Getty ImagesNFL players who think they’ve have too much to drink can still get a ride home through their work, but there’s a fairly large asterisk.
The NFL, which handed the no-charge Safe Rides program to the union due to concerns the league was using it to spy on players, points out at the league-owned website that the program hasn’t been disbanded. The NFL, citing the NFLPA director of security, explains that the program is still available to players.
Which raises an obvious question: How dumb do they think the players are?
Even in Manhattan, a cab ride home isn’t going to cost $85. (Unless, of course, the player has decided to commute from Philly for his night out.)
Making the replacement of the free service with a paid service even more amazing is that the NFLPA’s director of security claims that roughly 65 players per month use it.
The purpose of the free program is to provide players with extra incentive to make the call for a ride when they’ve been drinking. Our guess is that the players that have been using the No Free Rides program weren’t aware they’ll be billed for it later.
Or maybe they really are drunk. Otherwise, they’d realize a cab would be cheaper.
These guys make tons of dough; eighty five bucks isn’t going to break them. In the end, it’s obviously cheaper to pay that than to get a DUI or have an accident.
Ultimately, it’s not about the money. It’s about being responsible enough to know when you’re too intoxicated to drive. Joking aside, I am encouraged to hear that they service an average of 65 players a month.
No Thanks!!! who wants to ride in some cab, when you can get drunk and ruin a $150,000 car & could take yours or someone else life (smdh at these guys)!!!
Perhaps it is because all of those players who use the service like the idea of the NFLPA pandering to them. By the way, what’s $85.00 to an over paid alcoholic football player anyways ? There seems to be a lot of them now days.
“Which raises an obvious question: How dumb do they think the players are?”
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Dumb enough to have millions of dollars available to them, as well as taxi services, limo services, and an NFL safe ride program; and yet they continue to drive themselves home drunk and risk their careers as well as other peoples lives in the process.
Between the DUI arrests, drug trafficing, weapons charges, rape allegations, and 75% bankruptcy rate after retirement, I ask you kindly to never question NFL players stupidity.
85$ or … kill somebody, go to jail, get killed, etc… 85$ isnt that bad considering they make slightly more.
Another waste of money, It’s called common sense. When your intoxicated you call a cab. That is whether you make 100k a year or millions. Don’t drink and drive, Period.
NYC is the only place in the country with affordable taxis. Try Boston or San Francisco. $85 might be a bargain.
but it also brings their car home. that’s worth something.
Uh… maybe it’s not about being stupid and paying a “cheaper” amount to take a regular cab, but to pay $85 and get some professional courtesy and privacy… being that they are NFL players?
SMH.
$85 for this service (or cheaper for a cab) or drive yourself and potentially get DUI with massive fines (and possibly kill somebody), not to mention potentially losing millions from your next contract by being labeled a “problem.”
Explain to me why some of these idiots still drive drunk?
Perhaps it is because all of those players who use the service like the idea of the NFLPA pandering to them. By the way, what’s $85.00 to an over paid alcoholic football player anyways ? There seems to be a lot of them now days.
85 dollars is cheaper than a D.U.I.L . and is an option if needed , so why criticize it ?
The NFLPA took a free (for the players) NFL program and made it a profit center for the NFLPA at the expense of the players.
I think that if the owners had done this, the tone of the article would’ve been a bit more heated.
Drunk people can’t reason!
The NFL is just running a typical billion dollar company by nickel-and-diming its employees and customers.
Uncle Rodger is at it again.
For those of you not from the NY area, a Cab ride within Manhattan will not cost $85.
However, if you live in NJ – as most players do, you have to pay double the fare (as it is unlikely the cab driver will get a return passenger) – which guarantees the cost will be over $85.
For those of us who live in an outer borough (AKA – anything but Manhattan), you will probably end up paying around that cost as well.
So, not really an awful price there Mike…..
Yup, I can see where $85 would be meaningful after dropping $5,000 on Cristal.
also – the double fare is implemented for any travel outside of NYC – so Long Island, Connecticut, Westchester, etc. it would apply.
… or maybe they don’t want some cab driver to know where they live.
GO STEELERS!
If any plaYers in my city (Atlanta) ever needed a ride I would
Gladly give them one for free. In fact I would do it for anyone rather then waking up and seeing an innocent person be killed and have another dontae stallworth/Leonard little situation
$85. Thats chump change to a guy who just spent $850 on a bottle of “CHEAP” booze at bottle service. These grown”men” ,looking at farley. Shouldnt need all this coddling there griwn men who most can afford personal drivers.
$85? Who cares? I make $40k a year and shell out $35 for a cab once a month or so. I think these guys can afford that, especially when they’re likely already spending hundreds on drinks.
That said,it seems like the league or the team could cover it.
Actually, there’s really no way to tell without knowing the distance from the bar to the player’s home. But, while cabs may run a little cheaper, hiring a towncar (which is what I would expect an NFL sized player to get into) could easily exceed $85. Here in DC, a ride from downtown DC to an affluent suburb outside the beltway (which is where I believe most redskins live), could easily approach $85. Welcome to $4/gallon gas.
65*85 = $5,525/mo / 32 = $172/mo / team
I think that the NFL Owners could manage to cover the costs of the program and make it ‘free’ to the players.
The purpose of the free program is to provide players with extra incentive to make the call for a ride when they’ve been drinking.
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Seriously, you’d think not killing/injuring yourself, someone else, potentially ruining your career, etc, would be enough incentive.
Call a cab, call your mom, spend $85 bucks through the program. It’s worth it.
Imagine if you can, an NFL player, dropping $15,000 on Christal for him and his posse and then complaining about an $85 limo ride home. Really insulting.
Every player (and front office person) knows SOMEBODY they can call and get a ride from when they’re too drunk to drive, but by that point, good judgement is not something people can rely on.
It all comes down to personal choice and responsibility, and most players are no different than the general public. People do dumb things and make poor decisions when they’re intoxicated.
Players just need to quit acting dumb. I know of players who utilized it when it was free. They have so may things avaliable to prevent unnecessary events from happening. I think the “look at me “attitude of most players is the problem. How can you show the ladies that you have that new luxury vehicle if you have a car service? I tell you how, they can see it in the garage when they drop you off at home…..SMH.
It’s like these guys are 5 years old.
It’s very simple: Have a designated driver, get a cab or a limo or don’t drink.
It’s not like the guys we are hearing about can’t afford it. Most of these guys should have a full time driver, or at least a personal assistant that can pick them up if they are in a bind for a ride.
If most broke kids days can manage it, why can’t these guys?
It’s totally insane that they don’t understand. No one should have to pay for an additional service for them. It’s just common sense!
For $85, they better get a ride home from the bar and taken to get their vehicles the next day.
Most people forget. you don’t have to be drunk to get a DUI. 2 drinks can easily do it. The problem is no one ever thinks they are drunk. That is where the mistake is made.
Just more proof that unions raise the prices all around. They’ve outlived their purpose.
Anyone know if there are still any rogue players that haven’t signed on with the NFLPA? Last I remember, LaVar Arrington was the most recent. Well, him for NFLPA and Parcells and Belichick for the coach’s union.
The cab company will be run by TMZ.
steelhammer92 says:
Jun 11, 2012 8:24 AM
The NFL is just running a typical billion dollar company by nickel-and-diming its employees and customers.
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I’m guessing reading comprehension was not a strong suit in your education.
The NFL was operating the program on behalf of the players…. for free. The players union decided to create a problem and accuse the league of using it to spy on players. So the league handed the rains over to the players union and they started charging the players $85 for the service. So you see….. it’s actually the players union management “nickle-and-diming” it’s own rank and file members. If the players union genuinely cared about the well being of its members then they would provide the service for free as well.