It all starts with a tweet, and on Tuesday night, NFL EVP Troy Vincent tweeted that the league would be developing an “educational training video” teaching players how to properly celebrate.
We're developing an educational training video for players to show clear examples of appropriate and inappropriate celebrations. pic.twitter.com/3yzBxAaQuk
— Troy Vincent (@TroyVincent23) March 21, 2017
I have a couple of immediate thoughts.
- This is stupid.
- This is a waste of time.
Fortunately for me, I wasn’t alone in my thoughts.
Newly-signed Green Bay Packers tight end Martellus Bennett, one of the league’s most outspoken (and for that matter, thoughtful) players, spoke up in response to Vincent’s tweet and how inane the NFL’s thought process is.
Yea An educational training video on celebrations? Spend that money on something else like a video on investments or something that https://t.co/xabCzeRqYO
— Martellus Bennett (@MartysaurusRex) March 22, 2017
Do something impactful. Y'all wasting guys time with this shit. https://t.co/xabCzeRqYO
— Martellus Bennett (@MartysaurusRex) March 22, 2017
An educational video on appropriate celebrations. Not signing up for that class. pic.twitter.com/6oNMf5oZFM
— Martellus Bennett (@MartysaurusRex) March 22, 2017
Bennett also expanded upon his initial thoughts in a series of tweets, comparing the way the NFL and NBA promote themselves and their players. His main point was that the NFL promotes the teams rather than the players because of how much churn there is at most positions in the league.
See the NFL promotes the logos not the players. The NBA promotes its players. Big difference.
— Martellus Bennett (@MartysaurusRex) March 22, 2017
NFL knows players wont be around long so they invest all resources into the building teamlogos for longevity. That's the constant variable.
— Martellus Bennett (@MartysaurusRex) March 22, 2017
Except for the QB position. That's why they're the Face of the franchise.
— Martellus Bennett (@MartysaurusRex) March 22, 2017
NBA on the other hand they can invest in the players being the face of the entire league. Look at the advertising of both.
— Martellus Bennett (@MartysaurusRex) March 22, 2017
Bennett isn’t wrong, though the sheer amount of players in the NFL (32 rosters of 53 players each, not counting players on IR or free agents) compared to the NBA (30 rosters of 15 players) makes it easier for fans to focus on singular players in the Association.
Just for the hell of it, Bennett went after the dumb celebration video once again.
I'm going to be taking a 15 minute dump whenever we're supposed to watch this "educational" video. I can feel my stomach bubbling now
— Martellus Bennett (@MartysaurusRex) March 22, 2017
The nerve to tag the word "educational" on it. Lmfao. Y'all crazy for that. pic.twitter.com/kRDCtS78fZ
— Martellus Bennett (@MartysaurusRex) March 22, 2017
So much for the death of the “no fun league,” I guess. Who really gives a shit about how players celebrate, anyway? The NFL has more important things to worry about, like those players not dying at shockingly young ages from concussion-related injuries.