What Kellen Winslow II SHOULD have said about Pat Tillman

San Francisco Examiner ^ | April 26, 2004 | Bob Frantz

[L.N. Smithee]

Greatest story never told

Winslow Jr. should have apologized to Tillman at draft.

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Bob Frantz
Special To The Examiner
Published on Monday, April 26, 2004

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WHAT WE SHOULD have seen on Saturday:

Kellen Winslow Jr. knew what he had to do.

After holding up the honorary No. 1 jersey of the Cleveland Browns while posing with NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue, Winslow took an extraordinary step. When the flash bulbs had stopped popping, Winslow leaned in and whispered into the commissioner's ear. He wanted just a moment at the microphone, to address the assembled crowd at Madison Square Garden and the millions of fans around the nation.

Looking jittery for the first time in his life, Winslow stepped to the podium and spoke:

"I'd like to thank the Browns for selecting me today. It truly is the greatest day of my life," he announced.

"Like every other athlete in this building, I've always known that I'd have to sacrifice a lot to get where I am today. To reach this moment, I knew I'd have to give everything I had. And until yesterday, I thought I had."

The throng at MSG grew silent as Winslow spoke.

"But yesterday, we were all taught what the meaning of sacrifice really is. Yesterday, we were reminded that the games we play don't really amount to much, and that there really are more important things going on in our lives."

As Winslow continued, Tagliabue discreetly ordered the Detroit Lions' draft clock stopped. For the next several moments, the wheeling and dealing was halted, the war room phones went silent, and the NFL nation stared intently at the stoic young man at the podium.

"On the greatest day of my football career," Winslow continued, "I cannot stop thinking about the worst day of my career.

"Last November, my Miami Hurricanes were beaten by Tennessee. I was upset. And I said some things that I've never really understood until yesterday. People always compare football to war, and that day, I believed I knew what war was."

A single tear emerged from the corner of Winslow's eye, desperately hanging on and refusing to cascade down the tight end's burning right cheek.

"I screamed and I called myself a soldier," he stammered. "And I said I wanted to kill my opponents because they wanted to kill me. I said I was at war."

Another extended pause.

The tear struggled to maintain its grip.

"Well yesterday I finally realized what a soldier was. And I finally understood what killing really means. Now I know what war really is. And today, as I stare up at that No. 40 Cardinals jersey, my only wish is that I could have known Pat Tillman. I wish I knew the man who actually understood the meaning of the word 'sacrifice'. Someone who was actually willing to give it his all. Someone who knew what was worth fighting for, and who had the courage to actually fight for it."

The tear gave way, picking up momentum and leading several others on its descent to the podium below.

"Today I apologize to Pat Tillman. And to every soldier who is risking his life for me. And to every family that has to live with the sacrifice made by their loved ones.

"Today, we will all celebrate the great achievements of our careers, but we'll also finally have some perspective, and some understanding of how lucky we are to be playing games instead of fighting in real wars. God bless you, Pat Tillman, and thank you for the lesson you've taught us."

In the standing ovation that followed, no one noticed a visibly moved Eli Manning slipping through the crowds and embracing Winslow as he left the stage. And the crowd once again fell silent as Manning approached the podium.

"I, too, want to apologize. To everyone. Pat Tillman gave up a multimillion-dollar career to die for our country, and I've been up here acting like a spoiled brat, upset about which team was going to be paying me tens of millions of dollars for the rest of my life. I'm sorry, San Diego. And I'm sorry for not understanding how good I have it. I'm sorry, Pat."

Sports personality Bob Frantz is a regular contributor to The Examiner.

[L.N. Smithee]

What do Kellen Winslow and Eli Manning have to do with Pat Tillman? I mean, they both play the same game Tillman played (before he bravely went to war for his country), but I don't see any other connection.

Maybe this will let you see what I mean.

[LibWhacker]

But Vietnam was a special case, imo, one that has never occurred in our history before or since. I do think the way to approach it is the way it's been done by almost all armies down through history: You draft people, you put them on the front line, and you tell them, "fight or die."

One thing we have to remember even about Vietnam is that our draftees performed well, and the thing that lost the war was not our draftees, or anything else about our military, but democrat politicians and the squawking leftists they pandered to. IMHO.

[steve8714]

Senior is not necessarily a Communist..he is however bitter about his youth, and perhaps his college days at Mizzou. Notably, when inducted into the Hall of Fame he waxed eloquent about Eddie Robinson and barely mentioned Mizzou.
Weird.

[princess leah]

If these football guys really want to "step up" perhaps they'll put their money where their mouth is - help out our soldiers - send care packages, jerseys, stuff that our men and women in the military, on their pay, cannot afford. Offer to be a dad to a military kid while their dad overseas, etc. There is so much that can help - talk is cheap! Perhaps players will start sponsoring units you know like - 101st Airborne gets special overjackets signed by Dallas cowboy players (just an example?)

[L.N. Smithee]

That kid has a serious problem. I mean he's talented and all, but he's in for a rude awakening. I hope that his knee isn't too messed up when a lineman rolls up on it. 'Cause you know it's in the cards...

In his first couple of seasons, Terrell Owens was soft-spoken, articulate, and respectful. Winslow II has the T.O. attitude of recent seasons already. Don't be too surprised if he becomes the next Keyshawn Johnson.

[clamper1797]

Apparently Pat Tillman attended LeLand high school in San Jose Calif. He was coached and befriended by an old New York Giants Linebacker .. Danny Lloyd #54 during the seventies. Danny had to quit pro football when he contracted the Giants cancer (Hodgkins Disease) which took the life of Giants player Tuggle. Just a little history

[dmz]

Eli Manning is just another whiny baby. I'll not leave him alone. I'll root against him from now until the day he retires. He's never taken a snap at the NFL level, but he's already too good for one of the teams?

It took me damn near until John Elway retired before I didn't want to see him get the Joe Theisman treatment.

Seems that Eli is the opposite kind of person from the one you celebrate in your FR handle, doncha think? Don't think the Gipper would act that way, do you? No selflessness in Eli at all. He's all about himself.

Rant off.

[WinOne4TheGipper]

Eli is trying to protect his career and his long term health. I do not see any problem with that. I do see a problem when someone who would probably take into account similar situations in his search for a job criticizes him for doing the exact same thing anyone in a similar situation would do.

[mrmargaritaville]

I would like to see the NFL have a Pat Tillman commemerative jersey issued-an authenentic NFL jersey-not a cheap imitation, with Tillman's name and number. The NFL should donate their licensing proceeds from all of those jerseys to a fund set up for children who lose a parent in Afghanistan or Iraq. In addition the manufacturer of the jersey would commit the profits from the jersey to the fund.
This type of jersey typically sells for $250-300 dollars retail. It would be a nice gesture. And while I could not afford one, I would go out and buy one.

[mrmargaritaville]

I heard that idiot Jim Brown commenting on ESPN sports radio Friday night about Tillman's senseless death-in "Iraq", hey Jim when your IQ is half of your shoe size give us a call. That idiot opens his pie hole and has no idea what he is talking about.

[cherry]

this is a hypothetical right?...winslow didn't actually say those things did he?

[L.N. Smithee]

I heard that idiot Jim Brown commenting on ESPN sports radio Friday night about Tillman's senseless death-in "Iraq", hey Jim when your IQ is half of your shoe size give us a call. That idiot opens his pie hole and has no idea what he is talking about.

I am beginning to think that the only difference between Jim Brown and O.J. Simpson is that O.J. succeeded in killing his wife.

[L.N. Smithee]

No.

[Leavemealone]

His father is a flaming racist. He didn't let his son play
for the University of Washington because they didn't have enough black coaches.

I wonder what would have happened to a white ex-player/broadcaster who did the same thing to a university who had to many black coaches??

I can't believe the guy still has a job.

[satchmodog9]

Maybe if these guys spent a few years in the Army they would learn to respect others and their careers. They would get off their lazy asses and not take their fame, fortune and youth for granted. They would honor the memory of those who sacrificed their bodies by being underpaid property for all those years so they can now be million dollar babies. Or maybe they would know the sacrifice paid by others so they can be free to be jerkoffs. Maybe the Koreans have it right. Maybe we should all have two years of military service before we are 25. I have never known anyone who has not benefited from service. I'm sure there are some out there(Kerry). I do not understand why the pro sport teams let these jerkoffs run their mouths like they do. I do not tolerate grown men and women acting like children and I do not know why the big leagues stand for it. I love sports and I understand that there is a special type of person born to be an athlete. I know they are the best at what they do and I know they have the attitude they do because of what they are and for what it takes to do what they do. Just tone it down a bit and don't act like a five year old. People are dying out there every day. There are homeless and starving, abused and neglected. Some of them come from this. Don't act like it is your birthright, one day your knee will give out and your accountant will steal your money and wife. It is life living under a bridge for you when there is no posse to pay to be your friends. Grow up and act like a man.

[lepton]

I do think the way to approach it is the way it's been done by almost all armies down through history: You draft people, you put them on the front line, and you tell them, "fight or die."

And a company of professional soldiers trained the way our army has been trained will eat a battallion of draftees - at least ones that need to be told "fight or die".

You're right in that Vietnam was unique - especially after it became unpopular back here - but in many ways the populace has grown even softer, making the problems even more severe.

[Rockpile]

Mr. Bob Frantz of the San Francisco Examiner. Yet another Sports Whiner cashing in on the death of Pat Tillman.

Surely the Scribblers and Babblers using Tillman's demise for self-righteous articles and on air pieces are not taking money for them? Are they?

[norton]

This article is what these pampered children SHOULD HAVE SAID...not what came from their mouths.

Now, Quick,
who can name the NFL player who walked away from that career, did his time in Vietnam, and returned to earn 3 or 4 superbowl (whatever that's worth) rings?

[L.N. Smithee]

Mr. Bob Frantz of the San Francisco Examiner. Yet another Sports Whiner cashing in on the death of Pat Tillman. Surely the Scribblers and Babblers using Tillman's demise for self-righteous articles and on air pieces are not taking money for them? Are they?

What are you talking about? Commentators are paid to comment. What's your problem, REALLY?

[L.N. Smithee]

Rocky Bleier. Gimme a hard one.