After his release by the Indianapolis Colts yesterday following an arrest for intoxication and fighting with police, John Boyett issued an apology via Twitter:
I want to apologize to Mr. Irsay @JimIrsay , the Indianapolis Colts organization @Colts and the Indianapolis police. The Colts gave me an opportunity and I blew it. My behavior didn’t and doesn’t represent who I am. I am deeply embarrassed and disappointed in myself. All I can do now is learn from it and never repeat it. I look forward to showing my true character in the future.
Vintage crusher: Napa High product John Boyett will have to keep his head phones on and his eyes up as he attempts to rehab both his knees and his image after an arrest led to his dismissal from the Indianapolis Colts (Joel Conrad Bechtolt photo).
The apology is the first step for Boyett is addressing a messy situation. Accountability is good. Now he has to sort out the wreckage and consider his options without a football contract. He has to complete a long rehab after surgery last year to repair torn patellar tendons in both knees, stay out of further trouble, and convince another organization he’s worth the risk as an undersized safety with great instincts and ball skills but lacking elite speed.
Pursuing a pro career comes second. No matter how much the former Duck star loves the game he first has to take serious stock of the lapse in maturity that led to such incredibly entitled, disastrous behavior. He made a bad, bad choice, albeit a very human one for a 23-year-old. It’s what he does next and in the next few months that will ultimately define him. The apology suggests John is committed to making this right, provided he follows up and isn’t just taking direction from an agent or spin doctor.
Jeff Maehl’s career currently has a different arc. He’s earned his big chance and a spot on the roster for Chip Kelly’s Philadelphia Eagles after a trade from Houston. In a story yesterday Zach Berman of the Philadelphia Inquirer says Maehl is out to prove he belongs as an NFL receiver.
An all-time favorite among Duck fans who had 1,076 yards and 12 touchdowns as a senior, the Maehl-Man delivered an 8-catch, 61-yard performance in the Eagle’s final preseason game. He told Berman, “I came into it not expecting Chip to give me anything; I had to come here and earn it. I felt like throughout camp that I showed some really good signs that I was doing things well, and then obviously playing well in the last preseason game really helped me, too.”
He’ll be the #5 receiver for the team and can contribute on special teams, after languishing for two years on the Texans practice squad, never getting an NFL catch in the regular season. Maehl always had toughness as a college player and a knack for the big play. Working for a coach who understands that about him, he has a real chance to stick and make a career for himself in green and silver, but he’ll have to produce when he gets his touches. If anybody has the work ethic to overcome the NFL’s fierce devotion to measurements and measurables, it’s Jeff.
The Buffalo Bills open their regular season with a home game against New England, and yesterday Pats coach Bill Belichick expressed admiration for former Oregon middle linebacker Kiko Alonso, who’ll start as a rookie for the Bills this Sunday. The three-time AP NFL Coach of the Year told Chris Brown of buffalobills.com that he’s impressed with what he’s seen of the young MLB on film, offering this evaluation:
“Good size, athletic guy, runs well, can cover a lot of ground, sideline to sideline,” said Belichick. “Physical player, they blitz him, he comes hard as a blitzer. He’s got good range, good tackler. It looks like he’s been a good addition to their defense, gives them some speed, gives them speed and athleticism and some power as well. It looks like he has a good combination of skills.”
Alonso was a late bloomer as a Duck. He overcame an embarrassing incident involving alcohol abuse, much as Boyett has to do now. He blossomed as a fierce, athletic, aggressive defender, wrapping it up with 81 tackles as a senior and four interceptions after being named Defensive MVP of the 2012 Rose Bowl.
In 2010 Alonso was injured, suspended, and nearly lost his scholarship. He spent the season rehabilitating a knee injury and terrorizing the first team offense on the Scout team. He applied himself in the weight room and got even quicker and stronger. It all paid off. He won a starting job, excelled, and got selected by the Bills in the second round of the 2013 NFL draft.
One of the great things about following sports are the comeback stories. Maehl, Alonso and Boyett all have a chance to write one now.
Update: the Eagles have added former Kansas City and Oakland Raider defensive end Brandon Bair to their practice squad. Chip Kelly also picked up Ike Remington on Tuesday, who’ll work out for the team at a new position on the offensive line after playing defensive tackle as a Duck.
(Bonus video short) A 2011 profile of offensive lineman Mark Asper, who’s currently on the practice squad for the Bills. Video by reporter Nick Krupke of KVAL:
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
