APEagles defensive lineman Darryl Tapp will not play tonight against the Saints because he has something more important to do: Attend the birth of his first child.
The Eagles announced on Monday evening that Tapp will not play tonight in New Orleans because he is at the hospital with his wife.
The subject of players missing games for the birth of their children has come up a few times this season, especially after Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and Cardinals quarterback Kevin Kolb both said that they wouldn’t play if their pregnant wives went into labor on a game day. (Kolb’s wife gave birth to a baby girl in September, while Roethlisberger’s wife is due in December.) In the past, that attitude was controversial: In 1993, when Houston Oilers offensive tackle David Williams skipped a Sunday game because his wife gave birth the night before, the Oilers docked him his game check and publicly questioned his commitment to the team.
But the culture of the NFL and of American society has changed since then: The Eagles reportedly told Tapp he had their blessing to put family first.
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I’m glad the team and Tapp have their priorities in order.
Congratz Darryl you don’t want to miss that for any game !
Go love every minute if it Darryl!
They were so amazed that it was his first child they were speechless. He took that as an affirmative.
congrats and enjoy it darryl.
So… He tapped out???
I say this joking because I’ve had the experience and it shouldn’t be missed, but can’t these players time things better?!
Congrats Darryl. Once again, though it may be his job, football is just a GAME.
Janoris Jenkins could miss half a season worth of games if he did that
Probably goes against the OLD GUARD, but enjoy the moment, there is nothing like it in the world!
How many games has Cromartie missed because of this? 20?
I didn’t even know he was still on the team. LOL
Congrats Daryl, enjoy.
You don’t wanna miss this. Football is 10-15 years, a child is a lifetime.
Of course congrats to Daryl and his wife.
I wonder what the opinion would be if Brady or Manning(s) wife went into labour and they chose to miss a Superbowl game.
Dear god the ESPN pregame is bad. Steve Young pretty much came out and gave Vick a pass on everything pretty much saying that Drew Brees and Peyton Manning couldn’t win with these guys while his partner gushes over the QB rushing records Vick set with Atlanta.
Neither one talked about Vick’s passing or ability to read defenses.
Congrats to the Tapp family! I wouldn’t go to work if my wife was giving birth, don’t understand why it would ever be expected of a football player.
He was there when she got pregnant, right? Way to go Darryl and congrats!
Don’t fault him but it is his choice. Employer should be able to dock him a game check. When you only “work” 16 days a year there should be no such thing as an “excused” absence.
Before you disagree, how far can we take this. What if the baby was born last night and everyone was O.K. and he wanted the game off with pay. How about the baby was born Saturday?
Once again, he is making a sound choice that I agree with, I just don’t think his employer owes him $500,000 whether he shows up for work or not.
stevincinci says:
Nov 5, 2012 7:38 PM
How many games has Cromartie missed because of this? 20?
Not a chance. He’s probably fighting against every one of “wives”.
I can only imagine if WWII were today. So and so has to miss Normandy, sir…his wife is giving birth. Everyone talking about priorities, the priority is raising the child, not being there for a placenta and bunch of afterbirth. One reason we’re going down the tubes as a country is lack of work ethic and concern for self over all else – teammates, coaches, fans. Go ahead and neg me even if you know I’m right.
therealjr says:
Nov 5, 2012 11:54 PM
I can only imagine if WWII were today. So and so has to miss Normandy, sir…his wife is giving birth. Everyone talking about priorities, the priority is raising the child, not being there for a placenta and bunch of afterbirth. One reason we’re going down the tubes as a country is lack of work ethic and concern for self over all else – teammates, coaches, fans. Go ahead and neg me even if you know I’m right.
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DId you just compare an NFL game to World War 2? I’m fairly certain the New Orleans Saints didn’t invade Poland. It’s a football game, not the invasion of Normandy.
I think you’re the one with awful priorities. If you aren’t going to go to a child birth for the kid, how about for THE PERSON HAVING THE CHILD, you know, the mother of your baby? Seriously, how awful of a husband are you?
Do you really think someone should put their teammates, coaches, or fans, before their child and the mother of their child?
I remember the controversy over David Williams. I thought it was ridiculous. I thought he was in the right. After all, he was there when the baby was made, why shouldn’t he be there when the kid is born?