What Ever Happened to Gary Cooper?

Calvin Johnson giving his Hall of Fame speech. Per detroitlions.com

For over a century, the National Football League has stood as a monument to the “old school,” to masculinity in its purest and simplest form.  Players from all walks of life were sent out onto dirt fields to dominate one another physically and mentally on a weekly basis.  Injuries were for sissies, playing through them meant nothing.  Professional football was like college football (though this too is changing), the organization ruled the players.  Protest made a player a distraction, and they would be sent away. 

In many ways, the NFL is still its old self.  Tom Brady won his last Super Bowl injured, Patrick Mahomes did the same.  Sports media praises the mental and physical fortitude of such titans, but should they?  Mahomes put on a masterclass against the Eagles, but will his knees work into his 40s?  Odell Beckham Jr. left everything out on the field for the Rams, and it may leave him permanently on the mend.  By the time players start complaining, they’re already out of the league.  The media does not focus on the welfare of players, they do not acknowledge the central business model of the NFL being based on silence from players, silence that is praised as “resilience” or “determination” when in reality, players would risk their careers if they talked about their mental and physical health more openly.

Even once a player retires, they may worry about their Hall of Fame chances, or they may worry about their shot at a media or coaching career based on the things they say about the league.  Systemic critiques are thus only made by people who have no ability to affect change.  Calvin Johnson has been the biggest outlier, and even his critique is not systemic.  He did not care about the Hall of Fame, he did not want to coach, he did not want to talk on TV.  He wanted to play football, and he could not do it anymore.  He could not even stand on his toes. 

Today, teams and fans understand more than they used to, but less than they should.  Players put their bodies and minds on the line for those above and below them, for belittling or egregious paychecks, for one game or twenty years.  There are gods amongst us, and talking heads will call them weak.  Don’t listen.