140 rushing yards per game, 1,830 yards rushing for the season, six yards per carry, 21 total touchdowns (five of which he threw), First Team All-American, and a defeat of the eventual National Champions, LSU, which he seemed to do single-handedly. Risk? What Risk?
If there’s a risk, please show me. What player isn’t a risk when they will eventually be worth boat-loads of money? Hell, life is a risk. Anyone in the spotlight will be targeted. If they are involved in an altercation, no matter how minimal, it will be all over the six o’clock news.
It comes with the responsibility of being a superstar. Michael Jordan liked to gamble. He was rich enough to place $100,000 bets and not think twice. What’s a hundred grand to a guy with a hundred mil? I have around 100 dollars in my bank account right now, and no one will say a word if I bet one dollar on a ball game.
McFadden's risk factor stems from a different situation than M.J.’s. "Run DMC", as he’s known by most of the country, is from Little Rock, Arkansas, the capital city of a state that is, and has been, stricken by gang activity since the late 1980s. Gang violence inspired HBO to do a special on the city, "Gang Bangin in Little Rock", which was seen by every gangster in America.
Little Rock is not an easy place to grow up. His mother struggled with a drug problem throughout Darren’s life, and his family members, at times, have been known to get him into trouble in night clubs and other social scenes.
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But what star athlete doesn't deal with these things?
Kobe Bryant was acquitted of a rape charge two years ago. Do you think NBA general managers wouldn’t tear down a brick wall to sign him?
LeBron was under investigation for accepting illegal gifts when he was in high school. That pick seemed to work out pretty well for the Cavs.
Randy Moss was a "trouble maker" during his days at Marshall. He then fell to pick number 21, and all he’ll do is go down in history as the best receiver of all-time. And oh yeah, he's probably been worth the "trouble."
Yet many people still see McFadden as too big of a risk for anyone to waste a pick on.
One Dallas reporter went as far as to call his mother, who has been clean for sometime now, a crack addict and criticized McFadden for being one of twelve children born to her.
"McFadden, like Pacman, comes from a hellish home life. He grew up in gang-infested Little Rock, one of crack addict Mini Muhammad’s 12 kids. One of the biggest concerns about McFadden is that the bad influences in his life are his flesh and blood." Tim MacMahon, Dallas Morning News.
When did the amount of children a mother has become a negative against those children?
On June 26, McFadden was drafted third overall by the Oakland Raiders. Not shocking, considering Raiders owner Al Davis’ love of high-profile, and sometimes "high-risk", stars.
He took Moss off of the Vikings’ hands when he had overstayed his welcome in Minnesota. Shortly after, he snagged quarterback Donte’ Culpepper from the Vikings as well. He brought in an aging Jerry Rice when no one else would sign him, and took a chance on defensive tackle Warren Sapp .
And that’s just in the last eight years. Darren will be far away from Little Rock, for what will presumably end up being the rest of his adult life. But chances are his family will be right beside of him.
Maybe the sunshine, beaches, and palm trees in Oakland will be enough to distract the 20-year old from the troubles and situations that will surround him. Maybe the love for his two toddlers will do the trick. Maybe the millions upon millions in signing bonuses and endorsement deals will do it. Or maybe, just maybe, there’s nothing that needs to be done at all.
He’s young. We all have growing pains. And for pro athletes, those pains are worse. No one is perfect, especially not in the National Football League. Coaches, GMs, owners, and players all have their flaws, imperfections, and weak points.
Darren does too, but one thing's for sure: None of his are on the field.
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3 months ago
Great insight... only thing I would suggest to make your argument more convincing is double checking your figures... Run DMC was picked 4th, and we got Pep from Miami, not Minnesota.
Otherwise, I am becoming a fan of the pick, though initially I as against it; not for his baggage so much as other players on the board...
Thanks!
3 months ago
Also last time i checked there are no palm trees in oakland just more gangs.
3 months ago
Moss will NEVER be considered the best reciever of all-time. There are alot of things that go into being a great player. Moss is missing more than half of those things. Enough about Moss, McFadden was the right pick. You don't pick for need, you pick impact players at the top of the first round. Time will tell and hopefully he's stays grounded and has a long career. He is a great fit for us and should put up some big numbers.
3 months ago
I agree James, Moss is a punk. He's a good receiver, but to be the greatest of all time? He has a long way to go and a short time to get there.
3 months ago
look at the you tube on this guy not the pick I thought at the time we sould do from a value or needs stand point but non-the-less he is a stud and if he is a bad egg we have straighten out our share of bad eggs!
3 months ago
Why does the family ties always becomes an issue when the media talks about D Mac? Yeah the ties are not the greatest but dont you think that he would have never made it this far if it was such an issue. His skill is what got him a contract with the best team in the NFL, not his mom or 11 siblings. No disrespect intended to mom. It is obvious to me that football is the most important thing in D Mac's life. A risk, I dont think so. I think that it is time that the media looks at his situation in a possitive perspective. I think that the media should congratulate him on his success and on the fact that he has made it this far. I have watched different interviews of D Mac, he seems to be very respectfull and has a good head on his shoulders. Manners are taught, that is were mom comes in. As for him falling to #4 to the Raiders, I only have one word to say.....WOW. That hopefully will be the reaction to the opposing defense when he is running past them. I give D Mac credit because he deserves it. GO RAIDERS!
3 months ago
April 26 not june
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