A Coach's Great Win    

Gary Anderson

   We grumbled a few weeks ago about the enormous influence money has in college football, from players' amusements to coaches' salaries to apparel deals. Today, we are cheering this story from Oregon.


   Gary Anderson lost his job at Oregon State, halfway through the season. He had $12.4 million remaining on his contract through 2021. Who wouldn't mind losing a job like that? 

   What did Anderson do? He waived all future payments and contractual obligations. "Coaching is not about the mighty dollar," he said. 

Who Takes a Knee for Officers?
   Some pro athletes continue to skip tribute to the flag during the national anthem. No doubt there are problems in law enforcement. Who among us is perfect? 

   Even if protests have merit, employees don't do this on company time. Of course, that's where the audience is. Players want us to understand something.

   Now, who is concerned about the police? In Afghanistan, 2001-2014, 1,832 U.S. service members died. During that same period, 2,181 American police officers were killed in the line of duty.

   In Fallen, a documentary, several officers agree their jobs are 90 percent social work, and 10 percent sheer terror. 

   Maybe certain pro football players need to understand what it's like going to work each day, over a career, not knowing if you'll ever come home. 

   Not to excuse anything, but when troubled people and nervous cops meet on the streets, bad things can happen. 

       Jimmy