The Human Side Of Cut Day

[Captain Hindsight]

42 minutes ago, CaptnCoke11 said:

Would you feel bad if i lost my job tomorrow?  Highly doubtful.  

 

Most will get another opportunity.  Some won’t.  The smart ones finished college that they got a free ride to which most Americans do not will find work outside of football.  Sure it stinks but I won’t be sitting in my house shedding a tear.  

I'd hate to see anyone lose their job. I've been fired and it absolutely sucks. Wouldn't wish it on anyone

 

Unless it was because you were a complete jerk and did some shady stuff, then well ?

Edited August 30, 2019 by Captain Hindsight

[C.Biscuit97]

29 minutes ago, Chuck Wagon said:

 

 

I'm of two opinions on this:

 

These guys put their bodies through A LOT.  And it's a harsh realty at a pretty young age to have your dream you've been pursuing for most all of your formative years abruptly end.  The reality is there's likely not a huge difference in caliber of player from the 50th to the 60th guy so it would be pretty crushing to be right there.

 

But yes, I see your POV too.  Most all these guys received enough college credits to be close to a degree if not finished with one while also getting room and board taken care of, not to mention there's likely an alumni network in place that tends to take care of athletes when it comes time to get jobs in the real world.  That being said, a lot of these guys wouldn't sniff a college classroom if it wasn't for football and schools (especially football factory schools) do a pretty iffy job of steering student athletes, especially ones lacking academic skills, towards actual degrees.  It doesn't take that much digging to find stories of guys who took 3 years worth of college credits they were steered into by teams only to realize they are still multiple years away from an actual degree.  And yes, people need to be responsible for their own decisions, but if no one in your family or social circle has been to college it can be hard to know what you don't know.

That’s fair too. I remember Robert Smith got discouraged from going to medical school by OSU.  I think there is a story that James Brooks was going to prison and paid of his sentence was leading to read because he was illiterate even though he graduated from Auburn university. 

[KCNC]

Is someone going to start a "cut rumor" thread or is this it?

[Rocket94]

1 minute ago, Captain Hindsight said:

I'd hate to see anyone lose their job. I've been fired and it absolutely sucks. Wouldn't wish it on anyone

 

Unless it was because you were a complete ####### and did some shady *****, then well ?

Hopefully, the ones that don't make it on the football field, will see this for what it is...just a situation in their lives to grow from and not a failure. They can take this with them. Thats what life is all about.

[ProcessAccepted]

1 hour ago, CaptnCoke11 said:

A lot of them will end up on practice squads here or elsewhere.  This is also the profession they chose knowing this is part of it.  I tend to be on the other end of the spectrum.  It’s part of the job

While it is indeed part of the business of football we should remember that men's dreams and hopes end on cut day. It is what it is but the OP is merely reminding us that simple fact. 

[bargepole]

This might be a silly question, but isn't there a league in the US below the NFL where the cut payers can play for less prestigious teams on smaller salaries? I find it hard to believe that a country the size of the US can only support 32 professional teams. English soccer has 92 professional teams, tiered in 4 divisions.

 

I can thank of plenty of major US cities which don't have an NFL franchise - off the top of my head, Birmingham, Charlotte, Columbus, Las Vegas, Nashville, Oklahoma City,  Portland, and so on. What do football fans do in those places?

Edited August 30, 2019 by bargepole

[hondo in seattle]

It's not all about the money.  It's  about the DREAM.  

 

Many of these guys have dreamed of playing the NFL since they were little boys.  They had some innate talent.  They trained hard.  And they became very good at their craft.  Just not good enough.  

 

For some of the guys cut, this will be the 2nd or 3rd year in a row that they almost made a roster or PS. 

 

It's hard to get that close to your dream but fall short.  

[That's No Moon]

45 minutes ago, bargepole said:

I can thank of plenty of major US cities which don't have an NFL franchise - off the top of my head, Birmingham, Charlotte, Columbus, Las Vegas, Nashville, Oklahoma City,  Portland, and so on. What do football fans do in those places?

#1. Charlotte has an NFL team

#2. Birmingham, Columbus, Nashville, and OKC are firmly in college football territory. It is beloved. They don't lack for football.

#3. Las Vegas will have the Raiders shortly

#4. Portland, frankly, I don't think gives a damn.

[Rico]

1 hour ago, Albany,n.y. said:

He was quite the star on his high school team in real life.  Here's his wiki page:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ed_O'Neill

 

O'Neill was born into an Irish-American Catholic family in Youngstown, Ohio.^[4][5] His mother, Ruth Ann (née Quinlan), was a homemaker and social worker, and his father, Edward Phillip O'Neill, was a steel mill worker and truck driver.^[6] O'Neill attended Ursuline High School before transferring to Worthington High School and winning a state championship, earning the name Ed O'Winner and winning a football scholarship to Ohio University, where he majored in history, also joining the Mu chapter of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity.^[7] O'Neill left Ohio after his sophomore year; he spent more time playing sports and partying than studying^[7] and also feuded with his coach.

He transferred to Youngstown State University, where he was a defensive lineman. While an undergraduate, O'Neill pledged Delta Sigma Phi and was initiated into the Delta Sigma chapter there. Rumors abound that he was an avid partier.^[6] O'Neill was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1969 but was cut in training camp.^[5][6][8] Later, on Married... with Children, O'Neill played a former high-school football star who had failed to make it big and constantly reminisced about his "glory days" at Polk High ("I once scored four touchdowns in a single game"). As part of this theme, former Pittsburgh Steelers great and Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Terry Bradshaw also made two guest appearances on the show. O'Neill was also a substitute social studies teacher at Ursuline High School before becoming an actor.^[6]

 

Accomplished more as Al Bundy than all but a handful of players in NFL history.

[bargepole]

7 minutes ago, That's No Moon said:

#1. Charlotte has an NFL team

 

 

Damn, I forgot the Panthers were based in Charlotte. What about Raleigh, then?

[Warcodered]

2 hours ago, Just Jack said:

 

And Dean Cain, cut by the Bills, I think before the first pre-season game.

 

 

Hate to say it but Gronk might have been the smartest. Lives off his endorsement deals and banks his NFL salary for the future. 

But he's faster than a speeding bullet and can leap over tall buildings in a single bound.

 

1 hour ago, bargepole said:

This might be a silly question, but isn't there a league in the US below the NFL where the cut payers can play for less prestigious teams on smaller salaries? I find it hard to believe that a country the size of the US can only support 32 professional teams. English soccer has 92 professional teams, tiered in 4 divisions.

 

I can thank of plenty of major US cities which don't have an NFL franchise - off the top of my head, Birmingham, Charlotte, Columbus, Las Vegas, Nashville, Oklahoma City,  Portland, and so on. What do football fans do in those places?

I mean there's the arena football league.

[TheFunPolice]

2 hours ago, Kirby Jackson said:

Oh they can, and I work with one now. They don’t all have MBAs though. 78% of all NFL players are either broke or in financial distress within 2 years of their careers ending. They are all starting over and they aren’t all starting over at the top. 

 

78%? Wow! That number seems high but believable at the same time, if you know what I mean... 

 

Is the practice squad a certain set salary, or do players sign whatever deals they can? Does that count towards the salary cap?

 

In other words, could a team stash a guy by paying him something like $1 million to be on the practice squad, essentially creating a 54th roster spot in case of injury? I knwo other teams can poach them, but can't the original team activate him if they find out that's going to happen in order to keep him?

 

 

[Just Jack]

1 hour ago, bargepole said:

This might be a silly question, but isn't there a league in the US below the NFL where the cut payers can play for less prestigious teams on smaller salaries? I find it hard to believe that a country the size of the US can only support 32 professional teams. English soccer has 92 professional teams, tiered in 4 divisions.

 

There are semi-pro teams around, I know Syracuse has one but quite frankly, I bet 90% of the population here does not know they exist since we also have SU.

 

https://www.syracusestrong.com/

 

 

Edited August 30, 2019 by Just Jack

[TheFunPolice]

49 minutes ago, hondo in seattle said:

It's not all about the money.  It's  about the DREAM.  

 

Many of these guys have dreamed of playing the NFL since they were little boys.  They had some innate talent.  They trained hard.  And they became very good at their craft.  Just not good enough.  

 

For some of the guys cut, this will be the 2nd or 3rd year in a row that they almost made a roster or PS. 

 

It's hard to get that close to your dream but fall short.  

 

That would probably be the hardest part. They were in a training camp, wearing Bills helmets (or whatever team). They played in 4 NFL games, against other NFL players in NFL stadiums. They got a paycheck of some kind from an NFL team, even if it wasn't huge $$. 

 

Then it's over, just as the regular season begins. So  close. They have to wonder "what if?" 

 

That must really, really suck. 

[RyanC883]

3 hours ago, Royale with Cheese said:

 Very sad day for many where they have to move on from a sport they love.  For some, it’s the only thing they know.

 

It's kind of sad if it's "the only thing they know."   Your statement is true, but given that they all went to college, and have a life, hopefully they picked up something useful outside of football.  A hobby, or something.   Many who didn't finish college could go to Tech school (if they have a hobby related to that), etc.  They have a lot of options.  

Another thought: perhaps getting cut is better than being a baseball or hockey player toiling at AAA for years on end for low pay and taking a bus to away games.  Now they can get on with their backup plan.  But again, don't quit if its your goal.  You could be the next Kurt Warner, or at least a backup on a team later this year or next.  

[Royale with Cheese]

10 minutes ago, RyanC883 said:

 

It's kind of sad if it's "the only thing they know."   Your statement is true, but given that they all went to college, and have a life, hopefully they picked up something useful outside of football.  A hobby, or something.   Many who didn't finish college could go to Tech school (if they have a hobby related to that), etc.  They have a lot of options.  

Another thought: perhaps getting cut is better than being a baseball or hockey player toiling at AAA for years on end for low pay and taking a bus to away games.  Now they can get on with their backup plan.  But again, don't quit if its your goal.  You could be the next Kurt Warner, or at least a backup on a team later this year or next.  

 

It is sad.  I've been there but I finished school and went on.  Many people I know just can't let it go.  

 

Some people, the only way they get into college, is because of their athletic ability.  I had to proof read a 3 page essay from a player on the football team.  He was at about a 3rd grade reading and writing level.  His entire 3 pages was a run on sentence...not a single punctuation.  I used to let him cheat off me because I felt bad for him...didn't matter if he studied his ass off...this was too much for him.

 

I've had friends that played at the big time schools.  They all told me on test days, just don't show up and you'll get a C.  One of them was a starting QB in the SEC and he had a mandatory group project due in a week.  It was a lab at night so he was going to have to miss practice.  He told his coach and he said "you're not missing practice, we'll take care of that project".  He got a B...didn't even do it.

 

I had a friend that couldn't let his minor league ball dream die.  He was drafted in the 7th round back in 2003.  He played until 2011, bouncing around between teams and even independent ball for a little while.  He was making about $15,000 a year.  He had a longtime girlfriend who gave him an ultimatum.  He chose her.

[MarkyMannn]

All kinds of people lose their jobs.  If you played one year in the NFL you made $500,000 at 23.  Good head start in life

 

I worked for a Buffalo company that let go 700 people in one day, all unannounced.  Long time ago.  Experience that

[Johnnycage46]

5 hours ago, Kirby Jackson said:

...and you will work for 50 years. They may work for 3

 

Nobody said they shouldn't study in college and get an education WHILE playing football.  Maybe then if they get cut from a team on cut day they have some marketable skills for the real world.  Just a thought.  Most of life is a choice.  I totally understand that these guys sacrifice a lot but at the end of the day they are playing a kid's game and may have to live like the rest of us scrubs.

[RochesterRob]

  At least they had an opportunity.  In any profession there are those who will not make the grade.  You are only as good as your given talents and drive.  I do empathize with those that do not make the NFL but I will reserve aching for those who could not get over the final hill to become a doctor or lawyer or engineer.  Nice to have multiple abilities to tap but remember quite a few in society only have one real shot at something far less glamorous and financially rewarding.

[Kirby Jackson]

1 hour ago, Johnnycage46 said:

 

Nobody said they shouldn't study in college and get an education WHILE playing football.  Maybe then if they get cut from a team on cut day they have some marketable skills for the real world.  Just a thought.  Most of life is a choice.  I totally understand that these guys sacrifice a lot but at the end of the day they are playing a kid's game and may have to live like the rest of us scrubs.

You missed the point. When someone says, “they make more in the months that they are there than I do in a year.” That’s when you talk about career length. 

[billsfan89]

7 hours ago, CaptnCoke11 said:

A lot of them will end up on practice squads here or elsewhere.  This is also the profession they chose knowing this is part of it.  I tend to be on the other end of the spectrum.  It’s part of the job

 

There are 10 PS squad openings on each time (minus maybe an exception or two like the Bills have for Wade) that's only 320 spots for those 1200 men. Let's say another 150 enter into the league during the season due to injuries (some veteran call ups or fill ins for the PS.) That's still 750 people whose NFL dreams are ending. 

 

It's a part of the business and they know what they are getting into but it is still a harsh reality that a lot of people will have to face today. 

[atlbillsfan1975]

Good thread Kirby. It is true that for a lot of these men this is the end of a dream that started when they were kids. Think about that for a second. No need to cry for them or feel terrible for them. They got farther than so many of us who started on the path and ventured down it to some length. The scene in Money Ball where the scout is talking to Billy Beane about ‘...it’s a child’s game and we all get told at some point we can’t play it anymore...’, that point is now for a lot of young men. Heads high to all of them. If you could persevere to get to this point you can make it. 

[Johnnycage46]

2 hours ago, Kirby Jackson said:

You missed the point. When someone says, “they make more in the months that they are there than I do in a year.” That’s when you talk about career length. 

 

I get it but at the end of the day there are bigger problems than a guy not making an NFL team.  I totally respect your take however

Edited August 30, 2019 by Johnnycage46

[Kirby Jackson]

3 minutes ago, Johnnycage46 said:

 

I get it but at the end of the day there are bigger problems than a guy not making an NFL team.  I totally respect your take however

Not saying it’s a problem, we just miss the human element. We celebrate certain guys getting cut or making the team. We are all guilty of it. The reality is, for guys like Abraham Wallace, it sucks. This was his chance to provide for his family. He’s going to be starting over. 

[Beast]

9 hours ago, Royale with Cheese said:

 Very sad day for many where they have to move on from a sport they love.  For some, it’s the only thing they know.

 

 

[Johnnycage46]

1 minute ago, Kirby Jackson said:

Not saying it’s a problem, we just miss the human element. We celebrate certain guys getting cut or making the team. We are all guilty of it. The reality is, for guys like Abraham Wallace, it sucks. This was his chance to provide for his family. He’s going to be starting over. 

 

I get you.  And I am not a cold hearted SOB.  Just sometimes when bills (no pun intended) mount it's sometimes hard to care about people who chose sports over knowledge.

[Kirby Jackson]

22 minutes ago, Johnnycage46 said:

 

I get you.  And I am not a cold hearted SOB.  Just sometimes when bills (no pun intended) mount it's sometimes hard to care about people who chose sports over knowledge.

If they choose books they may come out of school making $60k or $70k on a good day. If they get to the league the minimum is $480k. It’s not a tough decision for someone that’s at that level. It’s just a hard fall. If I were in that situation I would do the EXACT same thing and think 98% of people would do the same.

[Shooter McGavin]

And we as fans indirectly provide their paychecks, so I believe that gives us the right to comment and criticize players. Without the fans, the NFL wouldn’t exist unless these guys want CTE for free. 

[Jay_Fixit]

And I couldn’t care less. Some are good enough, some aren’t.

 

At least you made it this far.

 

Bye.

[DFT]

3 minutes ago, Jay_Fixit said:

And I couldn’t care less. Some are good enough, some aren’t.

 

At least you made it this far.

 

Bye.

Is that really where you want to be when Jesus comes back?

[BADOLBILZ]

10 hours ago, Happy Gilmore said:

 This is what is so infuriating about guys like AB, all the talent in the world and he acts like a total nitwit.

 

 

Here's the thing........if he had "all the talent in the world" he would be playing on a guaranteed contract in the NBA or MLB.

 

The NFL is the most popular pro sports league in the US but with very, very few exceptions they aren't the best of the best pro athletes and that's why they are playing in such a cutthroat league.

Edited August 31, 2019 by BADOLBILZ

[Don Otreply]

11 hours ago, Sig1Hunter said:

Huh? Just because they know that this is part of it doesn’t mean that when the dream is doused it is any less sad. They are humans, giving everything they have for their dreams. I imagine that it really sucks when they get told by the organization that they gave their all for that it just wasn’t enough. All those bonds that they built are immediately snapped. 

 

“It’s part of the job”? Geez dude. Have a little humanity.

Some people are the, “I got mine so F off” types,  they have no compassion for others. 

[Bills!Win!]

I don't feel feel bad for players who get cut. They had a once in a lifetime chance to play in the NFL, now they have to get normal jobs like the rest of us 

[Jay_Fixit]

57 minutes ago, DFT said:

Is that really where you want to be when Jesus comes back?

The space ghost?

Oh, and THANKS FOR ALL YOU DO!!

[DFT]

1 minute ago, Jay_Fixit said:

The space ghost?

Oh, and THANKS FOR ALL YOU DO!!

Shoes!

[thronethinker]

There is more ways to make a living in football than just playing in the NFL. So they don’t make the team, they have made great contacts. Players can move on to coaching, training, etc..They can work their way up through  the ranks on the sidelines. Or they can move onto something else. Finish college, who knows. 

[BuffaloBill]

12 hours ago, fergie's ire said:

Such empathy.....even for Peterman should he get cut? ? But seriously, a nice reminder.

 

 

^^^^ This

[Happy]

32 minutes ago, thronethinker said:

There is more ways to make a living in football than just playing in the NFL. So they don’t make the team, they have made great contacts. Players can move on to coaching, training, etc..They can work their way up through  the ranks on the sidelines. Or they can move onto something else. Finish college, who knows. 

 

The only positive that I can think of is that these guys are in their early to mid 20s...still have their whole life in front of them and time to do something else they want, whether or not it involves football.  Still have to feel bad that their childhood dream may be over.

[Sig1Hunter]

1 hour ago, Don Otreply said:

Some people are the, “I got mine so F off” types,  they have no compassion for others. 

Either that, or they have the crab mentality. Can’t stand seeing someone else do something that they were never able to do, so they enjoy seeing them fail. I.e. “now they have to get regular jobs like the rest of us”. 

[Punching Bag]

13 hours ago, Albany,n.y. said:

Here's the upside: Every one of them will always have the memory of having tried something that was their dream.  The smart ones will always cherish the moments when they can always say they tried to be a professional football player.  Some will use that to get a foot in the door at lucrative careers.  

One of the most successful cuts in an NFL camp is actor Ed O'Neil who went on to star in Married With Children & Modern Family.  

 

And Dean Cain.  As Marv said "We cut Superman!"