by News Wire
July 02, 02009
From Steve Wyche of NFL.com:
The final speaker at the symposium was former NFL wide receiver and current ESPN analyst Cris Carter — and he brought the noise. One player made the mistake of dozing off while Carter was speaking, and the player was awakened by a scolding he won’t forget. Carter pointed out to the audience — but also to the player — that if you don’t want to listen to people who know more than you and who can help you navigate through what lies ahead, then odds are you won’t be in the league for long because someone who does want to learn will take your job.
On that note, Carter warned the rookies that the veteran players they will try to replace are competing for mortgages, car notes and their families. So when training camp arrives, the rookies will face competition like they’ve never experienced. But Carter praised the rookies for being a talented group and told them it’s their job to take someone’s job -– just as it will be for next year’s rookie to take their jobs.
It was great, great stuff.
The rookies were hit with a lot of stuff, and retaining all of it will be hard to do. But most of these guys will get it. Most of them know the difference between right and wrong and life’s Golden Rule. But some guys will think they’re above it all and end up in the headlines for the wrong reasons at some point — and perhaps suspended or out of the league.