Joe Thomas says "No" to NFL Commissioner and won't attend draft

[zagoshe]

Joe Thomas is expected to be a high -- top five -- pick and was invited to attend the draft -- apparently on more than one occassion by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, who even sent him a person invitation via e-mail.

Thomas, however, has declined the invitation because he is going fishing with his dad - something he says is a family tradition -- to go fishing on draft day.

This was actually a very heated topic on a sports talk show today, which is not a surprise.

One side says "Good for him, he's putting family first."

The other side says "Bull****, he is about to get paid millions by the NFL, it is his duty to help promote the league by showing up. He could fish the next day and he could take his dad with him to New York and still spend quality time."

I tend to think the latter is the correct position -- the NFL draft we all know is a made-for-TV bull**** event but the show does get a boost from the top picks showing up and walking the stage. I think it is his duty.

What is the general consensus on this one?

 

[Norman Stansfield]

Thomas has always been an independent thinker. He'll have plenty of time to spout the company line over the next 10-12 years. At least this way he doesn't have to flip for another suit and some bling bling.

 

[wickedwritah]

Does it matter?

Put a satellite truck out at the lake. Have him do his interviews from there.

 

[Willie-Butch]

I have no problem with him spending the day at home with his family.

I certainly do not think it's his "duty" to be in NYC for the draft. He'll have plenty of time to represent and promote the league during his 10-to-15-year career.

 

[spnited]

Who gives a ****.

 

[zagoshe]

I thought it was a silly issue as well, until I listened to a sports talk show and heard about two hours of passionate callers on both side call in and argue vehemently one way or the other.

 

[spnited]

I thought it was a silly issue as well, until I listened to a sports talk show and heard about two hours of passionate callers on both side call in and argue vehemently one way or the other.

All that means is a lot of ****ing assholes need to get a life.
The NFL draft is the most overblown, overhyped "event" in all of sports.

 

[Starman]

Until he starts cashing checks, he doesn't owe anybody ****.

If the team that drafts him feels his behavior damages his marketability and wants to reduce their contract offer accordingly, they are perfectly free to do so, upon which Thomas is free to hold out until 30 minutes before kickoff of the first game.

 

[HejiraHenry]

I'd give up just about anything I have to spend the day fishing with my dad, who died in 1984.

I say, "go fish."

And good for them both.

 

[joe]

WWMKD?
Mel Kiper, that is.

 

[Write-brained]

Until he starts cashing checks, he doesn't owe anybody ****.

No ****. Can't imagine the NFL is paying any of those guys to attend the draft. He can do what he wants til he signs a contract.

 

[spnited]

That he is going fishing with his father is a very good thing, but the real issue here is the ****ing almighty ****ing NFL thinking it can control everybody's lives.

**** THE NFL!

 

[wickedwritah]

The NFL draft is the most overblown, overhyped "event" in all of sports.

And No. 1A would be any college's spring football game.

They're just good excuses to tailgate/drink in the middle of the spring.

 

[Oz]

Until he starts cashing checks, he doesn't owe anybody ****.

My thoughts exactly. No problem with him upholding family tradition. Just as no NFL team owes it to Thomas to draft him, he doesn't owe the NFL an appearance when you know he would be thinking about that fishing trip all day.

And yes, this story is overblown.

 

[93Devil]

The NFL draft is the most overblown, overhyped "event" in all of sports.

And No. 1A would be any college's spring football game.

They're just good excuses to tailgate/drink in the middle of the spring.

It is overhyped, but it is by far the most important draft in all of professional sports.

You cannot have an "empty" draft and expect to compete in the playoffs 2-3 years down the road. You must get 2-3 starters out of every draft at the minimum.

Look at the Colts: Harrison, Wayne, Petyon, Addai and the list goes on. They were all drafted by the Colts. I know it is overhyped, but it is still a very, very important day for NFL teams and their fans.

That said, I love that he is going fishing. It's a lot better that seeing his entourage (I'm guessing he does not even have one) all dressed up in new, tacky clothes.

Can anyone name the last NFL team to win a Super Bowl with a team consisting totally of self-drafted players? Not one player who wore the team's uniform at the Super Bowl had ever worn another team's jersey.

 

[heyabbott]

That he is going fishing with his father is a very good thing, but the real issue here is the ****ing almighty ****ing NFL thinking it can control everybody's lives.

**** THE NFL!

Agreed, Thomas can take a page from the NFL's playbook however and ask for an appearance fee.

 

[novelist_wannabe]

I thought it was a silly issue as well, until I listened to a sports talk show and heard about two hours of passionate callers on both side call in and argue vehemently one way or the other.

All that means is a lot of ****ing assholes need to get a life.
The NFL draft is the most overblown, overhyped "event" in all of sports.

ESPN can't broadcast baseball games but we can get 24/7 coverage of Mel Kiper on the couch. I wanna chuck my TV out the window every time I see his hairness.

National signing day is almost as bad, BTW. Almost.

Good for Thomas. As has been noted, he's not been paid a dime yet by the NFL. Why should he be beholden to Goodell?

 

[Simon_Cowbell]

I would go fishing every time.

But I wonder how coaches feel about having such an "independent thinker"/potential clubhouse lawyer on the team with that fifth pick.

 

[Herbert Anchovy]

I'd give up just about anything I have to spend the day fishing with my dad, who died in 1984.

I say, "go fish."

And good for them both.

What Hendry said.

 

[Kato]

Considering the NFL's current image problems and its dealings with Pacman Jones and Chris Henry, you'd think the league would find it refreshing that one of its top-five picks is going fishing with his father on draft day and keeping some family tradition alive.