Every year in the NFL offseason, the same things occurs. A high profile star holds out, either in attempt to get his contract redone or to get traded from his team to another squad that will pay him. It’s always an interesting study in public relations for both the team, the player and his agent.
This offseason, we’re being treated to the Chad Johnson show. Johnson is a great, flashy receiver who has been a Pro Bowler for five years running. He is also very well-known for his exciting end-zone hijinks - the NFL even put in a rule prohibiting the use of props specifically for Johnson.
To see some of his greatest hits, check this out.
The difference between Chad and some other showboating receivers is that he truly is a great player who plays hard every play and is usually a team player. That’s why his recent attempts to be traded are so bizarre. He has a four-year contract that he signed last year and he wants to renegotiate it or be traded. Could it be that his new agent/contract renegotiator Drew Rosenhaus had some advice for him?
Chad Johnson has gone on Sportscenter and ESPN Radio, as well as other media channels, to make it clear that he is not happy with the team’s direction, even insinuating that a trade was the only way to make things better.
As a sports fan, I am disgusted when players pull these kinds of stunts. But if the player uses a good public relations plan he can help change the opposition to the team. In Johnson’s case, he repeatedly talked about how the team was at fault and they couldn’t put together a winning product instead of how he wants to be paid better. Johnson also said that he felt betrayed by coach Marvin Lewis. Maybe he has some valid points, at least on some level.
But the truth is that all that betrayal could probably be healed with a new contract. The biggest problem is if you re-do his contract, the other big-time players on the team would want to have a new contract as well. And all this does is make the Bengals fight a very difficult public relations battle in the media.
Good luck, Bengals! I think at this point, they may be better ridding themselves of Chad Johnson, no matter how great he is. It’s been too long since Cincinnati valued character and teamwork over stardom – maybe it’s time to make that change. At least your PR staff would have less work to do.
April 24, 2008 at 3:05 pm
Mark–
The behavior of pro-athletes is getting out of hand. Just a few weeks ago, Cleveland Browns defensive back Kenny Wright (who was just recently signed to a three-year contract) was arrested for causing a scene outside a police station. As the report stated, he was then chased for a quarter of a mile, and after being caught, had marijuana on him. These guys get paid obscene amounts of money, and with the economy the way it is, I think they have it rather easy (getting paid to play a sport). As far as I am concerned, they should be happy with any sort of salary, and because their salaries are paid by their fans, they should always be conscious of their actions and respect the team and city they play for. Not only this, but children look up to their favorite players, and to see them act in such a way is revolting.
Wright now faces up to a year in prison, not taking into account the chance of being charged with possession, which is just an embarrassment for Cleveland, not to mention the dire need for the Browns defense to strengthen!
Chad Johnson is without a doubt a great player, but I agree with you completely, the Bengal’s may just want to be rid of him, and Cincinnati-ites would much rather have someone who WANTS to play for them because he “loves the city and its people” or what have you. I’m sure his PR staff have their hands full, and I am sure is is difficult to represent someone who is incredibly hot-headed and ungrateful.
Kt.C
April 24, 2008 at 6:02 pm
Alright, i’ll admit it, I do like sports but I’m clueless about knowing every single player on a football team and their stats, so, after asking some of my guy friends about Johnson, the majority of responses were that “he’s awesome”, “excellent football player”, “one of the best”…to name a few. So he did a little dance at the end of the field, did a couple push ups after a touchdown, or took the tv camera from the camera man, big deal! I think he’s proud to be on a winning team and help contribute, however, there is a difference between condfidence and cockiness. I think that for Johnson to ask to have his contract redone is kind of ridiculous. I don’t know his current salary and I would probably be disgusted if I knew but I can guarantee that it is way more than I, or any average U.S.citizen for that matter, would ever see in a paycheck. I understand you think you are the best player on the team and I understand you think you deserve to be compensated for your work on the field but I think if you are going to be part of a team then that means that everyone should share an equal amount of playing time, fame, and salary (give or take a few grand). I think what Johnson needs to do is suck it up and be a team player. If he says the team has no direction or can’t put together a winning product, then stay and help make it a winning product! I thought he said he was the best player and if that was the case, he would be able to turn a team around and make something out of it, right?!