of our recent days have been spent discussing Colin Kaepernick’s ongoing protests against the iniquities of our criminal justice system and the extrajudicial killings of black people at the hands of law enforcement agents. What may be an uncomfortable truth for some to admit is an everyday reality to millions of Americans. Kaepernick’s protests are acknowledging the longstanding practice of civic action through protest of the national anthem and the legacy of promoting and achieving social change through sport. You can expect this trend to continue among Kaepernick and other NFL players in the coming season.
For an example of how these protests should continue, we can look to the book of Corinthians. Not the bible, the football club, and their legendary hero Socrates, not the philosopher, the footballer/doctor. Socrates and Corinthians led a successful series of democratic protests that helped successfully oppose the military government of Brazil. They advocated for free elections, the end of the sequestration before games, and direct election of the president.
If you made it this far, thank you. As a reward, I’ll leave my pick for tonight’s NFL Thursday Night Opener: Carolina -3
Alex Schaffer 