Matt Loede
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Former NFL tight end Martellus Bennett was in a mood to discuss the darker side of the league on Tuesday night, and he let it all out in a rant on Twitter.
Bennett, who played on five different NFL teams between 2008 to 2017, started his Twitter ramble talking about former NFL wide out and now broadcaster Brandon Marshall wanting a fight with boxing star Deontay Wilder.
The rant went on from there, as Bennett said playing pro football has made him an “angry person” and that the game itself is “dangerous.”
“Honestly football made me such an angry person, everything bothered me,” Bennett tweeted.
“Football is interesting. Psychologically it’s some really dangerous s***. To really play the game of football you have to have some f***ed up wiring in your head.
He also claimed that it brainwashes those that take the field, and he cautioned parents to be careful about who coaches their kids.
“It’s chaotic. It takes years and years of brainwashing to go along with a lot of the s***. Lol. It starts at peewee. That’s why you gotta watch who is coaching your kids and what they’re teaching them beyond the game.”
Most of these coaches aren’t good men. Most of them are egotistical small dick heroes. They love the spotlight just as much as the players. Lol. And they be dumb too. 😂
— Martellus Bennett (@MartysaurusRex) February 3, 2021
Bennett, who made the Pro Bowl as a member of the Chicago Bears in 2014 and made an estimated $20.6 million during his career, then talked about life after football. He said that is has been tough to adjust to “normal” life and to be healthy now that his career is over.
The other thing that happens is questioning if it was all worth it. When you struggle lifting up your kid. Or your mind doesn’t work right. You go broke you begin questioning if it was all worth it. And more times than not most would say no when truly being honest.
— Martellus Bennett (@MartysaurusRex) February 3, 2021
Bennett’s most successful run came during his three seasons with the Bears from 2013 to 2015. He not only made the Pro Bowl in 2014, but in those three seasons, he caught 2114 yards worth of passes and 14 touchdowns.
It will be interesting to see whether there will be any fallout or explanation from the former tight end about his tweets and whether there was a deeper meaning behind what he wrote.
@ Matt…later in his twitter feed he said…
‘Athletes experience a lot of physical and mental abuse. It’s a traumatic experience. I believe guys must find a way to deal with the physical and mental trauma after they leave the game.’
That’s probably the deeper meaning.
Get this guy some help stat!
As a Packers fan this guy was a mess as a FA signing…lockeroom lawyer, gave 50% effort, and quit when Rodgers broke his collarbone. He and his brother are weird dudes, I hope he gets some mental health help…concerned he might be dealing with CTE.
When athletes complain about their coaches and the risk of years of “brainwashing,” we’re supposed to take them seriously. When parents complain about teachers and the risk of years of indoctrination, we’re promoting conspiracy theories.
Agreed. Strange how that works.
Martellus Bennett is the rare breed that can make $21M as a young man playing a game and still find a way to play the victim card. Sort of impressive really.
I mean on the one hand he has a point about the trauma it produces…but almost everybody has to deal with trauma. We just don’t get 21 mil and NFL fame from it.
True. Although his points from an injury perspective are valid. Still yet, he didn’t turn down the money when it was offered. I also think some of the wiring is just the competitive nature of all athletes. I played every sport growing up (and still play soccer and basketball) and when you aren’t playing a lot you secretly want the other players to get in foul trouble or get slightly injured so you can get into the game.
As ARMY infantrymen, we were taught to be aggressive to the enemy. And there’s no post-war handshake. Yet, after two combat tours, somehow I have no ill will toward anyone. The men I served with have no hatred toward others. Of course there are some who do have issues, but the vast majority don’t. We had a job to do, then we went home to our families.
Obviously, I’ve never walked in his shoes, so I hope he gets help, and that what he says isn’t the norm. But there ought to be a way to play an aggressive sport aggressively, and do it without hate. I do think the money factor adds a lot more stress. Maybe we just don’t make enough in the military.
What he posted makes perfect sense. I only have girls so I’m thankful I don’t have to face this problem. If I had a son there’s no way I would let him play football today. For what? It’s not backyard ball. Real football is about as much fun as being in a car wreck…repeatedly. Or, maybe it’s because I’m a Tennessee fan that I don’t find it very fun? Hmm
My three boys all played football from grade 3 on. My middle son played at Penn and was a teammate and friend of Kevin Stefanski, Browns head coach. My boy said if he had sons he wouldn’t hesitate to let them play. He believes football teaches many good life lessons. But I’m always curious when I hear parents say they wouldn’t let their sons play football and then turn around and let them drive a car. I may be wrong about this but I bet many more teenagers die and are severed injured on the road than playing football.
Sour grapes. I bet if he was more disciplined, he would have found more joy and success in the NFL.
Sounds like buyer’s remorse.