Jun. 11, 2013; Glendale, AZ, USA: Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald reacts during mini camp at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Outing players as fans of teams they do not play for seems to be the media’s current favorite pastime. It all started when Colin Kaepernick was photographed wearing a Miami Dolphins hat even though OMG he plays for San Francisco. Can you say “forced offseason controversy?”
Cam Newton was the next to fall victim to this veritable witch hunt. Cam admitted that he still roots for the Atlanta Falcons even though he plays for Carolina. I always knew that guy was a jerk!
And now a third player has been fitted for a virtual noose by the bored-media lynch mob. Oh no Larry Fitzgerald! You didn’t just admit that you still root for the Vikings!
Yes, the former Viking ballboy Fitzgerald admits it. He roots for the team that used to sort of employ him. And maintains friendships with various players on that team. And of course Larry Fitzgerald, Sr. is still a member of the Twin Cities media. The junior Fitzgerald told the Cardinals’ version of Wobby:
"I grew up a Vikings fan and I would be lying to you if I didn’t say I was still a Vikings fan. Growing up in Minnesota it’s second nature. I still pull for them when I’m not playing them. A lot of my closest friends in the NFL are Vikings. I’m close with (Everson) Griffen, Jared Allen, Phil (Loadholt), Adrian Peterson, Kyle Rudolph. You pull for your friends."
Well that sounds perfectly reasonable to me. He roots for his childhood team and his pals. It’s not like Fitzgerald is out there throwing games on purpose just to help the team he roots for. Ditto Caepernick and Cam. I mean lighten up on these guys. They can root for whatever teams they want. It’s not that big a deal.
This whole thing is just another reminder: playing football is a job for these guys. Their loyalty to whatever team employs them only goes as deep as whatever they are getting paid to go out there on Sunday. That’s why it’s stupid for fans to get upset when guys leave. No Packer goons, Greg Jennings is not a traitor for leaving town. He’s a guy who wanted to get paid. And he got paid. By another team. See how that works?
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