The gentlemen at ProFootballTalk.com, a site I like, are pretty staunch believers that Shawne Merriman shouldn't be going to the Pro Bowl. And I understand the argument... he's a cheater, he damaged the game's reputation, etc. I get that. But on the issue of Pro Bowl eligibility, I just can't agree.
Postseason honors and awards are a recognition of what happened on the football field. These games have always been awards for the best players; not the best players who also happen to be sterling beacons of fair play and solid citizenship. At no point has any league ever made any kind of a moral requirement for a player winning an MVP or being made an All-Pro. It's based on what happens on the football, it's based on the best NFL players.
And Shawne Merriman is that. He's an NFL player. If the NFL had come down and said, "No, your character is not worthy of our game, and we want you out," then fine. If he's out, he's out.
But he's not out. Whatever moral or ethical test that the NFL insists their players pass, Merriman has passed. Any player who's on the field has passed that test. Merriman completed the punishment that the league assigned, and that makes his play on the field as legitimate and recognition-worthy as anyone else's. If he's good enough to represent the NFL on regular season Sundays, then why wouldn't he be good enough to represent them in a later Sunday in Hawai'i? If he's in, he's in.
There's just no place to draw that line. If you're banning bad seeds, there are a lot of guys in the league with pretty bad track records. If you're banning cheaters, there are a lot of guys out there who intentionally break rules all the time. If you're banning guys who hurt the integrity and image of the game, there's Terrell Owens. If you're banning guys with lame celebration dances, then ... well, actually, make Shawne Merriman the first guy you ban.
But the only qualifications for Pro Bowl eligibility should be your status as an NFL player and your performance on the field. Merriman solid in both aspects.
See also: MDS's Counterpoint: Keep Shawne Merriman home.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
12-19-2006 @ 7:10PM
budo said...
Agreed. Merriman is certainly not the only one and who knows if he is guilty or not. Half the things one takes these days for injuries, pain, etc. is< Lord knows, full of whatever. The medication is generally worse than the reason for them.
He's that good. He should go. I truly question these drug tests anyway. It has been proven many times over that a great deal have been overturned or incorrect. It is too easy to foul them up.
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12-19-2006 @ 7:33PM
George B Vieto said...
If Tara Conner can keep her Miss Useless title because Stone Cold Donald Trump said so, then Shawne Merriman belongs in the Pro Bowl based on his performance on the gridiron and if he was suspended for drug taking nobody's perfect.
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12-19-2006 @ 7:49PM
Larry Cover said...
This player is like another linebacker much like Junior
that played for the same team. The claims about using
steroids was a bunch of bull but he took the four game
suspension like a man. He is one hell of player,person
and is generous to the people of San Diego as far as
working with charities and the kids. GIVE HIM WHAT HE DESERVES AND STOP HASSLELING HIM.
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12-19-2006 @ 8:48PM
Jim said...
I guess I'm a biased SD fan but Shawne hasn't been arrested, he doesn't shoot his mouth off like a lot of players, he is liked by the community and he is inspiring to watch - all adrenaline and talent.
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12-19-2006 @ 10:19PM
Sergio Martinez said...
Shawne Merriman IS THE SHIT !! He deserves to go to the Pro Bowl. One of the leagues leaders in sacks, with 4 games missed! C'mon, this guy is unstoppable. He probably would have had 15-18 sacks by now if he had played those games. He is what he says he is - a game changer. He's that good, and should go to the Pro Bowl. CHARGERS ALL THE WAY!!! and L.T. FOR MVP.
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12-19-2006 @ 9:08PM
RICHARD CHILSON said...
Theres not one linebacker in the NFL more deserving of starting in the Pro Bowl than Shawne Merriman..period.. case closed!
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12-19-2006 @ 9:18PM
ken said...
It has been proven many times over that a great deal have been overturned or incorrect. It is too easy to foul them up.
he took the four game
suspension like a man
LOL Sometimes you just gotta wonder what world some people live in
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12-19-2006 @ 9:14PM
ken said...
I have no problem with him going to the probowl but my problem starts with idiots who let him in the probowl after falling a test but wanna keep people out of the ceremonial baseball hall of fame who didnt fall anything..esp a hypocrite newsmedia who knew what was going on but covered for people then when the walls come down they all wanna turn into lil Edward Murrows..then wanna yell about the children!!!! What do we tell the children!!!
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12-19-2006 @ 9:20PM
mike said...
he took the four game
suspension like a man
ROFLMAO!!! Yea him and giambi.bwaaaaaaaaaaa
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12-19-2006 @ 9:47PM
unimpressed said...
NO!...PLAIN AND SIMPLE. WHY YOU SAY? BECAUSE THE LEAGUE CAN'T HAVE IT BOTH WAYS WITH THIS DRUG TESTING POLICY. WHAT'S THE POINT OF SUSPENSION OR EVEN FINES FOR THAT MATTER IF IN THE END THE OFFENDER IS REWARDED FOR HIS ACTIONS WITH A PRO BOWL SELECTION. MAYBE IT IS OK TO CHEAT AFTER ALL.
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12-19-2006 @ 11:12PM
John E. said...
Yes he should go. Did you see him Sunday night? If that is how he plays when he is clean he needs no drugs. He is the real deal.
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12-20-2006 @ 4:55AM
insomniac said...
Ok, Chargers fans. But just so ya know, you're no longer allowed to boo Barry Bonds when he visits Petco Park.
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12-20-2006 @ 12:24PM
Mike M. said...
Yes, he should go, without question. If the NFL lets him play ever Sunday, why would they not let him play in the pro bowl. Also, I would like to thank Eli Manny for not coming to SD. While he will be sitting at home for the pro bowl, Rivers, Merriman, and Keading all aquired when Eli did not want to come to SD will be starting.
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12-20-2006 @ 3:51PM
john said...
Big difference between Bonds and Merriman. Merriman's teammates and collegues actually "like" him. Also, Merriman's abilities didn't take a nosedive when he got off the juice.
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12-20-2006 @ 7:07PM
insomniac said...
Oh...so cheating is fine as long as you do it with a smile? Thanks for clearing things up, john.
(The funny thing is I like the Chargers and hate the Giants. But I guess I'm not a big fan of hypocrisy either.)
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12-20-2006 @ 8:05PM
TacoBill said...
If a player increases his size and strength with the use of performance enhancing drugs in the offseason.....he will retain a portion (how much is debatable) of his gains during the season. So he is benefitting from use of League banned substances.
Listen I like Merriman. But if he set the sack record....who you want an "*" next to his record.
Bottom line.....Merriman is a great player who doesnt need.....and shouldnt use banned substances.
If he never used.....we wouldnt even be on this thread.
But...
Why throw him a perk like the pro bowl...he cheated....and didnt even need too
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