Life is easier when you live in a world that is black and white. If you see black it must mean one thing. If you see white it must mean the other.
The reality is the world is a million different shades of grey.
It was possible that Ken Edwards could have been ruled out of Rugby League for much longer than seven weeks - indeed there have been reports that the NRL wanted a much longer suspension.
Edwards' detractors will say he's a repeat offender and he's run out of chances.
Three strikes, he should be gone, they would say.
I'm personally pleased to see that the club has handed out a tough, but sensible penalty. It will hurt Edwards in the hip pocket, but more so, it will hurt him because he knows his actions will leave Parramatta short on the paddock. He'll know his actions have let down his clubs and his team mates.
But then he'll get the chance to move on, and more importantly the opportunity to keep improving himself as a young man.
It's been well documented that Edward had more than his fair share of issues as a youth/young adult, and it's been suggested that the court took into account his own troubled family environment. We must accept that's not unusual in Rugby League. Rugby League is uncompromising. It requires, and attracts, athletes who will not shy away from its tough, somewhat violent nature. Growing up on the wrong side of tracks probably prepares you better for the sport, than a privileged middle class upbringing.
So we're going to have players with baggage, who are battling their own demons.
That has to be taken into account. I'm sure we all have our personal experiences, where we've let ourselves down in one form or another, we've sworn that we would do better next time, and at some point, somewhere we relapse or make another bad decisions. Most behaviour is learned behavior and it takes time to unlearn it.
So what must be taken into account is intent. I don't know Kenny personally, but he strikes me as someone who is developing into the type of man, he expects himself to be. He's definitely made some dumb decisions, but the intent to be better is there.
I'm sure Rugby League administrators would like to see all of these scandals and controversies go away. It would probably be nice, for business and sponsorship purposes, to be a sport played by a majority of well-educated, middle-class kids. Of course, it's not. It's very much a blue collar game, and for many of those that play it, it's an outlet from other parts of their lives that may be even tougher than the game itself.
We shouldn't be embarrassed by that, because one of the things that makes me as passionate about Rugby League as I am, is because of its 'demographics' it actually does make a difference in the world. It gives kids with little too look forward to, something to look forward to. It helps kids learn discipline and respect, where their school and family systems can't or won't.
I think we're a club that recognises that. We're a club that has afforded opportunities to players with troubled pasts, but who clearly want to make their futures better. Indeed, many of those players have emerged as the clubs most authentic and genuine leaders.
None of which is to excuse footballers for doing stupid things. However, it's why as a code we do have to take seriously our "duty of care" - as Bernie Gurr put it in the Members statement - not just to help everyone involved in the game be better on the field, but off it, as well.
Replies
Very well articulated, completely agree.
Completely agree Phil. This is character and culture building at the club. We will be better served for it on and off the field in the long run.
Totally agree
But you could have had some violin music to accompany you
In my opinion this complaint made by his partner should never have made it to court. It should've been laughed out of town - end of story. The fact that it made it there is just a sad endightment on the current state of our pathetic judicial system and the power of the heavily left leaning press.
You simply can't legislate for 'ifs' or 'maybes' (like currently happens), shit will happen regardless of the law and if it does then said person is punished and the penalty has to fit the crime.
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