Byron Leftwich - JackAss of the week September 28th, 2005 - October 5th, 2005

Mike · September 28th, 2005, 10:04 AM

Jacksonville quarterback Byron Leftwich apologized Monday for his actions against Indianapolis and vowed to play against the New York Jets despite a strained groin muscle.

Leftwich was caught on camera directing two obscene gestures toward Colts defensive line coach John Teerlinck during the Jaguars' 10-3 loss Sunday.

The incident started when Leftwich told officials they missed a late hit near the Indianapolis bench in the third quarter. Teerlinck rushed to the edge of the sideline and began yelling at Leftwich. The quarterback responded with two obscene gestures that each could result in a $5,000 fine because they were caught on camera.

"I made a mistake. I have to deal with it," Leftwich said. "I hate that I did it because I got caught on TV. But in the heat of battle, sometimes you do things. Maybe a little child was sitting there watching the game and saw that. That's the only bad part of it.

"You've got so many people watching you and looking up to you. But you're just not thinking about that at a time like that. You're in the heat of battle. I didn't start it. Things were said, things were done toward my way. I just returned the favor."

Leftwich said he spent an hour trying to explain his actions to his mother, who left a message on his cell phone during the game.

"There was no explaining it," he said. "It felt like it was the right thing to do. I just disliked what he said. Everybody knows I wouldn't just do that. There was a reason behind it. Maybe I shouldn't have done it, but there was a reason behind it."

Leftwich declined to disclose exactly what Teerlinck said.

Teerlinck refused comment Sunday. Colts coach Tony Dungy said he was unaware exactly what happened until much later.

"I didn't quite get the gist of it until after the game," Dungy said Monday. "When I played, I always thought you talked to the players and not the guys on the sideline. I'm sure Byron wishes he hadn't done that. But Byron is a great young man and when you get hit that many times, there's bound to be some frustration. It's unfortunate it was caught on TV. But I don't think there's any hard feelings between our teams."

Leftwich said he hoped the league doesn't fine him for his actions.

"If Janet Jackson can do what she did, I hope I can get away with this one," he said.

Not likely.

League rules mandate discipline for "obscene gestures or other actions construed as being in poor taste." A fine for the first offense under those guidelines is $5,000.

Denver Broncos quarterback Jake Plummer was fined $5,000 in December for making an obscene gesture toward fans.

Receiver Randy Moss was fined $10,000 in January for pretending to pull down his pants and moon the Green Bay crowd during Minnesota's playoff win.

The obscene gestures were the least of Leftwich's worries against the Colts. He was sacked six times and under a heavy rush all day.

Leftwich injured his groin when he was bent backward near the goal line late in the game. He went down awkwardly and lay on the ground in pain for a few moments before hobbling off the field.

"That could have been ugly," Leftwich said after watching the play for the first time. "That could have been it for a while."

Backup David Garrard immediately began to warm up on the sideline, but Leftwich returned for the final drive.

Leftwich had tests Monday and said the results had not been completed. But he said the injury would not prevent him from playing Sunday at the Jets.

"I plan to play," he said. "I'll be OK. Everybody wants to put the blame and the fault on the offensive line. I'm not one of those guys that's going to do that. I know my guys went out and played hard.

"In the game of football, sometimes you get hit. It's no different than any other team or any other quarterback. I got hit a little bit, but now we're going to trying to find a way to beat the Jets."

BtownJay · September 28th, 2005, 10:22 AM

A jackass for giving the bird to some guy who is yelling at you? Hardly.

KP · September 28th, 2005, 10:36 AM

Yeah, I guess it's no big deal to do that kind of thing to other people when kids are watching all over the place....

ssigman · September 28th, 2005, 10:42 AM

its a finger, what makes the middle one worse than any of the other ones?

Rusty27 · September 28th, 2005, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KP

Yeah, I guess it's no big deal to do that kind of thing to other people when kids are watching all over the place....

Byron admitted he made a mistake and regrets it.Turn on any prime time
network sitcom,and kids are exposed to foul language,sexual situations and violence far worse in my mind.Flipping the middle finger is something most kids are exposed to at a young age at school.No apologies from the networks who would show much more if they could get away with it,kids or no kids watching.What he did was wrong,but his comments afterwards take him off the hook for jackass of the week in my mind.I forgive him 100%.

KP · September 28th, 2005, 11:47 AM

Well, for my next excuse....we don't want to overuse Palmeiro; using Bonds would be upset the Rant Daddy and I didn't want to do that so close to the Rant Trip; we needed some variety for the JAOTW and hadn't used a NFL player yet.

Rusty, you gotta be lovin' life after your Vols came back against LSU like they did!

BtownJay · September 28th, 2005, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KP

Yeah, I guess it's no big deal to do that kind of thing to other people when kids are watching all over the place....

LOL!

I agree with Rusty. Also, you put these men in violent, stressful situations and you expect them to act like saints? I know I for one wouldn't have apoligized. Like Rusty said, there is MUCH worse on tv on a regular basis.

KP · September 28th, 2005, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BtownJay

LOL!

I agree with Rusty. Also, you put these men in violent, stressful situations and you expect them to act like saints? I know I for one wouldn't have apoligized. Like Rusty said, there is MUCH worse on tv on a regular basis.

Okay, here's the point I've never understood. It's the same, to me, as the Ron Artest situation. Athletes are expected to keep their cool during the game and during the play. But as soon as the play ends or the situation involves a referee or a fan, the excuse is that they are under intense pressure. As a QB, Leftwich needs to be able to control his emotions more than any other player. But, it's okay to "go off" on an opposing coach?

BtownJay · September 28th, 2005, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KP

Okay, here's the point I've never understood. It's the same, to me, as the Ron Artest situation. Athletes are expected to keep their cool during the game and during the play. But as soon as the play ends or the situation involves a referee or a fan, the excuse is that they are under intense pressure. As a QB, Leftwich needs to be able to control his emotions more than any other player. But, it's okay to "go off" on an opposing coach?

Same as the Artest situation? Can you reach any futher? He gave a coach the finger... IMO, that is not letting your emotions go at all. This stuff happens all the time... you see players pushing and shoving after plays all the time... that is worse IMO than showing a finger to someone.

Rusty27 · September 28th, 2005, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KP

Okay, here's the point I've never understood. It's the same, to me, as the Ron Artest situation. Athletes are expected to keep their cool during the game and during the play. But as soon as the play ends or the situation involves a referee or a fan, the excuse is that they are under intense pressure. As a QB, Leftwich needs to be able to control his emotions more than any other player. But, it's okay to "go off" on an opposing coach?

Not OK at all.It's all about if the person is genuinely regretfull for his actions and will probably not let it happen again.
which it appears Byron is.Now he is still responsible for the consequences
of those actions in the form of fines most likely.Also,the mistake he made is one we all make at times.We all will lose our temper no matter how hard we try.

September 28th, 2005, 10:04 AM	#1
Mike MFIC ™ Join Date: 07-08-2002 Location: Dallas, Texas Posts: 10,862 Tournaments Joined: 0 Tournament Wins: 0	Byron Leftwich - JackAss of the week September 28th, 2005 - October 5th, 2005 Jacksonville quarterback Byron Leftwich apologized Monday for his actions against Indianapolis and vowed to play against the New York Jets despite a strained groin muscle. Leftwich was caught on camera directing two obscene gestures toward Colts defensive line coach John Teerlinck during the Jaguars' 10-3 loss Sunday. The incident started when Leftwich told officials they missed a late hit near the Indianapolis bench in the third quarter. Teerlinck rushed to the edge of the sideline and began yelling at Leftwich. The quarterback responded with two obscene gestures that each could result in a $5,000 fine because they were caught on camera. "I made a mistake. I have to deal with it," Leftwich said. "I hate that I did it because I got caught on TV. But in the heat of battle, sometimes you do things. Maybe a little child was sitting there watching the game and saw that. That's the only bad part of it. "You've got so many people watching you and looking up to you. But you're just not thinking about that at a time like that. You're in the heat of battle. I didn't start it. Things were said, things were done toward my way. I just returned the favor." Leftwich said he spent an hour trying to explain his actions to his mother, who left a message on his cell phone during the game. "There was no explaining it," he said. "It felt like it was the right thing to do. I just disliked what he said. Everybody knows I wouldn't just do that. There was a reason behind it. Maybe I shouldn't have done it, but there was a reason behind it." Leftwich declined to disclose exactly what Teerlinck said. Teerlinck refused comment Sunday. Colts coach Tony Dungy said he was unaware exactly what happened until much later. "I didn't quite get the gist of it until after the game," Dungy said Monday. "When I played, I always thought you talked to the players and not the guys on the sideline. I'm sure Byron wishes he hadn't done that. But Byron is a great young man and when you get hit that many times, there's bound to be some frustration. It's unfortunate it was caught on TV. But I don't think there's any hard feelings between our teams." Leftwich said he hoped the league doesn't fine him for his actions. "If Janet Jackson can do what she did, I hope I can get away with this one," he said. Not likely. League rules mandate discipline for "obscene gestures or other actions construed as being in poor taste." A fine for the first offense under those guidelines is $5,000. Denver Broncos quarterback Jake Plummer was fined $5,000 in December for making an obscene gesture toward fans. Receiver Randy Moss was fined $10,000 in January for pretending to pull down his pants and moon the Green Bay crowd during Minnesota's playoff win. The obscene gestures were the least of Leftwich's worries against the Colts. He was sacked six times and under a heavy rush all day. Leftwich injured his groin when he was bent backward near the goal line late in the game. He went down awkwardly and lay on the ground in pain for a few moments before hobbling off the field. "That could have been ugly," Leftwich said after watching the play for the first time. "That could have been it for a while." Backup David Garrard immediately began to warm up on the sideline, but Leftwich returned for the final drive. Leftwich had tests Monday and said the results had not been completed. But he said the injury would not prevent him from playing Sunday at the Jets. "I plan to play," he said. "I'll be OK. Everybody wants to put the blame and the fault on the offensive line. I'm not one of those guys that's going to do that. I know my guys went out and played hard. "In the game of football, sometimes you get hit. It's no different than any other team or any other quarterback. I got hit a little bit, but now we're going to trying to find a way to beat the Jets."

September 28th, 2005, 10:36 AM	#3
KP blank Join Date: 07-08-2002 Posts: 1,988 Tournaments Joined: 0 Tournament Wins: 0	Yeah, I guess it's no big deal to do that kind of thing to other people when kids are watching all over the place.... __________________ It's a RANT DADDY world.....and we're all just livin' in it!

September 28th, 2005, 11:47 AM	#6
KP blank Join Date: 07-08-2002 Posts: 1,988 Tournaments Joined: 0 Tournament Wins: 0	Well, for my next excuse....we don't want to overuse Palmeiro; using Bonds would be upset the Rant Daddy and I didn't want to do that so close to the Rant Trip; we needed some variety for the JAOTW and hadn't used a NFL player yet. Rusty, you gotta be lovin' life after your Vols came back against LSU like they did! __________________ It's a RANT DADDY world.....and we're all just livin' in it!