Adrian Peterson Compares Players' Place in NFL to Slavery

[JO_75]

[quote name='Clutch Ravens' timestamp='1300382762' post='655458']
Anyone can look like an idiot after having a brain fart like Peterson. It does, however, take a complete moron to agree with a brain fart.
[/quote]

Yep, let's see... when Holmes had his issues they got a 5th for him, the Steelers should be able to get a 2nd or 3rd Round pick or multiple picks in return for Mendenhall. I just can't believe him being a Steeler and seeing what they did to Santonio, and the fact they considered trading Ben, he would have kept his mouth shut.

[Clutch Ravens]

[quote name='JO_75' timestamp='1300383714' post='655461']
Yep, let's see... when Holmes had his issues they got a 5th for him, the Steelers should be able to get a 2nd or 3rd Round pick or multiple picks in return for Mendenhall. I just can't believe him being a Steeler and seeing what they did to Santonio, and the fact they considered trading Ben, he would have kept his mouth shut.
[/quote]

Particularly when he started dry humping Big Ben in the middle of a playoff game.

I guess Mendenhall is as dumb as he looks.

[hawkprey]

Does he actually think he's a slave? No.

He was exaggerating on purpose to bring more attention to the problem. It's like when I call myself persecuted because lunch break is only 45 minutes long.

[jus'_crAzy]

Yes, it was an extremely ignorant thing to say, but he can't have possibly meant it. There's no way. I wanna say that he just let his emotions get the best of him in that interview.

The crucial thing about all this is the timing. When the NFLPA is trying to garner as much fan support as possible, this does not help their cause. The general public already feels that pro athletes get paid way too much, so they side with the owners and the brand.

(For the record, I feel the same way as the general public. The only reason I support the NFLPA is cuz I wanna keep seeing icons like Ray and Ed and Manning and Polamalu on Sundays. Also I want the health of retirees to be taken care of, but that's neither here nor there.)

[berad]

I can't even think one one parallel between the African slave trade and players in the NFL. If Rashard has a tangible explanation, other than unsubstantiated, generic claims, I'm all ears.

Until then, both of these chuckleheads are going down on the proverbial list of idiots.

[berad]

EDIT: Mendenhall also [color="#0000FF"][url="http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_727833.html#ixzz1GpCb4HDo"]had this to say[/url][/color]...

[quote]"If you look back and dissect what I said, I didn't say that the NFL was slavery, I said that they parallel each other. Look up the word parallel," he wrote. "I could break down how but that would take an amount of ideology and big words that a lot of you wouldn't understand."[/quote]

Why bother bringing it up on mass social media if you're not willing to back it? I'm almost stunned by the stupidity of his statement.

I have no problem with athletes sharing their opinion, they have every right to, but when they won't [i](or can't)[/i] back it up and start to throw condescending insults towards everyone who questions them... well, then, they're no better than some of the now-banned idiots that have trolled these forums over the years. Just glad it wasn't a Raven who said this because I would have no means to defend it.

[XxSizzleXx]

Average scores for HB's on the wonderlic test is 16, so he's right on par for running backs actually. Such an embarrassing analogy though lol.

Put your hand on top of your head Peterson, and give it a big shake.

[Moderator 2]

I posted this elsewhere and stand by it. Try working as a nurse where you are not allowed to leave unless your relief shows up--your employer can charge with abandonment you if you leave, you have to work weekends, holidays, night shift, 12 hr work days put up with verbal and physical abuse from patients and family's, randomly drug tested, no lunch or bathroom breaks, crappy pay, harassed by doctors, boobs groped and butt patted, exposed to infectious disease -- we used to call that slavery and I loved my job. I now have crappy knees and a bad back and I did not make millions. There are a lot of things that go on that would make the general public's hair curl, You see there is a darker side to many career paths and you are not compensated and pampered like a football player, my parents paid for my education and I paid for my continuing education.

What about our wonderful military? Their hours suck, they are paid peanuts, personal freedoms greatly restricted, getting shot at and are in every hell hole know to man, a lot of them love what they are doing and don't complain and sign up for more.

[codizzle]

I guess ray ray hit more than mendy's collarbone

[theFRANCHISE]

[quote name='berad' timestamp='1300385838' post='655474']
EDIT: Mendenhall also [color="#0000FF"][url="http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_727833.html#ixzz1GpCb4HDo"]had this to say[/url][/color]...
[/quote]
I'm an English major, and according to the Oxford English Dictionary ([i]not[/i] Webster's), the word "parallel" means, "a point of comparison or similarity between two people or things." I see no comparison or similarity between the slave trade and the NFL. Where's the inhumane treatment? Where's the deplorable work conditions? Is a five-star workout facility [i]so much worse[/i] than a six-star center? Is getting paid millions of dollars to play a child's game [i]really[/i] like working long hours in a field, doing manual labor? Does Roger Goodell starve you, Rashard? Does the Rooney family call you by a racial slur and physically strike you when you fail at your assigned task?

I would like to sit down with Rashard (because I won't even respectfully call him by his last name or refer to him as "Mister") and talk to the child ([i]not[/i] the man) about such "ideologies" and "big words" that he'd like to throw at me. I'm sure he's familiar with the term "ignorance," because he's spouting much of it in his comments. I'm also sure that, after a conversation with me, he'll know all about the word "condescension" because that's all he'll get from me. If he wants to act like a child, he'll be treated like one, complete stranger or not.

[Clutch Ravens]

I'm sure the NFLPA is happy that someone who tried to demean the NFL just insulted every single fan who disagreed with his utterly moronic statement.

AD'ss be happy about Mendenhall's idiocy, 'cause he just got Peterson off the hook.

[hawkprey]

[quote name='theFRANCHISE' timestamp='1300395095' post='655532']
I'm an English major, and according to the Oxford English Dictionary ([i]not[/i] Webster's), the word "parallel" means, "a point of comparison or similarity between two people or things." I see no comparison or similarity between the slave trade and the NFL. Where's the inhumane treatment? Where's the deplorable work conditions? Is a five-star workout facility [i]so much worse[/i] than a six-star center? Is getting paid millions of dollars to play a child's game [i]really[/i] like working long hours in a field, doing manual labor? Does Roger Goodell starve you, Rashard? Does the Rooney family call you by a racial slur and physically strike you when you fail at your assigned task?
[/quote]

I think the word you need to look up is slavery. You're only looking at 18th century American plantation slavery. The idea of slavery is that people are treated as property - which is often how athletes feel. It's how many people feel. People who are in debt are, in a way, enslaved by banks and the IRS, and that comparison has been made many times over.

No one is in actual bondage, shackles, or being whipped to work for no pay, but the idea of slavery persists even if in a more benign context. Just look at the combine. Does that not show "parallel" to the selling of slaves?

Athletes are expected to (as many here have suggested) keep their mouths shut. They are no more than physical mutants expected to perform. Not to talk, not to have a voice. Centuries ago, slaves were not allowed to read. In this day athletes are not allowed to express their opinion. THAT is a parallel.

The people responding to Peterson and Mendenhalls comments are blowing this out of proportion, not the players.

[berad]

[quote name='hawkprey' timestamp='1300401559' post='655567']
I think the word you need to look up is slavery. You're only looking at 18th century American plantation slavery. The idea of slavery is that people are treated as property - which is often how athletes feel. It's how many people feel. People who are in debt are, in a way, enslaved by banks and the IRS, and that comparison has been made many times over.

No one is in actual bondage, shackles, or being whipped to work for no pay, but the idea of slavery persists even if in a more benign context. Just look at the combine. Does that not show "parallel" to the selling of slaves?

Athletes are expected to (as many here have suggested) keep their mouths shut. They are no more than physical mutants expected to perform. Not to talk, not to have a voice. Centuries ago, slaves were not allowed to read. In this day athletes are not allowed to express their opinion. THAT is a parallel.

The people responding to Peterson and Mendenhalls comments are blowing this out of proportion, not the players.
[/quote]

That's what happens when you sign a contract. No one put their pen to that paper. The NFL is voluntary. Brett Favre keeps coming back because he wants to, not because he has to.

And the combine? That's voluntary, too. The players don't have to attend. They [i]WANT[/i] to... for the money. There are no slave owners in this scenario, simply employers and employees. NFL players are compensated heavily for their work, slaves are not.

Athletes are allowed to speak their opinion, I don't know why anyone would say otherwise. But don't complain about something you signed up for [i](and can get out of)[/i], that's pretty ridiculous. And if you want to present an argument [i]*cough* Adrian Peterson, Rashard Mendenhall *cough*[/i] you better damn well back it up or you just look like an idiot - that's true for anyone.

[theFRANCHISE]

[quote name='hawkprey' timestamp='1300401559' post='655567']
I think the word you need to look up is slavery. You're only looking at 18th century American plantation slavery. The idea of slavery is that people are treated as property - which is often how athletes feel. It's how many people feel. People who are in debt are, in a way, enslaved by banks and the IRS, and that comparison has been made many times over.

No one is in actual bondage, shackles, or being whipped to work for no pay, but the idea of slavery persists even if in a more benign context. Just look at the combine. Does that not show "parallel" to the selling of slaves?

Athletes are expected to (as many here have suggested) keep their mouths shut. They are no more than physical mutants expected to perform. Not to talk, not to have a voice. Centuries ago, slaves were not allowed to read. In this day athletes are not allowed to express their opinion. THAT is a parallel.

The people responding to Peterson and Mendenhalls comments are blowing this out of proportion, not the players.
[/quote]
The combine is similar to any interview process, though; the only difference is, there is a physical element presented to the interview.

And while I see where the parallel can be drawn between players being treated as property, the other half of the definition is that people are forced to do labor. There's no coercion involved in getting NFL players to sign a contract to perform services. These players can find gainful employment in other avenues -- football is their chosen vocation, regardless of their socioeconomic situation or other circumstances that may otherwise "force" them to pursue football professionally. My biggest argument is that, while players may feel as if they're forced into football, they were granted the privilege of a college education; if they really didn't want to play football, couldn't they have actively pursued their education and used that to gain traditional work in other fields?

My point is, Rashard needs to shut up, as you pointed out. Athletes [i]are[/i] allowed to express their opinion; Donte' Stallworth speaks on politics on Twitter regularly, Ray Lewis has publicly criticized officials, and Drew Brees is lending an air of transparency to the players' union throughout this labor strife. The difference is in the amount of education and thought put into those words. Rashard has not done anything to properly defend his stance, choosing instead to take an elitist approach and say his critics are beneath an explanation from him.

I want Rashard to engage in a debate with me. I want him to make me understand his perspective. Instead, this has turned one-sided and has resulted in backlash that wouldn't be necessary if he would just explain himself.

[hawkprey]

[quote name='berad' timestamp='1300401926' post='655572']
That's what happens when you sign a contract. No one put their pen to that paper. The NFL is voluntary. Brett Favre keeps coming back because he wants to, not because he has to.

And the combine? That's voluntary, too. The players don't have to attend. They [i]WANT[/i] to... for the money. There are no slave owners in this scenario, simply employers and employees. NFL players are compensated heavily for their work, slaves are not.

Athletes are allowed to speak their opinion, I don't know why anyone would say otherwise. But don't complain about something you signed up for [i](and can get out of)[/i], that's pretty ridiculous. And if you want to present an argument [i]*cough* Adrian Peterson, Rashard Mendenhall *cough*[/i] you better damn well back it up or you just look like an idiot - that's true for anyone.
[/quote]

Like I said, it's not as drastic as slavery, but it makes sense to see parallels. The players are not physically forced into the NFL or the combine, but it's still an offer they can't refuse. (cue more godfather references).

But just like the Army, once they sign a contract, the parallels to slavery are more intense.

[hawkprey]

[quote name='theFRANCHISE' timestamp='1300402514' post='655580']
The combine is similar to any interview process, though; the only difference is, there is a physical element presented to the interview.

And while I see where the parallel can be drawn between players being treated as property, the other half of the definition is that people are forced to do labor. There's no coercion involved in getting NFL players to sign a contract to perform services. These players can find gainful employment in other avenues -- football is their chosen vocation, regardless of their socioeconomic situation or other circumstances that may otherwise "force" them to pursue football professionally. My biggest argument is that, while players may feel as if they're forced into football, they were granted the privilege of a college education; if they really didn't want to play football, couldn't they have actively pursued their education and used that to gain traditional work in other fields?

My point is, Rashard needs to shut up, as you pointed out. Athletes [i]are[/i] allowed to express their opinion; Donte' Stallworth speaks on politics on Twitter regularly, Ray Lewis has publicly criticized officials, and Drew Brees is lending an air of transparency to the players' union throughout this labor strife. The difference is in the amount of education and thought put into those words. Rashard has not done anything to properly defend his stance, choosing instead to take an elitist approach and say his critics are beneath an explanation from him.

[/quote]


"Modern slavery" is a term (even though I don't necessarily like it) that means to say all people these days are coerced into having a job (working) without being able to fully support themselves (indebted in some way). It's some theory which I'm sure you've heard of, how it's impossible to get out of debt and so on...

So, by calling the NFL a form of modern slavery, I can't say I disagree with either of them. All jobs in general fit into that category. But NFL players do face more pressure to perform physically without being able to voice an opinion than the average person.

[berad]

[quote name='hawkprey' timestamp='1300402598' post='655583']
Like I said, it's not as drastic as slavery, but it makes sense to see parallels. The players are not physically forced into the NFL or the combine, but it's still an offer they can't refuse. (cue more godfather references).

But just like the Army, once they sign a contract, the parallels to slavery are more intense.
[/quote]

I can understand complaining about your job, but c'mon. Playing in the NFL is definitely not slavery. Abiding by a contract you agreed to is not slavery. The parallels are weak, at best, and non-existent/false in some cases [i](referencing the article Mendenhall linked to)[/i].

I think some players are just disillusioned. They've been playing football for most of their lives. This is [i](should be)[/i] the first and only level they've been paid a salary for performing - why are they complaining? Perhaps playing in a rigorous college football (without scholarship) or high school program would have more "parallels" to "slavery" but all arguments falter because it is all entirely and completely [u][b]voluntary[/b][/u]. Slavery is forced.

*Mendenhall was referencing the [color="#0000FF"][url="http://twitter.com/R_Mendenhall/status/47858546309742592"]Atlantic slave trade[/url][/color], not "modern slavery".

[quote]Anyone with knowledege of the slave trade and the NFL could say that these two parallel eachother[/quote]

[BloodRaven]

Mendenhall hasn't been right since Ray knocked the soul out of him.

[codizzle]

Wow and now someone is actually here defending this crap? In no way shape or form is the nfl yhe players any of it a form of any kind of slavery..
This is a joke really please say so?
The players choose to sign a contract to play for a team in the nfl.. They are aware of what thwy are signing... Its a job nothing more...

This is so stupid its sad

[codizzle]

[quote name='BloodRaven' timestamp='1300407186' post='655629']
Mendenhall hasn't been right since Ray knocked the soul out of him.
[/quote]
Beat ya to that one lol

[MsMarvel73]

Adrian Peterson and Rashard Mendenhall

Dumb and Dumber.

[DFlo]

Noone earning millions of dollars should claim that they are slaves..

[hawkprey]

[quote name='berad' timestamp='1300403506' post='655597']
I can understand complaining about your job, but c'mon. Playing in the NFL is definitely not slavery. Abiding by a contract you agreed to is not slavery. The parallels are weak, at best, and non-existent/false in some cases [i](referencing the article Mendenhall linked to)[/i].

I think some players are just disillusioned. They've been playing football for most of their lives. This is [i](should be)[/i] the first and only level they've been paid a salary for performing - why are they complaining? Perhaps playing in a rigorous college football (without scholarship) or high school program would have more "parallels" to "slavery" but all arguments falter because it is all entirely and completely [u][b]voluntary[/b][/u]. Slavery is forced.

*Mendenhall was referencing the [color="#0000FF"][url="http://twitter.com/R_Mendenhall/status/47858546309742592"]Atlantic slave trade[/url][/color], not "modern slavery".
[/quote]

The OP has a link to Peterson calling working in the NFL a form of "modern slavery", which is of course not to mean civil-war era slavery. Based on how people have defined modern day slavery, yes, players do fit in that description. So I can't say I disagree with his statement.

[quote name='codizzle' timestamp='1300433744' post='655799']
Wow and now someone is actually here defending this crap? In no way shape or form is the nfl yhe players any of it a form of any kind of slavery..
This is a joke really please say so?
The players choose to sign a contract to play for a team in the nfl.. They are aware of what thwy are signing... Its a job nothing more...

This is so stupid its sad
[/quote]

Doesn't this violate some code of conduct?


I can see why you didn't quote me because you clearly didn't read what I wrote.

You are apparently thinking: Slavery = no money. NFL = millions of dollars.

You are not taking into consideration the treatment of players, which is what this is all about. It's an exaggeration of the way the players are treated - not to be taken literally. People react to the word slavery. That's the only reason why Peterson used it. He doesn't think he's a poor Southern plantation worker.

[berad]

[quote name='hawkprey' timestamp='1300471896' post='655956']
The OP has a link to Peterson calling working in the NFL a form of "modern slavery", which is of course not to mean civil-war era slavery. Based on how people have defined modern day slavery, yes, players do fit in that description. So I can't say I disagree with his statement.[/quote]

I was talking about Mendenhall. Rashard didn't make that distinction. In fact, based on his tweets and the article he referenced, he specifically meant the Atlantic slave trade.

[quote name='hawkprey' timestamp='1300471896' post='655956']
Doesn't this violate some code of conduct?
[/quote]

I assumed he was insulting the quotes from Mendenahll and Peterson - not your defense of them.

[hawkprey]

[quote name='berad' timestamp='1300472440' post='655969']
I was talking about Mendenhall. Rashard didn't make that distinction. In fact, based on his tweets and the article he referenced, he specifically meant the Atlantic slave trade.



I assumed he was insulting the quotes from Mendenahll and Peterson - not your defense of them.
[/quote]

I knew you were talking about Mendenhall but I didn't read any quotes of his so I just assumed they were saying the same thing. I guess Mendy got carried away somehow?

[berad]

[quote name='hawkprey' timestamp='1300565541' post='656517']
I knew you were talking about Mendenhall but I didn't read any quotes of his so I just assumed they were saying the same thing. I guess Mendy got carried away somehow?
[/quote]

Eh, judging by his actions at the end of the AFCCG, I bet he gets carried away a lot

[Clutch Ravens]

[quote name='berad' timestamp='1300565950' post='656524']
Eh, judging by his actions at the end of the AFCCG, I bet he gets carried away a lot
[/quote]

I'm just surprised Ben didn't reciprocate.

Mendenhall just seems to be digging himself deeper and deeper.

[T-ray]

Rashard = [i]<Dumb>

[/i]Seriously, Peterson looked kinda dumb, but when you agree with his statement of slavery comparable to the NFL, and you take it to another step with the Atlantic Slave Trade Route, you really are the dumbest person in the world. I have no idea how Mendenhall thinks the NFL is comparable to slavery, especially after he humped Worthlessberger.

Guess thats why he plays for the Steelers...... hmm.....

[T-ray]

Why was my post edited ?? I just tried to make a perfect, rhyming analogy....

[Moderator 2]

It was not as cute as you thought......