[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by Blue37

You said nothing insulting at all, but I need to clarify one of my statements.

I had to qualify my statements because some people reading this would take what I said as a slam. That was not the intention, but you have clarified why you are not as familiar with Hines Ward or how he conducts himself.

Originally Posted by Blue37

I should have said I do not watch much NFL on TV. I do see several games each year as a season ticket holder. The games I watch on TV are of "my team", and we are not in the same division as the Steelers, hence my failure to remember seeing him play.

And that is a completely different perspective when you watch games.

Originally Posted by Blue37

I do have a question. Who are the "they" you refer to when you say, "That is what they do in the NFL"? In the games I have seen, the majority of the players have respect for each other. At the end of the play, most of the players from both teams help each other up, pat the opponent on the head, and get ready for the next play. Those are the ones I classify the "good guys". Some act the way Ward did in the playoff game every play of every game. My team has a couple of them. Those I classify as "thugs". And there are those in between.

That is what players do. Now if you go to games as much as you say, it is rather common to see wide receivers and defensive players to be talking to each other on the way back after a play. Or they talk after the WR makes a play or a big block on a defensive player. Or vise versa when a defensive player lights up offensive player after a big play. At least when you watch a game on TV, you see this a lot during NFL games and even during college games. I agree that the view in the stands is a little different and depending on your seats you might not be paying as close attention to that kind of thing. And in a stadium environment there are many other things going on then just focusing on every action of players. I do not know about you, but I see a lot of what you described Ward did as what other players are doing throughout the league. I did not see the actions you saw so I have no idea if it was over the top, but it still happens.

Originally Posted by Blue37

Ward acted thuggishly last week. Bob M. says it was an aberration. I hope he is right. The NFL does not need more thugs.

The part that I find really peculiar is the fact that you say he acted "Thuggishly." I find that use of words odd. For one unless he was breaking a rule and was penalized for it, I do not know how that makes you a thug to talk a little trash. Players in all sports at all levels do that to some extent. It is apart of the back drop. Do you consider Tom Brady a thug? Do you consider Phillip Rivers a thug? I saw some of the very same actions that you describe come from these players in the last few weeks and one happen last weekend but you did not come on here calling these individuals "thuggish." Heck, Brett Farve has been doing this his entire career. Forgive me if that does not fit some people's sensibility.

Peace