by dennie hayes

Created on: May 10, 2009   Last Updated: September 06, 2009

We live in a country overrun by jealous and malcontent individuals who automatically resent and loathe anyone who has accomplished tremendous success, fame and wealth. That's always been the American creed.

So it doesn't come as a total surprise that so many underachieving Americans, masquerading as diehard football fans, continue to hold such contempt towards wealthy pro athletes and their huge salaries. The truth is, these same phony football fans are all a bunch of two-faced, hypocrites, because as much as they love to badmouth wealthy football players for making so much money, they'd literally break their necks if they had the opportunity to personally meet a rich and famous football player.

What's the harm in someone being paid well for something they're good at? It's not as if any of you average Joes off the street are capable or have the guts to withstand playing four quarters of grueling football in subzero or 100 degree weather. And a lot of you would probably wet your tights at the sight of Ray Lewis foaming at the mouth like a rabid pitbull, and yelling obscenities at you from across the huddle.

Football is a brutal and violent sport, and many promising careers have been abruptly cut short due to severe injury. And though some retired players who've had lengthy careers in the league were lucky enough to walk away from the game with their health somewhat intact, other players, like former Oilers great Earl Cambell and Colts legend Johhny Unitas, weren't so lucky. In his last days before his death, Unitas a prolific passer for the Baltimore Colts developed a slew of debilitating health problems including arthritis in his right hand which made it difficult for the Colts legend to sign autographs and memorabilia bearing his likeness at sports conventions.

And like so many other football legends before him, Campbell is a shell of himself as his health continues to deteriorate. The question is where was the outcry of sympathy and compassion for Campbell and other former gridiron greats, like Bengals Icky Woods and Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor, when all those former football players fell on hard times?

It's always great to see football players like former Titans Defensive Tackle Albert Haynesworth receive a huge payday like the seven-year $100 million dollar contract he signed with the Washington Redskins in the off season earlier this year. Hopefully, it will put Haynesworth in a position to support himself and his family when his playing days finally come to a screeching halt.

The stupidity of NFL football fans is astounding, because as much as they whine about the high salaries of pro athletes, they still continue to shell out billions on the Superbowl, home game attendance, pay per view and NFL memorabilia. Whether football fans choose to acknowledge it or not, the reality is their hard earned dollar is being circulated back to the NFL, team owners and eventually lands into the pockets of these wealthy football players they claim to hate so much.

So here's a thought for all you whiny football fans, Shut up! and go watch golf, it's much cheaper.

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