Written by Mike Tanier at BleacherReport.com
If you want to make the entire football world hate you, here’s a step-by-step guide:
Step 1. Have a lackluster season, the latest in a disappointing career.
Step 2. Sign an eight-figure contract.
Step 3. Complain about having to fight to keep your job before your bonus check even direct deposits.
Come to think of it, that’s a great way to make anyone in any profession hate you.
Sam Bradford stuffed his reputation down a garbage disposal over the last three weeks, then poured some kerosene down the drain, lit a match and blew up the neighborhood plumbing system. The oft-injured journeyman with a 25-37-1 career record demanded a tradeafter the Eagles moved up in the draft to select rookie challenger/likely replacement Carson Wentz. Bradford held out of OTAs for a week. There were retirement whispers. At one point, Bradford reportedly stopped answering his phone when Eagles coach Doug Pederson called him.
Less than two months after signing a two-year contract worth $22 million guaranteed, Bradford did everything short of sawing his arm off to get away from Philadelphia.
And now Bradford is back. He returned Monday with a graciously rescinded trade demand and a white- hankie-on-a-stick of an official statement (via ESPN’s Adam Schefter):
I’m excited to be back on the field today with my teammates and coaches. The business-side of football is sometimes a necessary consideration. My attention and efforts are focused on the participation in and preparation for a championship season: I am committed to my teammates and the Eagles organization for nothing less.
Bradford’s tail is not tucked between his legs. It’s detached, Eeyore-style. Returning was Bradford’s only sensible option, but returning so soon actually makes him look worse. If he held out until August, he would at least look like a man of conviction—foolish conviction, but still conviction. Now, he just looks like the guy who threw a tantrum and quit during a staff meeting trying to sneak back from lunch as if nothing had happened.
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