Ok Mr Brandon Marshall, after leading the NFL in RYAC (receiving yards after contact) in 2007, complimented by your 6' 4" 230lb frame, the nickname of, "The Beast" was aptly and well deserved. After back-to-back seasons (2007-2008) with 100 plus catches and 1,000 plus yds, your physical talent was needless to say, without question and one of the best as a receiver in the NFL. Now, had this been the main body of work to your story to date here in Denver, this is one fan whom would be firmly entrenched in your korner so to speak..but, in the infamous words of Paul Harvey, "now..for the rest of the story"..
4 arrests in the same time frame as mentioned above. Count 'em, 4! Three domestic dispute related,(alleged violence with two different girlfriends) and one for DUI.
I say any man who hits a woman, is no man at all...now I DON'T KNOW if Brandon actually struck either of these women but I DO KNOW that not to simply walk away from the situation, is indeed, an act in belligerent behavior..
On March 22, 2008, Marshall slipped on an empty hamburger wrapper while wrestling with 'family' members, and subsequently 'fell' putting his right arm through a television set at his home in Orlando, Florida. Hmm,ok, sounds a little 'fishy' to this fan but just maybe it's what really happened, but, once again,an act of belligerent behavior. Adccording to Broncos head athletic trainer Steve Antonopulos, Marshall "sustained right forearm lacerations to one artery, one vein, one nerve, two tendons and three muscles. Brandon later revealed that his right hand was numb during the entire 2008 season. Maybe this (not lack of concentration stemming from off-field antics) is what led to the 18 'on-target' dropped passes and several key fumbles in said same season.
After off-season major hip surgery, another one of the fore-mentioned domestic violence related arrests(charges were dropped after both contestants refused to testify against one another)Brandon not only refuses to report to mandated mini-camp but refuses to maintain a low profile in obvious consideration of the circumstances and demands more compensation on a current contract . A contract he agreed to by signing his name to it. Now I know that really doesn't mean much these days, what, in todays over-inflated sports contracts but please, when does a mans word actually stand for just that, his word!? I know 2.2 million isn't the standard compared to other receivers with less statistically in the NFL, but all things considered, just maybe you play out your current contract and prove to your organization, teamates, fans and least-of-all,self, that you are indeed not only healthy but worthy of..
Man-up Brandon, or not...continue to act as a belligerent immature and childish person but let me remind you of a Thursday night in the not-so-distant past..
Brandon Marshall received attention for an attempted touchdown celebration during the Broncos' 34-30 comeback road victory over theCleveland Browns as part of a Thursday Night Football matchup on November 6, 2008.
With over a minute left in the game, Marshall caught the go-ahead touchdown pass and then began to pull a glove from his pants. Denver wide receiver Brandon Stokley rushed over to Marshall to urge him to put the glove away, as it could be considered a touchdown celebration prop, which is against NFL rules (a 15-yard penalty on the kickoff could be assessed). Marshall later explained that he was intending to put on the glove (which was white with one half of it painted black) as a means to honor racial progress and unity in the United States following the countrys electing Barack Obama as it'sPresident. The presidential election had been two days before the Broncos game against the Browns. Regarding the attempted touchdown celebration, Marshall said, "I know at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico, Tommie Smith and John Carlos raised that black glove and that fist as a silent gesture of black power and liberation."
"Forty years later, I wanted to make my own statement. I wanted to make my own statement and gesture to represent the progress we made." Smith and Carlos didn't initially see Marshall's attempted gesture when it happened live, but both said they appreciated and understood Marshall's intent."He wanted to make a mark in history and feel that he was a part of the change for the better," Smith said.
A part of the change for the better ? Sounds good, but actions speak volumes above words so I say again Brandon, time to truly Man-up. You've put yourself in this situation, not the teams medical staff, nor any other entity. Make your own statement now Mr. Marshall, report to camp, play ball and show us all why you so richly deserve the money and admiration you desperately desire..or not..
Keywords: Brandon Marshall, Denver Broncos
