I was saddened to hear that the great Junior Seau took his own life this week at the young age of 43. He was one of those fairly rare kids who grew up to play for his hometown in the big league. From all accounts he was a great teammate who knew how to have fun while still playing the game at the highest level. He had some personal issues that became public in the last few years, but I don't know and really don't care about that stuff at this point. My condolences to his family and friends.
On Wednesday NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell handed down the player punishments in the Saints bounty investigation. Four players were sanctioned, with linebacker Jonathan Vilma hit the hardest with a one year suspension. The NFL leveled some strong charges at Vilma, but I'm disappointed that so far they have not released the detailed evidence to back them up. I want to see the details.
That's not to say I have any sympathy for Vilma. Given his attitude I'm not at all surprised that Goodell dropped the hammer on him. I've come to dislike him the last few months as he was so arrogantly scornful of the investigation. When I heard the news I even briefly thought about taunting Vilma on Twitter with a jab about Arena Football still being in season, but my better nature got the best of my worst.
Vilma is vowing to fight his suspension and may even take it to court. Perhaps then we'll see the detailed evidence and see exactly what took place.
It appears that Monday will be the big legislative showdown on a new stadium for the Minnesota Vikings, at least in the Minnesota House. Nobody is really sure how it will go. I'm uncertain about which way to come down on it as well. While I would like to see the Vikings stay, and stay in downtown Minneapolis, I've become more and more resentful of the welfare to big money leagues and big money players that a stadium like this represents. And let's not forget the big money fans either. The only reason the Metrodome is perceived as obsolete is because it doesn't do enough to serve, or soak(depending on your perspective), the big money fans.
Either way, we may see some sort of resolution early next week, though I don't think a "No" vote will necessarily end things. That may be when the real hysteria and nastiness begins.
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