Deion Sanders and friends try to set a standard for athletes

from JoeUser Forums
There are many times one could rip on athletes that say and do dumb things in the name of the almighty dollar. Deion Sanders is no exception here. He's a former show-boater who walked away with millions of dollars from several teams over the last several years.

A little North up the interstate from Deion's current professional football job/team there's a player that has set the ultimate example (this season) of greed, lack of respect to his team-mates and local fans, and insulted the intelligence of virtually anyone that would listen to him or his agent as they ran their mouth about the lack of fairness in the contract that the player had just signed a year before. There was even the old cliche about "I gotta take care of my family" though the individual (come on, you know I'm talking about Terrell Owens here) is single.

Well, I'll give credit when due. Deion has stepped forward and opened a challenge to all professional athletes to contribute $1000 to relief efforts for clean-up and relief of Hurricane Katrina's effects. While some may laugh at the numbers as they think about the amount of the contracts that Deion Sanders collected over just a few recent seasons, he is at least stepping up and making an effort. He's challenging others to do the same, and encouraging others to get involved and help the situation.

For once, perhaps Neon Deion deserves respect.
politics
1,454 views 2 replies
Reply #1 from JoeUser Forums Top
The news article on this issue, from Yahoo! sports.



Deion Sanders calls on athletes to give to relief effort

OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) -- Baltimore Ravens cornerback Deion Sanders challenged all professional athletes to donate at least $1,000 apiece through payroll deductions to benefit the victims of Hurricane Katrina.

Flanked by teammates and Louisiana natives Ed Reed and Alan Ricard, Sanders on Friday called for each team in the NFL, NBA and Major League Baseball, as well as other pro sports, to help him reach a goal of $1.5 million to $3 million for the cause.

``The recent devastation of Hurricane Katrina in the aftermath of her wrath, there has been a loss of life, property, finances, homelessness and a multitude of atrocities. The people affected by this disaster is astronomical,'' Sanders said.

The Ravens players also called for fans to donate money, clothing and supplies to the ravaged Gulf Coast.

``Through unity, we can touch thousands,'' Sanders said. ``This is in our own backyard. We feel this. Ed, Alan, feel this. I have friends, relatives that feel this pain. Help in any way you can.''

Added Reed, ``This is my backyard, this is a city we walked on just last week to play a game we love to play. This is real. Football is something we get to do, basketball, baseball. We're reaching out to other athletes.''

Reed, last season's NFL Defensive Player of the Year who played high school football at St. Rose, La., has established a Web site, www.reedhurricanerelief.com, for people to donate funds to the American Red Cross.

The Ravens organization, which plans to donate $25,000 in addition to the players' efforts, will collect donations for victims of Hurricane Katrina on Sept. 11 when the team opens the season against the Indianapolis Colts.
Reply #2 from JoeUser Forums Top
Now, see? This is a GOOD example of an athelete using their "fame" for a cause. And if one of the more self-centered "MeMeMeMeMe" players in the NFL can do this, then any of the others ought to be able to do it to.

I don't say this too often (mostly 'cause I still think of him as a Cowboy), Way to go, Deion!
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