NFL rookies need to raise awareness about off-the-field responsibilities

The NFL Rookie Symposium—which was held in Aurora, Ohio last weekend—was a good place for NFL rookies to learn, inquire several questions, and listen to crucial advice of experienced and retired NFL players. It is highly crucial for NFL veterans and general managers to have positive influences on NFL rookies to take more responsibilities off the field.

When the NFL dream becomes reality, the dream is over. There is no question that NFL rookies are extremely energized when it comes to playing the game of football in front of passionate fans and getting paid—which is normal and understandable—but they need to be increasingly responsible and aware of what they are doing and where they are heading off the field.

There were several crimes occurring everywhere in the street. Some NFL players were frequently finding trouble off the field, leading NFL Hall of Famer Cris Carter to inform the rookies bluntly: “There is no hiding crime anymore. Everybody is TMZ.” Fellow hall of famer Warren Sapp added, “Even the ones in your crew.”

Temptation is the problem. Once NFL athletes obtain money, fame, and fortune, they tend to experience temptation. With the enormous amount of money they earn, players may spend time buying fancy cars and other luxuries. They need to realize that temptation can lead to big trouble.

Some people believe that it has a lot to do with upbringing and where they come from. A lot of NFL athletes grew up in the inner cities or poor neighborhoods where they were not taught to be more responsible off the field. However, regardless of where they come from, NFL rookies need to understand the significance of taking more responsibilities because the NFL is a grown man league, not a babysitter.

Professional athletes, especially NFL athletes frequently obtain in trouble with the law when they simply lack the moral and ethical responsibilities to create positive examples for their community and represent the NFL organization. NFL rookies need to acknowledge that it is their job to ensure that they represent the organization off the field effectively and professionally.

Former Chiefs general manager and current Falcons assistant GM Scott Pioli says, “Some of you might say, ‘I’m just a football player; I don’t see myself as a role model.’ You will find that young people look up to you. There are people with jobs much harder than ours who look up to you. To whom much is given, much is expected.”

Although being a role model may not be an NFL athlete’s primary occupation, it is still crucial for the fans to follow and look up to. When the fans follow the greatest athletes in the world, they aspire to be like one of them. NFL athletes may not need to get compensated for being a role model off the field, but the fans will constantly anticipate them to be.

Johnny Manziel, a rookie quarterback for the Cleveland Browns, enjoyed posting photos on Instagram when he was partying with his friends few weeks ago. Charles Barkley, the TNT studio analyst, well-known for not being afraid to express his opinions, told the Cleveland’s 92.3 The Fan that a current NFL rookie is too immature to handle the fame when he takes the selfies with friends in public.

“Johnny has to understand, everybody has a cell phone,” Barkley says. “You have to be careful when you’re out in public. The only problem I have with Johnny Manziel is him and his friends are always taking pictures. You should never take selfies of yourself doing anything that can be considered stupid and that’s probably the only problem I have with Johnny Manziel. Most of his pictures are selfies and that tells me he’s just too immature to handle the fame thing right now.”

Regardless of Barkley’s opinions on how immature Manziel was when he handled the fame, it will certainly not stop Manziel from participating in Instagram to take the selfies with his friends or spectators liberally. However, he still needs to be increasingly aware of his responsibility and surrounding safety off the field.

Being aware of responsibilities and surroundings safety off the field is crucial. Due to the fact that NFL athletes are widely regarded as products of the game, it is difficult to evade friends, fans, and members of sports media, including reporters, journalists, or broadcasters, that are more than eager to follow NFL athletes and see what they are doing in their lives publicly and privately.

Zac Stacy, a running back of the Saint Louis Rams told the NFL rookies, “You’ll be surprised if you wake up and five G’s are missing from your account. You’ll be lookin’ ugly.”