Brandon Pettigrew hopes we'll forgive him for being an undisciplined, easily rattled hot head
December 07, 2011Brandon Pettigew is quite remorseful for his shoving a referee during the Saints loss, helping to cement the Lions' reputation as undisciplined loose cannon penalty magnets who lose composure when an opponent looks at them cross-eyed. All taking place in front of a national TV audience and an appalled NBC broadcasting team.
In face, Pettigrew is so remorseful, he felt the need to issue an apology to pretty much everyone.
What in the Hell was Pettigrew thinking...if he was thinking at all?
“I want to sincerely apologize to my teammates, my coaches, the Lions organization, fans and the NFL for my actions during the game on Sunday,” Pettigrew said Tuesday. “In the heat of competition, I allowed my emotions to get the best me. I know better and my unintentional mistake cost my team.”
Apology accepted. Please don't do it again, as the Lions' fan base won't be near as willing to forgive if these silly personal foul antics continue.
An apology is all well and good, but it still doesn't excuse Pettigrew's actions.
The NFL book on the Lions is set in stone. If you provoke them, they get stupid. The Saints did their damnedest to rile up the Lions' emotions at every opportunity, knowing players like Pettigrew would respond with malice in mind. As always, the player who retaliates is the one who is penalized...as we saw numerous times Sunday night.
The lack of self-control fans witnessed against the Saints has been going on for years...No, decades. It's why this franchise lost getting the benefit of the doubt long ago.
What even more frustrating is there is a very simple solution to the Lions getting nailed for after the whistle extra-curriculars. Suck it up, walk away, turn the other cheek. Then point at the scoreboard when you win.
Problem solved.
