The ball has been snapped, and the 2017 NFL season is underway. With the sports industry abuzz, some of the top influencers are talking about the latest football news. As both a sports fan and someone looking for sports jobs, you have a great opportunity.
Landing a sports jobs requires networking. Will industry professionals take you seriously if you’re not in the loop?
You need to learn how to be both a fan and an enthusiastic job seeker. To look legit when you’re engaged with others, keep yourself informed.
Let’s take a look at some of the top NFL stories sports professionals are buzzing about:
Cutler In Miami
In mid-August, the Miami Dolphins quarterback, Ryan Tannehill, underwent surgery on his knee. Meanwhile, his replacement, former Chicago Bears Jay Cutler, has stepped in to kick off the 2017 season.
Many people, including Dolphins fans, are on the fence about Cutler. After NFL Insider expert Adam Schefter tweeted the breaking news on August 6th, the reaction was less than enthusiastic.
[bctt tweet=”Can Jay Cutler save the drowning Dolphins? @AdamSchefter #NFL”]
These iffy expectations are well-founded based on Cutler’s shaky performance. The Dolphins’ coach, Adam Gase, was the offensive coordinator for Chicago in 2015 when Cutler had his best passer rating and touchdown-to-interception ratio. However, his completion average was a meager 64.4.
It’ll be interesting to see if Gase and Cutler can reunite and find success together.
Excessive Celebrations
For years, players were discouraged from excessively celebrating in the endzone after scoring a touchdown. As of May 2017, the NFL announced they were finally loosening these rules.
Critics found excessive celebration penalties to be too limiting. Some even accused the NFL of being the ‘No Fun League.’ Commissioner Roger Goodell’s recent change is aimed at building better relationships with the players and the NFL Players Association (NFLPA), which tends to be rocky.
Not only does this change potentially mend fences, but it’s also more fun to watch. Former wide receiver Terrell Owens shared his support of this decision on Adam Schefter’s podcast.
In 2002, Owens famously signed a football in the endzone with a Sharpie and threw it in the stands after he caught a 37-yard pass from Jeff Garcia. He noted how touchdown celebrations give fans even more to enjoy.
This year, expect more creative group celebrations and humorous antics.
Ezekiel Elliott’s Conduct Policy Violation
Speaking of tension with the NFLPA, there’s a lot of debate surrounding the six-game suspension of Ezekiel Elliott, the running back for the Dallas Cowboys. Following their own investigation of allegations of Elliott assaulting his former girlfriend, the league determined he violated their conduct policy.
This damages not only Elliott’s image but also the image of the league. In an effort to save face, Elliott filed an appeal four days after his suspension was announced. His appeal will likely use information about Tiffany Thompson to show she is not credible.
Evidence showed that Thompson tried to use sex tapes as leverage to blackmail Elliott for money. However, Sports Illustrated Legal Analyst Michael McCann suggests that despite this news, the NFL will stand by their punishment for him.
For now, this is just a workplace policy matter. However, the damage to Elliott’s image is already done, and his six-game suspension will likely remain.
An Aging Dynasty
Let’s face it — the New England Patriots aren’t getting younger. However, despite the aging dynasty, they’re continuing to dominate the NFL.
Coming off the biggest comeback in Super Bowl history, quarterback Tom Brady is preparing for his sixteenth season as a starter. Does he still have what it takes?
Sports Illustrated’s Greg Bishop recently interviewed him and inquired about how long he expects to play. Brady continues to dedicate himself to playing until he’s at least 45 years old.
“There’s no question in my mind I’ll be able to do it,” Brady said. “I know what to do. I know how efficient I am. I know what it takes. And here’s the biggest thing: I’m willing to make the commitment. That’s important.”
His emphasis on dedication and preparation is what sets him apart from the rest. What’s more, the Patriots are favored to repeat this year.
When you’re vying for sports jobs, you need to stay informed about news and trends. The NFL season is one of the biggest aspects of the industry, so it’s important to keep up. Expand your knowledge and engage with other sports professionals to show your passion and credibility.
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