Kris Jenkins On His Time In Carolina, John Fox, and Playing In the NFL

[Proudiddy]

Interesting article with lots of quotables:

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/20/sports/football/kris-jenkinss-view-of-life-in-the-nfl-trenches.html?_r=2&src=dayp&pagewanted=all

I’m going to be absolutely honest with you. When I stepped into the game, I was an idiot. The issues they had with me in Carolina, some were misconstrued, some were blown out of proportion, some were spot-on. I didn’t have an issue with the game. I had an issue with trying to figure out how to live in the real world while I’m playing.

When we come into the N.F.L., we’re idiots. Because you’ve been groomed from childhood to think the rules don’t apply to you.

So this is what happens. You’re going to be warned. The first warning is the first meeting you have with an agent, when you realize this is real. My choices count at this point. I’m going to be prostituting myself for the next 18 years of my life.

That’s the first warning. The next one is that good old combine.

That’s when you realize, when you march in that room half naked, I’m a number now. They’ve changed the recruiting process to a percentage.

That’s what you are.

The third warning is when you get that contract. Most of the language in there is standardized. The gist of it is, stay in line, or else.

Your last warning is in training camp because there’s no learning curve. That’s when you realize that it all ties in together, and it will be that way as long as you’re playing.

I went through so much in Carolina, it was ridiculous. People checking up on us in clubs. Concerns with the locker room. John Fox was our coach. He was a big cliché guy. He’d say, do as I say, not as I do.

That didn’t make sense to me.

[B.BERSIN]

should we believe what an idiot says about?

[jayflip]

I'd like a counter from someone classy, like Minter or Rucker. Just to get some perspective. And also from someone fiery and passionate, like Smith.

Jenks always had a lot to say, good or bad. He never really owned up to his own manhood, and that was his one real downfall. At one point, he compared his desire to Rey Lewis'. That part made me realize the hubris Jenkins played with. Lewis never gave up on his team.

There's a reason his nickname was "big kid", and it precisely showed up in his transcript. He may have been a mountain of a man, but he never owned up to life as it came to him, and that is the measure of growing the fug up.

[rayzor]

why would they need a counter from someone? it's not like he said much about fox.

good read and a good insight into what they go through.

[grateflday]

Kris Jenkins was a beast when he was in Carolina and on the field. I was dissappointed when it didnt work out here and he moved on. I think that era and situation as it ended was good insight into the attitude the team had, wanted, etc and that choice was part of the beginning of the end of the John Fox Era. it would be nice to have some of that back on our Defense right now!!

[bleys]

should we believe what an idiot says about?

obviously someone didn't bother to read the article..

[thunderraiden]

After reading that article, its kinda funny he is gripping about him being a kinesiology major and talks about the ill effects of top-loading during weight lifting leading to leg problems... and he has 3 major knee injuries. He does have a point tho, wouldn't mind if the panthers got a full-time acupuncturist.

[Cyberjag]

Somehow I don't think the Panthers feel the need to check up on all 53 players in clubs. Just the Jenkins types need that treatment. And that ought to add a little context to the rest of his comments...

[DawgzLife]

why would they need a counter from someone? it's not like he said much about fox.

good read and a good insight into what they go through.

Razor, did you read the whole article? He took multiple jabs at the Panthers organization throughout the article.

[DawgzLife]

I'd like a counter from someone classy, like Minter or Rucker. Just to get some perspective. And also from someone fiery and passionate, like Smith.

I agree. Jenks did the same thing in the article he did in Carolina, pointed blame at others & serious issues with him were affecting the team (why would an employer who has invested multiple millions to a star player who is drinking his life away check up on him in a club? Too protect their investment AND save the life of a naive young man.)

He never really owned up to his own manhood, and that was his one real downfall. At one point, he compared his desire to Rey Lewis'. That part made me realize the hubris Jenkins played with. Lewis never gave up on his team.

Exactly.

There's a reason his nickname was "big kid", and it precisely showed up in his transcript. He may have been a mountain of a man, but he never owned up to life as it came to him, and that is the measure of growing the fug up.

I was disappointed by his potshots at the Panthers in the article. He made it sound like they were uncaring gestapo who only cared about getting him brutalized. Of the flaws Richardson has, lacking understanding &/or compassion for his players is not one of them.

Very good article & he is right on a lot of it, but the finger pointing at the PAnthers & Mangini is consistent with his continued lack of personal accountability for his choices.

Your getting paid millions & 'raised to feel the rules don't apply to you', yet you feel like a number? Come on man!

[SevenSixes]

Good article.

I don't want Kris to sugar coat it just because I'm a fan of the franchise. The truth is that these men are just that, men. They aren't super human they are athletes who have chosen a very violent sport to make their name and money in. Kris own's that, he doesn't shy away from what he's done or the choices he made.

Teams and the league need to be more proactive in the health of their players than they are in just "getting these guys on the field". I know Kris hates the changes in the rules, but I hope they are really going to help the men on the field that we cheer for. I have a great time at the games and I have a great amount of respect for every player, there's no reason for them to suffer more than they should for my applause.

[DawgzLife]

I don't want Kris to sugar coat it just because I'm a fan of the franchise...The truth is that these men are just that, men...Kris own's that, he doesn't shy away from what he's done or the choices he made.

Teams and the league need to be more proactive in the health of their players than they are in just "getting these guys on the field". I know Kris hates the changes in the rules, but I hope they are really going to help the men on the field that we cheer for. I have a great time at the games and I have a great amount of respect for every player, there's no reason for them to suffer more than they should for my applause.

Kris didn't sugar coat it, but mentions the Carolina situation & avoids taking responsibility for it, that's where I have the problem with it.

The way he explains things from being a kid to now shows how immature he still is. He says an 'ambassator' should have a voice? An ambassador is the voice for a country/profession/etc., not for yourself.

He talks about how no one cares about the players, but then about how he doesn't want Goodell to 'soften' the game...you can't ahve it both ways Jenks. Goodell (the NFL owners) are trying to protect players by fining the crap out of them, which will 'help them live longer' & all they do is complain about it.

In my opinion, he is right about how hard & physically taxing the sport is, but needs to give fans more credit than he does ('don't have a clue'). Does he have a clue about my service to my country (volunteer, training, low pay, war, etc.) where we were in the middle east & could be shot, blown to pieces or chemically attacked? People just told us what to do like 'we were numbers'. People can 'have a clue' without doing it. Most of us fans spend more time learning about the players, their careers, injuries, etc. than we do for those who protect our freedom, so please Kris, stop acting like a martyr.

I enjoyed the article, but Jenks is still Jenks. If you read closely, there were a least 4 digs at the Panthers there. He had a choice.

[Jai.]

I enjoyed it, great read.

[jasonluckydog]

It is a violent and savage game and should be outlawed.All arm chair should be ashamed. Goes for boxing also.