04-16-2016, 11:47 AM
Interesting article and I have been a Zeitler fan from day one. I am really pleased that he is working so hard, and yes perhaps harder than many others. And yes, the CBA says players can't be required to do anything or even have contact with coaches at this time of year. But, let's be honest, lots of successful pros do work out on their own year round and saying, "they don't get paid for it" is kind of silly.
I mean, back in the 50's thru the mid 70's when guys drove a truck or worked as a plumber in the off season, yeah, I could see saying they weren't getting paid for anything outside the season - and they all worked other jobs to pay their bills. But with the money they make now - regardless of the schedule it is paid out on - it is just silly to say, "they aren't getting paid for..." whatever. They are getting paid just fine, and really what guys like Zeitler reflect is an awareness that jobs that pay as well as being an NFL player are few and far between and taking care of your body to prolong your career is not, "working for no pay," as the article suggests, but rather is prudently working to protect your own financial self-interest in maximizing your earning potential in a very lucrative career. Zeitler isn't a sucker for working out, as the article sort of suggests, he is smart.
I mean, back in the 50's thru the mid 70's when guys drove a truck or worked as a plumber in the off season, yeah, I could see saying they weren't getting paid for anything outside the season - and they all worked other jobs to pay their bills. But with the money they make now - regardless of the schedule it is paid out on - it is just silly to say, "they aren't getting paid for..." whatever. They are getting paid just fine, and really what guys like Zeitler reflect is an awareness that jobs that pay as well as being an NFL player are few and far between and taking care of your body to prolong your career is not, "working for no pay," as the article suggests, but rather is prudently working to protect your own financial self-interest in maximizing your earning potential in a very lucrative career. Zeitler isn't a sucker for working out, as the article sort of suggests, he is smart.
JOHN ROBERTS: From time to time in the years to come, I hope you will be treated unfairly so that you will come to know the value of justice... I wish you bad luck, again, from time to time so that you will be conscious of the role of chance in life and understand that your success is not completely deserved and that the failure of others is not completely deserved either.
