As we all know, a season-long NFL lockout is a definite possibility. The players union has decertified and there is presently a lockout that NFL players and fans hope will end soon. But suppose there is a season long lockout. What will players do? Luckily for the NFL, I have a few ideas.
1. Chad Ochocinco (Johnson?): Reality TV show about his life without football.
Ochocinco will not be playing in the MLS. No self-respecting soccer coach would play him. However, Chad has recently had a presence in the reality TV circuit. He starred in his own romance based reality competition, “Ochocinco: The Ultimate Catch.” He has also appeared as a guest on others. Chad can not pitch another romantic competition show, as he is engaged to another reality star, Basketball Wives’ Evelyn Lozada. Here’s another option. What about a show detailing their lives together? It keeps him paid, keeps her paid, and both of them on TV. In the end, they both just want the attention.
2.Tom Brady: Stay at home dad.
Let’s be honest: Gisele wears the pants in this relationship. Remember when Brady was growing his hair and got into the fight with Randy Moss? That was all Gisele, and it makes sense. She makes more money than he does, and without the stability of the NFL and the new sizeable contract he just signed, that is not changing any time soon. Gisele is sure to demand that Tom stay at home with their son and raise him, while she acts as the breadwinner. Maybe she’ll let his baby momma, Bridget Moynahan, get in on the action.
3. James Laurinaitis: WWE wrestler.
He may not be the most popular player in the league, but give Laurinaitis a little WWE publicity and he’ll blow up. Luckily for him, Laurinaitis’ family practically is the WWE. His dad is a former wrestler, Animal, from the tag team duo The Road Warriors. His uncle is the VP of talent relations. The guy has the body and the family connections, so why not? He has talked about joining the family business in the past, and with unemployment looming, the WWE sounds like a better option than playing pickup football with Sam Bradford for a year.
4. Ray Lewis: Coach.
In all honesty, Lewis does not have many years left. I give him two, maybe, before he retires. However, he is one of the best defensive players in the league. Why not start imparting his knowledge of the game now? Here’s how it should play out. Ray Lewis starts coaching some young, talented small town high school football team, away from city life. Then, people remember he was in a murder case (it was dropped) and the town turns against him. In the end, he proves to be above this blemish and leads the team to a state championship and–here’s the best bit– teaches the kids to believe in themselves. That would make a great hallmark movie.
5. Randy Moss and Brett Favre: Forced retirement.
Anyone who watched the last NFL season can understand. Moss and Favre were bad on the field and difficult to deal with in the locker room. No need for further explanation.
Leave a comment with your ideas of what players could do with the free time and keep track of lockout developments (and the NFL draft) on nfl.com.
