A Green and Gold Dilemma by: Don Dollars<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com
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Vince Lombardi, Bart Starr, Ray Nitschke, Paul Hornung, Jim Taylor, Brett Favre, the list of great players and coaches that have been part of the Green Bay Packers goes on and on. Green Bay is one of the GREATEST franchises in all of sports. Why?
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A small town success story, the Green Bay Packers have been around for over 80 years and have won a plethora of titles, despite being in a small simple city in the blistery state of Wisconsin. Green Bay is a city that has adopted there football team and made them the pulse that keeps their blood flowing. A city that owns the team and goes to unbelievably great ends to support them. The city of Green Bay has always supported the Packers. In times when the Packers were winning titles to the times when they struggled to win a game, the fans were always there selling out Lambeau Field. While some pro sports teams struggle to sell tickets, the Green Bay Packers have a waiting list of over 40 years in order to attain season tickets. They have sold out game after game after game. The other day I overheard an older man, around 65 years of age, boasting to a friend that he had finally received the option to purchase season tickets, a request he made while in his mid 20’s. From the tone of his voice you would have swore that he just won the biggest lottery jackpot in the world, and in a way, he did. At least that is how the folks in Wisconsin view it. Lambeau field is a place of extreme intensity. I have had the opportunity to attend a number of games at Lambeau, and can honestly say that the excitement, anticipation, passion, is unmatched at anywhere else that I have ever been. That intensity was there when my late Grandfather watched the ice bowl in our seats and is still there today when I sit with my Family and watch what we feel (along with countless others) is the greatest place in the world to be.
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Most people around here feel a strange dedication to their team and the players that work so hard to make it such a quality product. Deep in our hearts, it is as if those players are part of a larger, more special, thing. Kind of like a family. Lombardi, Nitschke, Hornung, Taylor, Favre, etc…. These names are not important to Green Bay because of how much money they made. These people are not important because of how much better they were than everyone else. These people are important because they are great players that gave their HEART & SOUL to help make something we hold near and dear……as special as it could possibly be. Through thick and thin, often times in 20 below zero temperatures. It was all for the love of the game and for the pride of Green Bay.
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Football is a business, however, and an important objective of the franchises is to make money. Some for outrageous profits, some just to stay afloat. Despite being in such a small market, a feat unmatched anywhere in America, the Green Bay Packers have thrived financially.
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The same can be said for the players. These are 20-40 year old men making a living doing something that they can do better than anyone else in the world. Most are there because of the years and years of work and dedication they have put in. They make unbelievable amounts of money, but considering the money they generate, they deserve it. The players are being paid with profits that the league, in which they help build, takes in. Some make more than others. Some deserve more than they make. Some do not deserve the amounts that they make.
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So what happens when you are a player that is not making as much money as you should be? Is this fair? What can be done about it? Unfortunately for the Green Bay Packers, we are currently finding out that answer……the hard way.
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In 2002 I was watching the NFL draft waiting to see who the Green Bay Packers would select. The card was up to the podium. With the 20<SUP>th</SUP> pick in the 2002 NFL draft, the Green Bay Packers select Javon Walker, Wide Receiver from Florida State. WHAT? I could not believe what I had heard. The experts chimed in immediately saying that his was a bit of a reach and that they thought Walker would not be drafted until the 2<SUP>nd</SUP> round. Why would the Packers make this selection? I was amazed…….but like always, gave them the benefit of the doubt and realized that they probably knew a lot more than I did about drafting college prospects.
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In the months to follow I saw Javon work out at camp and he looked PHENOMENAL. He was a superior athlete. Tall. Strong. Fast. He looked like he had the potential to be the real deal. A couple months later at Favre’s charity softball game (in which I was lucky enough to have press passes for) I met Javon Walker and talked to him for about five minutes. In five minutes Javon made an impression that I will not forget. What a class act. He was modest, professional, excited, and mature. He seemed to have the mental maturity to match his freakish physical abilitites. Javon Walker is a good guy.
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In 2002 Javon caught 23 balls for 319 yards and one touchdown. In 2003 Javon had 41 catches for 716 yards and 9 TD’s. Last season in 2004 Javon entered his 3<SUP>rd</SUP> season. The 3<SUP>rd</SUP> season is often known as the “make it or break it” season for receivers. Javon was magical. He had 89 catches for 1382 yards and 12 TD’s. He had improved, again, in almost every statistical category. Javon had proven that he was now, CLEARLY, amongst the top wide receivers in the game. Javon, however, was not making anywhere near what the top wide receivers in the game were making. Players like Randy Moss and Terrell Owens were breaking the bank. Owens signed a contract last year for $49 million dollars over 7 years including a $10.3 million dollar signing bonus!!! WOW!!! Now that is some good cash. Javon, however, had a similar season and (under his present contract) is scheduled to make $515,000 next year. That is a mere fraction of what Owens will make.
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Now there are two ways to look at this. One is that Javon signed a contract and needs to honor that contract, which is probably the honorable thing to do. It is interesting to hear so many people around Green Bay, and the sports world in general, say that he is a selfish jerk for wanting more money. It is interesting, because I wonder how these people would respond in a similar situation. These people say “it is all about the team” and “it is all about being ethical”, but if placed in a similar situation would they do the “team” or the “ethical” thing? It is easy to say yes, but would you? Really? I cannot imagine being at work and doing as good of a job as some and a LOT BETTER than some other coworkers, yet making a fraction of what they make. I think I would be upset about this, but that is just me (and apparently Javon, also). So what is Javon to do?
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The second way to go about it…..is to demand more money. What happens if Javon suffers a career ending injury next season and while honoring his under priced contract he loses out on the opportunity to make the money he deserves. Maybe it would be in his best interest to sit out for a year or two and come back making 10 times what he is now. Someone would pick him up with open arms. Javon, a young budding superstar, decided to go this route and hired every GM’s worst nightmare, agent Drew Rosenhaus, who is notorious for milking every penny out of teams while insisting that his representatives hold out for the money they deserve. Rosenhaus is the guy that everyone loves to hate, but he is not to blame here. He is simply the BEST at what he does. He does what every agent wishes they could do. Players decide to hire him as their agent and he advises them and takes it from there.
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In the process, Walker is making some mature statements and he is making some poor remarks that he will most likely later regret. In the positive column Walker has said that he does not hold any grudges against QB Brett Favre who VERBALLY BLASTED Walker for holding out saying that he has seen guys like Sharpe and McKenzie do the same and that it really hurts team chemistry. Javon has said that he loves Wisconsin and the Packers. Javon did not skip his charity softball game at Miller Park. Javon told Jim Rome on his show that “I’m going to be there, I’m going to be there” when asked if he would report to camp.
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On the negative side Javon stated that NFL teams do not always honor contracts, so why should the NFL players? Come on now Javon. He also said that he is “just going to sit back and wait for them and see if something happens. If nothing happens I’m going to stick to my guns, too. Just like they are sticking to theirs.”
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Javon, they are sticking to a contract. To say that you do not have to stick to your end of the deal because NFL teams do not always stick to the contracts they give to players, is simply asinine. Did the Packers not honor part of your contract? Or are you just justifying your actions by pointing fingers. This is like a 10 year old child saying that they did something wrong because Billy did it to and he didn’t get in trouble. Two wrongs do not make a right, Javon. I am surprised you didn’t understand that. I am not sure you thought before you spoke on that one.
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Walker did say that he only worries about what his parents think, mainly his mother. He also said that “I’m my own man, Javon is going to do what is best for Javon” .
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Javon, I do not know your family or what they want. I do not claim to know your mother or what she wants. And, I certainly do not want to say that I know what you want for yourself more than you do…….but I think it might go something like this:
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You deserve more money. It would be professional to go behind closed doors and ask the Packers for more money, explaining your situation. I am sure they would understand. I am not sure it is proper to hire the one man that will milk this for everything it is worth (Rosenhaus) and then go public saying you DEMAND MORE MONEY or you are going to STICK TO YOUR GUNS. Behind closed doors the Packers would have given you more money. They understand how important you are. They understand that they need you. They do not want to lose you any more than you want to make a measly $515,000 next year. (on a side note I will be educating our youth in the classroom this upcoming school year and raking in $30,000…..less than one seventeenth of that measly contract…..maybe I should give Rosenhaus a call….nah, I can’t catch a football that good).
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Javon, they are not going to give you Terrell Owens type money yet. Even behind closed doors they would have given you a nice raise. I know they would. Are you really going to hold out so that instead of making around 2 million (which they would have quietly upped you contract to) that you make 2.4 million? You are going to be RICH. Your family is not going to have to work another day in their lives and you will have the nicest house on the block. Nicer than the doctors and lawyers. What are you holding out for, an extra Cadillac and a gold fence around your yard? Must be nice. I was excited when I found toilet paper on sale last week. That should help me to save enough money to come to all your games this year at $65 a shot.
<o></o>
Back to the real point….What does your family want? My guess is that they want you to be happy. They want you to go show the world that their son/brother is the best damn football player on the planet. I saw my nephew hit a triple the other day at a little league game, and I felt a chill run down my spine as a smile lit up my face. I was proud of him. I cannot imagine the feeling your family gets when they see 70,000 of the most dedicated, excited, hard working, sports fans cheering you on when you make big play after big play (not to mention the millions that are at home watching because they cannot afford to come to the game). I imagine they experience the chills up the spine like I do. I bet they would like to see your name added to the list. Remember what I said earlier…..Lombardi, Starr, Nitschke, Hornung, Taylor, Favre……These names are not important because of how much money they made. These names are not important because of how much better they were than everyone else. These people are important because they are great players that gave their HEART & SOUL to help make something we hold near and dear……as special as it could possibly be. Through thick and thin, often times in 20 below zero temperatures. It was all for the love of the game and for the pride of Green Bay. Without them there is no legacy, there are no legends. Now their names are transfixed in the history books for EVER. I know that if my son did something like that, I would be pretty darn proud. It would mean a lot more than an extra Rolex or Porsche. But I don’t know…..maybe your family is different.
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There have probably been some players that have squeezed out some extra bucks here and there (aka Sterling Sharpe, Mike McKenzie, etc..). But they are not as loved by the Packer fans. In fact we are upset that they hurt our team, our community, our family. You are good enough to be up there with the legends. I just wish you wanted to be one…and then understood what it takes to accomplish that feat.
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Packer fans…..I would not worry. Anquan Boldin, the young superstar wide receiver for the Arizona Cardinals acted in a similar fashion and signed agent Drew Rosenhaus. Like Walker he demanded a new contract. However, when it came down to it…..Boldin told reporters that he would report to training camp in July. He said there would be NO HOLDOUT. Boldin said, “If they get something done, good.” But “I’m going to be here playing football”. What a classy move. This is the gray area. This is the way to handle this situation. I think Brett Favre summed it up best during an interview on ESPN when he said that it is not Drew Rosenhaus who ultimately decides whether or not Javon Walker will hold out. Javon is an adult and has the final say in what he does.
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Lets give the young man a chance. I mentioned earlier that I was fortunate enough to meet Javon Walker during his rookie season. In the 5 minutes I talked to him he appeared modest, professional, excited, and mature. I think he is. When the Packers “reached” up in the 1<SUP>st</SUP> round to take a Wide Receiver that may have been there later….I think they had all the right reasons. They took a guy that has the physical tools to be a superstar….and WOW were they right. I think they also did it because they knew they were taking a guy with CHARACTER. I guy that was modest, professional, excited and mature. Not some player with an attitude and baggage. Javon Walker is a true pro. Javon Walker will have a brilliant career in Green Bay and will someday be mentioned along with the greats. Javon Walker WILL play for the Packers this year…..and I would hate to be an opposing defensive back. I hope everything works out for him. He deserves it. When Green Bay selected him with the 21<SUP>st</SUP> pick in the 2002 draft they gave him a chance. Green Bay fans questioned the pick…….but we gave him a chance. I hope he finds it in his heart to give us a chance. I bet his Mom will be proud.
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$$ Don Dollars $$
fficeffice" /><o></o><o
></o>Vince Lombardi, Bart Starr, Ray Nitschke, Paul Hornung, Jim Taylor, Brett Favre, the list of great players and coaches that have been part of the Green Bay Packers goes on and on. Green Bay is one of the GREATEST franchises in all of sports. Why?
<o
></o>A small town success story, the Green Bay Packers have been around for over 80 years and have won a plethora of titles, despite being in a small simple city in the blistery state of Wisconsin. Green Bay is a city that has adopted there football team and made them the pulse that keeps their blood flowing. A city that owns the team and goes to unbelievably great ends to support them. The city of Green Bay has always supported the Packers. In times when the Packers were winning titles to the times when they struggled to win a game, the fans were always there selling out Lambeau Field. While some pro sports teams struggle to sell tickets, the Green Bay Packers have a waiting list of over 40 years in order to attain season tickets. They have sold out game after game after game. The other day I overheard an older man, around 65 years of age, boasting to a friend that he had finally received the option to purchase season tickets, a request he made while in his mid 20’s. From the tone of his voice you would have swore that he just won the biggest lottery jackpot in the world, and in a way, he did. At least that is how the folks in Wisconsin view it. Lambeau field is a place of extreme intensity. I have had the opportunity to attend a number of games at Lambeau, and can honestly say that the excitement, anticipation, passion, is unmatched at anywhere else that I have ever been. That intensity was there when my late Grandfather watched the ice bowl in our seats and is still there today when I sit with my Family and watch what we feel (along with countless others) is the greatest place in the world to be.
<o
></o>Most people around here feel a strange dedication to their team and the players that work so hard to make it such a quality product. Deep in our hearts, it is as if those players are part of a larger, more special, thing. Kind of like a family. Lombardi, Nitschke, Hornung, Taylor, Favre, etc…. These names are not important to Green Bay because of how much money they made. These people are not important because of how much better they were than everyone else. These people are important because they are great players that gave their HEART & SOUL to help make something we hold near and dear……as special as it could possibly be. Through thick and thin, often times in 20 below zero temperatures. It was all for the love of the game and for the pride of Green Bay.
<o
></o>Football is a business, however, and an important objective of the franchises is to make money. Some for outrageous profits, some just to stay afloat. Despite being in such a small market, a feat unmatched anywhere in America, the Green Bay Packers have thrived financially.
<o
></o>The same can be said for the players. These are 20-40 year old men making a living doing something that they can do better than anyone else in the world. Most are there because of the years and years of work and dedication they have put in. They make unbelievable amounts of money, but considering the money they generate, they deserve it. The players are being paid with profits that the league, in which they help build, takes in. Some make more than others. Some deserve more than they make. Some do not deserve the amounts that they make.
<o
></o>So what happens when you are a player that is not making as much money as you should be? Is this fair? What can be done about it? Unfortunately for the Green Bay Packers, we are currently finding out that answer……the hard way.
<o
></o>In 2002 I was watching the NFL draft waiting to see who the Green Bay Packers would select. The card was up to the podium. With the 20<SUP>th</SUP> pick in the 2002 NFL draft, the Green Bay Packers select Javon Walker, Wide Receiver from Florida State. WHAT? I could not believe what I had heard. The experts chimed in immediately saying that his was a bit of a reach and that they thought Walker would not be drafted until the 2<SUP>nd</SUP> round. Why would the Packers make this selection? I was amazed…….but like always, gave them the benefit of the doubt and realized that they probably knew a lot more than I did about drafting college prospects.
<o
></o>In the months to follow I saw Javon work out at camp and he looked PHENOMENAL. He was a superior athlete. Tall. Strong. Fast. He looked like he had the potential to be the real deal. A couple months later at Favre’s charity softball game (in which I was lucky enough to have press passes for) I met Javon Walker and talked to him for about five minutes. In five minutes Javon made an impression that I will not forget. What a class act. He was modest, professional, excited, and mature. He seemed to have the mental maturity to match his freakish physical abilitites. Javon Walker is a good guy.
<o
></o>In 2002 Javon caught 23 balls for 319 yards and one touchdown. In 2003 Javon had 41 catches for 716 yards and 9 TD’s. Last season in 2004 Javon entered his 3<SUP>rd</SUP> season. The 3<SUP>rd</SUP> season is often known as the “make it or break it” season for receivers. Javon was magical. He had 89 catches for 1382 yards and 12 TD’s. He had improved, again, in almost every statistical category. Javon had proven that he was now, CLEARLY, amongst the top wide receivers in the game. Javon, however, was not making anywhere near what the top wide receivers in the game were making. Players like Randy Moss and Terrell Owens were breaking the bank. Owens signed a contract last year for $49 million dollars over 7 years including a $10.3 million dollar signing bonus!!! WOW!!! Now that is some good cash. Javon, however, had a similar season and (under his present contract) is scheduled to make $515,000 next year. That is a mere fraction of what Owens will make.
<o
></o>Now there are two ways to look at this. One is that Javon signed a contract and needs to honor that contract, which is probably the honorable thing to do. It is interesting to hear so many people around Green Bay, and the sports world in general, say that he is a selfish jerk for wanting more money. It is interesting, because I wonder how these people would respond in a similar situation. These people say “it is all about the team” and “it is all about being ethical”, but if placed in a similar situation would they do the “team” or the “ethical” thing? It is easy to say yes, but would you? Really? I cannot imagine being at work and doing as good of a job as some and a LOT BETTER than some other coworkers, yet making a fraction of what they make. I think I would be upset about this, but that is just me (and apparently Javon, also). So what is Javon to do?
<o
></o>The second way to go about it…..is to demand more money. What happens if Javon suffers a career ending injury next season and while honoring his under priced contract he loses out on the opportunity to make the money he deserves. Maybe it would be in his best interest to sit out for a year or two and come back making 10 times what he is now. Someone would pick him up with open arms. Javon, a young budding superstar, decided to go this route and hired every GM’s worst nightmare, agent Drew Rosenhaus, who is notorious for milking every penny out of teams while insisting that his representatives hold out for the money they deserve. Rosenhaus is the guy that everyone loves to hate, but he is not to blame here. He is simply the BEST at what he does. He does what every agent wishes they could do. Players decide to hire him as their agent and he advises them and takes it from there.
<o
></o>In the process, Walker is making some mature statements and he is making some poor remarks that he will most likely later regret. In the positive column Walker has said that he does not hold any grudges against QB Brett Favre who VERBALLY BLASTED Walker for holding out saying that he has seen guys like Sharpe and McKenzie do the same and that it really hurts team chemistry. Javon has said that he loves Wisconsin and the Packers. Javon did not skip his charity softball game at Miller Park. Javon told Jim Rome on his show that “I’m going to be there, I’m going to be there” when asked if he would report to camp.
<o
></o>On the negative side Javon stated that NFL teams do not always honor contracts, so why should the NFL players? Come on now Javon. He also said that he is “just going to sit back and wait for them and see if something happens. If nothing happens I’m going to stick to my guns, too. Just like they are sticking to theirs.”
<o
></o>Javon, they are sticking to a contract. To say that you do not have to stick to your end of the deal because NFL teams do not always stick to the contracts they give to players, is simply asinine. Did the Packers not honor part of your contract? Or are you just justifying your actions by pointing fingers. This is like a 10 year old child saying that they did something wrong because Billy did it to and he didn’t get in trouble. Two wrongs do not make a right, Javon. I am surprised you didn’t understand that. I am not sure you thought before you spoke on that one.
<o
></o>Walker did say that he only worries about what his parents think, mainly his mother. He also said that “I’m my own man, Javon is going to do what is best for Javon” .
<o
></o>Javon, I do not know your family or what they want. I do not claim to know your mother or what she wants. And, I certainly do not want to say that I know what you want for yourself more than you do…….but I think it might go something like this:
<o
></o>You deserve more money. It would be professional to go behind closed doors and ask the Packers for more money, explaining your situation. I am sure they would understand. I am not sure it is proper to hire the one man that will milk this for everything it is worth (Rosenhaus) and then go public saying you DEMAND MORE MONEY or you are going to STICK TO YOUR GUNS. Behind closed doors the Packers would have given you more money. They understand how important you are. They understand that they need you. They do not want to lose you any more than you want to make a measly $515,000 next year. (on a side note I will be educating our youth in the classroom this upcoming school year and raking in $30,000…..less than one seventeenth of that measly contract…..maybe I should give Rosenhaus a call….nah, I can’t catch a football that good).
<o
></o>Javon, they are not going to give you Terrell Owens type money yet. Even behind closed doors they would have given you a nice raise. I know they would. Are you really going to hold out so that instead of making around 2 million (which they would have quietly upped you contract to) that you make 2.4 million? You are going to be RICH. Your family is not going to have to work another day in their lives and you will have the nicest house on the block. Nicer than the doctors and lawyers. What are you holding out for, an extra Cadillac and a gold fence around your yard? Must be nice. I was excited when I found toilet paper on sale last week. That should help me to save enough money to come to all your games this year at $65 a shot.
<o
></o>Back to the real point….What does your family want? My guess is that they want you to be happy. They want you to go show the world that their son/brother is the best damn football player on the planet. I saw my nephew hit a triple the other day at a little league game, and I felt a chill run down my spine as a smile lit up my face. I was proud of him. I cannot imagine the feeling your family gets when they see 70,000 of the most dedicated, excited, hard working, sports fans cheering you on when you make big play after big play (not to mention the millions that are at home watching because they cannot afford to come to the game). I imagine they experience the chills up the spine like I do. I bet they would like to see your name added to the list. Remember what I said earlier…..Lombardi, Starr, Nitschke, Hornung, Taylor, Favre……These names are not important because of how much money they made. These names are not important because of how much better they were than everyone else. These people are important because they are great players that gave their HEART & SOUL to help make something we hold near and dear……as special as it could possibly be. Through thick and thin, often times in 20 below zero temperatures. It was all for the love of the game and for the pride of Green Bay. Without them there is no legacy, there are no legends. Now their names are transfixed in the history books for EVER. I know that if my son did something like that, I would be pretty darn proud. It would mean a lot more than an extra Rolex or Porsche. But I don’t know…..maybe your family is different.
<o
></o>There have probably been some players that have squeezed out some extra bucks here and there (aka Sterling Sharpe, Mike McKenzie, etc..). But they are not as loved by the Packer fans. In fact we are upset that they hurt our team, our community, our family. You are good enough to be up there with the legends. I just wish you wanted to be one…and then understood what it takes to accomplish that feat.
<o
></o>Packer fans…..I would not worry. Anquan Boldin, the young superstar wide receiver for the Arizona Cardinals acted in a similar fashion and signed agent Drew Rosenhaus. Like Walker he demanded a new contract. However, when it came down to it…..Boldin told reporters that he would report to training camp in July. He said there would be NO HOLDOUT. Boldin said, “If they get something done, good.” But “I’m going to be here playing football”. What a classy move. This is the gray area. This is the way to handle this situation. I think Brett Favre summed it up best during an interview on ESPN when he said that it is not Drew Rosenhaus who ultimately decides whether or not Javon Walker will hold out. Javon is an adult and has the final say in what he does.
<o
></o>Lets give the young man a chance. I mentioned earlier that I was fortunate enough to meet Javon Walker during his rookie season. In the 5 minutes I talked to him he appeared modest, professional, excited, and mature. I think he is. When the Packers “reached” up in the 1<SUP>st</SUP> round to take a Wide Receiver that may have been there later….I think they had all the right reasons. They took a guy that has the physical tools to be a superstar….and WOW were they right. I think they also did it because they knew they were taking a guy with CHARACTER. I guy that was modest, professional, excited and mature. Not some player with an attitude and baggage. Javon Walker is a true pro. Javon Walker will have a brilliant career in Green Bay and will someday be mentioned along with the greats. Javon Walker WILL play for the Packers this year…..and I would hate to be an opposing defensive back. I hope everything works out for him. He deserves it. When Green Bay selected him with the 21<SUP>st</SUP> pick in the 2002 draft they gave him a chance. Green Bay fans questioned the pick…….but we gave him a chance. I hope he finds it in his heart to give us a chance. I bet his Mom will be proud.
<o
></o>$$ Don Dollars $$
