Back in the days when athletes were routinely denied water while training, they also were supposed to avoid other activities that in theory could tap into the overall supply of energy.
On Wednesday, Jets coach Rex Ryan may have dusted off the old no-sex adage. Unless he didn’t.
According to Seth Walder of the New York Daily News, a message from Ryan regarding the importance of focusing on this week’s game against the Patriots has at a minimum created confusion regarding whether players have been instructed to stay away from their wives or girlfriends, or both.
Newly-arrived receiver Josh Cribbs is quoted as saying that Ryan told players in a team meeting “don’t do nothing with your wife.”
Defensive lineman Sheldon Richardson reportedly said "[m]ost definitely” when asked whether he interpreted the message to include an order to stay off the rides at the carnal carnival.
But here’s the full quote from Cribbs, as distributed by the team: “I can tell he really wants this game. He was like, ‘Rest your legs. Don’t do nothing for your wife. Say, baby next week. I’m going to do it next week. I’m going to take out the trash next week. I’ll take the kids to practice next week, but I have to rest for this game. That just showed us how, I’m going to tell him to put it on paper so when I give it to my wife, I can be like, ‘Hey, Rex said that I don’t have to take out the trash.’ So, he might get a call from my wife.”
Asked by a reporter if Cribbs was referring to “something else,” Cribbs said, “You guys are sick.”
According to the Jets, Ryan also has clarified that he was referring to chores, and that he wants players to minimize additional responsibilities to focus on watching tape and preparing for the game.
So there you have it. For Jets players, there’s no red light preventing them from a week filled with, well, fifty shades of green.