Ndamukong Suh will become one of the NFL‘s highest paid defenders in the offseason — whether you like him or not.
The last time most of us saw Ndamukong Suh, he was standing at a podium — crying. It’s safe to say the reality of leaving the only NFL home he has ever known was setting in. I obviously can’t speak for him, but I can only assume that would be an emotional ordeal.
Ironically, it’s usually Suh who is making the rest of the football-watching world cry.
Let’s face it, unless you are a Detroit Lions fan or a die-hard Nebraska Cornhuskers fan, you probably aren’t a fan of Suh and everything you think he stands for. Some think he’s a dangerous rogue who is bad for the game.
Not me.
I’m old school. I miss the old game. I miss NFL Crunch Course highlights of Dick Butkus, Jack Lambert and Deacon Jones. I think Suh is cut from the same mold. Unfortunately, the game has evolved into something else –something different from what made it great.
Today, Ndamunkong Suh is a throwback that the modern media, fan and player has forgotten how to deal with. He is a violent and dangerous player who plays a violent and dangerous game that has recently gone out of its way to become less violent and dangerous.
Is that an excuse for his behavior at times? Probably not. It’s not like someone forgot to tell him the rules. Be that as it may, he is still must-see TV and a symbol of what the game once was — someone who myself and many from previous generations look to as a reminder of why we fell in love with football in the first place.
The truth is, Ndamukong Suh doesn’t really care if you, me or anyone likes him. This is a guy who surrounds himself with some of the most successful minds in business. This is a guy with all sorts of endorsements. This is a guy who knows how to make money.
He is about to succeed, big time, in doing so — largely because you don’t like him.
Let’s think about this for a moment. What’s the worst off-field story about Suh to be published? A traffic incident? No drugs. No guns. No domestic violence.
So we hate him for what he does on the field, yet he’s widely regarded as one of the best at what he does. Personally, I think that’s genius. Make no mistake, the NFL is a television show first. If you don’t think so, you are lying to yourself. Every great television show needs a great villain to be successful. The NFL arguably has one in its commissioner. It has one in one of its teams for everyone who is not a fan of the Cowboys. Suh fills the void as a player.
There are a lot of great defensive tackles in the league, but only Ndamukong Suh — for better or worse — is a household name. I don’t see Vince Wilfork, Geno Atkins or Sheldon Richardson all over Nike, Subway and Dick’s Sporting Goods ads on my television and magazines. I don’t see many articles written about those guys, either.
This is all part of the master plan. Suh knows it. The Lions know it and the executives from the 31 other NFL teams know it. Suh’s actions on the field are often outrageous and shocking, but rarely-if-ever do they cost his team a victory. They cost Suh money the following week — money he makes back ten-fold within days. His actions also draw eyes and coverage.
This offseason, Suh will become one of the highest paid defensive players in the league — only in part because of his defensive prowess. Wherever he goes, he’ll sell a ton of memorabilia for that team and the league (imagine the jersey sales if he signs with the Raiders!). He’ll sell tickets to those who want to see his violent circus act. He’ll draw television ratings for games that most people wouldn’t otherwise watch. He’ll be the face of his team.
This offseason — largely because you don’t like him very much — Ndamukong Suh is going to make a ridiculous amount of money. While you are crying about the things he’ll continue to do and be on the field, he’ll be crying tears of joy all the way to the bank.
Next: Where do the Lions fall on our all-time NFL franchise ranking?