Raji’s Choice

How did Lombardi phrase it?  “The three most important things in your life should be God, family and the Green Bay Packers”.  A pro football player’s life revolves around his work and team, consuming time and energy as much as any ‘workaholic’ in another field.  In March 2016 B.J.Raji surprised most everyone when he announced that he was taking a hiatus from football, putting family above team and exploring new roles away from football.

It’s notable that in his press statement he used another Lombardi quote to explain that a person has to be totally committed to his craft to make life worthwhile.  Though only 30 years old, B.J. felt that he could no longer give that total commitment – something he had been giving since his high school days.

Part of the conflict was obvious.  Both his mother and his aunt were fighting difficult illnesses and stepping away would allow him time and energy for them.  But he also indicated that he was open to new opportunities.  Did he mean that wrestling opposing lineman and smashing running backs may not be as fulfilling as it once was?

So it seems that in several ways he was feeling there was more to life than football and now was the time for a bold move to embrace whatever that meant.  We have to admire him for wanting to care for loved ones and be true to himself.

It wasn’t just a shock because his agents were actively negotiating with the Packers and were ready to close the deal.  This is the same B.J. Raji who had been ready to hit the free agent market just a couple of years ago and score the big payday.  An injury brought his market value down and he re-signed for one year hoping to hit the market again.  Then another injury and another 1 year deal.  But now he was finally healthy and still at an age when he could draw attention from multiple teams.  Yet he walked away from millions of dollars.  Perhaps he lost the desire for the big payday or perhaps the last few years moved him to ask what life would be like without football.

Now the Packers would have to build a defensive front without Raji.  What kind of impact will this have?  Both Guion and Pennel are capable of playing nose tackle but then who plays defensive end?  There are a lot of good defensive linemen in this year’s draft – did their value suddenly increase on the Packers draft board now that B.J. was out for the foreseeable future?