1-The player signed a contract. Teams have a right to demand that the player fulfill the duties that he agreed to perform. This is why the Cincinnati Bengals refuse to give in to Carson Palmer's holdout demands.
2-Holdouts happen very frequently, and teams rarely take the hardline stance that Cincinnati
3-Teams release players constantly before the contract terms are complete. If teams don't have to honor their word, why should the players? (See what I mean about flip-flopping?) If a player feels he is worth more money, he can hold out as long as he feels necessary until he gets a proper deal. Chris Johnson of the Tennessee Titans comes to mind.
4-The only other way I can think about it is to consider my own employment. I can see it now. "Hey boss. I want two new fans installed in my office, ESPN HD on the security camera monitor, and a Snickers and a Coca-Cola icee every day at 3:17 pm .
5-The holdout is more common in our life than most of us would like to admit. How much doesn't get done in our world because people who could otherwise accomplish amazing feats are holding out for an easier way or a better reward? "I could get ahead in my housework but..." "I can go ahead help out my neighbor if only..." "I should spend more time volunteering with orphans or the homeless BUT..." Or how about this, have you ever asked yourself or somebody else "What's in it for me?" Sadly, I do this far too often. Sadly-er, it has taken me nearly thirty years and God speaking to me through pro football contract disputes to realize that I do this. I have been a spiritual holdout.
6-I don't have to hold out for a better reward with God. The truth is, the price Christ paid for me on the cross is far greater than any amount of rewards I could ever deserve or receive. Nothing I could do, or refuse to do, will ever convince God to love or to reward me more. Simply, my personal holdouts are unnecessary.
Where else in life do we "hold out"?
Scripture "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." Eph 2:8-9
Quote "Remember happiness doesn't depend upon who you are or what you have; it depends solely on what you think." Dale Carnegie
As to the argument that the player has to stick to a contract but a team doesn't, those contracts always give the team right to dismiss players and now the Collective Bargaining Agreement actually gives teams the right to dismiss a player based on failure to report an injury, failing to pass a physical, and (my personal favorite) I quote: “you are anticipated to make less of a contribution to the Club’s ability to compete on the playing field than another player or players.”
ReplyDeleteSo essentially... they players agreed to "we're stuck with contracts and you aren't" and in that vein... I cannot agree with a holdout.