What's more important?
The NFL's Arizona Cardinals are paying their rookie quarterback Matt Leinart almost 51 million bucks over the next six years. Call me old school, but I think society puts its dough (and its thanks) in the wrong place.
Don't get me wrong. Football players work hard, but what about the cops, firefighters and teachers who don't earn jack compared to that, but do jobs that are 10 times as important?
A firefighter pulls someone out of a burning building and all the papers want to talk about is the fire. Good teachers give children an education every day, but all you hear about is when kids are shooting at each other. The only time people talk about cops is when they gripe about getting a speeding ticket.
Dave Ramsey says it's important to help other people. The next time you see a person helping someone else, thank them. Next time, it could be you that needs help.
Don't get me wrong. Football players work hard, but what about the cops, firefighters and teachers who don't earn jack compared to that, but do jobs that are 10 times as important?
A firefighter pulls someone out of a burning building and all the papers want to talk about is the fire. Good teachers give children an education every day, but all you hear about is when kids are shooting at each other. The only time people talk about cops is when they gripe about getting a speeding ticket.
Dave Ramsey says it's important to help other people. The next time you see a person helping someone else, thank them. Next time, it could be you that needs help.
4 Comments:
It's an unfortunate reality that societal significance has little impact on income... but then again, do we really want to have so many people doing those super important jobs because the pay is great?
I agree that there are some truly noble occupations out there, and the people who answer the call to do them should be paid more and held in much higher esteem.
But societal values being what they are, keep this in mind before you criticize player salaries: Football is just a game, but the NFL is a FOUR BILLION DOLLAR PER YEAR BUSINESS. I assure you that the owner of the Arizona Cardinals is not going to pay Matt Leinart, or any other player, more than they are worth. The team owner is making an investment in this player and he fully expects that investment to pay dividends.
If Matt Leinart's presence helps the Arizona Cardinals fill the stadium, sell merchandise and consistently make it to post season play, then Mr. Leinart will have earned his team (and to a lesser extent, the NFL) far more the 51 million he'll potentially earn !
Most of us could become care givers or emergency services workers if we decided to- but 99.999 percent of us could not do what Matt Leinart does for a living, period.
Less than one percent of High School Football players have what it takes to play at the college level. Less than two percent of those who go on to play in college have what it takes to play in the NFL. The average length of an NFL Quarterback's career is only 4.4 years, and when the cheering stops so does the money (for the most part).
Matt Leinart deserves his mega salary, because he will earn his team much larger mega profits. He is a uniquely talented individual, employed in an incredibly profitable industry.
Annonymous makes a great point. NFL players totally deserve what they can negotiate since the money is there. But I completely see what you are saying DEBTective.
I agree that football players work hard and are talented at what they do. However, everytime I buy a $65 ticket to an NFL game I help fuel the high wages of professional sports. I appreciate this post because it forces me to appreciate the taxes I pay that actually make it to firefighters and police officers - along with various other public service workers.
We complain about taxes but not ridiculously high ticket prices.
SIDE NOTE: Matt Leinart was a 10th pick...he's not worth his contract - yet. But kudos to him for negotiating it.
Anonymous has it spot on - as long as fans continue to pay for the tickets, the players will continue to reap the benefits.
That said, I saw a funny bumper sticker the other day..."Things will be right when schools pay teachers millions of dollars and the pro baseball team has to hold a bake sale to buy bats."
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