Was Brown’s Stance On Adam Jones The Right Move?
By Emile Pierce
Bengals Owner Mike Brown was verbally harsh on Adam Jones. But, in the end, he was supportive of his player. Maybe it’s something to admire.
Sometimes we forget that it’s a game. There are days that we get caught up in the violence and fail to remember a fundamental issue. Football is a game played by men. Behemoths that are flesh and blood. They have emotions and tend to hide their feelings. Adam Jones made a mistake. It was another among many that have marred his career. But, the bottom line is clear. He made a mistake. Most humans do. Now, he has to show that he’s able to turn it around.
I’ve had my share of insane feelings about Jones. There were days during the past season that made me cheer like a crazed lunatic. Alternately, I wanted to throw an adult beverage at the television and resort to sordid language. You know, the kind that would make your mom swear you’re a sailor on leave.
But, in the end, I had to realize something. Adam Jones is not perfect. Guess what? Neither is any of us who sit back and chill on Sunday, Monday or Thursday and watch him play. Yes, he has a job to do. Mike Brown pays him very well for the time he puts in. That’s probably what gets people seething. If Joe Public gets in trouble on the job, it’s a done deal. There are so many times an owner or boss will put up with the stupidity. But, it’s not Joe and it’s not an average job. It’s the NFL and millions are at stake.
Just Say It Already
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True. I wanted to see the Bengals take a stance and come down on Jones. But, then I realized that was being hypocritical. If I made mistakes, my first instinct would be to want forgiveness. Yet, each time I wanted to let this recent incident blow over, the memory of January 9 popped into my head. Then I realized what was happening. The anger associated with something being taken away was controlling my compassion for someone. That’s when it became easier. Jones was no longer the enemy. It was me.
At the risk of being labeled a ‘thug apologist’ by those who truly hate Jones, I’ll say it. Brown did the right thing. Players need to see some sort of connection with owners besides the cash that gets thrown at them. They’re not machines, they’re people with families and lives. And yes…flawed personal lives.
If Jones can get things together and recapture his 2015 form, I’m all in. If he needs to retire, then this season will reveal it. Until then, he’s a Bengal. It’s time to let some things go.