After the Chargers won blew the game against the Patriots on Sunday, LaDainian Tomlinson had this to say:
"When you go to the middle of our field and start doing the dance Shawne Merriman is known for, that is disrespectful. They showed no class and maybe that comes from the head coach."
My first impression of LT's comments were that he was sour about losing a game the Chargers should have won. I can understand where is he coming from. He must have been emotionally devastated after the Patriots kicked that final field goal and the Patriots must have been on an emotional high at the same time. What I see here is basically a bunch of guys who are all psyched up that let their emotions get the best of them. Both sides let their emotions get the better of them.
The Patriots could have just shook hands and left the field. But they didn't. They were in the middle of the Chargers' field, disrespecting their home turf. That I find worthy of some action.
LT did what football players are supposed to do: rep their teammates whenever possible. That I find worthy of respect as well. My only issue (and its not really an issue with LT) is that Shawne Merriman is worthy of NO RESPECT whatsoever. Can someone please mention Shawne Merriman and steroids together? Please??
Check out this diary quote from late October:
Eric Allen, a valued contributor for ESPN had a great take on this development. He is quoted here as saying, "But is it worth what he's now going to go through? This is a kid who presumably wanted to one day be mentioned in the same breath as luminaries like Mike Singletary, Dick Butkus, Ray Lewis and Lawrence Taylor. Now he stands a much better chance of being mentioned in the same breath as Brian Bosworth and Tony Mandarich."
Instead, he is mentioned in the same breath as the Pro Bowl. Sad and pathetic reporting on the part of the MSM.