Let's Not Play the Blame Game: Pat White May Have Just Ruined His Career

There is a reason that the quarterback slide was created. Not every quarterback is like Ben Roethlisberger. 

Maybe I'm ranting because my team, down by two touchdowns at the end of the third quarter against a solid Steelers team, likely will not make the playoffs. Maybe I'm ranting because my team's starting quarterback is likely being shadowed by a coach's decision to sit down for the second half. And the quarterback has to claim that he has an eye injury. 

Which likely negates any hope that any fan or player had for the playoffs. That very well may be. But there is one thing I cannot stand. When a second-string rookie quarterback is given a shot to try to get his team closer to playoff contention, and in his only half to prove himself, he slides head-first into a pile of yellow and gold. Very rarely is a cornerback bigger than a quarterback. Ike Taylor happens to have five pounds and two inches on him. 

Maybe you could say that it is not a typical play, and Pat White was denying the possibility of the outcome. But with all due respect, we see so many crazy quarterback concussions, broken bones and the like, that there is no need for any quarterback to put himself in more danger. 

Pat White did not have a first down. Pat White did not have anything. He very possibly may have ended his career, or at least may have shortened it drastically. And very often sports fans do not take into consideration the fact that injuries affect a person's life after football also. 

There is a life that every player has off the field; family, friends, and others that care about their well being. It was extremely irresponsible for White to do this. The NFL thought guys were throwing away their lives with off-field antics, but there is another skill that is not professed enough in the locker room. It's called protection. 

The NFLPA and other organizations who are trying to get medical aid to retired players, who are being punished by concussions suffered while playing, are having enough trouble trying to get aid for those that played the game as safe as an NFL game can be played. There was no positive outcome that could have come out of this mindless play. 

I wish you a speedy recovery, but I hope you learn a valuable lesson. Think before you slide.