This post has nothing to do with that.
Today, Alex Smith made a very uncommon decision for a professional athlete - one that wasn't driven by money. By restructuring his contract with the 49ers, Smith effectively forfeited a substantial sum of money to stay in San Francisco. With plenty of other teams still interested in the 24 year-old and willing to ante up with more green, Smith ultimately made his decision because of the fact that he "just wanted the chance to compete." It wasn't about the money. It wasn't about a hometown discount. It was about the sport.
Say what you will about his first four seasons or his future in the NFL. Say what you will about the 49ers and their upcoming QB controversy. But you've got to love to see an athlete bring his/her heart to a professional sport. It's what makes college sports engaging. It's what makes watching the Tampa Bay Rays in the World Series exciting. The teams and athletes with the desire to prove that they can compete at the highest level remind us why their sport continue to captivate.
Kudos to Alex Smith for showing some maturity and some respect for the game. And Kudos to the 49ers for sticking with a guy that hasn't worked out in the past but is ready to fight for a job.
- KLB
4 comments:
You said it wasn't about a home-town discount or anything, so
if Alex Smith just wanted a chance to compete he should have gone to a contender.
Does anyone think this year's 49ers will actually contend?
that being said, I love a guys who play for the love of the game and have some loyalty to their fans
In Smith's words:
"I feel I have a lot to prove to myself, to the organization, to my teammates, to the fans to become the player I set out to become."
well those words are golden
I award Smith 5 shrute bucks.
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