Money Ain`t Everything
A.J. Blazek
Friday June 8, 2001
I was going to write about a fans perception of pro athletes compared to a pro athlete`s perception of his peers. Instead, I have chosen to write about the players’ union elections coming up. This is nothing big. Like any other occupation in this great democratic country, we need security too. We’re voting on who to have represent us (the players around the entire league).
After listening to representatives from a couple different organizations, the talks always find their way to money. Sure, money is the main reason for putting these unions into place; money is also the reason most players are playing, myself included.
At the same time, all of this arguing about more money here and more money there has reminded me of why I started playing this awesome game in the first place: The camaraderie; the contact; the freedom to release all emotions in a single moment. These are the reason I play this ferocious game. These are the same simple reasons that keep me coming back every week striving to be the best at what I do.
I know a lot of players around the league read Arenafan Online. To you players, I am not saying don’t worry about the money, but I am saying remember why you started playing. I look forward to the next pay day just as much as the next player, but I will remind myself every Saturday night why exactly it is that I got into this game.
Thanks to guys like Jai Hill, Jamie McGourty, Billy Dicken, and Anthony Hutch for being daily reminders to leave everything on the field, and to have fun playing every minute. When you come to watch the Rush, watch those players and you will see pure hustle and desire on every play. They have FUN on every play and don’t worry about the money.
Everyone should do that. They should treat life like a game: Have Fun.
A.J. Blazek was a writer for ArenaFan Online during the 2001 season.
