NFL vs. the economy

Apparently some people don't know the current economic state of our counrty. Either that, or Former Texas Tech wide received Michael Crabtree failed economics.

Crabtree was selected by the San Francisco 49ers with the 10th overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft when the Oakland Raiders selected Darrius Heyward-Bey seventh overall. Pre-draft talks stating Crabtree was a better receiver than Heyward-Bey, I guess, gave Crabtree the impression that he was worth more than $23.5 million ... guaranteed ... before ever catching a pass in the NFL. Oh yeah, he is willing to sit out the entire 2009 season and re-enter the draft in 2010 if he doesn't get what he wants.

I understand that NFL teams make billions of dollars each year and the players see a mere fraction of it. However, I don't think it is right for a rookie to hold out for more money without ever stepping foot on the field. If it were up to me, all rookies would be given a one-year contract. All first-round draft picks would have the same salary, all second-round draft picks would have the same salary, and so on. At the end of that first year, the players would then be able to negotiate a long-term contract based on their performance, attitude, and contributions to the team both on and off the field.

I know that in any other situation other than professional sports, a person will not have a job if they try to negotiate for more money without ever showing up to work.

On top of that, in a time when every American family is wondering if they are going to have a job when they show up to work each day and how they are going to pay the bills, there is Crabtree and other professional athletes throwing their multi-million dollar contracts in the faces of the fans. Too bad the "Cash For Clunkers" program didn't include football teams, maybe Ford could have traded in the Detroit Lions for a shiny, new, not bankrupt company.

I have an idea, rather than flaunt multi-million dollar contracts and brand new stadiums, why doesn't every NFL team have every person on the payroll -- players, coaches, front office staff, EVERYBODY -- work for minimum wage for one week. Take the savings from that week and donate it to charity or find some other positive use for it. Just think how much money could be saved if Crabtree took minimum wage for a week rather than $23.5 million.