From Boston.Com
It didn't take long for the New England Patriots to walk away from Myra Kraft’s legacy.
The wife of New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft -who died of cancer on July 20 -embraced a quaint idea. She believed that character, integrity, and respect for women are more important than yards gained on a football field.
Back in 1996, Myra Kraft’s values led her husband to reverse a decision to draft a University of Nebraska lineman who had been convicted of sexual assault. At the time, the Patriots’ change of heart regarding Christian Peter sent a strong message about what mattered to the organization.
Fast forward to 2011. In the same month that Myra Kraft was lovingly memorialized by family, friends, and assorted Patriots, Coach Bill Belichick began the process of acquiring Albert Haynesworth, a player with an upcoming trial date for a misdemeanor sexual assault charge. That allegation is just the tip of a very large and ugly iceberg.
Haynesworth’s shot with the Patriots shows how out of control Super Bowl fever can get, without someone like Myra Kraft to keep life and football in perspective.
So let me get this straight. Winning championships is more important than being a good person? No shit. Here we have an op-ed piece from today's Globe by noted football mind Joan Vennochi that says that the Patriots are essentially ignoring Myra Kraft's legacy by bringing in Albert Haynesworth.
She defends her point by bringing up Christian Peters, who was convicted of sexual assault in 1996. Myra Kraft's input reversed the decision to draft Peters, setting the precedent for the future.
Vennochi then runs down a laundry list of Haynesworth's on and off the field problems, including his launching of "vicious hits on opponents". Really Joan? That would be the least of my worries especially considering the Patriots drafted a guy in Branden Meriweather who attacked opponents, launched vicious hits and gets involved in shootings. Didn't see such character questions then.
I understand and appreciate all that Mrs. Kraft has done for the region and the team, but to say that the Patriots are "missing Myra Kraft's moral compass" because they signed a player with a checkered past is asinine. Anyone remember Corey Dillon, Randy Moss, Bryan Cox or Rodney Harrison? All of those players had character issues heading into their careers with the Patriots, but that didn't stop the Patriots from acquiring them and winning at the highest level.
I mean, look at the other reclamation projects going on in the NFL right now. Michael Vick. Plaxico Burress. Ben Roethlisberger. Shit, even guys like Santonio Holmes and Antonio Cromartie have personal issues but the Jets looked past that and were better off for it. Jesus Christ, even Brett Favre sent out pictures of his cock!
Now if Haynesworth is somehow convicted or shows character problems in camp or during the season, the Patriots will undoubtedly release him. However, if he plays hard and stays out of trouble, is it really all that bad? Regardless of how big of a dick Haynesworth is, everyone deserves a chance (or three) to rehabilitate his career and his life. Attacking a professional football organization for trying to win at all cost reeks of grandstanding. Stop trying so hard Joan.
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