Link to obituary.

It's amazing to think that professional athletes in the past served in the military in the middle of their careers for several years. Much is made of Pat Tillman walking away from the NFL (and it should be recognized), but in the 40's it was pretty common for players to serve despite professional status.

It's amazing to think that professional athletes in the past served in the military in the middle of their careers for several years. Much is made of Pat Tillman walking away from the NFL (and it should be recognized), but in the 40's it was pretty common for players to serve despite professional status.

Imagine a world where Lebron James takes his talents to south Helmand province.

Well, you have to put it in context.

 

These guys, while famous in their day, were not making salaries proportionate to what professional athletes today are. They were making salaries that put them above what the average American was making, but it certainly did not put them in the top 1% of American breadwinners, as today's professional athletes are.

 

Not that that takes away from their service to their country, because it does not. But it's just not the same.

Well, you have to put it in context.

 

These guys, while famous in their day, were not making salaries proportionate to what professional athletes today are. They were making salaries that put them above what the average American was making, but it certainly did not put them in the top 1% of American breadwinners, as today's professional athletes are.

 

Not that that takes away from their service to their country, because it does not. But it's just not the same.

 

There was also a fairly large war going on that didn't give some of these guys a choice. Not taking anything away from them, but it just further adds to your point that it really isn't the same.

RIP Rapid Robert . One of the last of the legends who played in the 1940's.