D-Bowe’s No No … Weekend Cup O’Chiefs
Me thinks it’s going to be a long weekend for Dwayne Bowe.
I’m sure his phone has blown up with calls, texts and messages from teammates, both former and current. Not sure if D-Bowe does e-mail. If he does, then that mail box figures to be full. Some folks who play and played with him might seek him out for a little face-to-face.
All because he fumbled twice on the same play, or in Bowe’s case he dropped the same ball twice. He broke the age old “code-of-the-road” and the long-time axiom about what is said and done in the locker room, stays in the locker room.
Let’s make sure we understand what’s important in this little soap opera, because some fans and the pundit class have lost perspective on this matter. What Bowe said and what he says his teammates did on a road trip during the 2007 season did not break any laws and may not have actually broken any team rules.
The NFL is not going to investigate this matter and the Chiefs are not going to take any overt disciplinary action against Bowe. This is not about anything more than a young man unable to control his mouth, speaking out of turn and possibly exposing locker room secrets. This happened three years ago, and the people in charge of the Chiefs were elsewhere when it supposedly went down.
We know only what Bowe told ESPN the Magazine. It’s on page No. 94 of the edition dated May 31, 2010. In a fluffy three-page story about athletes and their road trip stories, the writer Eddie Matz quotes Bowe as saying this:
“My rookie year, we were playing in San Diego. You hear stories about groupies hanging out in hotel lobbies, but some of my teammates had it set up so there was a girl in every room. The older guys get on My Space and Facebook a week before we got to a city; when a pretty one writes back they arrange to fly her in three or four days in advance. They call it importing.
“Younger guys don’t have the money to do it. Anyway, these girls had the whole top floor. They know everything about us – first and last names, sisters and brothers, salary. This one girl was talking to me like she’d known me for years. ‘Hey D-Bowe, how’s Grandma?’ I’m like ‘How do you know my Grandma?’ She knew that I talk about her every time I’m interviewed for a story. I told her I had a girl friend, but she didn’t care. She was wearing my jersey, sitting in my lap, making it look like we knew each other. Then she took a picture and put it on Facebook. That almost got me in trouble.”
OK, where to start with this fantasy, and that’s what I believe the bulk of this is, a Dwayne Bowe fantasy.
Let’s start with the idea that professional athletes hook up with women while they are on the road. That’s true. They also hook up while they are at home, while they are out of the country, while they are in the country, during the day, at night.
None of this should come as a shock; it hasn’t since the July 1970 publication of Ball Four, Jim Bouton’s diary of his 1969 season where he pitched for the expansion Seattle Pilots.
Bouton told all the stories of baseball players of that time, including the drinking, the pill taking (greenies or uppers), the skirt chasing, the peeping tom incidents and a host of other adventures. He tells a story on himself, remembering a Hollywood party on an off day where he ended up stripping to his underwear to the theme song of the movie Lawrence of Arabia and then treading water in a swimming pool with a martini in each hand.
He also writes at length about baseball players sexual escapades on the road. “Baseball players are young, reasonably attractive and have more money than most men their age,” Bouton wrote, although he allowed that they were not the best dates. “We prefer wham, bam thank-you-ma’am affairs.”
Ball Four outed baseball players 40 years ago. I’ve been hanging around professional sports and the NFL in particular for the last 34 years and the athletes are just as young, just as loaded and just as randy as they were then. We know the stories of superstars of a by-gone era like Babe Ruth. This stuff does happen.
Have Chiefs players “imported” women on road trips? Absolutely. I have witnessed it and talked to a player or two over the years about the idea. It happened in the 1980s. It happened in the 1990s. And it happened in the 2000s. I have traveled and stayed in the team’s hotel in all of those decades. There were places where the lobby was filled with fans to see the team, and there were times when you could hear a pin drop in the lobby.
What Bowe says he experienced in his rookie season is not groundbreaking, if he really experienced it. The whole story sounds like a giant fish tale with obvious embellishments.
Let’s take the idea that these imported women “had the whole top floor” of the team’s hotel in San Diego. That would have been the La Jolla Hyatt and there’s absolutely no way that the players could have taken over the entire top floor. The only way they could have put together a block of rooms that size would have been through the team, and I can guarantee you the Chiefs would not have done that. Generally the team helped players get rooms here or there for family members who might live in that city or area, but not a whole floor.
Bowe is quoted as saying “there was a girl in every room.” That’s an obvious exaggeration. Were some players looking to get laid on their two-night trip to San Diego? Sure. Was it the majority of the team? No way.
He talked about how his teammates flew in these women “three or four days in advance.” Are you kidding me? Anybody that’s dealt with players and money will tell you that putting up a woman in a luxury hotel for five or six nights, when the player himself was there for only two nights is just not believable. It’s laughable in fact.
The history of football is filled with players and their adventures and sometimes misadventures while on road trips. Remember Eugene Robinson, safety for the Atlanta Falcons who was arrested for soliciting a prostitute the night before the Super Bowl in Miami. In his autobiography, Lawrence Taylor said he would send prostitutes to the rooms of visiting players the night before games at the Meadowlands. There are other examples that we could list for many bytes.
If Dwayne Bowe wanted to talk about the actions he took on road trips that would have been stupid, but ultimately would have harmed only him.
But what Bowe has done is added to an already thick profile as an immature, unreliable teammate, prone to questionable decisions. When he was flagged by the NFL for violating the league’s performance enhancing drug policy last year, Bowe threw his own Grandmother under the bus, saying it was some of her pills that she sent him to help lose weight that didn’t pass muster with the league.
This current mess cannot be swept under the rug. Todd Haley told a national radio show that he had a conversation with Bowe on this subject Wednesday evening. As always, the head coach kept the details of that talk private. There’s nothing that Haley and Scott Pioli need to do on this matter, and there’s no action the NFL needs to take. But there are several actions that Dwayne Bowe needs to do and do immediately.
First, he needs to publicly apologize to his teammates on the 2007 team. Second, he needs to speak to the entire 2010 Chiefs team and tell them he knows he broke the code of a team and that it will never happen again. But more importantly, he needs to speak directly to Brodie Croyle, Kolby Smith, Rudy Niswanger, Brian Waters, Tamba Hali, Derrick Johnson, Jon McGraw, Jarrad Page, Dustin Colquitt, Casey Wiegmann and Ron Edwards. Those are the remaining players on the Chiefs roster that were part of that road trip to San Diego in September 2007. He needs to apologize to them and their wives or significant others. Bowe need to come clean with his exaggerations, if not outright lies.
What he did in opening his yap was not illegal. It was just wrong and if the only person he hurt was himself, it would quickly be forgotten.
But that’s not the case. Other people have been injured here and it’s time for Dwayne Bowe to man up and face the issue head on.
ZACH THOMAS OFFICIALLY HANGS’EM UP
He was with the Chiefs for a cup of coffee at this time last year. Zach Thomas made an immediate impression on the guys he worked with on defense in OTAs and in the club’s strength and conditioning program. Remember, he showed up in Kansas City on Easter Sunday and the next day completed Todd Haley’s conditioning test, something many of the other Chiefs were having trouble getting done.
But Thomas never made it out of training camp. Why remains a mystery and something the Chiefs have never publicly addressed. But he worked in the rehab area of the practice field in River Falls, Wisconsin with his right thigh bandaged (quad or hamstring). It’s also become known that Thomas was dealing with post-concussion syndrome.
Thomas was released before the regular season and he did not play in the NFL last year. However, he did file a grievance against the Chiefs and that action remains in the league pipeline. Thomas wants to be paid for the 2009 season.
But he also discovered in his season away that the time had come to retire and he did that officially on Thursday in Miami, where he signed a one-day contract with the Dolphins team that brought him into the NFL as a fifth-round choice in the 1996 NFL Draft out of Texas Tech.
He ended up playing 14 seasons, 12 of those with the Dolphins and two more with Dallas. He was named to seven Pro Bowls and was part of the NFL’s All-Decade team for the 2000s.
“I had to quit being in denial,” Thomas said at a press conference. “Now it’s time to turn the page … There was one thing I’m good at. Now it’s time to see if there’s anything else I’m good at.”
While Thomas said he would like to one day get into coaching or scouting, he’s going to enjoy life as a husband to Maritza and a father to his four-month old son Christian Zachary.
“I cherished every moment that I had,” Thomas said. “Even when I was sore, tired, I didn’t want to get that mentality of wishing I wasn’t there. There were so many people that would’ve traded places with you. I kept reminding myself of that.
“I feel like that’s what really kept me going, because this is a game, and to have it as a job is the best thing in the world.”
NFL PERSONNEL FILE/MAY 20
- BEARS – signed 6th-round draft choice QB Dan LeFevour to a 4-year contract; signed G Vince Vance, a 6-6, 315-pound undrafted rookie out of Georgia where he played guard and tackle.
- DOLPHINS – LB Zach Thomas signed and then retired as an NFL player.
- 49ERS – signed 6th-round draft choice WR Kyle Williams to a 4-year contract for $1,860,000, with a $79,400 signing bonus – Williams is the son of Chicago White Sox GM Kenny Williams; promoted Trent Baalke to vice president of player personnel – he was the team’s director of player personnel.
- RAVENS – RFA WR Mark Clayton signed his tender offer – a $1,809,000 contract – he’s recovering from shoulder surgery; RFA CB Fabian Washington signed his tender offer – a $1,809,000 contract; RFA P Sam Koch signed his tender offer – a $1,750,000 contract.
Poor dumb DBowe! All i can figure is he must have the best tasting foot in KC. That’s the only thing that would explain his propensity to keep putting it in his mouth. It’s time for him to shut up and put up or for the Chiefs to turn the page. I hope the young man grows up and realizes his potential but not sure the odds are in his favor. I’m guessing it’s a good thing the sports writers and tin throats are
always on their best behavior on the road, eh Bob?
Excuse me! My expectations are a team is on the job in a road trip. Your job should be “to win the game!” (Right Herm?) Within your home do what you want to do. This is another example of Boys will be boys. I would like to see a poll of Chiefs fans about wether they believe these activities are appropriate for a team to be focused to win a road game.
Somehow, the likelihood that anything remotely approaching the lascivious nature of D Bowe’s tale would take place under the current regime seems nil. His grandmother should take him to the wood shed.
Zach Thomas is reminiscent of KC’s Dave Szott, although didn’t play for as long as Thomas.
Good post, Bob.
Blamed it on Grandma! I had no idea those were the circumstances. He is a 24 or 25 year old guy who is one you would be a little disappointed in if he were your brother inlaw let alone your top wide reciever on your pro squad.
(They were from Grandma guys she wouldn’t send me anything that could be potentially on the list of band substances that is just under a mile long.) Even if it were the case how could she know its not her responsibility. (It was Grandma’s fault she didn’t read the list before she gave me the pills.) If he would have said that he deserves getting punched in the mouth.
I really hope this is not an ice burg tip waiting to expose a giant mountain hiding under the water (D-Bowe Burg) that will sink our teams new found credibility now that Larry is in Washington.
I personally have cut Dwayne a break for his drops because he makes up for it with spectacular plays, but if he’s an idiot I say we trade him before he becomes an eye sore. I do have to say I hope it works out because I think he has enough talent to be up there with Calvin Johnson, Andre Johnson and maybe even Fitz
Bowe would make an excellant out side linebacker , might catch a few more passes !
When I think of Bowe , I always remenber the time the ball went through his hands on an onside kick , we lost .
Is there a pill you can take that makes you like your team more than yourself ?
I think Bowe is what he is. I do not see an upside but if he is good enough for you or the team then keep him. I do not see a breakout for him. Down the road, the Chiefs will address the need of WR and Bowe will be gone. I do not see him getting another contract from the Chiefs. We will all move on.
Excellent story today, Bob. And a lot more believable than DBowe’s version of things. It will be interesting to see if he can “mend fences” with the guys. And get down to the business of playing ball…and improving his play.
And a note to Zach Thomas:
There is another thing you’re good at…screwing over an NFL team. Because that is exactly what he did to the Chiefs. He was “done” before he came here, and he knew it full well. And now he expects to be paid for the season? That’s a freakin’ joke.
I absolutely agree with J Lloyd’s major reminiscence about Bowe: the time he misplayed the Chargers’ onside kick, thus allowing them to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. What is forgotten is that not too long before that, when the Chiefs could have put the game away, Bowe caught a 3rd down pass and casually went out of bounds without even trying to get to the 1st down marker. The tv camera then showed him laughing about it. Yet another great 1st-round selection by the Chiefs!
“…but if he’s an idiot I say we trade him before he becomes an eye sore.”
If?
One bonus comment regarding Mr. Bowe – now that he’s done this, he probably should ensure he watches his back from now on, because there are a lot of players in the league who are very talented, but also very powerful and “not nice” people. He has succeeded (very likely) in gaining some fresh enemies thanks to his brilliant comments.
As I read it , Bowe is going to see all the playing time he want’s .
As long as he never , ever drop’s ONE .
He can say anything he wants , so what ——-
Zach Thomas…regardless of the whole grievance deal…there’s a guy who came out of college from Texas Tech…made a truckload of tackles in college – did nothing but make plays…was obviously a great player but didn’t have the right measurables according to his combine workouts…and became a star in this league.
I think on the next road trip the entire team should sneak into Bowe’s room while he is sleeping and give him the Full Metal Jacket “soap bar in the towel” treatment.
Mr. Bowe will certainly mature from this whale of a story whether he likes it or not. The story itself is not all that damning, hanging out with your pals & embellishing a few things is great for a few laughs, but telling it to a ESPN reporter is another matter. I believe he has told this story many times over the years & keeps adding sugar each time he repeats it. Solely for the reaction it receives. Classic Immaturity 101 nothing more, nothing less.
He obviously had no intentions of harming anyone, but he has. He probably can’t even remember the true details of that San Diego trip.
The coming days & weeks will determine how he handles it. Let us all hope he becomes the man & leaves his boyish behavior behind him. We have all told a few tales, not unlike Mr. Bowe or our very own Grandpas… Some things just aren’t very funny after all.
Go Chiefs.
Bowe was already among the group of young KC players entering a critical year for their careers with the team. Even more so now. This is it for the D-Bowe show.
jimbo->
I do not recall laughing outloud so hard as while noting the sugar coated ..
“Classic Immaturity 101″
Andre Johnson —> Mr. Bowe
He is going to pick up 6 million this year / 5 years left on his contract , and then what , 10 million for 3 or 4 .
Dude can buy his own hotel!
oh well what was is said, what is done is done. If players get in trouble by this story they shouldn’t have done something wrong in the first place, this is whats wrong with america today, the person that tells the story is the one who is wrong, not the one who actually committed the crime (well, not a crime, but if you have to hide it from your wife I guess it would be a crime)…
Congratulations to Zach, it’s ashame that he was finished before he got here, the chiefs could have actually used him more this year then Vrabel…
And it’s dumb to say that he screwed over an NFL team, I dont know how he did that I actually believe that Pioli and Haley screwed themselves, they couldn’t tell from watching Thomas last year that he was done?
Mad Chief
On Zach Thomas I think he and Drew Rosenhaus teamed up and said yah lets go do it to the Chiefs and thats exactly what they did. I dont think he ever intended on playing a down with K.C. because Miami was closing the door on him and he wanted one more year of bread.
D-Bowe might want to take note of who is in the secondary and at LB when he runs routes over the middle of the field in St. Joe if this ticked off any of the above mentioned defenders…
Bob’s right. Nothing new here. Immature athletes have been a fixture in America for over a hundred years…
I don’t think Thomas targeted the Chiefs specifically. But, we were the only team desperate enough to sign him. I don’t begrudge him that he couldn’t play last year…but that he KNEW he couldn’t play last year. Dude never made it out of training camp, “rehabbed” the whole time he was here, and was suffering from post-concussion syndrome. So why in the hell should the Chiefs be on the hook for his entire 2009 salary?
So arrowhead1978, I’ll revise what I originally said. Thomas hasn’t “screwed over an NFL team”…but with the grievance he’s filed trying to collect his salary for a season he didn’t play, he’s damn sure trying to.
Mad, I know what your saying, but the chiefs should have never brought him to KC in the first place. Don’t they evaluate players during the season or watch what happened the season before? I mean anyone who follows football knew that Thomas was done in Dallas. It’s like the teams who keep signing Donte Stallworth, he hasn’t had a full season since he left New Orleans 4-5 years ago, plus since then he really hasn’t been that great except for the year he was with the eagles and he played in only half of their games, but there is always that sucker team who will sign him for the what if factor, which really doesn’t make much sense to me.
Chiefs beat San Diego… in San Diego… in 2007.
I’m just sayin’.
dwayne bowes days as a chiefs are numbered
D-Bowe is a knucklehead. That is not a crime. It is kind of like somebody who is never going to be rich voting republican.
More like anyone who actually has something voting democrat…..just saying.
arrowhead1978 says:
“…but there is always that sucker team who will sign him for the what if factor, which really doesn’t make much sense to me.”
Very true. And if the football gods are willing, we won’t be one of those teams anymore…that signs pretty much anyone in hopes of an “upgrade”. Desperation is a real bitch.
Bob your story has made more sense than either Bowe’s story or any other. Besides apologizing to current and former teammates he also owes Hunt, Pioli, and Haley an apology as well. The focus should be on what happenning now and not some issue from 2007. Hopefully, he learns from this matter because if not it doesn’t matter if he’s with the Chiefs or not he will not be trusted by any team. He needs to work on how to be a better receiver, teammate, and person both on and off the field.
I have been to 4-5 away games at the team hotel every year since 2000.
there were times where you could literally hear a pin drop…other times(03) it was a zoo…
but the La Jolla Hyatt, I happened to be there that night, and at the game the next day. I remember always seeing warfield/allen drunk after meetings, but I never, ever, saw loads of women heading to a top floor(I was on the regency club floor, just a floor below)
he just shouldnt talk about it either way honestly…and if you feel the need to clear the air, dont involve the team or any of its players via insinuating
DA-BOWE SHOW GOT TO GO-GO. Right or wrong he lost all cred in the NFL. No one will block for him and I bet we see some high passes over the middle exposing a few ribs! Trade him to the Bengals.
I think he would make a good outside LB .
All you have to do , is tell him not to go for interceptions , then get a safty to cover his back , on out pattern’s , because all he will want to do is ball hawk and might do good .
Just think , he won’t have to dodge hard hit’s .
cbh1011 says:
Chiefs beat San Diego… in San Diego… in 2007.
I’m just sayin’.
And Bowe had a great game! It is that time of year when everyone tends to make a big deal out of nothing.
Not sure I would criticize Zach. We don’t know what he was told (promised) nor do we know the wording of his contract or the exact nature of his grievance. I agree that he should have never been signed in the first place and I don’t feel one bit sorry for the Chiefs on this one. Zach was a special player though.
Bowe you broke what stays in the lockeroom code . Man I would not want to be you in practice or playing on Sunday. You lost respect for some of your teamates. And the guys throughout the league on breaking the code. Good Luck Man you are going to need it.
If a receiver steps out of bounds after a catch ,or starts dropping balls , this points clearly to the high level of fear he has .
He needs to change to defence where he makes the hit’s!
Owe’s the team a lot .
[...] you could feign righteous indignation. That’s the path my man Gretz decided to bravely tread. He just can’t believe Bowe [...]