Chick Ludwig covers the Cincinnati Bengals. He also writes about his other passions: college football, basketball and golf.Home > Blogs > Chick Ludwig At Large > Archives > 2008 > April > 30
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Bear down, Chicago Bears: ‘Pride and joy of Illinois’
GOOSE BUMPS AT THE COLONNADES AT SOLDIER FIELD
This goes out to my friend, Angelo Pizzo of Bloomington, Ind., and Chicago Bears fans everywhere.
I loved the Bears draft (especially offensive tackles Chris Williams and Kirk Barton).
I love their Windy City (sippin’ Old Style at the Billy Goat Tavern).
I love their stadium.
It’s not often I get goose bumps walking into a joint.
But Soldier Field in Chicago does that to you.
There’s nothing quite like the feeling of standing among the colonnades at Soldier Field.
You feel the history of the NFL and the presence of immortals George Halas, Dick Butkus, Gayle Sayers and Walter Payton.
I feel like a song…
Bear down, Chicago Bears, make every play clear the way to victory Bear down, Chicago Bears, put up a fight with a might so fearlessly We’ll never forget the way you thrilled the nation with your T-formation. Bear down, Chicago Bears, and let them know why you’re wearing the crown. You’re the pride and joy of Illinois, Chicago Bears, bear down.
For the Bears’ draft, go to:
http://insider.espn.go.com/nfldraft/draft/tracker/team?team=chi&draftyear=2008
For Soldier Field, go to:
http://www.stadiumsofnfl.com/nfc/Soldier%20FieldII.htm
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Holding NFL accountable for ‘problem’ players
SHOULD ‘BAD ACTORS’ BE ALLOWED TO INVADE NEW CITIES?
Now that the NFL draft is complete, a whole new crop of players are headed to new cities.
Some of the players have questionable character, shady backgrounds and plenty of “baggage” or “luggage” in the form of brushes with the law.
The question is: Should the league be responsible, liable or — at the very least — held accountable if a problem player terrorizes his new city?
What’s more, should players with arrest records be certified or registered as potential risks to their new cities?
A man on the street, John F. Robinson, broached this interesting subject in an E-mail to me titled, “The NFL and Corporate Responsibility.”
It makes so-o-o much sense — in light of ex-Bengal Chris Henry’s numerous arrests from 2005-2008 — that I feel compelled to share it with NFL fans on “Ludwig At Large.”
Here’s to you, Mr. Robinson:
In his words:
“I would hope that (Bengals president) Mike Brown, (head coach) Marvin Lewis and the NFL understand the concept of “Corporate Responsibility.”
“I consider each NFL team a mini-corporation and every year these teams bring players into their area who in most cases would not ever consider coming to these areas except for the fact that they can find employment with an NFL team. The problem arises when these player have displayed in the past socially risky behavior that poses a threat to the health, safety and well-being of the citizens of the new area where they come into.
“I believe in redemption. However, part of that redemption must be that problem players must be certified by a professional treatment facility for their past problem behavior that they are capable of entering an area without endangering the health, safety and well-being of the law-abiding citizens who are currently living in that area. Thus, no team would be able to draft or otherwise bring a player into their area without first meeting this standard.
“I just hope and pray that no problem player with the apparent loose standards that are now in place by the NFL comes into an area and seriously injures or kills an innocent resident of that area.”
I’d love to hear from readers about how they feel on this subject.
Let the debate begin …
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