Just ‘activated’ that link . . .
Interesting - he’s a conductor with Norfolk Southern, and has been since he was cut by the Jets back on Sept. 4th. Apparently he wants to stay with the railroad because it’s more stable and has better long-term prospects than going back to the NFL, which would be for only a few weeks. He’s motivated by taking care of / supporting his family, as his father is disabled and can’t work.
A candid ‘one-on-one’ interview and comparison of the railroad workplace with the NFL would be interesting, I think . . . [:-^] Maybe he should talk with zugmann here, too . . . [:-,]
Thanks for posting that link, zardoz.
- Paul North.
I’m not the guy to talk to…
trust me.
Cut by the Jets…didn’t look like his career in the NFL was all that promising anyway…but if there was a glimmer of hope he might regret his decision later… Probably could get a job…even a railroad job anytime…but a shot at a career in the NHL?..once in a lifetime…
ooops…meant NFL…not NHL
Gotta respect a man who hedges his bets and puts his priorities in order.
I have to wonder who actually gets to spend more time with his family during a given time period: A Class 1 conductor (who basically works a swing shift, particularly guys with lower seniority) or a starting player in the NFL (who has half the year off and regular mid -week days off during the season)?
I would think that it was not time with the family but a continuous (steady) source of income for the family that was the tipping factor.
A career in the NFL would pay less than a conductor’s salary…really? I thought those NFL guys make the mega bucks…
I belive the lowest an NFL player can make a year is like $400,000 or something.
But he said he would be playing for only “a few weeks”. Even if that $400,000 is for only a 16-week season or so (to make the math easy), 4 weeks is only $100,000, if that - and no guarantees about being signed up again next year, at any rate. So he might be back to ‘conductoring’ anyway - in that event, why risk losing his seniority or place in the training class, or whatever, for what could be just his last short-term ‘fling’ with the NFL ?
- Paul North.
Still…hard to pass up an opportunity of a lifetime. I would go fo it…can always find a “job” later.
Two of my wife’s nephews recently (2005) graduated from college, jobs were hard to find, and a year or so later landed jobs that paid what a degree should be worth.
The unemployment rate, probably higher than that provided by the ‘guvmint’, attests to the prospects of finding a ‘paying’ job.
True enough…but lots of jobs are going begging because people can’t be found. Heavy equipment mechanics…other trades people of all kinds are in short supply everywhere…even in this economy. College educated people in certain fields are in demand as well…engineers for example. The railroads appear to hiring too…trucking industry is always in hire mode…
At last…somebody with a level head on his shoulders and half a brain!
The pay isn’t that great…
I think he’ll end up regretting his decision.
That’s the problem…only half a brain… [bow]
If I were in his position, I’d be holding out for a multiyear “pay me even if you cut me” type of contract. Having several years of the league minimum in the bank while looking for another railroad job would be a nice cushion. I suspect the Jets would decide their playoff chances aren’t good enough to meet my price – despite their current record of 9 - 3.
I think you’re all overlooking the obvious-
This is the perfect set up for some cheesy reality TV Vshow.
!http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-basic/popcorn.gif
According to the NFL’s Collective Bargaining Agreement, the minimum for 2010 is $325K. If he gets 4 games out of 16 he gets $81250, which is likely to be more than he gets in an entire year on the railroad. Plus, if he is decent, he might get a longer contract with the Jets or next year with another team. While ihis concern for his family makes for a nice human interest story, thinking logically, it sounds like a no brainer.