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Dragon Slaying?

Naposki has been arrested and charged with the murder of a businessman for financial gain. Reportedly a friend of Naposki stood to gain 1M on an insurance policy, and Naposki allegedly was the triggerman for the hit on this businessman, shooting him several times. Both Naposki and his friend are now charged with murder and face life in prison. Andrew Brandt

Bookmark and Share Print This Send This June 05, 2009, 10:14 AM EST
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I saw a disturbing item in the news this week about a player whose name few people would recognize.  His name is Eric Naposki and his NFL playing career included stints with the Patriots and Colts and cups of coffee with the Cowboys and Jets in the late 1980s.  Even diehard of fans for those teams probably don’t remember the name.  Now, Naposki is in the news for completely different and much more chilling reasons. 

Naposki has been arrested and charged with the murder of a businessman for financial gain.  Reportedly a friend of Naposki stood to gain 1M on an insurance policy, and Naposki allegedly was the triggerman for the hit on this businessman, shooting him several times.  Both Naposki and his friend are now charged with murder and face life in prison.

Why I am bringing up Naposki?  Personal reasons.  As the first general manager of the Barcelona Dragons in 1991, I chose Naposki with one of my first draft picks and he became our best defensive player.  Although he never played any significant time in the NFL, he was a top player for us in the World League of American Football.  He led our team – and we went to the inaugural World Bowl -- in tackles and was tied for the lead in sacks. 

Naposki was a favorite of the coaches as well.  One of the most memorable times on the practice field involved Naposki.  We had two Spanish players on the team – players that had been playing football for a couple years compared to the rest of the team having played since they were eight years old – and at one point they were making some noise about not getting into the games to play, rubbing some players and coaches the wrong way with their sense of entitlement.  Hearing this, the coaches wanted to send them a message and were strategic in the next practice to show those players that they weren’t ready for prime time at that level.  Naposki had a role.

The first Spanish player, Guillermo, a running back, took a handoff in practice and Eric Naposki flattened him immediately with force unlike Guillermo had ever seen in the Spanish leagues.  The second Spanish player, Xisco, a receiver, ran a slant in that practice and was clothes lined by, you guessed it, Naposki.  Xisco’s helmet was spun around and he had a bloody nose.  After that practice, neither Guillermo nor Xisco complained about playing in a game again (they did play one play each, which is another long story).

Our coach in Barcelona, Jack Bicknell, had this to say about Naposki at the time "He's just a super kid.  He's quick and he's smart and what I like is the way he reads the game. He's got great anticipation. Eric actually has the defense believing they can shut every other team out.”

Reading the story about what may have happened this past month, I think about Naposki’s scripted violence 18 years ago compared to what he is now being charged.  The linebacker who was our best defensive player for the first edition of the Barcelona Dragons is in some deep, deep trouble.  I hope and pray he did not do what he is being charged with; it’s a long way from tackling World League players.

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Nikko
Jun 05, 2009
01:03 PM

wow good article

Yeah
Jun 05, 2009
02:52 PM

Good read. I hope he didn't do it, either.

Hey - we had an ex-Tampa Bay Buccaneer working for the Parks Dept. here in Nashville who got arrested for "mistreating" kids.... throwing tennis balls at them...(I know - doesn't sound like much - except he hurt a kid...and has prior arrests.)

http://www.newschannel5.com/Global/story.asp?s=10476526

Not the same situation as Naposki, but the local news uses the phrase "fit of anger". Would be interesting to do a study on ex-football players and anger issues.... how the "scripted violence" of footbal may or may not affect these fellas after their careers are over....

Jeff B
Jun 05, 2009
04:10 PM

You have to believe that football, at least in some small ways certainly does affect players and ex-players. In society we are taught that violence is NEVER acceptable. Whereas football players are praised when they do as Mr. Brandt reported concerning the Spanish players.

I realize they're taught that it isn't acceptable off the field, but I have to believe that it's hard for them to differentiate, just like it would be for anyone.

Jerry in Texas
Jun 05, 2009
11:41 PM

Too bad he didn't play for the Ravens in their Super Bowl year. then he'd get off with a fine and a scolding

sloths
Jun 06, 2009
12:34 AM

wow - nice. gotta love a player that sucks up to management and is willing to potentially critically injure one of his teammates. that's funny.

yeah andrew, you should be proud to have drafted such a high character guy. i am shocked that he is up on a murder rap.

sloths
Jun 06, 2009
12:44 AM

So anyway, in our second draft with the Dragons I picked up this obscure Spanish nose tackle. True story, this guy was gritty and though he had little football experience he really wanted to contribute to the team and he had that special drive that successful players often show.

To ingratiate himself with his teammates and to make them feel comfortable in Barcelona, the guy used to bring his 22 year old sister into the locker room after practice. It was great, she was hot and all, and he would sodomize her in front of his teammates, and then share her with the whole team, and then afterward they'd toss her like a wet rag into the showers. We won the whole thing that year, and I attribute much of our success to the bonding that happened during the group banging.

What-is-this
Jun 06, 2009
07:11 AM

Good article..
Thanks

Snake Plisken
Jun 06, 2009
11:43 AM

Sloths:

Unlike you, Brandt can't see into the future, or use his Hollywood imagination to conjure up a locker room porn scene.

You really shouldn't fall off your meds.

sloths
Jun 06, 2009
04:58 PM

i stand by my medication-free comments, and i stand by them too.

Snake Plisken
Jun 07, 2009
11:01 AM

Your entire 2nd post is accusatory made up bullsh%t, so you can't "stand by" it.

I "stand by" your repetition within your last sentence as saying otherwise on your meds.

sloths
Jun 07, 2009
07:31 PM

Snake, relax. My second post was mocking, based on the article. My repetition was intentional and clearly, humor is not your long suit. Try and keep up.

Nate In KC
Jun 07, 2009
08:19 PM

Good article, sloths your an idiot but thats for another discussion ...I've coached multiple sports for a few years now and the insight into the practices is pretty cool to read. Every team needs a hard nosed guy like Naposki to step up and lead by example, sometimes coaches cant shut a player (or 2 in this case) upand it falls on a teammate to do it for them... I'm sure he wasnt trying to critically injure them, just show them that this is what you have to deal with play after play

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