Peyton Manning's Release from Colts and Why Professional Football Is Dead

As I read that headline of "Peyton Manning Released from Colts," my heart sunk into my stomach. Anger followed quickly after.

Yes, we are all painfully aware that the Manning situation clearly ended in a way that some of us did not want. Some of us did want it. This article is not debating which side is right.

This article is bringing to light what has been happening these past few years in the National Football League.

Here, we have Peyton Manning. A fully capable quarterback that has given his entire playing career to the Colts. He has brought seven AFC Championships, owns all Colts franchise passing records, won four league MVP awards and most importantly, brought his team a Super Bowl. He is the most beloved figure in Colts history.

After reading that paragraph above and realizing that Manning has never had a bad year in his entire career, what do you think a team would do? Oh, I almost forgot to add that he has at least three years of great playing left in him.

If you are in your 20's or older, most would almost automatically say "Keep him." If you are under 20, you have another factor to account for that is saddening. The money factor.

Here is where our problem lies.

Professional football has turned into a bank. There is no nice way to put it.

I started noticing years ago a new problem that we all should have spotted a long time before. Somehow, some way, the money became the most important factor. It is no longer about whether or not a player is good enough to play, but instead, whether or not the salary will allow a team to retain aforementioned player.

Then, you add in the fact that we have stuff like bounties going on, and the waters get even murkier. Players actually think they should get paid for injuring someone. 

Our grandfathers and fathers would be ashamed.

There are two culprits in this problem, though, have no doubt. The players and teams are both equally at fault.

Let's start off with the organizations themselves, because they seem to be the most criticized. Clubhouses these days are businesses. They are not teams; I refuse to call them that. They seemingly work independently of the teams on decisions like these. Somehow, the Colts found a way to cut Peyton Manning, their No. 1 performer, yet kept a lot of people on their pitiful defense. Money works in mysterious ways.

But remove the focus from the organizations, and now, look at the players. The NFL is now filled with prima donnas that demand obscene amounts of money, some that do not match their level of play. All of the sudden, after the player refuses to negotiate, they are cut or franchise tagged. Then, they start to act surprised. 

It makes me clench my fists every time I see somebody like Albert Haynesworth walk onto the field, already crying for more money, and give a half-hearted effort. It makes me sick. Players like him could honestly care less about their love of football. They just want a check with a multiple zeros on it.

What has happened to the NFL? Nobody in their right mind 20 years ago would have stood for this crap. 

Maybe I am looking at the past with rose-colored glasses, but I have discussed this with older family and friends. All of them agree and have similar feelings about the situation.

Perhaps this article is just a bunch of ranting. Perhaps it is just a guy going off on a tangent like some old grandpa that we all had to listen to at Thanksgiving dinners. You know what I'm talking about. The one that always criticized modern activities and then proclaimed his older ones to be superior. 

Either way, that doesn't change how I and many others feel about this whole situation.

Professional football is dead.