The NFL needs Gregg Williams on that wall
By Riggo Staff
As I was scouring the sports blogosphere for more information on London Fletcher’s contract situation I came across Bram Weinstein’s Me Talk Athlete which is a blog where he offers his views and opinions on various topics throughout sports. In this particular post the ESPN anchor and Maryland native does a play on the classic movie “A Few Good Men”, where substitutes the situation between Colonel Nathan Jessup and Lt. Daniel Kaffee with Gregg Williams and Roger Goodell respectively. I was inspired by the dialogue and decided to do a quick bit of photoshop to set the scene. Here is Bram’s post in it’s entirety. Enjoy!
A Few Good Men 2012 starring: Gregg Williams as Col. Nathan Jessup, Roger Goodell as Lt. Daniel Kaffee, Sean Payton as Capt. Jack Ross, The Media as Judge Julius Alexander Rudolph, Johnathan Vilma as PFC Loudon Downey, and Bram Weinstein as LT. Sam Weinberg.
In the NFL offices on Thursday April 5th
Goodell: If you gave an order that Brett Favre wasn’t to be touched, and your orders are always followed, then why would Favre be in danger? Why would it be necessary to transfer him out of the Superdome?
[Long pause]
Williams: Favre was a substandard quarterback. He was being transfered.. [Goodell interrupts]
Goodell: That’s not what you said. You said he was being transfered because he was in grave danger.
Williams: That’s correct, I-
Goodell: You said “he was in danger.” I said, ‘Grave Danger?’ You said “Is there any other kind?”
Williams: I recall what I said.
Goodell: I can have the court reporter read back to you,
Williams: I know what I said, I don’t have to have it read back to me, like I’m…
Goodell: Why the two orders?… Colonel?
Williams: Sometimes men take matters into their own hands.
Goodell: No sir. You made it clear a moment ago that your men never take matters into their own hands, your men follow orders or people die so Favre shouldn’t have been in any danger at all should he have been? Colonel?
Williams: You Snotty little bastard.
Payton: I’d like to ask for a recess.
Goodell: I’d like an answer to the question judge.
The Media: The Media will wait for an answer.
Goodell: If Johnathan Vilma gave an order that Favre wasn’t to be touched then why did he have to be transfered? Colonel? Vilma ordered the code red because that’s what told Vilma to do.
Payton: Objection.
Goodell: And when he went back, you cut those guys loose. You had all your guys sign a phony transfer..
Payton: Your honor.
Goodell: You doctored the log books. Gregg Williams, did you order the code red?
The Media: You don’t have to answer that question.
Williams: I’ll answer the question. You want answers?
Goodell: I think I’m entitled to it.
Williams: You want answers?
Goodell: I want the truth.
Williams: You can’t handle the truth! Son we live in a world that has goal lines and those goal lines need to be guarded by men with helmets. Who’s gonna do it? You?… You Bram Weinstein?.. I have a greater responsibility then you can possibly fathom. You weep for Kyle Williams and you curse the Saints. You have that luxury. You have the luxury of not knowing what I know. Favre’s bruises, while tragic, probably saved our Super Bowl hopes. And my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, wins playoff football games. You don’t want the truth because deep down in places you don’t talk about at parties, you want me on that wall. You need me on that wall. We use words like Honor, Code, Loyalty. We use these words as a backbone of a life spent defending something. You use them as a punchline. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the freedom I provide and then questions the matter by which I provide it. I would rather you just said ‘Thank you’ and went on your way. Otherwise I suggest you pick up some shoulder pads and get into the 4-3. Either way I don’t give a damn to what you think you are entitled to.
Goodell: Did you order the code red?
Williams: I did the job.
Goodell: DID YOU ORDER THE CODE RED?
Williams: YOU’RE GOD DAMN RIGHT I DID!
[Long pause]
Goodell: If it pleases the media, I suggest all documentary filmmakers be dismissed so that we can move to an immediate article 39-A session. The witness has rights.
Media: Sean Payton?
Payton: [nods]
Media: Football Fans of America, you are required to watch Oxygen or E! or VH1 until further instructed.
Williams: What the hell is this? Media-what’s going on? I did my job. I’d do it again. I’m going to get on a plane and go back to Metarie.
Media: You are not going anywhere Gregg. MP’s guard the Colonel.
Stay tuned to Riggo’s Rag for another interview with Bram on the Skins coming soon. Also, while you’re here you can follow Bram Weinstein (@BramESPN), Riggo’s Rag (@RiggosRag) and me (@KMawyer2) on twitter.