08/31/22 I’ll have to think about this Gruden thing. – Radically Rational

08/31/22 I’ll have to think about this Gruden thing.

Nothing is more hazardous to an NFL player’s career than making too much money.

There was evidence aplenty on Tuesday’s cutdown deadline. Just for example, veteran Marlon Mack is out as the Texans’ RB-1. Rookie Dameon Pierce is in. “That’s the way….of the (NFL) world…”

I don’t fully understand why it took the 49ers so long to figure it out. Yes, keeping Jimmy G on a reduced contract makes all the sense in the world. Always did. And I will promise you this moved played very well in the ‘Niners’ locker room.

Oh, Tuesday marked the first day of Deshaun Watson’s suspension. He can have no further contact with the Browns until November 14.

Gruden says he’s a “good person,” despite the racist, homophobic and misogynistic emails. Hmmm. I’ll have to think about this. I do believe in second chances. I’ll get back to you.

We too often forget that pro athletes are human, and subject to the same stresses we all are. Clippers guard John Wall says dealing with a torn Achilles and the deaths of family members during the height of the pandemic drove him to the brink of suicide. Peace to you, John. Peace to everybody.

Cameron Smith’s decision to join the Murderous Saudi Blood Money Sportswashing Tour is the most significant defection yet, IMO.

Football coaches often reference “adversity.” Sometimes that means a bad streak of sprained ankles. Or sometimes it means having no water. Pulling and praying for Deion Sanders and his Jackson State program. “Crisis mode,” indeed.

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Paul's Bio

I clearly have the attention span of your median fruit fly.Look! Airplane!

Sorry. I’m back.

It’s both a curse and a blessing. I’ve never bought this stuff about, “He who dies with the most toys wins.” But I do think that a wide range of life experiences helps us grow as people, and helps us better relate to other people. I’ve been fortunate. And I am beyond grateful.

I show up on time. I go like hell. I’m a good listener. I hold myself accountable. I own my mistakes. And I have a natural and an insatiable curiosity. I’m never afraid to say, “I don’t know,” when I don’t. But then I try to find out.

The flip side is I’m a lousy ballroom dancer and my clothes sometimes fit me funny.

Stuff matters to me. I care. But while I take that stuff seriously, I try hard to never take myself seriously. As a result, I have sometimes been told, “Paul, it’s hard to tell when you’re serious and when you’re just having some fun. Which is it? Serious or fun?”

My answer is “yes.” But I think that is a legitimate criticism. I promise I’m going to work on that.

This has been the quickest and strangest half-century I’ve ever experienced. During that period, I’ve been afforded amazing opportunities in news and sports journalism across all platforms. I have taught wonderful students at the high school and collegiate level. Always, I learned more from them than they did from me. I’ve been a high school administrator. I spent ten seasons as a high school varsity football coach. I’ve been an advertising executive. I’ve hosted nationally syndicated television entertainment shows. In maybe the biggest honor I ever received, I was selected by NASA to be “Chet The Astronaut” for the “Land The Shuttle” simulator at Space Center Houston. (All I can say there, is “Do as I say, not as I do.” I put that thing in the Everglades more often than not.) Most recently, I just wrapped up a decade as a television news director, during which time our teams distinguished themselves in holding the powerful accountable, achieving both critical and ratings success.

What does all that mean? It means I am profoundly grateful. It also means I’m ready for “next.” So here we are. Radically Rational. It’s an idea I woke up with in 2017. I scribbled “Radically Rational” on a piece of notebook paper and used a magnet to stick it on our refrigerator. I saw it every day, and it just would not leave me alone.

I am second in charge at Radically Rational, LLC. My wife, Jo (also known as BB), is the president. Clearly, I have failed in my attempt to sleep my way to the top of this organization.

I hope you will learn that I’m loyal as a Labrador. But I will admit that this doggie can bite every now and then. My promise to you? I will show up on time. I will go like hell. I will listen to you earnestly and attentively. I will hold myself accountable. I will never be the least bit hesitant to say, “I don’t know,” when I don’t.

But then I’ll try to find out. Let’s do it.