Welcome to Deadspin’s The Sports Nihilist, the place all is for naught and we’re however unintentional jolts of electrified meat caught to the floor of a rock in an detached universe. F*ck you.
Two of the predominant storylines throughout the NFL Draft course of concerned a few rookie quarterbacks who now are out every week (or two) with injuries. Scouts questioned if Bryce Young was large enough to play quarterback at the subsequent stage, and in addition marveled at Anthony Richardson’s Adonis-like physique. Well, the former Alabama QB and Heisman winner will miss every week or so with a sprained ankle, and the Colts’ first-year starter is sidelined below concussion protocol.
Richardson really left Indianapolis’ first sport late in the closing quarter because of knee and ankle soreness — and recklessness. That identical fearlessness (naivete?) bought him into the endzone twice in Week 2 earlier than the second TD run ended along with his head bouncing off the turf-covered concrete, and when you assume there’s a excellent archetype for NFL quarterback, Richardson is proof that no quantity of physical expertise, or rule modifications, ensures a protracted profession.
So if head trauma is that this nice equalizer, why obsess over stature and a capability to take physical punishment when any QB may go at any level? I might draft Young with the first decide one million instances out of one million if given a redo, and if he breaks, there’ll at all times be one other physique to take his spot.
Is it somewhat nihilistic? Absolutely, however that’s the NFL’s enterprise mannequin. Seven years out of Tua Tagovailoa is healthier than 15 seasons of Ryan Tannehill. I wager Bill Belichick would commerce Mac Jones for Young tomorrow.
Guys like Tom Brady, John Elway, and Patrick Mahomes are anomalies; Jedis strolling amongst us in a position to navigate small and shifting pockets with human missiles bearing down on them. The remainder of the elite guys have a restricted quantity of tread earlier than ultimately getting blindsided by a truck and hauled off on a golf cart.
How many NFL greats at any place have been in a position to exit on their very own phrases? I’m shocked Jerry Rice can stroll upright, to be sincere. (Gotta be that Copper Fit.) I imply, when you don’t have a child or a partner by 35, you’re technically lifeless. Procreation is the solely function, and the extra people there are, the extra flesh there may be for soccer.
I don’t know when you’re conscious of this, however the Earth has a inhabitants disaster on its arms, and the extra individuals we are able to persuade to take part in fight sports activities, the faster we are able to turnover these two tops — metaphorically talking.
Wouldn’t reservations for demise be simpler than attempting to stave it off? It’s a “You know you only had a day to live” form of factor, however solely you understand your expiration date. If somebody stated you’ve bought till 45, I’m taking part in operating again, consuming sizzling wings for breakfast, and mixing in a touch of opioids for good measure. I’m going out early? I’m cramming in as a lot self-fulfillment as doable.
And you could end up residing in a shotgun shack
And you could end up in one other a part of the world
And you could end up behind the wheel of a big vehicle
And you could end up in a stupendous home, with a stupendous spouse
And you could ask your self, “Well, how did I get here?”
I’ve no clue, however give me some timing, somewhat moxie, numerous arm energy, and I’ll give you a stunning home and a stupendous spouse.
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