To call Steelers linebacker Greg Lloyd a fierce competitor would be an understatement ... the man played football on the brink of murder. He was intense, hard-working, and prone to random outbursts of profanity. There was violence in his play. Fans and coaches loved him for it, and rightfully so.But some guys lack that little switch in their brain that allows them to go from intense violence on the field, to being a normal guy off of it ... and the lack of that switch in his father is why Greg Lloyd Jr. is not excited about his 18th birthday.
In 2001, Greg Lloyd was accused of sticking a gun in his son's mouth over bad grades. In 2004, Lloyd pleaded no contest to pointing a gun at his wife's head. Greg Lloyd is a walking argument for gun control.
Greg Jr. has, until Saturday when he turns 18, a court-issued protective order that doesn't allow his father to have any contact with him. That arrangement's been just fine with him. He hasn't spoken to his father since 2002, likes how his life is without him, and just signed a letter of intent to play college football at UConn. He doesn't want to give his father a second chance.
"If he said he wanted to try again, I would say no," said Greg Jr., a 6-foot-2, 209-pound linebacker. "It's too late for that."But he and his mother are concerned because that order runs out on his 18th birthday, two days from now. The court can no longer protect Greg Jr. from Greg Sr. They're both fearful of what that might mean.
For much more on this, check this excellent article from the Hartford Courtant.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
2-09-2007 @ 8:46AM
RJ Carrano said...
I once ran into Lloyd with his family in Pittsburgh after a game. Greg Jr. must have been about 6 or 7 years old at the time. At the time they seemed normal, and he a loving father. However it was evident immediately that he was a man that could be considered "menacing". I watched people approached him with autograph requests. He didn'y oblige a single one. He hardly acknowledged them at all. Just looking at him in public and you knew his on field persona was surely not an act.
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2-11-2007 @ 10:28AM
Eric Ritchey said...
If you look at professional athletes today this is becoming common after their playing days are over. Or in some cases while they are playing... I think the younger players in todays game have almost zero respect for the law. Or think they may be above the law.
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2-11-2007 @ 10:33AM
Eric Ritchey said...
this has become more evident in todays professional athletes. no respect for anyone or in that case anything. todays athletes probably could not have made it back 15 20 years ago.
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2-11-2007 @ 10:44AM
Eric Ritchey said...
I have been a fan of pro football since I was about 6 years old. I have never seen so many issues with the pro athletes in todays game since I started to watch it. The players that are arrested for drugs and guns are probably just to stupid to realize that in todays game all eyes are on you. The youth that is growing up and seeing this display is going to create some interesting pro's for down the road.
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2-11-2007 @ 1:06PM
Monte Kapec said...
I ran into Greg Lloyd during Pro Bowl Week in Honolulu and he signed autographs for everyone and took pictures with anyone who asked. He had fans approach him from all around and remained friendly and obliging the entire time. These guys have good days and bad days like everyone else. Fortunately for most of us, life is more like a marathon rather than a one day sprint. At least on this day, Greg was winning a race. I wish him and his family the best.
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