In my last effort, I was all geared up to mount my soapbox and expound on the reasons I felt the sanctions against MLB star Pete Rose were unjustified when compared to other players made to pay for their hijinks. In the middle of my research I came across a report of Pete entertaining underage ladies. In my experience, this is a sin not very easily forgiven by MLB and society at large. My case for Pete and his entry in Baseball’s Hall of Fame joined the Tidy Bowl Man and was flushed.
Before I could put away my soap box, however, I watched the NFL’s Hall of Fame inductions. Once again, I was treated to an issue that made my stomach hurt. Although I have been a fan of Kurt Warner, I don’t agree with his induction. His is a Disney-scripted story which is entertaining, but it doesn’t earn him entry before Jim Plunkett. Hang on while I dust off my soap box.
Let us compare apples to apples. Kurt came out of school in 1994 and was undrafted. Needing employment, he took a job at his local grocery store stocking shelves. From there, he bounced around searching for a paycheck and an opportunity to play football. He went to Canada to play for the BC Lions and was cut. He was unimpressive in the NFL Europe and wound up playing for the Arena Football League.
When discussing his career with the CFL, compare him with Doug Flutie, who was passed over by the NFL because he was too short. It was soon discovered he was tall enough to win three Grey Cup Championships, the Canadian Super Bowl. Doug returned to the U.S. and lit up the NFL. How about Warren Moon, who ended the notion that a person of color couldn’t play quarterback in the NFL? He went to Canada and won so many Grey Cup Trophies he had to stuff them in a duffle bag to get them across the border.
When Kurt caught on with the Rams he was so far down the depth chart that when you talked to him you heard an echo. An injury to Trent Green gave Kurt his shot. With the help of Marshall Faulk and the rest of the cast of “The Greatest Show on Turf” Kurt posted a Super Bowl win. His next two attempts didn’t make the grade.
My candidate has a hard luck story of a different kind. Today Jim Punkett carries a few trophies from the NFL. He has had 18 surgeries. He has two artificial knees, an artificial shoulder, and suffers pain daily from a surgically repaired back. In 15 seasons he suffered 10 concussions. While trying to remove this ton of bricks that had fallen on him, he managed to take his team to three Super Bowls, two of which he won without the help of the “Greatest Show on Turf.” Oh, and by the way, Jim didn’t have to tour the world to get a job in the NFL. He won the Heisman Trophy and was drafted right out of college.
I might get some arguments, but that’s my pick and I’m sticking to it. Now I can put away my soapbox.
