Brian Billick’s Blog

Players with Guns: Why?

Posted 1 year, 3 months ago
by Brian Billick

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The airwaves have been abuzz with the Plaxico Burress incident and what the league and the Giants should do to their embattled wide receiver. It is important for fans to realize that both the league and the individual clubs do have restrictions as to what they can do in these situations. The individual does have rights that have to be considered regardless of what the personal perspective of the owner, GM or coach might be.

There are a wide range of opinions with regards to the “right to bare arms” that cuts across regional, cultural and economic backgrounds. The NFL policy is very clear. No player is allowed to have a weapon — registered or not — on any NFL-governed property. That includes practice facility, training camp, stadiums and charters.

The laws of each state are very clear as well. I have no doubt that there are any number of players that do have weapons that are not properly registered, or are registered in one state but not another. It is my experience that the players who do place a priority on possessing a weapon are not fully conversant with all the requirements that go along with gun ownership. Even though the current NFL collective bargaining agreement does not address the specifics of this issue, the all-encompassing provisions at the disposal of the Commissioner does give him the right to level the sanction he choses based on the “personal conduct” policies of the league. At the very least this will remove any ambiguity on the part of the players with regard to their understanding of what will and won’t be allowed.

As a coach, I don’t have the right to question or demand that a player not be allowed to exercise his right to have a weapon, as long as he has done so in all the appropriate and transparent ways that the law requires. However, I loved what basketball great Karl Malone had to say on the subject on ESPN’s “Between the Lines.” In essence, he asked the following: “Have you every really been in a situation where you actually needed or used a gun, and if so, what where you doing there.” As is like most things in life, when you break it down to its most basic elements your course of action usually is pretty clear.

Tags:

Between the Lines, burress, CBA, espn, Giants, Karl, Malone, New York, NFL, Plaxico

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3 Responses to “Players with Guns: Why?”

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   Troy Says:
   December 6th, 2008 at 11:53 pm
   

   Coach (I hope it’s OK to call you that still). This isssue is very interesting to say the least. As is always the case with guns, people will always feel conflicted, threatened, and some will feel that it is their absolute right to bear arms in a country that grants them that right. To answer Karl Malone’s question… of course Plaxico has never been in a situation where he actually had to use a gun I could tell that by the way he had it secured (or not secured). A better question would be “Would you be prepared to deal with the consequences after firing a gun at someone?” And if so, how would you do it. As you are fully aware this not your father’s day when pro athletes and the common man sipped beers and socialized together in fact that seems incredibly unbelievable in light of the incidents that have happened to Darrent Williams, Sean Taylor, and even here with a few Ravens players, I still recall the image of Roderick Green bolting from Kings Point bowling alley in ‘06 after an altercation from ‘bumping’ into someone. What if Green would fought back only then to possibly risk being hurt more severely, being sued for damages and bring further negative scutiny upon himself and the team…only to be followed by fines, suspensions etc,etc. So although Karl Malone’s question was succinct and to the point. I would answer that question with a question…Do you plan on confronting someone with a knife and consequently running for your life from a ‘bowling alley?’

   
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   Mike T Says:
   December 9th, 2008 at 7:59 pm
   

   It’s disgraceful that the NFL protects the players(light punishments) and the liberal media gives them passes.I support harsh punishments for steroid use, dwi’s/dui’s, hindering police investigations etc.I have no sympathy for people that continually makes bad life decisions like Pac Man Jones or Chris Henry.They hurt the image of the league should be punished like any other middle class worker.Will coaches,the media and the owners ever stop making excuses for the players who continually make bad choices of company and cut these men loose?

   
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   Molly Lauryssens Says:
   December 16th, 2008 at 9:53 pm
   

   First off Coach, I was elated when I heard the news that you and Nestor would be working together.
   Always a fan of yours- have your book- you signed it at an event. I still keep it out and at the ready for when I want to brush up on certain things.

   I did not have to pull out a dictionary to get through this blog. Surprising…
   (I kept a dictionary near me at all times and used it when I was reading Competitive Leadership!)

   Anyway, glad to see you here! Happy Holidays to you and your family…
   Molly

   About this article- ESPN the Magazine did an interesting piece not to long ago on this subject about NFL players being targeted. Look at Sean Taylor, in fact, it was the one-year anniversary I believe for this article.

   I don’t know who would be crazy enough to target the likes of these big boys of the NFL, suffice it to say these “perps” might need to have their head examined. But since there is strength in numbers- and in guns, this kind of ‘job, if you will, can offer two or three idiots not only a sizable take but also an incredible ego boost. You know?

   I’m not saying I agree, not at all, but my point is-there is a swagger that goes along with the NFL player status which makes them a target.

   Players need to be aware and protect themselves.
   I hope they they have taken note and do us a favor and invest in security systems and body-guards.

   As a fan, I won’t wonder why player X has his people constantly around. He needs it. And I can’t blame him.
   There are too many wack-jobs out there looking for an easy pass. Err on the side of caution.
   Gone are the days when athletes roam free, that’s just the reality.