Jock beats up nerd, with a twist!

[FlipConstantine]

Newly signed Bears quarterback arrested for beating up a man for using a laptop in public.

This is probably one of the more disgusting things I've seen in a while.  This is just more confirmation that the people who are jerks in high school never fuck*ng grow up. 

The best line from the article:

"I was pretty down this morning because of the situation," Manning said."But when I found out I was a Chicago Bear, it kind of brought a little light to the day. ... I can't let something like this let me have a bad start to my football career in Chicago."


Well I'm glad he had a nice day at least.

Where did this whole "sports people as role model" thing come from again?  I really can't see it.  I'd tell my kids to look up to Snoop Dogg before this guy.  At least Snoop can rap.

[CortJstr]

Wait, the url starts with "sports.espn" isn't that redundant? As go.com is tacked on the end as well I'm guessing they're just trying to make it as cumbersome and unmemorable as possible.

And does the phrase "restricted free agent" make sense to enough people that they don't feel the need to translate it into english?

[FlipConstantine]

And does the phrase "restricted free agent" make sense to enough people that they don't feel the need to translate it into english?

Well, I guess it means that he's free, but with s-some restrictions?

[theinevitable]

goodness gracious me.

people from NC seem to be having assault issues lately.

[Carlos del Vaca]

Not that anyone cares, but I believe "restricted free agent" means he can solicit offers from other teams, and his original team has the right to match it.  If he still goes to the other team, his old team gets a draft pick as compensation.  If you're an "unrestricted free agent," you can go anywhere you want, and screw those bastards at your old team.

[side_show]

Seriously?  Seriously?  This sounds like what happens in a highschool cafeteria.  Why is there no information on what happened to the guy they beat up?  I mean, normally there would be something in the article about the victim's current state.  WTF? I should know by now that ESPN doesn't care about geeks.

[theinevitable]

prediction:

the guy gets in trouble with The Bears. Then, he sues the geek for making him lose money. He will argue that the guy provoked him by "being a geek". All geeks will be expunged from the jury. Examples will be brought in of how annoying geeks are. He will testify about bad experiences with geeks at a young age.

this geek will pay.

[smick]

It's really bugging me that I'm not finding a lot more about this.  It's also bugging me his attitude about it.

Like he's saying he's going to be vindicated by some piece of information in his side of the story.   From this, and the AP article, it sounds less like a "fight" and more like he and a couple other guys knocked the guy over and proceeded to kick him until all the lumps went away.

[CortJstr]

prediction:

the guy gets in trouble with The Bears. Then, he sues the geek for making him lose money. He will argue that the guy provoked him by "being a geek". All geeks will be expunged from the jury. Examples will be brought in of how annoying geeks are. He will testify about bad experiences with geeks at a young age.

this geek will pay.

I predict the whole story will go away on its own. Remember that football team that was all up in the news like a year ago for the party boat incident? Ever hear any closure on that? Or any follow up whatsoever? Me either.

Actually it's quite possible that this was all over SportsNight or whatever but I don't even know what channel ESPN is.

[smick]

Actually it's quite possible that this was all over SportsNight or whatever but I don't even know what channel ESPN is.

You won't say that around a football player, if you know what's good for you.

[Carlos del Vaca]

I predict the whole story will go away on its own. Remember that football team that was all up in the news like a year ago for the party boat incident? Ever hear any closure on that? Or any follow up whatsoever? Me either.

Four Minnesota Vikings charged with misdemeanor disorderly conduct.  Thus far, one acquitted, one convicted.  No other charges because authorities couldn't conclusively identify everyone involved.  The players charged, all black, claim they are being singled out due to racism.

Their coach said he would consider "reducing playing time" for any players who behaved inappropriately.  No sign that he actually did so.  The coach was fired after the season for a variety of reasons.

The owner was furious, and instituted a revised code of conduct for the team.  He didn't actually release any players, though.  If he had, some other team probably would have picked them up.

So, behavior that might cost us regular folk our jobs, once again kind of brushed aside by the sports world. 

[FlipConstantine]

So, behavior that might cost us regular folk our jobs and our "not being in jail", once again kind of brushed aside by the sports world. 

Punched that up for you.

[robot_god]

I'm sure there are alot of athletes that are good people, with good hearts.

Some of them let the strippers keep their skin.

[Asherdan]

A lot of guys can't turn off that naked aggression switch when they step off the field. It's bad in HS, worse in college and by the time you're going pro it's your identity. It doesn't help that a dude gets maximum coddling that increases its reach with each step up the ladder.

Spend 12 years (HS, College, Avg. Pro Career) being rewarded for over compliance to a culture of maximum violence and see if it twists you a bit.

Hell, I've gotten pretty good with time. I haven't threatened a shanking in a good couple of hours.

I think the reason a lot of these dudes seems to slide is they can afford top-notch defense legal eagles. That and there's plenty of institutions and fans willing to make excuses.

[AugustWest]

I haven't threatened a shanking in a good couple of hours.

Paddlin' the school canoe?  Oh yeah, that's a shanking.