Ah, the off-season, what little there is in the NFL these days, is here. Wonderful vacations. Touring Europe or Australia or Africa.
But even the finest vacations come with a downer for the coaches. They never get too far from their phones. Just like injuries can ruin a team’s season, so can that midnight call from the team’s head of security.
Players can be bad during the season. During the off-season they can be really bad when they’re not constantly being reminded of being good big boys. Don’t drink too much; don’t drive too fast; don’t carry guns; don’t gamble; and please don’t be guilty of domestic abuse.
Every head football coach, pro and college, I’ve talked to over the years has told me getting a good night’s sleep during the off-season isn’t easy. There’s always in the back of their minds that dreaded call.
I realize most young boys and men, whether or not they’re athletes, like to sow their oats. But you’d think the pros — and top college players — would realize how much they have to lose. I’m talking about tens of millions of dollars.
So let me speak directly to Jaguars, Gators, and Seminoles players. There’s not much you can do about all the sleepless nights, but please don’t ruin their off-season what there is of it..
