Tuesday Cup O’Chiefs
The words came from an NFL player.
“I think the vast majority of players in the N.F.L. have guns. Just about every guy I played with in the N.F.L. had a gun. Almost every player I knew had one. Guns are rampant in football. You have all these players packing guns wherever they go. It’s a disaster waiting to happen.”
The player who made that statement was former Detroit Lions offensive tackle Lomas Brown.
He was quoted in a New York Times story in late December 2003.
“… a disaster waiting to happen.”
That disaster happened in Nashville with the death of former Tennessee Titans quarterback Steve McNair. Pictured are authorities removing his body from the condo where he was shot.
But it’s happened before in the NFL. Washington safety Sean Taylor was shot and killed in his home during a robbery. Broncos cornerback Darrent Williams was killed in a drive by shooting in Denver. Jaguars tackle Richard Collier is paralyzed and had a leg amputated after being shot last year while sitting in his car in Jacksonville. Several years ago Philadelphia’s Jerome McDougle missed a season after being shot in the abdomen. Plaxico Burress’ career is on hold because he carried a handgun into a New York nightclub and accidently shot himself in the leg.
And McNair had four bullets pumped into him over the weekend. It appears that his death was the first part of a murder-suicide, killed by his 20-year old girl friend.
All those cases have different story lines. But the outcomes were the same: three men killed, three men wounded, one paralyzed. Tragedy.
This will not become a screed against guns. The right to own and bear arms is part of the foundation that this country was built on. That was upheld last month when the current Supreme Court struck down certain elements of a hand gun law that was enacted in the District of Columbia back in 1976. The law required firearms have trigger locks and be kept disassembled and those provisions were ruled unconstitutional by the Court in a 5-4 vote.
The same foundation from our forefathers that provides us with the right to own firearms, also allows us to speak our minds. But it doesn’t guarantee anyone has to listen. Just because owning a gun is our right, doesn’t mean we must have one.
Hunters need guns. Law enforcement needs guns. Why would a 36-year old former NFL quarterback, a husband and father of four need a gun that wasn’t for hunting? Why would a 20-year old waitress at Dave & Buster’s need a gun? Both McNair and his girl friend were owners of hand guns. One of them was used to take both lives, apparently her’s.
Back in late June the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released statistics on gun related deaths in 2005, the most recent year where all the numbers were available. Some 55 percent of those 31,000 firearm deaths were suicides and 40 percent homicides. Public-health researchers have concluded that in homes where guns are present, the likelihood that someone in the home will die from suicide for homicide is significantly more likely than homes without guns.
Why were guns necessary in this relationship involving McNair? It tells us that these two may have been hanging out with the wrong people or frequenting the wrong places. Should you need a pistol to go somewhere then that somewhere should be avoided – isn’t that common sense? The fact he was in this relationship was evidence enough that McNair has checked out when it came to common sense.
It tells us that the mistake of their relationship was not the only blunder these two made by being together.
Steve McNair put himself in a bad position. On the football field, when he found himself in trouble, he could run away from the pressure in his younger days. When he got older, he beat the trouble with his moxie and his willingness to stand tall in the pocket and take the pounding.
He could not out run a bullet. He could not use his moxie and toughness to stop any of the four slugs that entered his body and snuffed out his life.
Just a few days ago, the NFL had all their draft choices together in Florida for the league’s annual Rookie Symposium. They paraded speaker after speaker in front of these young players to talk about the problems and situations they will deal with in becoming a professional football player. The themes are all the same: there’s bad stuff out there and you need to be prepared and make good decisions.
Then, one of the league’s more recent iconic quarterbacks, a guy who shared a league MVP award, a guy who was noted for his toughness and leadership abilities, a guy who was active in the community with various charities, gets killed because he made a bad decision, make that several bad decisions. He sullied his reputation, but more importantly he left four children without a father, a wife without a husband and a mother without a son. Maybe McNair should have been in that symposium.
Athletes are role models. We can learn from their intensity and toughness, and we can learn from their mistakes and poor behavior. If Derrick Thomas’ mistake of not wearing a seat belt didn’t teach everyone the need to buckle up, then those missing the point are missing significant brain cells.
Steve McNair left behind a lot of football highlights. He also left behind tears, pain and another chapter in the gun culture that the NFL doesn’t need.
TITANS COACH TALKS ABOUT MCNAIR
Tennessee head coach Jeff Fisher was in Kuwait when he heard about the shooting death of McNair. Fisher along with Tom Coughlin, Bill Cowher and Jon Gruden, were in Iraq visiting American troops and were making their way home when Fisher got a phone call from another former player Eddie George.
On Monday, Fisher talked about his quarterback with great emotion and eloquence.
“In the spring of 1995, I left Houston to go down to Alcorn State University to witness a workout of an up-and-coming, very talented young quarterback with part of our staff,” said Fisher, who at the time was head coach of the Houston Oilers, who became the Titans. ”We got there and his mom, Lucille, had food for everybody. We spent the day with him on and off the field, in the classroom, and as we got in the car to head back to Houston, we were unanimous as a staff that this young man was special. He was special and he was going to be special. So here we are 15 years later and he is no longer with us.
“As I sat in my office moments ago pondering what to say, it occurred to me say what the Steve McNair you knew would want you to say. The Steve that I knew if he were here right now would want me to say, ‘Mechelle, I love you. Tyler, Trent, Steven, Junior, I love you.’ That is what he would want me to say, the Steve that I knew. ‘Lucille, Fred, everybody, I love you.’
“The Steve McNair that I knew would want me to say, ‘I’m sorry. I’m not perfect. We all make decisions sometimes that are not in the best interest. Please forgive me.’ The Steve McNair that I knew would want me to say, ‘Celebrate my life, for what I did on the field, for what I did in the community, the kind of teammate that I was.” That is what Steve that I knew would want me to say.
“I have known him for 15 years. We endured wins and losses, joy and laughter, sadness. I’ve watched one of the greatest competitors of all-time on the field do whatever it took to stay on the field. I watched one of the best teammates you could ever have, be a teammate to everybody, to extend a hand to everybody.
“The Steve McNair that I knew was a great person … I will miss him, as we will all miss him. I ask you to honor what he did on the field and in the community and what he was as a tremendous teammate. That is his legacy and I’m proud to have been a part of that.”
MCNAIR TO THE PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME? NOT LIKELY
It didn’t take long on Monday for the first e-mails to arrive from members of the media that want to know whether Steve McNair’s career qualifies him for induction into the hallowed halls of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
As one of the 44 members of the media that votes each year for a Hall of Fame class, I don’t like to get involved in whether a player-coach is Hall worthy when they aren’t even eligible. That happens five years after their retirement.
But my initial reaction is that Steve McNair is an unlikely Hall of Fame quarterback.
If McNair’s a Hall of Famer, then Phil Simms should be in the Hall of Fame and he’s not gotten close. Ken Anderson should be in the Hall of Fame. Dave Krieg should be in the Hall or Boomer Esiason or Rich Gannon. With the exception of Krieg, all of those quarterbacks played in a Super Bowl, like McNair did. Simms is the only one who enjoyed a victory in the NFL Championship Game.
But here are the key stats for those quarterbacks:
| Quarterback |
Games |
Passing Yards |
TD Passes |
Completion % |
||
| Steve McNair |
161 |
31,304 |
174 |
60.1 |
||
| Phil Simms |
164 |
33,462 |
199 |
55.4 |
||
| Ken Anderson |
192 |
32,838 |
197 |
59.3 |
||
| Dave Krieg |
213 |
38,147 |
261 |
58.5 |
||
| Boomer Esiason |
187 |
37,920 |
247 |
57.0 |
||
| Rich Gannon |
157 |
25,533 |
180 |
60.2 |
||
Again, Simms is the only one with a Super Bowl victory, helping lead the New York Giants to a victory in Super Bowl 21 over Denver, when he was the game’s MVP.
McNair played in Super Bowl 34, Anderson in Super Bowl 16, Esiason in the 23rd game and Gannon in Super Bowl 34. All four of those quarterbacks were also named NFL MVPs (Anderson ‘81, Esiason ‘88, Gannon ‘02 and McNair ‘03.)
HONORING LAMAR
The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced on Monday that they would open the Lamar Hunt Super Bowl Gallery on August 8, the same day that Derrick Thomas will be inducted into the Hall.
The Gallery in Canton is dedicated to the history of the NFL’s championship game and the memory of Hunt, who helped create the title game and gave it the name it still carries. The ribbon cutting ceremony on August 8 will include the Hunt family and other NFL dignitaries.
Within its 4,000-square feet, the Super Bowl Gallery will have displays and interactive kiosks highlight every Super bowl, the great plays and the stars of the games. Within the gallery is the Super Bowl Theater, where visitors will get the full experience of the Super Bowl thanks to NFL Films.
The renovation cost $2.4 million and more than two thirds of the Hall’s exhibition space has been modernized in the last six years.
SIGNINGS & MOVEMENT AROUND THE LEAGUE
JETS – signed OT Nevin McCaskill.
SAY HAPPY BIRTHDAY …
Born on July 7, 1954 in Temple, Texas was OL Bob Simmons. He joined the Chiefs out of the University of Texas as a rookie free agent in 1977 and played seven seasons with the team (1977-83), appearing in 88 games with 70 starts.
Steve DeBerg for the HOF!
Everyone has to take responsibility for their actions. Carrying a gun is a huge responsibility. There is some risk involved. That is true about a lot of things though. Driving a car for instance. We all drive our cars not giving much thought about how dangerous it can be and what a huge responsibility we are taking on. Not only are our lives at risk but the people we are driving and all the people we pass on the streets. When we do things we should not be doing that can increase the risk a thousand fold….and it can be fatal….and it can devastate the ones we love and who love us. I am sorry for McNair’s family. I don’t know everything about this case but if what I think I know is right then his family are the victims here. McNair took the risk and he paid for it….but his family is still paying.
STEVE DEBERG IS A MAN’S MAN!
From initial reports the gun that killed mcNair was not his own, and was purchased recently by his girlfriend.
Bob,
You are the best sports writer we have. Don’t spoil your excellent reputation by trying to be a moralist.
You start your article with Lomas Brown’s anecdotal quote that “Just about every guy I played with in the N.F.L. had a gun.” You then list the NFL players that have been shot. You attempt to create the illusion that they were shot by or because of their guns. The fact is ONLY Plaxico Burress owned the firearm that was involved in the shooting.
Playing loose with the facts in an attempt to create sympathy for your personal position is a form of dishonesty. Bob, please don’t wallow in that kind of trash here. We already have plenty of that kind of annoyance in Kansas City’s media. Please keep yourself above this kind of soap boxing again.
Steve McNair’s death is a tragedy and he is culpable for his part. As far as we know his hand gun had nothing to do with it.
I am not a gun owner. I am in favor of legal, responsible gun ownership. If you want to moralize about McNair’s death why aren’t you beating the drum of why a married man was keeping company with some one not his wife?
Chris Jones
Jeff Fisher’s comments about Steve McNair speak volumes about both men.
Steve McNair died because he was screwing and lying to a troubled young lady. Not because of gun rights. The young lady could have stabbed him to death, run over him with the car McNair bought her, drugged him….and no one would be calling for those weapons to be banned.
Make a hero out of McNair? Call him a victim? Sorry, to me the guy was playing a dangerous game and paid the ultimate price. His choice. His loss.
Forget Steve McNair! It’s all about Steve DeBerg!
Bob, all of these are tragedies for sure. I have to agree with many of the other posts that express the sentiment that your position is a little bit “off” here. Yes, by all accounts he was a great player, competitor, teammate, etc. BUT that was only part of the story.
The rest of the story is that he WAS NOT a good role model on a personal level. Publically cheating on your wife isn’t the behavior of a good role model. Amazing that I haven’t heard much sadness expressed by Coach Fisher, the Titans organization, or anybody else,including you, for his wife.
Shame on all of you for glorifying a game over his family.
And shame on all of you for not glorifying Steve DeBerg!
A real Rin Tin Tin is bad enough. Now we have to put up with fake ones? Please….enough already.
The right to bear arms is & hopefully forever our constitutional right.
We have all heard the debates on both sides of the issue. I will not go there.
I own guns for many reasons, among them to protect my family & possibly my country. There are many lethal weapons in our society, some obvious, some not. The idea that the so called “do gooders” of the world want to dictate our personal rights make me ill.
If I want a big cheeseburger with greasy fries & a cold beer, I want to be able to enjoy it! I’m sick & tired of the dirty looks & finger pointing that goes on in our society. Everything we eat,drink & breathe causes cancer, it’s not good for you or shortens your life blah, blah, blah.
I live in the greatest country in the history of mankind. Please, Please, Please, let me enjoy it MY WAY…
Cue yet another Elton John paraphrased ‘fake’ Rin lyric to said posts afore this one, tribute to He that is me real Rin Tin Tin, greatest blogger and football mind that ever lived:
“Green eyes…fake Rin’s got (HUGE) green eyes.”
And when you have them you know you ‘really’ have them…every day in every way they affirm He that is me. Keep those fake Rin tributes coming!
heh heh heh!
Now then, the ‘Rin Master’ (greater e’en than Zen) speaks:
Bob G
You gave ‘hunting’ nee ‘hunters’ a pass…what an archaic & totally superfluous endeavor that/they.
- Why does an NFL player need a gun?
- Indeed - why too a Dick Chaney?
To take it a step further - why does anyone? For the same reason speed limits on roads in the USA are limited to 75 mph most every, yet automakers (have continued to) build automobiles that can/do top 200 mph or more - with government approval.
Guns don’t kill people, nor even bullets… no, lobbyi$t$ do, and convenience too, ‘mong other.
“The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced on Monday that they would open the Lamar Hunt Super Bowl Gallery on August 8, the same day that Derrick Thomas will be inducted into the Hall.”
Very appropriate thing to do. Now - the Chiefs need to step up and honor his memory and vision by making large steps toward winning a few trophies that bear his name in the next few years.
“& possibly my country.”
- yes… Rin will rest easier knowing this (the British are coming, the British are coming!)
Wow, didn’t realize Bob was a liberal moron till today. This entry makes about as much sense as Rin’s inane blatherings. Thumbs down!
Or mine same.
Stiv says: Wow, didn’t realize Bob was a liberal moron till today.
Wow, most people who express that kind of sentiment usually can’t spell “moron”. Congrats, Stiv.
All of the violence has ruined football, its made the security after games more intense. Back in the mid 90’s, you could go to training camp, and talk to the players, now, they have to be careful, very very careful. 1994 I met Lincoln Kennedy his rookie year in Atlanta at their old practice facility. Other than Andre rison, every player was easy to spot, and speak with. andre i remember driving off with his badmoon plates, the fact that I saw the car from inside the facility shows just how far they go with security.
the mcnair situation seems to be a tad different, very unfotunate that he ended up there, still married.
Oh yes…we must get rid of all privately owned guns in this county. They say it’s because innocent people die in gun related accidents and others are being shot by criminals and others can’t resist shooting themselves. Guns are to dangerous to allow in private hands they want us to believe. The real reason (that they don’t want us to think about) is that if there is ever an uprising in this county because people have finally gotten alarmed enough about all our freedoms being taken away and they start protesting in the streets, then the government can send people in and mow the protesters down without anyone shooting back….kind of like Iran right now. The government would have a harder time keeping us in line if we all had guns.
cut bob a break with what he writes, this man gives us free inside access to the KC chiefs(as inside as you can go especially with Pioli and Co)…I respect him for providing us with the information, I hope he never thinks that the fans dont listen or read his writing, because hes the only one with camp updates.
If you read carefully you will find that Bob did not give us his opinion on gun ownership. He quoted other people….but he said he did not want to go there (us fans of course can’t resist). You can read in-between the lines if you want but you are assuming what you conclude is the truth.
Who needs guns when STEVE DEBERG is around?!
Come on Gretz talk about Chiefs football stop with the political balony you are great when you talk football but stop with the lecture stuff.
“The government would have a harder time keeping us in line if we all had guns.”
Wow. Really Harold? I really like your posts, but this is frightening. This is the kind of reasoning that, ignorant as it may be, allows tens of thousands of people to be slaughtered in our country. The fact that civilized nations like the UK, or Canada, or Sweden, or Japan, I could go on, all experience less than 500 gun related deaths a year while the US experiences 9,000-10,000 speaks volumes. I don’t think any of these nations are “mowing down” their citizens when they express frustration with their government. I’m not saying that outlawing private gun ownership ENTIRELY is the right idea, but we desperately need stronger laws and fewer rights in this department. Personally, I don’t need you to protect me from the invisible invaders or government monsters that you think are going to overtake our country. I’ll deal with it when it happens. Perhaps the US should outlaw small, easily hidden firearms like the handgun that killed McNair plus 5,000 other people this year alone, and allow you to keep your hunting rifle that you sit on your porch and shoot squirrels with every night.
In addition, and this is to everyone reading, how many of you, outside of any experience some of you may have had in the armed forces in combat, have actually used a gun in your life to fend off an attacker, or protect your property/family, or defend yourself against ANYTHING? Just a guess, but probably not too many.
Agree 100% with your last comment, Colby. On the other hand, I HAVE known people who have misplaced guns (incredible, but true), had guns stolen from them, and, worst of all, had a family member kill themselves with a gun that was in the house.
Pointless to argue, though. I have very reasonable friends who are gun owners and are not fazed by arguments such as yours.
I agree this was a tragedy, but as another post suggested, the incidents Bob cited (except one) were not the result of players possessing weapons. They probably did, but that wasn’t the reason those incidents took place. While some have said Bob didn’t take a position, I disagree. As with most press articles, it is the information that is presented as well as “how” it is presented that respresents the position of the author. Those incidents didn’t really support his premise of players owning guns resulted in tragedies and the citing of the ridiculous “study” about suicides didn’t either. A well done scientific study would never conclude that homes with guns result in a greater likelyhood of suicides. There is no way to conclude that those same individuals wouldn’t commit suicide by another means. The gun was the tool, not the act.
If the NFL wants to get tough, put a clause in every contract that states a player must repay bonus money, escalators, etc. if they are involved in any incidents involving a gun.
Bob if I wanted to read the Huffington Post I would go to that site. When I open your page and click on the “Cup of Chiefs” article I expect to read specifically about the Chiefs, of which there was very little of today.
The Steve McNair situation is a tragedy and this article is something I would expect from Whitlock.
Colby you have a valid point. I disagree with you though. Isn’t the American way about choice? Everything is up to you, choices and consequences. You choose your destiny, but no one is going to save you.
People have a right to self defense from whatever is out there. If people choose to own guns and don’t act responsibly, then they face the consequences of their decisions. I think you are taking rights if you dis allow handguns. Like the college kids in the Virginia Tech shooting. They were defenseless to protect their own lives. They however chose to be on an institution where guns are outlawed.
I think people should have the right to “choose” gun ownership even thouse 9,500 more people in our country die due to ownership or having their family own guns. I think that’s the American way. Human rights of choice, and with the choice the responsibility to shoulder our mistakes. We live and die by our own choices, not the choices of the government. Just like cigarettes. a free choice. It’s poison and kills more people a year than suicide, homicide, and car accidents combined, but we have the right to choose.
Not to say that it’s not sad and tragic when people make the wrong choices, but thats freedom. the freedom to choose allows us to forge our own path by the decisions we make
Gun control is b.s. It just ruins it for people like me who hunt, fish, and enjoy sport shooting.
I am a responsible person with mine. I carry one in my truck, not to kill, but to just have IN CASE, and yes DEFEND myself if needed, but probably will never have to. I also go to friends houses and we shoot for fun so I always carry some type of gun or bow with me, just for fun, and yes I live in the country and not in a major city, so that makes a difference. Atleast to me anyway.
and as the saying goes….
“Guns dont kill people, people kill people”
Donte Stallworth killed a man while driving drunk… Why would he need a car & booze, for that matter?
Maybe we should make sure that all NFL players could never own a car or drink booze.
Guns are good.. people are bad.
I think the government should ban Pioli and Haley as they are going to kill the Chiefs 2009 season.
I agree with findthedr.
I also agree. Ban Pioli and Haley.
Count me in. Haley and Pioli must go.
I agree.
I too agree that Pioli and Haley must go.
“Come on Gretz talk about Chiefs football stop with the political balony…”
To EVERYONE:
In case nobody read the entire article, there’s some Chiefs stuff in there. If you want to talk Chiefs, quit whining about Bob’s discussion about McNair and talk about the CHIEF things he did mention.
We do have a visionary founding owner who is being recognized by HOF.
Who do we see on the 2009 schedule that we have the greatest chance of upsetting who everyone else is presuming will be a loss? Why will we beat that team?
SG,
As I’ve said before, the Cowboys at Arrowhead looks like a winnable game to me. They’ll need to get pressure on Romo, however.
Conversely, given the way they ended last season, I think a lot of Chiefs fans are taking the Raiders too lightly.
I don’t have a problem with Bob adressing an issue that has NFL ties if he feels the need. It shouldn’t hurt anyone to open a dialog. I don’t think it was his intention to bring out a gun control debate…
What the hell, how about we talk abortion next. It’ the off-season after all.
HALEY AND PIOLI MUST GO……
WHAT?
RU F#@NG KIDDING ME. GET REAL!!
ILChiefs,
Sounds like reasonable analysis. I like the Chiefs beating the Jags - who will be on the rebound this year and seemed to handle us pretty good in recent past. With Fred Taylor gone as well as Barnes, Peterson, etc. I see them as very vulnerable.
gorillafan,
I’ve got a feeling that the whole row of those comments are from one person. IGNORE IT.
That came to mind, however most are daily blogrs. But the FAKE is now posting as EVERYONE. Maybe he needs a gun and shoot himself? HAHA
The Jag definitely look beatable.
“In case nobody read the entire article, there’s some Chiefs stuff in there. If you want to talk Chiefs, quit whining about Bob’s discussion about McNair and talk about the CHIEF things he did mention.”
This article was the equivalent of driving to a public fireworks display, getting there listening to 3 hours of political speech and then having the fireworks display consist of one bottlerocket.
As do the Jags.
“DaveS says:”
Nearly 70 words…all of it WHINING…and not even anything closely resembling a substantive response to the question I threw out there.
That was the equivalent of the Chiefs having the worst defense in the league in 2008 and doing NOTHING to upgrade at any defensive position, saying “Herm’s the man.”
“…bring out a gun control debate…”
Speaking of that…have the Chiefs shown anything of being able to put any kind of limitations on the production of Antonio Gates? That guy seems to light up the Chiefs every game…
STEVE DEBERG DOESN’T NEED A GUN, BECAUSE HE KILLS PEOPLE WITH THE AWESOMENESS OF HIS PLAY-ACTION PASS!!!
Whoever this fake Rin poster is, he is hilarious….ha ha ha
Hey SG wake up! I didn’t come on this board to have a political discussion. I would be happy to read information about the Chiefs.
I have given Gretz credit several times when he writes good articles. Today wasn’t it.
Your defense of him leads me to wonder if SG isn’t short for Sucking up to Gretz.
Rin is right. I truely am the greatest quarterback ever. Who else do you know that had their best season as a pro with a broken pinky on their throwing hand?
That’s right baby. No one. Steve DeBerg 4 Life!
Even I am scared of Steve DeBerg’s play-action passing.
I Agree is SG.
This is the most slowest part of the season. Hes going outside of the box once in awhile, and i’m cool with that too!!
King Kong once challenged Godzilla to an arm wrestling match. Steve DeBerg won.
Rin
Let me go on record as agreeing with you today, Steve DeBerg is the man. I remember him playing several games with that pin sticking out of a finger on his left hand, all bandaged up. He is tough as nails, no question about it.
One last thought for now. The second amendment provides for the dummies to have guns too. Sad but true, there is no IQ test before the sale is final. It used to be as easy as buying a snickers bar to buy a hand gun, and rounds in the same day. Even now with the “waiting” period the dummies still get them. What would happen if we were ALL “packing”……. the wild west all over again.
For the record, I think it’s pretty ridiculous when a sports forum such as this one does not screen any of the posts it receives. One would think that people in charge of Bobgretz.com would monitor this forum to make sure that people stay on the topic on hand rather than using it as a tool to make themselves feel more important…right Rin?
I don’t blame the idiots that write such stupid posts. I blame Bob Gretz. If he allows his name to be used, you would think he would make sure that the integrity of this site is held so that his name wouldn’t be dragged into the column of the other low-lives who have nothing better to do…right Rin?
The post above using me name, is not mine. I for one am a fan of Haley and Pioli and am more than happy and interested to see what they will bring to the Chiefs this season. It’s amazing when people have to use your name to get the validation they need to show others that you agree with them. That just means that they are not comfortable with who they are and can’t allow anyone the space to think for themselves or even to just be who they are…right Rin?
I wouldn’t be surprised if it is Rin who, one among many idiots, use other peoples names to blog under as amusement.
With all this said, this will be the last time I post anything. Not because people like Rin try to get under your skin, but because this is not a forum about sports. Maybe it’s about sports 40% of the time, but quite frankly, I don’t have the time nor do I care to waste any of my time and energy with people like Rin, or the people that think he/she is amusing. Right Rin?
I deal with autistic and M.R. children everyday and when I am done working I do not care to deal with them on this site.
Rin, you are not special because you rode a special bus to school. You are not special because you found a safe pleasure in reading the work of classical poets and authors like Poe or Shakespeare. Just because you have found their writing as a way to communicate, since you have been socially deficient for much of your life, does not make you special, it makes you a FOLLOWER.
What you are is a M.R. man-child, someone who is probably between the ages of 55-65, nothing more and nothing less.
Any post here using my name from here on out is not mine.
Go Chiefs 2009!
One other thing before I go. The real Rin is very intelligent and he offers many informed opinions whereas the several fakes who use his name prove that in fact Rin has gotten to them. Rin wins.
Go Chiefs 2009!
One more thing: Steve DeBerg’s tears can cure cancer. It’s too bad he’s never cried.
I too agree with all the other bloggers that Pioli and Haley must be fired immediately.
Anyone else think that Chris Jones’ post sounded a bit like Whitlock?
“Hey SG wake up!”
FYI: I didn’t come to sit around and read posts from people whining all day - especially about politics…
Yawns…perhaps you didn’t actually “see” the questions I posed.
“Who do we see on the 2009 schedule that we have the greatest chance of upsetting who everyone else is presuming will be a loss? Why will we beat that team?”
“…have the Chiefs shown anything of being able to put any kind of limitations on the production of Antonio Gates? That guy seems to light up the Chiefs every game…”
AMEN JORGE
SG Wrote “FYI: I didn’t come to sit around and read posts from people whining all day - especially about politics…”
Neither did I SG, and for the record I understand it’s the off season and there is not a new Chiefs story everyday…that’s fine. But this article was obviously as much about gun control as it was about Steve McNair. Had it just been an article about the McNair tragedy that would have been fine..but it wasn’t.
BTW- Gretz sets the tone of the discussion after his article with what is in the article. I am on topic on this. Your question about the Cheifs schedule is fine, but it was not on topic with the article. The only real Chiefs news mentioned in the article was about LaMar Hunt. Not our 2009 schedule.
Thanks Bob for your great column but so what if people own guns . Peop;e kill people kill people guns get the blame . Thanks
Jorge says
Real Rin here. I’d answer your angst-filled guilt-ridden pleas but you were obviously talking about & to all the many fake Rin’s … as such, I’m not qualified to answer.
“For the record, I think it’s pretty ridiculous when a sports forum such as this one does not screen any of the posts it receives.”
- yes…I can tell you what Bob G told me a long ago: just keep pointing out the imposters - it’s my guess he has told others to do the same thing.
What is interesting/more so ‘telling’ herein, is while there’s much gnashing of teeth/wringing of hands regards those who would impersonate you or some other person for example, when tis the real Rin being imitated silence is the embrace… how very telling indeed.
“One would think that people in charge of Bobgretz.com would monitor this forum to make sure that people stay on the topic on hand rather than using it as a tool to make themselves feel more important.”
- don’t be so hard on yourself…some folks (Rin) are just more educated than others, possessing a wider fund of knowledge football & other subject matter.
“right Rin?”
- always…I thought I was wrong once but as it turned out twas just Hunt Jr. made the mistake, the period aft the end the 2008 season.
“I don’t blame the idiots that write such stupid posts. I blame Bob Gretz.”
- your inference that Bob G is somehow less than an idiot is one that Rin does not share with you and cannot embrace.
“If he allows his name to be used, you would think he would make sure that the integrity of this site is held so that his name wouldn’t be dragged into the column of the other low-lives who have nothing better to do…right Rin?”
- again, you blame him in lieu of an idiot or several…
“The post above using me name, is not mine. I for one am a fan of Haley and Pioli and am more than happy and interested to see what they will bring to the Chiefs this season.”
- pursuing one’s folly is good, more power to you…
“It’s amazing when people have to use your name to get the validation they need to show others that you agree with them.”
- Rin knows only too well how a fandom His cannot but help themselves in adulation He … imitation is the sincerest form of flattery as via blogging theirs Rin is affirmed daily…
“That just means”
- more so is it poetic justice - these imitators serve to but elevate the very genius of Rin they seek to bury. Mean? No. Envy? To be sure.
“that they are not comfortable with who they are and can’t allow anyone the space to think for themselves or even to just be who they are… right Rin?”
- yes; what goes around, their own comeuppance…
“I wouldn’t be surprised if it is Rin”
- yes, payback is hell…
“who, one among many idiots, use other peoples names to blog under as amusement.”
- as you say, there be many idiots this blog so choosing ‘the’ biggest among them, wouldst be a daunting task…
“With all this said, this will be the last time I post anything.”
- I know you claim you are leaving us - forever - but as Dionne Warwick sang - “promises promises”, so too your hollow resolve likely…time will be the judge; best of luck in your endeavor, tho.
“Not because people like Rin”
- no, it’s more than mere like - it’s a love, a reverence more so…
“try to get under your skin”
- I am not a contortionist…merely genius.
“but”
- yes, go on then…
“because this is not a forum about sports. Maybe it’s about sports 40% of the time, but quite frankly, I don’t have the time nor do I care to waste any of my time and energy”
- time, care, more time and energy - all of which you took 5 (to this point) paragraphs to tell us you have not; an exercise in self-repudiation nee a lack of self-restraint, appears…
“with people like Rin, or the people that think he/she is amusing. Right Rin?
I deal with autistic and M.R. children everyday and when I am done working I do not care to deal with them on this site.”
-
“Rin”
- yes, I’m here friend - let it all out…
“you are not special”
- no, unique…
“because”
- God so loved the world he gave real Rin to the people therein. And you-
“you”
- yes you, how did you arrive here?
“rode a special bus to school.”
- we know…
“you are not special”
- no…
“because”
- Rin was the chosen son as twere - you (as the sides a game be picked) were the last one left…
“you found a safe pleasure in reading the work of classical poets and authors like Poe or Shakespeare.”
- nothing is more dangerous than a genius a Rin, Shakespeare or Poe et al running rampant through the fertile minds the uninitiated…
“Just because you have found their writing as a way to communicate”
- no, because as all great narratists/thinkers, larceny of thought is a vintage tack…
“since you”
- since always & e’er as those afore Shakespeare et al, and after as Rin influences same now this new generation… and you, what have you done in your own way nee sphere?
“have been socially deficient”
- well, do what you can/are capable of- persevere at least. For how long have you lagged behind?
“for much of your life”
- such devotion…you know, being stupid is not a crime it’s staying said that’s unforgivable.
“does not”
- yes, as you evidence it does make you special and-
“make you special”
- that’s right earmuffs, and it also relegates nee forever makes you-
“it makes you a FOLLOWER.”
- yes, foot soldier to a ‘Pied Piper’ as it were (2, 3, 4…)
“What you are”
- a savant, but you can call me Rin…and as is-
“is”
- yes, as ‘is’ the cae yours, you are?
“a M.R. man-child, someone who is probably between the ages of 55-65, nothing more and nothing less.”
- such transparency…and forthrightness.
“Any post here using my name”
- only several that appear manufactured the minds doorknobs…
“from”
- well, we know from the reading said tis not a matter ‘from Sharp minds come sharp products’…
“here”
- and there…most everywhere.
“on”
- clap on clap off, the Clapper…
“out”
- over and…Roger Wilco.
“is not mine.”
- no, just fool’s gold you claim title to…
“Go Chiefs 2009!”
- to the bottom of the AFC West!
Great talking with you… bye.
Goodness the insanity of it all, Bob, please make it stop.
Tony G just had a nice segment on Sportscenter. He made the Atl superbowl contenders, who would of thunk it. Not much ever said about the Chiefs, nothing new there.
https://www.gay-test.com/
Cue yet another above ^ Elton John paraphrase - “Green eyes…fake Rin’s got (HUGE) green eyes.”
heh heh heh
“- well, do what you can/are capable of- persevere at least. For how long have you lagged behind?”
https://www.gay-test.com/
Am I gay?
https://www.quizrocket.com/gay-quiz/
And yet another fake Rin ^ tribute to the real Rin He that be me…
2, 3, 4
Applause, adulation & frenzy for Rin Tin Tin!
heh heh heh
(PS) Fake Rin, Jorge is looking for you - or is it, you’re looking for Jorge - and finding him, in your mirror, daily?
heh heh heh
After reading the real Jorge and the real rin’s rebuttal, I have to say: Jorge wins.
I apologize for my stupidity as well as for Anonymous.
Steve Deberg knocked up the Easter Bunnie, Rin–were yoall involed in any of this here slip on who really did what???????-?
Or were you just spanking someone for not doing a request.
I was there so I know based on my own involvement.
I wonder if those attacking Bob for a supposed political view would be praising him if his view was leaning the other way? Bravo Bob. It’s your blog and if you want to give your opinion about something in the news, concerning NFL Football if not the Chiefs, during a lull in the Offseason, more power to you.
I do agree with Jorge though. The fake posting and ego stroking is way beyond control, and as a blog with your name attached, it would be nice if you took some steps to alleviate it, such as regristration, valid E-mail addresses,etc.
Bob, it’s not that hard to set up a system where we have user names. I for one have been frequenting the site a bit less lately as a result of all of this nonsense on the forums. If you set up a user name system that required an email, you could send us email updates, which in turn, could potentially generate more ad revenue power for your site.
Plus, it’s the offseason. Camp hasn’t started yet, it would be the perfect time for you to dedicate some time to this subject.
yOU CAN HAVE MY GUN GUN WHEN YOU PRY IT FROM MY COLD DEAD HANDS, THANKS FOR RUINING YOUR WEBSITE BOB!
You’ll have to pry Dave’s Caps Lock key from his cold, dead hands as well.
“Bob, it’s not that hard to set up a system where we have user names.”
Constructive idea.
“After reading the real Jorge and the real rin’s rebuttal, I have to say: Jorge wins.”
Hopefully Jorge doesn’t follow through on his promise to not return. Having 1 less Chief in the fold is never a good thing - whereas we are still graced with these “talented” impersonators.
colby says “Wow. Really Harold? I really like your posts, but this is frightening. This is the kind of reasoning that, ignorant as it may be, allows tens of thousands of people to be slaughtered in our country. The fact that civilized nations like the UK, or Canada, or Sweden, or Japan, I could go on, all experience less than 500 gun related deaths a year while the US experiences 9,000-10,000 speaks volumes.”
Really colby…..where do you get those numbers? It’s easy to throw out a bunch of numbers and it’s easy to just take a persons word for it when they throw out these big statistical numbers but I am not one to buy into it so easily. Where did you get these numbers? Even if true…America has far more people in it than places like the UK…thus our numbers will be bigger.
Whats even more scary is that you would entertain some of our freedoms being taken away and giving our government more power to control our lives. That is what is scary. Think about it….one of the first things an oppressive government that wants to control the lives of its people will want to do is make sure its citizens do not have weapons to potently fight back with. Now don’t get me wrong….I’m not suggesting we go storm Washington with guns…..we so far still have a free country…..to a point. But you should be alarmed when you see the government taking over free businesses and taking steps that puts them in positions to make decisions for us…..like health care for example. We are headed down the road of an oppressive socialist government. Gun control would be one step toward that end. If you don’t think so then you are clueless.
Colby
I am with you this used to be fun to read and respond but wow what a pile of junk gets written here now. There appears to be a post from me above calling for Mr. P. and Mr. H. to be fired…not me.
It is all about the TEAM……….and……….
The Right 53 (22)
In Pioli I trust!
Bob,
I just got on your website for the last time. Quit with the bull crap and stick to football.
I’m out.
Calm down people. Yes there are some jerks posting around here under false pretenses. Yes Bob sometimes writes articles that have little or nothing to do with the Chiefs. But….it’s the off-season. Don’t run away because of it. Bob has the best coverage of the Chiefs. Better by far than anyone out there….even the official site. It’s unfortunate that we can’t post under the honer system but clearly it doesn’t work. If I could change one thing about this site I would establish a log-in system so that people could not post as anybody so easily. I don’t come here to read the posts however. I come to read articles about the Chiefs. Everything else is extra.
No disrespect meant Harold C, I think what we have here is a classic case of a liberal vs a conservative. We probably won’t change each others minds on an issue like this, but it’s always a good thing for both sides to listen to the other point of view.
I real Rin agree with legitimizing this username system used herein. So many folks want nee long to be real Rin- I can understand that, yet while many would try but one is/was chosen - real Rin - I that is He, that’d be me…heh heh heh.
A nominal $ fee too wouldst & willst Rin pay for the privilege of continuing His compelling takes on all things football & too life. That mine e’er faithful followers too would want it so is naught lost on anyone.
As always Rin willst take no prisoners … He is here to slay- er, ’stay’, whatever system may be.
No offense taken colby.
And as for you Rin…..the only problem I see with your pay idea is I don’t think anyone would want to pay to come in here and read your posts.
You do as the others - (pay for it) everyday!
Similar still, to the way others pay my mother for “it” on a regular basis.
Similar still, to the way others pay my mother for “it” on a regular basis.
Similar still, to the way others pay my mother for “it” on a regular basis.
I am a huge gun fan, I no longer hunt but I do take part in competitive shooting events and find them very entertaining. It is a sport just like football only it allows people of all ages, skill levels and abilities to participate. The fact that it makes an older, smaller person quite capable of defending themself in nearly any given situation has some attraction as well. I will say that story left no doubt in my mind that it was anti gun and blaming guns for the deaths and not the people who pulled the trigger. If I was inclined to kill someone a gun would probably be my last choice, too easy to link you with it. Edged weapons require an intimacy with the vic that makes it more difficult for some but good stabbings are more fatal on a percentage basis than shootings. Bombs have more potential for collateral damage but if you want the person dead bad enough the chance of taking out an extra person or two should not bother you much, same with fire. A sedative in your cocktail can be arranged by someone you are intimate with. Face it there is a million ways to die this is just one of them.
Steve made a bad decision, they speculate that he was shot while sleeping, she could have just as easily slit his throat and he would have died nearly as quickly. The gun was not the problem in this situation it was merely the tool used.