Should Bryant be immediately welcomed back into the “Killer B’s”?
Something really rubbed me the wrong way recently. I took a few hours to cool off, but now I’d like to address what it was.
With no disrespect to any fans or players, I’d like to take a minute and air my position on welcoming back WR Martavis Bryant with open arms into the “Killer Bee’s” of Big Ben, Antonio Brown and Le’Veon Bell.
First, I am going to use a phrase that has stuck with me being raised Episcopal: there is “No Cheap Grace”.
What does that mean exactly? To quote the church:
Cheap Grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, without church discipline, communion without confession, absolution without confession, etc.
It’s like saying “because of who I am I should get special consideration, regardless of the impact it had”.
Let’s review Martavis Bryant’s apology following the league’s announcement of his year-long suspension last year:
I sincerely apologize to the Rooney family, the great Pittsburgh Steelers organization, coach Mike Tomlin, general manager Kevin Colbert, my teammates and all of the outstanding Steelers fans and, of course, my mother and children for what happened.
I regret that my actions led to this punishment from the NFL and that I won’t be able to play football this year. I’m committed to making this right and realizing my full potential, on and off the field. I will spend this year devoting myself to improvement mentally, physically and spiritually to become the best Martavis Bryant I can be.
I look forward to resuming my NFL career next year, and I promise to come back strong. Playing in the NFL is a privilege that I respect and my future actions will reflect just how seriously I take this game and the honor that it is to be a part of this league.
Now, I understand that Martavis has spent his banishment from the league coaching high school football and working out like a maniac to come back better than ever. He appears to be sincere in devoting himself to improvement.
However, we have yet to see or hear about his attitude going forward. Will there be a sense of entitlement because of what he has done to physically and mentally ready himself to play a game that pays him millions of dollars?
In other words: is Bryant going to be easily welcomed back into what we’ve collectively called the “Killer B’s”?
There has been a glaring hole on the Steelers offense which might not have existed if Bryant were on the straight and narrow. It could be said that Bryant’s absence the past two seasons has contributed to the Steelers not playing in a Super Bowl. In 2015, perhaps Pittsburgh isn’t a traveling to Cincinnati to play in a Wild Card game decided by a last-minute turnover and bone-headed penalties by the Bengals. Maybe the Steelers don’t have to travel to New England, or if they do, they are more equipped to play at Gillette Stadium with Bryant on the field.
Am I happy Bryant is back?
Yes. Strictly from an offensive weapons point of view, of course. We all are and would be foolish not to think that way. But when I see Bryant already referred to as one of the “Killer B’s”, an elite group that has gotten Pittsburgh to the Divisional round and the AFC Championship two seasons in a row without him, it makes me annoyed that a more deserving player like Chris Boswell is not included in that conversation instead.
Jokingly some include Boz as one of the “B’s”. But Boz has made history as a young kicker over the past two seasons. He single-handedly helped the team beat the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Divisional playoff last season with a playoff record six field goals. All of our points that game were from Boswell, who hasn’t had any controversy surround him.
So why is he left out?
Now you may ask, what about Le’Veon Bell, who also missed time for a second policy violation?
I think Bell’s situation is more complicated, as details have been scarce but what is known is that Bell didn’t “fail” a second drug test, but instead missed a test (which counts as a failure according to league rules). Bryant had missed several tests which display more guilt than an honest mistake. Steelers Nation was (and still is) tough on Bell for his shortcomings, but he got back on the field and worked his way into being a part of that elite group.
Bryant has some work to do, and for me, I’d like to hear an apology before he takes the field. Reassure us of those things you said last year and show us that the game is bigger than the player; that it is about the team first. Martavis owes the fans at least that much, as Pittsburgh has some of the most passionate followers who spend their time and money to support the team and players. We have supported Bryant’s recovery and return. I support his recovery and return. But we need to know it’s for real this time.
And to be a trusted member of the “Killer B’s”?
I would like to see Bryant earn it, instead of expecting “Cheap Grace” because he happens to run faster now.
I wonder if I asked Martavis what he would say?
Based on his social media posts… that would be an interesting question. But it appears he wants to earn back what he has lost.
All I ask is that we hold off giving him a label until he does.
