Like colleagues in many businesses, NFL players usually stick up for each other publicly. It takes some seriously turd-like behavior for guys in the locker room to speak publicly against each other. (Even players in other locker rooms stick to this code: How many guys, for instance, have spoken ill of Pacman Jones in his career?)
Brandon Marshall seems to have crossed a line. The petulant behavior caught on camera by a local Denver station this week may do more to damage his reputation around the league than all his arrests and former transgressions. Acting irresponsibly away from the field is one thing; acting like a spoiled teenager on it can turn teammates against you.
“Something had to be done,” Broncos center Casey Wiegmann told the Denver Post. “He hasn’t really been a distraction because he hasn’t been on the field that much. But we want to win here. We want guys who are going to work.”
Essentially Wiegmann echoed coach Josh McDaniels’ sentiments. He wants a teammate that is pulling in the same direction.
“We all respect what Brandon can do on a football field. We definitely want him with us. But for us guys on the offensive line, we go in there and battle every single play. We want guys who will go to battle with us,” Wiegmann concluded.
Players around the league have seen the Marshall footage too, and it must strike the majority of the league, mostly full of players who work their ass off for everything they get, as ridiculous.
Chargers special teamer Kassim Osgood put things in perspective from someone who doesn’t have Marshall’s standing in the league.
“In this league we got people throwing fits cuz they want more money,” Osgood tweeted. “Shoot! I just want more playing time! Want more grass stains on my jerz.”
Perhaps Wiegmann’s comments will sting more than the suspension from the Broncos. Marshall should already know that acting up is only costing him future earnings, but maybe he’ll get in line if he realizes it’s also costing him the respect of his teammates.