There's lack of discipline and acting like a professional athlete should -- and then there's just flat-out being ridiculous. Dominic Raiola, the long time center for the Detroit Lions, would seem to fall into the latter category.
It's one thing for any athlete to have a lapse of judgment and do something stupid. After all, they're people too. I dare say most folks have done a thing or two in their lifetimes that they immediately regretted. It happens. Of course, this general rule doesn't apply to everybody. A case in point would be yours truly. A guy named Mac Davis once even dedicated a song to me. You've probably heard it.
Oh Lord, it's hard to be humble, when you're perfect in every way....
But I digress. Back to Raiola.
Sure, 13 years getting beat up in the trenches for a historic sad-sack team like the Lions would take it's toll on anybody. Even going back to his college days at Nebraska, Raiola has been a career loser. The Cornhuskers won the national title the year before Dominic showed up, and haven't done squat since.
But none of that excuses some of his actions as a professional. He's supposed to know better.
Raiola was fined $15,000 in 2010 after yelling obcenities and flipping off Miami Dolphin fans as he left the field. Incredibly, this was after a Lions rare road win.
He got popped for another $7,500 for doing much the same thing to the crowd in attendance at Ford Field after they had lost a game to the Vikings. Whoever heard of trashing your OWN fans?
It flew under the radar, but yours truly knows of a young lady that was in attendance with a couple of her girlfriends at last year's Thanksgiving day game against the Houston Texans -- which the Lions lost in overtime. They had front row seats. After botching yet another game they should have won -- boos were raining down from the stands as the players exited the field. An hour or so later when we all hooked up for Thanksgiving dinner at her mom's house, the young-uns related the story of how Raiola had screamed a few more "f" words, accompanied by the same hand gesture in their direction as well. Definitely not cool, much less professional.
And now it's been revealed that the ever-lovable Dominic had some "inappropriate contact" with -- believe it or not -- a college marching band while the Lions were once again getting trashed in Green Bay by the Packers. The University of Wisconsin was likely thrilled to have their marching band providing entertainment at Lambeau Field during halftime, and whatever else bands do during the course of an NFL game.
Were the tuba, trumpet, and trombone players rooting for the Packers in their spare time? Probably. When it comes to NFL football, nobody -- and I mean NOBODY -- is more loyal to their team than the people of Wisconsin. There are currently over 100,000 people on the waiting list for Packer season tickets. It's not unusual in Green Bay and other Wisconsin cities to place a newborn baby's name on the waiting list as soon as the ink has dried on the birth certificate. Estimated time of wait? The Packers' front office recently said about 30 years. This is serious loyalty.
Nevertheless, Raiola somehow found a way to throw a few not-so-nice verbals at the Wisconsin band. Trashing a band? Really?
Of course, the usual lawyer prepared statement was issued by the Lions for yet another of Dominic's off-the-wall antics. Something about -- after investigating the situation and consulting with Dominic, we are pleased he has taken ownership .... wrong and unacceptable... not reflective of the standard of behavior expected within our organization..... etc, etc, ad nauseum.
Yours truly suspects Raiola couldn't prepare a statement like that himself if he was locked in a library for a month with a couple tutors to help guide him. Who's kidding who here? The dude's not only a life-long loser, but a loud-mouthed loose cannon spinning around who's next shot could land anywhere.
Naturally, there was only one thing for Dominic to do. Besides the Lions issuing yet another statement that said Raiola apologized, though no official word from him yet -- and don't hold your breath on that ever happening -- it's been reported that Dominic will make a "significant" donation to the Wisconsin marching band to atone for his crass behavior. Gee, that's nice, but pretty much business as usual amongst wealthy offenders when it comes to such things. If caught -- throw money at it to make it go away.
Yours truly wouldn't be a bit surprised if the amount of Raiola's "largesse" to innocent college kids that he offended comes with a stipulation that it never be made public.
My guess would be maybe 10 grand. That's a lot of money to most people. But Raiola's making over $3,000,000 this year. Ten thousand to him would be like an average working man or woman giving a homeless person on the street a few bucks after they spit on them.
Definitely NOT cool, but that's the way it seems to work sometimes amongst those that have WAY too many dollars and no sense, and continue to think they can go along their merry entitled ways doing whatever they damn well feel like.
If I was Roger Goodell, he being an habitual offender, I'd slap Raiola with a million dollar fine for his latest crude behavior. A full third of his gross income this year. Now that would not only likely get Dominic to straighten up his act -- but would certainly get the attention of other players that might ever contemplate the same sort of foolishness in the future.
Athletes such as Raiola are professionals. The fans in attendance, be it at home or on the road, paid big bucks for their seats and have every right to cheer and/or boo as they see fit. Players are not -- repeat NOT -- supposed to interact with these fans -- particularly in highly disrespectful ways.
But messing with a marching band is just way over the top.
The loosest of cannons.
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