Andrews Wasn’t Faking But Needs More Surgery

The opinion arm of our local sports media gets another black-eye for destroying the reputation of an innocent man. 

I was in on the humiliation of Shawn Andrews earlier, until I was reminded of a friend of mine who had undergone back surgery and never recovered.

I remembered how buffed my friend was, yet I remembered how he had become so totally incompacitated from a back operation.

I sat down and talked to Andrews for about fifteen minutes one afternoon at the Nova Care complex earlier during the preseason and I believed him when he told me about how much he wanted to play football next to his brother.

He had said it was a dream of his and that he would do everything he could to see that dream come true.

I believed him and realized that we were probably roasting a guy who was hurt and not faking.

Andrews has been tarred and feathered for being a coward and thief, who could play if he wanted to, but had decided to just steal money from the Eagles.

Now that Bob Brookover of Philly.comn is reporting that Shawn Andrews needs to have more back surgery will anybody step up and apologize for destroying his reputation.

I think we in the media should make an effort to be fair.  We haven’t been fair to Andrews.

Guys have made a big deal about him putting videos on YouTube.  So what the dude is a young black dude in his twenties, he’s not old, white guy in his 30’s, 40’s or 50’s.  He likes rap, so what.

Would he be a better player if he listened to rock, folk, pop, grunge, alternative rock or techno?

Maybe it’s because too many players are painted as being lazy thieves who don’t really give their best effort, when the truth is ninety percent or more of the guys in the NFL are hardworking guys who have more courage than 99% of the guys in the country.

I’m harder than anybody if a guy is stealing and not being a professional, but if a guy is hurt then he’s hurt.

Regardless of his music tastes, Shawn Andrews is hurt.

Brookover talked to Andrews’ agent Rich Moran and the player’s representative said they took some extensive x-rays of Andrews last week and saw that he will need additional and more extensive surgery.

“He didn’t want a second back surgery,” the agent said. “But he wants to play football and get healthy. Shawn wants to do everything he possibly can to come back.”

I take my hat to Brookover for the report and will wait and see if any apologies will come Andrews’ way.