I'm sorry because I know I sound like a broken record with all of my posts lately but I'm sitting here in bed after some face surgery so I'm using my codeine-induced goofiness as an excuse to repeat myself again:

I was raised a Steelers fan. I jumped ship after Roethlisberger started abusing women and the Organization did, essentially, nothing about it.

I thought about bailing on pro-football altogether but I'd always liked Drew Brees; his character, what he means to the city, what he does for the troops...he was the exact opposite of Ben. I felt like he represented everything that football SHOULD be able to do for the community, its fans, etc. Then, right around the time the Ben story broke, I started traveling to New Orleans for work a lot. I got totally caught up in the Super Bowl run and have considered myself a fan since. I've thrown away all my Steelers stuff and my Drew Brees Jersey is the only athlete's jersey I own. I never really liked wearing other guys' jerseys...but it felt appropriate with Drew because he represented so much more than just a guy who could throw a football.

Now, I read stories about Ben restructuring his contract to keep his team together, while Drew can't accept a deal that makes him the highest paid player in the league and will probably result in losing many of the free agents that make up the core of the team.

I am not saying that Ben's willingness to restructure his contract makes everything else he's done okay, nor am I equating Drew's desire for more money with sexual abuse. I'm just saying this has really got me bummed out.

I also recognize that I am not involved with the negotiations and I don't know the whole story. I really hope there is some weird stipulation that is making things unacceptable and it's not just the $$$.

I know I shouldn't be so bummed out. I am too old to be so freaking naive or to be looking up to sports figures (Drew and I are almost exactly the same age). Seeing this stuff just makes me wonder why I bother watching sports at all?

Okay...thanks for reading...going to go pass out now...

\S/

I know I shouldn't be so bummed out. I am too old to be so freaking naive or to be looking up to sports figures (Drew and I are almost exactly the same age). Seeing this stuff just makes me wonder why I bother watching sports at all?

You're not alone in your feelings, I believed Drew was different then most athletes as well, maybe time will tell but the regular season can't get here fast enough

And he hasn't given any indication that he isn't who we know he is. He is a good man who is committed to New Orleans and the Saints. But, he also knows that his career could end in the first game this season and if he didn't allow his agent to do his best to insure his future he would be ignoring his responsibilty as a husband and a father. I don't know about you, but that would be atop my list as a man.