Silent Warriors

49ers Frank Gore celebrating with his olinemen

Offensive line is a unique position that is played by unique individuals.  What makes the position so special isn't the unselfish personality that is required to play it but the level of selfishness that is required to be good at it. You may want to read that last sentence over because it's a complete oxymoron that has to be properly digested.  The complexity of it sounds like something you would find in a fortune cookie but in reality it's quite simple.

     In today's world of athletics the game is driven more by ego than by true passion.  The 'business" of football is clearly evident at the Pop Warner level and only balloons into a monstrosity of a reality the higher a player ascends  the football ladder.  Kids at an early age are put on the football conveyor belt as soon as they show a level of promise that can be exploited.  I know that "exploited" is a bit harsh but let's not mince words here and face the realities for what they are.  These young athletes experience a level of coddling that isn't nuturing to the psyche of the athlete but inadvertently feeds the inner T.O. we all battle suppressing.  At a young age, the developing mind isn't fully able to understand the career landmines that are being planted on his road to stardom because we all want to feel appreciated for what we do regardless of the potential consequences. 

      Offensive line is the position that rarely enjoys the fruits of the athletic conveyor belt. Remember, I am referring to the "business" side of football.  When you look up and spot athletic commericals, how often do you see an offensive lineman as the focal point of said commercials?  The answer is as close to never as the letter n. I know you're wondering why, please allow me to explain.  Every position on the football field after offensive line has a system in place that can be monetized.  The secondary and wideout positions can sell speed which in turn can sell a lot of shoes.  We have all been trained to view the grit and grind of football to be represented by defensive stalwarts like Butkus, Singletary, Lewis and Green.  The grace of the game can be viewed through the lense of Sanders, Payton and Sayers.  Football isn't a game that is played by unintelligent brutes, we know this because of great players like Marino, Manning, Brady and Starr.  If you notice, there isn't a single player I noted that had their first name mentioned but you know exactly who i'm referring to.  This is how we have been raised to view the many layers of the athletically and emotionally complex game of football.  How we view the game is how the game is sold to us. What "value" has been derived from the offensive line position?  The answer is as close the none as the letter n. Since there isn't any percieved value there isn't a need for the big guys to be on the conveyor belt. While all of their peers are being carried off into the sunset with plans of being featured in major athletic commericals, the olinemen sit quietly by and enjoy the fruits of their labor without as much as a groan. Now you understand why an unselfish personality is they key ingredient to being an offensive lineman. 

       Well my back is getting sore so i'll explain later why selfishness is a required element to be good at the position:)