There was a time in the NFL when coaches were gentlemen, especially head coaches. Vince Lombardi, Tom Landry and Don Shula were three. All won two or more world championships and they acted and coached like gentlemen. They demanded much from their players and had a long record of winning seasons and play off participation.
They were also gentlemen off the field and gave much to professional football. They did not play favorite with their players and were a credit to the game. They also played the game themselves and would never be part of any bounty to hurt another player and put him out of the game.
Saints coach Sean Payton's arrogance and attitude to the game merited a years suspension and rightly so. He lacked the character and courage to be a gentlemen in his coaching and failed to look after his teams best interest in allowing bounty gate to take place. When a team looses its head coach because of improper actions that is a sad commentary of what is taking place in pro football. The leadership of the NFL is not with out blame. They have presided over the demise of sportsmanship in the NFL in favor of wealth for the NFL, the owners and players by their demands of Corporate Welfare using tax payers money.
Is there any wonder why arrogance has raised its ugly head? Yes, there was a time when the NFL had gentlemen coaches who had character, courage and respect for the game. That says is all.
