Brendon Ayanbadejo released

[CARavensFan]

[quote name='berad' timestamp='1365123850' post='1425256']
Just Ayanbadejo pontificating?

[url="http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000157656/article/brendon-ayanbadejo-questions-ravens-cutting-him"]http://www.nfl.com/n...ens-cutting-him[/url]

What a load and a bad look for you BA. If the Ravens had an issue with you talking or standing up for your beliefs they would have cut you the next day or told you to shut up. BA was released because he's 37, can't play defense, and missed plays on ST.
[/quote]

As soon as I saw this headline, this summed up my thoughts exactly. All I hear is someone whining about being cut; though he has simultaneously killed any hope he had of coming back to the Ravens as well as any other team most likely.

[Moderator 2]

[quote name='DMH_in_WA' timestamp='1365107512' post='1424988']
I am confused by the report that says the Ravens are open to bringing Ayanbadejo back at a reduced salary. I don't understand how that's possible or even how it would make sense to cut him if that's true. He's a 10+ year veteran which means minimum salary for 2013 would be $940,000 ... which is exactly what he was making (base salary) in 2013. What savings could there be?

-Donald
[/quote]I think they were being nice, but if they bring him back after the first game they are only on the books for a partial salary. As I said in the Blogs David Reed when healthy is a better gunner on ST.

[Moderator 2]

[quote name='BaltimoreBean' timestamp='1365120043' post='1425202']
“@TomRock_Newsday: EXCLUSIVE: Brandon Ayanbadejo says his role in gay rights issue is one reason he was cut by the Ravens - http://www.newsday.com/sports/football/glauber-s-nfl-hot-reads-1.811959/brendon-ayanbadejo-says-role-in-gay-rights-issue-one-reason-he-was-cut-1.5010373?qr=1”


Not bringing him back. Can't read the article because I'm not a subscriber.
[/quote]Not a Bleacher Report fan but they have the story too.

[hawkprey]

Clearly he doesn't remember the ball rolling between his legs on the Cowboys' successful onsides kick. Yeah but no I'm sure we released him because of some bias or political stuff.

[berad]

Kevin Byrne's response:

[quote]
“We’re surprised that he would indicate this. We have always been respectful of Brendon’s opinions and his right to express those,” said Kevin Byrne, the Ravens' senior vice president for public and community relations. “Our decision regarding his departure from the team has everything to do with football. Nothing else.”[/quote]

[url="http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/ravens-insider/bal-baltimore-ravens-deny-ayanbadejos-claims-20130404,0,7436876.story"]http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/ravens-insider/bal-baltimore-ravens-deny-ayanbadejos-claims-20130404,0,7436876.story[/url]

[rmw10]

This kind of made me mad. BA is a veteran that should understand the business side of football, especially with how educated he is. Why speculate and get the media riled up? Horrible decision for BA.

[ravensfan160]

[quote name='berad' timestamp='1365123850' post='1425256']
Just Ayanbadejo pontificating?

[url="http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000157656/article/brendon-ayanbadejo-questions-ravens-cutting-him"]http://www.nfl.com/n...ens-cutting-him[/url]

What a load and a bad look for you BA. If the Ravens had an issue with you talking or standing up for your beliefs they would have cut you the next day or told you to shut up. BA was released because he's 37, can't play defense, and missed plays on ST.
[/quote]
Ayanbadejo saying this makes me sick! He's a soon to be 37 year old career special teamer who wasn't even good at that last year. By suggesting that his views towards gay rights are why he got released does nothing but to diminish the very subject he has worked so hard to promote.

I say good riddance.

[Ravenslifer]

So in Brendon's opinion he was released in part because of speaking his mind in ways the team has always supported, and not because of the fact that he's a 37 year-old special teamer making almost 1 million dollars?

[FerrariFan87]

[quote name='bauer77' timestamp='1365032868' post='1424074']
It was on the 2nd page of the thread, about $807K.
[/quote]

Thanks, sir.

[PolishRifle]

It's all about you BA, right? Cry me a river.

[img]http://i.imgur.com/5JroOCP.jpg[/img]

[SecretAgentMan]

[quote name='PolishRifle' timestamp='1365132104' post='1425384']
It's all about you BA, right? Cry me a river.

[img]http://i.imgur.com/5JroOCP.jpg[/img]
[/quote]
We got lucky that game

[ravensdfan]

[quote name='rmw10' timestamp='1365126809' post='1425305']
This kind of made me mad. BA is a veteran that should understand the business side of football, especially with how educated he is. Why speculate and get the media riled up? Horrible decision for BA.
[/quote]

He's an attention hound (and that's the nice term). Instead of focusing on the Super Bowl game to be played, he chose to use it as a mouthpiece for his political stances. Now, he's looking for more media attention by making up a claim he was released because of his views.

smh bad bad choice BA.

[SecretAgentMan]

[quote name='ravensdfan' timestamp='1365132761' post='1425397']


He's an attention hound (and that's the nice term). Instead of focusing on the Super Bowl game to be played, he chose to use it as a mouthpiece for his political stances. Now, he's looking for more media attention by making up a claim he was released because of his views.

smh bad bad choice BA.
[/quote]
Bad Attitude.....

Since I'm making an A-team reference, I pity the fool

[IH EART DA RAVENS]

Now before anyone thinks of me in a bad way or calls me a bigot or anything, let me say I support what Brendon says (not the crap about the team, his opinions on civil rights I mean), but I get the feeling this is his way of trying to drum up support for his cause. Kind of a "poor me, poor us" thing. "Look how persecuted I am for standing for this" not so much for personal pity, but for additional sentiment for his campaign...its a dumb idea if that's what he's up to, but he can't REALLY believe this about the Ravens...right?

[berad]

Brendon clarifying (backtracking)

[color=#333333][font=Arial, sans-serif][background=rgb(245, 245, 245)]
[url="https://twitter.com/brendon310"][b]Brendon Ayanbadejo[/b] ‏[size=3][s]@[/s][b]brendon310[/b][/size][/url][url="https://twitter.com/brendon310/status/320016520157736960"]5m[/url][/background][/font][/color][color=#333333][font=Arial, sans-serif][background=rgb(245, 245, 245)]
Just a heads up I did an interview today and no way said I was cut because my views. I said my talk was louder than my production & at 36[/background][/font][/color]
[color=#333333][font=Arial, sans-serif][background=rgb(245, 245, 245)]
[url="https://twitter.com/brendon310/status/320016520157736960"]https://twitter.com/brendon310/status/320016520157736960[/url][/background][/font][/color]


[url="https://twitter.com/brendon310"][b]Brendon Ayanbadejo[/b] ‏[size=3][s]@[/s][b]brendon310[/b][/size][/url][url="https://twitter.com/brendon310/status/320017392845594625"]2m[/url]
When you are not producing it is a fair move. You can find cheaper guys to do what I do. Ravens are the BEST organization in the nfl period!

[url="https://twitter.com/brendon310/status/320017392845594625"]https://twitter.com/brendon310/status/320017392845594625[/url]

That's well and good but not really what he said in the interview. He insinuated the Ravens cut him because they didn't want the attention of him expressing his views. Granted, he was probably baited into saying it but he's savvy enough to know how things can be misconstrued.

[berad]

Another tweet

[color=#333333][font=Arial, sans-serif][background=rgb(245, 245, 245)][url="https://twitter.com/brendon310"][b]Brendon Ayanbadejo[/b] ‏[size=3][s]@[/s][b]brendon310[/b][/size][/url][url="https://twitter.com/brendon310/status/320018634959364096"]1m[/url][/background][/font][/color]
[color=#333333][font=Arial, sans-serif][background=rgb(245, 245, 245)]Haven't read article that was published. I will be all over the news this week setting it straight!Don't believe EVERYTHING u read[/background][/font][/color]

[color=#333333][font=Arial, sans-serif][background=rgb(245, 245, 245)][url="https://twitter.com/brendon310/status/320018634959364096"]https://twitter.com/...018634959364096[/url][/background][/font][/color]

[color=#333333][font=Arial, sans-serif][background=rgb(245, 245, 245)]Atoning. He should know the sensitive issue it is and how media will jump on something like that.[/background][/font][/color]

[Moderator 2]

I am glad since the team was supportive in his right to speak out

[Yatagarasu]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/04/04/brendon-ayanbadejo-believes-gay-rights-activism-played-factor-in-release-from-ravens/


[img]http://media.rob.nu/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/facepalm12.jpg[/img]



Hurry up and retire as a champion before you do more harm to your credibility.

[DMH_in_WA]

I think the problem here is two fold and a result of the new way the news organizations are running their online presences. The original Newsday Article is behind a pay wall and most people don't get to see it (myself included). 90% of what other sites are reporting on this Newsday article say flat out "Ayanbadejo says Ravens cut him because of his stance on gay-rights". But if you look at others that put it more into context, it sounds to me like he wondered if it could have been something that made it easier for them to decide to cut him, but immediately tells them that there were definite and legitimate football reasons for them to do so.

I have no problem with that. He is free to wonder if his stance, which does bring the Ravens some heat, was kind of the final straw that pushed it over the edge. It's his life and career, so I'm fine with that. What I'm not fine with is how the vast majority of the media have no intention of reporting what he said about all the football reasons he was let go.

[K-Dog]

Most of the media are jerks.

[Militant X 1]

Brendon will be on NFL AM in a few minutes. can't wait to see how he will respond to all of this.

~Mili

[Guest Mr. Nobody]

[quote name='Militant X 1' timestamp='1365164413' post='1425548']
Brendon will be on NFL AM in a few minutes. can't wait to see how he will respond to all of this.

~Mili
[/quote]

he already did
[url="http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/04/05/ayanbadejo-says-he-accepts-ravens-decision-to-cut-him/"]http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/04/05/ayanbadejo-says-he-accepts-ravens-decision-to-cut-him/[/url]

[NaveSenrag]

I don't really see how people disagree with him so much. He said that he's an old guy who's pay doesn't match up to his production and who attracts unnecessary attention to the team whether by his activism (which I agree with) or by his aggressive tweets (which I don't agree with). All he said was that his attention attracting may have pushed the FO over the edge in terms of overpaying him vs. cutting him. As always, the media tried to twist his words and it got blown out of proportion. He has since clarified what he said, and it's a legitimate theory unless the FO offers to bring him back.

[ravensfan2430]

[quote name='berad' timestamp='1365133375' post='1425407']
Brendon clarifying (backtracking)


[color=#333333][font=Arial, sans-serif][background=rgb(245,245,245)][url="https://twitter.com/brendon310"][b]Brendon Ayanbadejo[/b] ‏[size=3][s]@[/s][b]brendon310[/b][/size][/url][url="https://twitter.com/brendon310/status/320016520157736960"]5m[/url][/background][/font][/color]
[color=#333333][font=Arial, sans-serif][background=rgb(245,245,245)]Just a heads up I did an interview today and no way said I was cut because my views. I said my talk was louder than my production & at 36[/background][/font][/color]

[color=#333333][font=Arial, sans-serif][background=rgb(245,245,245)][url="https://twitter.com/brendon310/status/320016520157736960"]https://twitter.com/...016520157736960[/url][/background][/font][/color]


[url="https://twitter.com/brendon310"][b]Brendon Ayanbadejo[/b] ‏[size=3][s]@[/s][b]brendon310[/b][/size][/url][url="https://twitter.com/brendon310/status/320017392845594625"]2m[/url]
When you are not producing it is a fair move. You can find cheaper guys to do what I do. Ravens are the BEST organization in the nfl period!

[url="https://twitter.com/brendon310/status/320017392845594625"]https://twitter.com/...017392845594625[/url]

That's well and good but not really what he said in the interview. He insinuated the Ravens cut him because they didn't want the attention of him expressing his views. Granted, he was probably baited into saying it but he's savvy enough to know how things can be misconstrued.
[/quote]

Given his attitude in general, I'm going to believe him... It was prolly a "reporter" trying to make a story up. Granted, I may be biased, because I hate 99% of the media.

[edthehead]

I know I am new here and I need to say this.... he should be gone , yes his money do not hurt,but c'mon people he talks to much, now that he is off the team let him go support his people,, singers sing ,actors act and PLAYERS PLAY,,,ba should be gone

[berad]

[quote name='ravensfan2430' timestamp='1365169253' post='1425583']
Given his attitude in general, I'm going to believe him... It was prolly a "reporter" trying to make a story up. Granted, I may be biased, because I hate 99% of the media.
[/quote]

I'm starting to agree, too, given how vehemently he is attacking back at it. He was probably baited into it and a no-name reporter took it and ran.

He said everything perfectly on NFLAM and to Aaron Wilson.

[Militant X 1]

[quote name='horus13corvineus' timestamp='1365164787' post='1425553']
he already did
[url="http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/04/05/ayanbadejo-says-he-accepts-ravens-decision-to-cut-him/"]http://profootballta...ion-to-cut-him/[/url]
[/quote]

i already knew about the articles on his response man. i did mention that he was going to be on the television show....NFL AM. i wanted to hear him speak in his own words and i did. but thanks anyway for posting a link.

~Mili

[mdrsharon]

The media are really playing up this one.
Whatever your beliefs, you are entitled to them, as this is still America.

I think BA is really brave for speaking his mind.
Most people jump on the bandwagon after they learn a family member who is gay.

As with the Ed Reed story, the fact checking of the media is poor. Learn how to back up the story with facts, not opinions, or at least state that they are only your opinions. Stories get out and are believed as the truth, when that is not the case.

[SuggsBarber]

Dude was/is a class act.He played his heart out for the purple and black.Think about it;how many players are there in the league play special teams willingly well into their 30's?He'll get his ring and he'll always be one of ours.

[gabefergy]

[quote name='berad' timestamp='1365173762' post='1425625']
I'm starting to agree, too, given how vehemently he is attacking back at it. He was probably baited into it and a no-name reporter took it and ran.

He said everything perfectly on NFLAM and to Aaron Wilson.
[/quote]

Yeah, I will bet anything his words were twisted by a reporter looking to get attention. Ethics ins journalism is hard to find these days. BA has been a Raven for a long time, there is no way he would say anything negative about the organization especially after they publicly backed him.