By JOSH VESHIA
Contributing Writer
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Strategy, teamwork, preparation; these are all crucial components of the game of football that require the utmost respect in order to achieve greatness. But lately, it seems as though football is synonymous with the violence as nothing seems to sum of the game of professional football quite like that word.
Take a look at the 2014 Super Bowl Champion Seattle Seahawks for instance. All season the team prided themselves on tough, physical defense and a powerful rushing attack that propelled them into the championship game in which they, politely put, embarrassed the Denver Broncos, creating the perfect comparison. The Denver Broncos were led by their quarterback, Peyton Manning, who will go down as truly one of the greatest at his position of all time.
But his play is more described as full of finesse, thoughtful, or elegant. There was nothing elegant about Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman staying in a receiver’s hip pocket his entire route and manhandling him as the ball was thrown that direction. The success they were able to achieve was done so through, in essence, violence.
The week 3 matchup between the Eagles and Redskins seemed destined for some form of violence as well. After the Eagles released top receiver DeSean Jackson in the offseason, he made the decision to sign with an NFC East rival; the Washington Redskins. In doing so, he showed his disapproval of the Philadelphia front office, but more importantly paved the way for a heated matchup on September 21 between the two teams.
Jackson has never been afraid to expressive his feelings towards particular issues both on and off the field. The way he plays the game is loved by teammates, but very much hated by opponents. No matter what sort of talking he did with his mouth, he certainly was able to let his game do some talking as well. In his 6 seasons with Philadelphia, he was able to solidify himself as one of the top receivers in the game of football.
As the game started, you could almost sense something was bound to happen. Since head coach Chip Kelly’s takeover of the Eagles last year, their offense seems to be nothing less than unstoppable and the Redskins seemed invigorated behind their passionate new receiver. In the very first quarter, all this animosity came to life when Jackson was hit late after catching the ball down the right side and was then hit late by Eagle’s safety Malcolm Jenkins up by his head, clearly after already being down. Jackson got up and shoved Jenkins and a penalty came in when fellow Eagle Nate Allen shoved Jackson back. The stage was now set and it was clear that the rest of the game was going to be played with the audience on the edge of their seat, waiting for the next big incident. In the fourth quarter, their prayers were answered.
Nick Foles threw an interception into the hands of Redskins safety Bashaud Breeland and on the return was absolutely crushed by Redskins defensive lineman Chris Baker. The hit was unnecessary, cheap, and sent shockwaves into the streets of Philadelphia. Jason Peters, a Philadelphia Eagle offensive tackle, made himself the spokesperson as he charged after Baker and threw a left jab at his facemask, sparking a rare bench clearing brawl in the middle of Lincoln Financial Field. For the fans, this was the peak for this mountain of anticipation, but could this event have done more harm than good?
Both men were ejected from the game and given fines for their actions, but perhaps that isn’t enough. For the millions of people who watch football week after week dedicating their free time to the sport, the violence they see can be something they grow too comfortable with. Matters like this seem small and unimportant, but looking back on the highlights of the game, I remember more of the brawl than I do of Nick Foles’ exceptional fourth quarter comeback in an absolutely magical ending to a great football game.
Violence is just something that is always going to be a part of the NFL. No matter how many “hands off the quarterback” or “don’t touch the kicker” rules you throw in to play, it’s still going to exist and do so prevalently. It is the nature of the game.
However, extra-curricular activity on the field like an entire team-on-team brawl is not a natural part of the game and maybe setting an example with all the negative attention off the field , especially with domestic violence, could have been in the best interest for the NFL.
Yes, football and violence work hand in hand, but clean hands seem to work better together.