Thread: Matt Forte looking for 'respect'

Originally Posted by XaosGorilla

You have heard of the difference between gross and net incomes haven't you? The more $$ a person earns, the more they are taxed, and this is before anyone else gets a cut of your paycheck. Parties like unions, agents, pension plans, health care. Of the monies players earn at least 1/2 is gone before they even get their check(I'd be willing to bet that it's closer to 60%, but with out doing some illegal snooping it's impossible to be certain).

There are 1900 professional football players in the whole of the NFL. When compared to the total number of men who are of playing age, this translates out to what? .0001%? note that is one ten-thousandth of a percent. (There was something on NFLN recently that said that) The point? Not everyone can be a professional football player. Anyone here heard of supply vs. demand? There are a lot more people who can be fishermen, steel workers, construction workers, cops, firefighters, soldiers, EMT's, et cetera. (note: this doesn't mean that these people are worth less, merely that they get paid less because they are more common. Fair or not, it's just a fact.)

If you are seriously going to hate on the player for earning a few million, where is the hate for the billion dollar franchise? Or the CEO who gets paid hundreds of millions of dollars to spend 12-18 months shipping American jobs out of the country? Or the CEO of a billion dollar franchise who is getting paid more than a player is asking for in a contract? (this player need not be Forte)

Is it wrong to go to work, do a job well and expect to be paid comparably to others doing the same job just as well? I don't think so. In fact we have laws in this country that prevent employers paying a person less for the same work based on sex, creed or race. Similar pay for similar work is an accepted part of our society. If you don't agree with me, then you need to go to work and run (not walk) up to your boss and tell him you need a pay cut.

The only thing that Forte is guilty of is being one of the best running backs in the business, seeing what other running backs comparable to himself are getting paid, and wanting to get similar pay. Anyone else here been at work getting paid less than others doing the same work? Have you thought you should get paid more than the guy standing around with his thumb up his ass all day while you get the work done? If so, you are just as guilty as Forte.

I guess the difference between myself and most other posters is that I judge all sides in this situation the same, rather than saying that the Franchise is being greedy for trying to get a player signed for as little as possible, or that a player is being greedy for wanting to be paid what he is worth (or thinks he is worth). (Or that I'm being greedy for wanting to be better paid.) I look at it as both sides are engaged in business talks, and to let business be business. I don't hate on the player, or the franchise. (I will plea guilty to having my suspicions, but, in the absence of evidence, I choose not to blame)

qft

Originally Posted by The Benjamin

You know why teammates always back each other though? Because they want those teammates to back them when they want a new deal. Think they actually give a damn if he gets paid or not? Hell no. They just want to show them they are on their side (whether they really are or not) so when their time comes, that player will back them up.

Tell me, what do you think the team would be saying if say..... Cutler and Forte both needed contracts this year and they could only afford one. Think they would support each other saying... oh he needs a contract. Think the rest of the team would say a damn word and have to pick between them? Nah.... anyway... back to what I said originally

You know why teammates always back each other though? Because they want those teammates to back them when they want a new deal.

That sums it up.

Originally Posted by XaosGorilla

You have heard of the difference between gross and net incomes haven't you? The more $$ a person earns, the more they are taxed, and this is before anyone else gets a cut of your paycheck. Parties like unions, agents, pension plans, health care. Of the monies players earn at least 1/2 is gone before they even get their check(I'd be willing to bet that it's closer to 60%, but with out doing some illegal snooping it's impossible to be certain).

There are 1900 professional football players in the whole of the NFL. When compared to the total number of men who are of playing age, this translates out to what? .0001%? note that is one ten-thousandth of a percent. (There was something on NFLN recently that said that) The point? Not everyone can be a professional football player. Anyone here heard of supply vs. demand? There are a lot more people who can be fishermen, steel workers, construction workers, cops, firefighters, soldiers, EMT's, et cetera. (note: this doesn't mean that these people are worth less, merely that they get paid less because they are more common. Fair or not, it's just a fact.)

If you are seriously going to hate on the player for earning a few million, where is the hate for the billion dollar franchise? Or the CEO who gets paid hundreds of millions of dollars to spend 12-18 months shipping American jobs out of the country? Or the CEO of a billion dollar franchise who is getting paid more than a player is asking for in a contract? (this player need not be Forte)

Is it wrong to go to work, do a job well and expect to be paid comparably to others doing the same job just as well? I don't think so. In fact we have laws in this country that prevent employers paying a person less for the same work based on sex, creed or race. Similar pay for similar work is an accepted part of our society. If you don't agree with me, then you need to go to work and run (not walk) up to your boss and tell him you need a pay cut.

The only thing that Forte is guilty of is being one of the best running backs in the business, seeing what other running backs comparable to himself are getting paid, and wanting to get similar pay. Anyone else here been at work getting paid less than others doing the same work? Have you thought you should get paid more than the guy standing around with his thumb up his ass all day while you get the work done? If so, you are just as guilty as Forte.

I guess the difference between myself and most other posters is that I judge all sides in this situation the same, rather than saying that the Franchise is being greedy for trying to get a player signed for as little as possible, or that a player is being greedy for wanting to be paid what he is worth (or thinks he is worth). (Or that I'm being greedy for wanting to be better paid.) I look at it as both sides are engaged in business talks, and to let business be business. I don't hate on the player, or the franchise. (I will plea guilty to having my suspicions, but, in the absence of evidence, I choose not to blame)

If Forte is upset with the percentage he is being taxed then he has options. Like retire. Enter another line of work. Go to another country with a more favorable tax rate. Forte and many athletes like Forte, are making more than they probably ever would if they didn't play professional sports. Besides, Forte is replaceable like any other Bears player. At some point, you have to do what is right for the team if a contract will not be worked out. Holding out and not practicing with the team and getting ready for this season as a collective whole, is not a good way to endear yourself to the fans.

This whole Forte situation wouldn't even bother me if the Bears were coming off a 4-12 season and were shooting for 6 wins. But this is a team that's going to be a SB contender this year. If Forte wants to make his case for a contract extension then do it on the field by giving us 1600yds rushing and 15TDs inside the redzone. Dragging sleds and throwing a hissy fit and saying you won't report untilt he very last moment, is not going to sit very well with a lot of Bears fans because of how much is at stake.

zzzzz Forte is whining, he just needs to shut up and sign... As if any of you would turn down the oppertunity to make more money if you coud.

ya all 3 times he's spoken this past year and offseason.

Want respect, he showed up and played w/a bad hammie his whole sophmore year instead of letting it heal. And still got 1000 yards from scrimmage. How about showing up last year w/out an ext that he wanted.