Respect, Sports & Loyalty

most of you that are sports fans know the San Diego Chargers recently released their franchise's all-time leader in yards and touchdowns LaDanian Tomlinson. Though the Chargers' front office expressed a great deal of remorse and gratitude towards LaDanian one has to wonder; is the business in sports worth the moral sacrifice? Now let's not get too carried away Mr Tomlinson has made plenty of money with the Chargers, and if they had not chosen to cut him he would have stood to make an estimated $5million this upcoming season. But for a man that had done so much to bring credibility back to that franchise I think he deserved to stay as long as he wanted. They didn't have to necessarily play him as if he were still the L.T. of 2006, but they didn't have to treat him like a used condom either and throw him away after they had their fun.

The Chargers are not the only NFL franchise that has cut ties with a key part of their team's recent success. The Philadelphia Eagles recently released their versatile running back of the past 8 seasons Brian Westbrook. Though not on L.T.'s level in the"name recognition" department, Westbrook was just as important to the Eagles' success in the time he spent there since being drafted in the 3rd round from Villanova. Westbrook has also proven to be more injury-prone, and in fact last season suffered two concussions. Still you can argue that outside of Donovan McNabb, Westbrook has been the most productive member of that team.

This is not the first time a professional sports team has cast vital members to way-side in favor of saving a buck....or a few million. Just look at the massive contract dumping...oops I meant, "trading" that took place in the NBA leading up to it's trade deadline. Moving good and great players(Tracy McGrady) to make a run at other great players that will no doubt suffer the same fate when LeBron  James of 2023 comes out after completing his required 1yr in some lucky college's program. Pro sports have become such a money-maker that I am convinced alot of franchises don't even care about competing for their league's championship. The real champ is the owner that flips players like gymnast to fatten his own pockets. So the next time you turn to ESPN to watch your favorite player for your favorite team, remember this blog. And don't say I didn't warn you when next year your favorite player is playing for the rival team.