May 18, 2013

Dwight Freeney: Not Like LeBron

May 6, 2012 by 9 Comments

Indianapolis Colts defensive end Dwight Freeney has made it known he wants to finish his career with the franchise:

“I’m kind of old school when it comes to that thought,” Freeney told Alex Marvez of Sirius XM Radio. “I’m not LeBron trying to leave the team. I’m more like the era of Magic and Lawrence Taylor, who stayed with that same team for their entire careers win, lose, or draw. They were married to the city they were drafted in. You go through the tough times and great times with them, and that’s it. That’s what I’m looking forward to.”

I love that LeBron is now the poster child for ditching a city as a free agent. Until LeBron wins a championship (and probably for awhile afterwards), his legacy will remain firmly focused on the Decision and the aftermath.

Couldn’t have happened to a nicer person.

[Related: NBA Lottery Odds Serve As Cruel Reminder of How Unlucky Cavaliers Could End Up]

 

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  • Humboldt

    Yes, Lebron has become an archetype in professional sports, and deservedly so. Glad to see other athletes embracing an ethos of loyalty.

    That said, is anyone else having trouble rooting against Lebron in the playoffs this year? I followed intently last season but don’t really feel any emotional attachment this year. In fact, Lebron’s contrition and apologies over the past year make me *almost* not want to root against him.

    Curious what others are feeling.

  • Ezzie Goldish

    Amen to the post.

    I don’t care as much this year, and since I’m in NYC, I don’t mind the Heat beating up on the pathetic Knicks. But once that’s done, I will certainly be rooting against the Heat – let other current and future stars see that it’s not as simple as blaming the city and team you’re leaving for all your problems, and that even joining up with other superstars guarantees nothing. 

    The chasing a ring game that the media plays to is silliness. Let Freeney serve as a better example of the options available to stars – if you can, stay in one place, become a hero to those people win or lose. The more teams know that their stars will stay, the more they can truly build for the long-term around them instead of making the mistakes the Cavs did, and everyone will be better off for it.

  • Julie

    That’s interesting, I’ve been feeling somewhat the same way.  I still want LeBron to lose but I just don’t have the energy or enthusiasm to root very strongly against him this year.

  • Robbie

    I don’t care about LBJ that much anymore because he failed miserably in the Finals, again, and the Cavaliers at least appear to have some exciting pieces in place.  I mean, it’s way more fun rooting for your own team than against somebody else.  Unfortunately, we’re used to the latter as we’re always WFNY.

  • BrownsFanSF

    With you 100%.  I just don’t really care that much about the Heat anymore.  Venom is gone, not that I’ll ever root for them but them winning doesn’t exactly ruin my day anymore 

  • Wow

    I honestly don’t care about the playoffs at all this year. Seeing the Spurs or Thunder win would be nice, just to prove it is a team game.

  • Zonk

    I am not rooting against Lebron as much as I am rooting for OKC. Seeing a guy like Durant, who as of now appears to be doing things in Oklahoma the way we wished Lebron had here in Cleveland, win a ring would restore my interest in the league more so than if a team like Miami or Boston who obtained a good portion of their main pieces via free agency. Even San Antonio who obtained most of their key players through the draft or scrapheap (Daniel Green anyone) would be more intriguing to me.

  • DontbringLBJback

    Still routing against him, and I still hate the dude.  But it’s much easier to not hate him so much this year.  He let go of the “bad boy” persona that he was TRYING to establish last year.  He has humbled himself and apologized to the city of Cleveland and all of us…. but that being said…. kind hope he blows an ACL.  :)

  • xl

    This is ridiculous…free agency. wait till the his beloved football team discards him…then will see how that loyalty thing works. when teams dump their players its business, when players do its being disloyal?