Houston Texans granted work release to play Seahawks
The Seahawks play the Houston Texans Sunday. Or as Texans owner Bob McNair refers to his players, the Inmates.
In a magnanimous move, Houston Texans warden Bob McNair allowed his charges to play the Seattle Seahawks this weekend. Prisoners throughout the National Felon League rejoiced at the news.
“I think it’s great, what Warden McNair did for them,” said one NFL player who spoke only on the condition of anonymity. “Some of the owners, they’re not as open-minded as he is. I talked with one of my friends – you know, through the prison grapevine – and he heard Houston only sent three guards. Just three! Can you believe it? Didn’t even have to wear cuffs or shackles on the plane. That warden… he’s a good man,” the player murmured softly with a tear in his eye.
“For me, I think that Warden McNair is just putting on a show,” said another anonymous player. “A lot of us in other facilities really do have it pretty good. Movie night every Tuesday, time in the yard every day… shoot, we even get ice cream if we go a week without a stabbing.” He winked at this, then continued.
“Nah man, we get ice cream anyway. That Warden McNair, though… seems like he never misses a chance to remind us we’re all just cons in his system.”
What one Seahawk really said about McNair
Obviously all of the foregoing was satire. These days though, reality and satire can be almost indistinguishable. One man who always has his eye on reality is Richard Sherman. He had a lot to say about McNair.
“When you think of people in a certain way, then your analogies go along with that,” he said. “…when you think about people in a certain way, then things like that roll off your tongue effortlessly like they did.”
There have been many defenses of McNair, claiming it’s Just a common figure of speech. “You can’t let the inmates run the asylum.” Yes, that is common. I’ve used it myself frequently. You know what I’ve never said, never even heard until McNair’s comment? “We can’t have the inmates running the prison.”
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That is not a statement from someone who views players as equals. Whether you approve of some players’ protest methods or not, Bob McNair just proved their point. The protest has never been about a flag or a song. It’s about equal treatment. Warden McNair made his views crystal clear.