Risk It All?
Donovan Smith is the focus of some fans’ outrage once again.
And just like many of the other instances, it’s not justified by most sane people.
Smith expressed his concerns over the NFL’s safety protocols concerning the Covid-19 pandemic and its uncertainty on his personal Instagram account. This drew the ire of a few fans that more than likely had it out for the LT beforehand.
“Yeah he’s just like every other person that has to go to work except he gets paid millions but obviously he doesn’t need to work aka play football”
Number 76 has been the proverbial “whipping boy” for a select group following the BUCS. Dating back to the day he was drafted, there’s been a group that just couldn’t get past their personal view of him as a prospect. There were several draft “experts” that listed Smith as a Offensive Guard rather than a Tackle. Those that bought into that analysis have used it as a reason to belittle the 6th year vet every chance they get.
Throughout his career, Smith has definitely had his ups and downs. But he’s not been the liability he’s painted to be by his most critical audience. Smith, in his 2nd year as a pro, did what most good LTs do in their first 4 years: He completed the season without giving up a sack. That’s the equivalent of a 1,000 yard season by a WR or RB. It’s that level of performance that has likely kept coaches high on him despite the ups and downs. Yet, it’s the vocal few that have condemned Smith to being a liability even though the Team has not only retained him, but rewarded him with 2nd contract.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that most of Smith’s most harsh criticism comes from fanatics of his former QB. That group has targeted any and every one that could be blamed for not making their guy look like the football god they think he is or think he’s destined to become. From Jimbo Fisher to Koetter and on to Desean Jackson. Smith was the biggest of the targets. And some of those fans are still taking aim.
“Suck it up cupcake!!! I’m a real estate appraiser with 5 kids that literally has to go into people’s houses to do my job!! Your a fucking overpaid football player that will be out of Tampa next year anyways!!! Void his damn contract and get someone with actual talent!!!”
What’s Next
Smiths’ concerns about the League’s plans going forward isn’t unfounded. Florida is facing continued spikes of cases being reported. As of today, there’s not a clear plan to allow fans in the stadium to watch. Media has been restricted. The proposed provisions for contact during and after games are confusing. The NFLPA is still working on way to the the League to look at things differently just weeks before training camp is supposed to take place.
“Slap in the face to all the folks getting up , getting out there and doing their jobs .....for.......their families!!!!!!!! So out of touch are these millionaire primadonnas.....no sense of reality whatsoever.”
The attitude towards Smith is not exclusive to him alone. There are people who call themselves fans that treat Smith and many athletes as if they’re fictional characters. Like they’re not human.
These people carry on like the players are alive only to serve as entertainment. This is just the latest example. One may attempt to point to the current condition of the world and the Covid-19 issue along with quarantining, but that would just exemplify the point as the players like Smith have been enduring the same. Too many so-called fans associate money and/or notoriety with invincibility. Just because players are signed to enough money for these “fans” to forget their own personal problems exist for a few hours on Sunday doesn’t mean that those players can actually indefinitely suspend their reality before or after the game.
“ At least some people are saying, ‘ ok, he sucks anyway and Wirfs can move to LT’.
Miss me with your hilariously ignorant ‘ he gets paid millions to play a game and I have to work’ bullshit
I covered Bay Area prep football for years and the USF football team for a year with accredited press.
These men work their asses off for no money for years to get that NFL salary. They don’t just get lucky. The sacrifices in their social lives, what they eat, balancing school with showing coaches that football is their utmost priority, etc.
While you floated through your first years at college, smoking pot, going to parties and gaining 20 pounds of fat, these guys are trying to make an impact so they get noticed by scouts. That takes ultimate dedication to end up as the roughly 1.5% of college players to sign an NFL contract. Then, only a relatively few of them get money that sets them up for life.
You really think any NFL team’s brain trust drafts or signs a guy based on strictly talent traits? Hahahaha HELL fn no! They look for guys that put in work every day to get better.
I am no fan of Donovan Smith on the field, but he has earned the right to sit and choose not to play. That isn’t me saying that: it’s a fact that the market in his chosen profession has paid him so that he can just stop playing if he so chooses.”
Updated July 16
In the interest of having everyone on the same page in terms of what we know and don’t know at this time, here are a few things I’ve learned being on four NFLPA calls in the last two weeks with hundreds of other players.
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) July 16, 2020
Keep in mind our rookies are scheduled to report in 48 hrs pic.twitter.com/wAH1XyQenf
via The Buccaneer Invasion Facebook Group
