Friday Fryer (November 30, 2007)

Favre did not play the entire game. In the second quarter, Favre was hit on an interception. On the hit, Favre looked to have injured his throwing elbow. After the game, it was reported that Favre also dislocated his non-throwing shoulder. Ouch.

The Packers lost the game to the Cowboys, which pretty much assures Dallas of home field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs. The injury that Favre received in the game may also end his consecutive playing streak. Maybe it is time for Favre to finally hang up the cleats. Nevertheless, Favre performance and injury in Thursday’s game earned him a Friday Fryer nomination this week.

It is well documented that Taylor had some serious problems in the past. He got himself involved with people who were less than law-abiding citizens. This is a shame, for Taylor’s father was a policeman.

It is also clear that Taylor was trying to clean up his act. Taylor was engaged and had a baby daughter. Actually, both the girlfriend and baby were in the bedroom where Taylor was fatally shot. They were left unharmed.

Murder is becoming more and more common these days. People can easily put to guns and say that is the big problem. These people would be wrong. The real problem lies with the lack of respect for human life. Making guns illegal will not increase respect for human life. More than likely, it would just making shootings that much “cooler” in popular culture. That is some sad commentary right there.

Nevertheless, Sean Taylor was killed this week at 24. His career and his life are over. And for what? Like I said, just another statistic.

Back in the day, it could be said that such a tragedy would bring a team closer together. For example, the Philadelphia Flyers lost their star goaltender, Pelle Lindbergh to a car crash in November of 1985. The Flyers responded by winning their division and making it to the NHL playoffs. Sadly, those were the days when money was not king in professional sports. It was a time when men still played a boy’s sport for the love of the game.

This is not the situation these days. Players now play for the multi-million dollars contracts, and not for the love of the game. This is why the level of play has diminished in all of sports over the past twenty years. This big money has also broken the bond within teams. Now, when adversity strikes, it is more likely the team will collapse, instead of excel.

This is where the Redskins find themselves. Adversity has struck them via the Taylor death. Will they pull together and win, or will they fall apart and lose. That question is still unanswered, though it is likely that the latter is going to be the case. Thus, the Friday Fryer Chair goes to the Redskins.

Until next Friday, AMF!