A Black player had to eventually say something about a few pro football players disrespecting society while literally making millions of dollars from a game. Too many clones, copy cats hiding behind fortunes, badmouthing respect and good sense, setting bad examples.
Former University of Louisville quarterback Teddy Bridgewater had the guts to speak out. No surprise to anyone who has followed him in college or in the National Football League. A player who overcame a devastating leg injury during his second season in the NFL. A player who got right back up after getting run by the equivalent of a Mack truck in the Sugar Bowl, leading Louisville to its second BCS championship win, a victory over Florida in 2013.
As humble as they come, but never one to back down from a challenge. Bridgewater, now on the Miami Dolphins roster, is well aware of the enormous challenges facing America’s inner cities, knowing there are many different causes and is unafraid of speaking out against disruptive attitudes. Here’s what he tweeted recently:
“Tired of seeing football players portray this tough guy image or pretend he’s a gangsta. You went to school, attended those classes and some even go their college degree. Now you might have 1.5% of professional football players that’s on that but the remaining 98.5% are only ‘football tough.’
“So don’t wait till you inherit this legal money from the league to decide you want to be tougher portray a ‘street image’ cause it’s kids that’s looking up to everything we do. Plus it’s someone sitting in a cell or posted in the hood who might’ve been just as hood as you that would advise you otherwise.
“Kids don’t be fooled. You can play ball, do the right thing and they still gonna accept you. Look at me, I’m far from perfect but I chose the ball route but I still can go to the same hood and post up and it’s all love. I still keep the same 3 dudes around me. My people accept me for making all the right decisions and not falling victim or being tricked by the false image you see on IG from a lot of ball players.
“Choose your path. Can’t do both though.”
Somebody had to say it, many more need to reinforce the message. Applies not only to the NFL but also the NBA and many other segments of American life.
Always a leader, Teddy Bridgewater.