Why is the story of Joe Burrow’s wrist so important? Is it merely because the Bengals didn’t follow NFL protocol in reporting an injury? And it’s Joe Burrow? Who needs to know about the injury? Why is it so critical that an investigation take place and people get to the bottom of this?
In my cynicism, I can’t help but think that it’s more about informing the millions who bet on games and who have turned fantasy leagues into an alternate universe, taking these as seriously as the players do the actual contests on the field. And even if this isn’t the reason, the whole wagering/fantasy league piece of the NFL experience seems overwrought and unworthy of such affiliation. The players should not be beholden to any of these peripheral interests.
Betting on games? All the warnings and 800 numbers and speed-talking disclaimers in the world won’t keep people from placing bets when they don’t have the money, or maybe even preventing a player on the field in a certain situation from throwing an intentionally errant pass, or giving up on a tackle.
Bottom line—who needs to know about Joe Burrow’s potential injury—the teams themselves, or the cadre of wagering concerns and fantasy football leeches hitching a ride on the NFL gravy train? Looks like the answer might be “Yes.”
3 Cents' 