Well.. If this is true. Ill find another team.

[skinsfaninok]

Smootsmack: How different were the redskins than any other team you covered? Not trying to get all your info but was it more players that disgusted you or the front office?

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by skinsfaninok

Smootsmack: How different were the redskins than any other team you covered? Not trying to get all your info but was it more players that disgusted you or the front office?

Redskins were very difficult, mainly because they knew they had clout when it came to sports teams in DC. Certain players, including some I idolized growing up (who I've mentioned here) showed themselves to be less than cordial. (Others though were super nice...and now they're in jail, so make of that what you will). I've mentioned this before I believe but under Turner it was a culture of confusion and anarchy, under Marty it was basically fear, and under Spurrier it was one of aloofness with a touch of defiance. And when I'd talk to players who'd also played for other teams, they'd all tell me that really only the Redskins had this type of chaos. To be clear, this included years prior to Snyder. Lest anyone think it was all because of Snyder.

Don't get me wrong, there were many great and helpful people in the organization then. But, well look, we all want to believe that the players pour their heart and soul into the team. And we probably all realize it's naive to think so. Do you pour your heart and soul into your job every minute of the day? It's not surprising, but still a bit of a blow to find out first hand. And people I thought were role models would probably be suspended by Goodell today.

But I know this could be the case with any team. My point simply being that I grew up a Redskins fans idolizing many of their players. I was blessed with the opportunity to get a job which put me in a position to spend a lot of time with those players. Some confirmed my reason for idolizing them, others shot it down. But how they acted and treated me and others off the field really didn't affect my opinion of them as Redskins on the field. And if I can put up with that, I can put up with a 5-8 team.

But it also taught me not to go apeshit every second of the day over the Redskins.

As for specifics, I only share that info with a select few here.

As for other teams, the Wizards were a lot of fun to cover. The players were always super nice. If I had to do it all over again and pick just one team, it'd be them. Capitals I didn't deal much with, but Leonsis was just starting around that time and he was always very cordial and didn't try to alienate members of the local media, like another owner did. DC United was never any trouble at all, but no one cared. Not even me.

[Dirtbag59]

Hence the age old advice, never meet your heroes.

[BigHairedAristocrat]

Smoot, what kind of stuff did you hear back in the day? Give us some perspective

[skinsfaninok]

Sweet thanks for the info SS, thats pretty cool that you got to cover the skins man