It could be assumed the No. 1 priority of any athlete is to win, in which case the best way to do so may be to be a good teammate and build each other up to strive for greatness in
It could be assumed the No. 1 priority of any athlete is to win, in which case the best way to do so may be to be a good teammate and build each other up to strive for greatness in order to achieve it.
Money, however, seems to always change one’s perspective.
ESPN reported unrestricted free agent defensive end Michael Bennett is not willing to grant Seattle a home-team discount to stay with the Seahawks.
Questions arose as to whether Seattle, especially its defense, would be able to sustain such success after winning the Super Bowl.
The dominant performance against Peyton Manning and Co. put the 2014 Seahawks in the mix for consideration among the greatest all-time single season defenses.
The key would be whether the Seahawks front office would be able to keep the team intact for seasons to come — Bennett’s public statement is not the best start to that mission.
“There is no such thing as a discount … This isn’t Costco. This isn’t Walmart. This is real life,” were Bennett’s words according to the report. “There is no discount really because you go out there and you don’t give a discount effort.”
While it may be easy to bash Bennett for wanting the bigger contract instead of taking one for the team, let’s try to look at it from his point of view.
Bennett has said on the record he wants to come back to Seattle.
Who knows. If the Seahawks stay together and make another title run next season, the team possibly could be the league’s next dynasty.
Seattle has a good coach who is obviously fired up about football, a young quarterback who has proven he can lead an offense and, of course, a defense that can punch any team in the mouth.
But let’s be honest. While being a good teammate is great and all, Bennett’s teammates aren’t responsible for providing for his family or paying his bills.
“I definitely want to get a chance to come back but it’s a business so I definitely have to do what’s best for my family. But if they want me, I’ll be there,” Bennett said in a report by the Seattle Times.
Though I am curious to see how great this Seahawks defense can be, I cannot fault Bennett for wanting security for himself and his family.
If put in his position, I’m sure that I, or any of you, wouldn’t think differently.