The quarterback is widely adored on and off the field. Whether he deserves the public spotlight is another question
Throughout the NFL’s history, we’ve had our fair share of clown princes. Not too long ago, Rob Gronkowski was the league’s court jester. That history extends back, through Pat McAfee and Chad Ochocinco, past Jared Allen and John Randle to Jim McMahon, Steve McMichael, John Riggins, Alex Karras and Billy “White Shoes” Johnson.
There’s probably something deeply insightful to say about the need for goofballs in a sport characterized by militarized order and a seriousness that borders on self-parody, but what’s important now is how we reflect on these chosen merrymakers.