Marcus Mariota Doesn't Want To Sign His Rookie Contract Unless They Remove The Anti-Surfing Stipulation

Larry Brown Sports- Endzonescore.com’s Adam Grice reports that one issue for Mariota is a contract clause that would prevent the former Heisman Trophy winner from surfing. Most contracts for professional athletes prevent them from doing dangerous activities that could potentially lead to injuries, so this is nothing unusual. But it may be a sticking point for Mariota.

Mariota is from Hawaii, where surfing is a pastime. Though he has said he’s more of a bodyboarder than surfer, he still enjoys surfing and reportedly would not want to be prevented from doing it. Surfing can help a player unwind both mentally and physically, especially when dealing with such a taxing sport and spotlight, so it’s understandable why he would not want to be stopped from doing it. 


Oh Marcus you adorable, naive little Hawaiian you. I suppose a part of me does respect the fact that he thinks he has the upper hand here. Plus, it's like the first time he's shown he has an attitude in his entire life so that could bode well moving forward. Still, the chances of the Titans stinking next year, whether or not Marcus Mariota plays, are pretty good. On the other hand, the chances of Marcus Mariota making a significant amount of money playing football next year are next to none if he doesn't, oh I don't know, sign a fucking contract. That whole '#2 overall draft pick' is pretty much only worth bragging rights until it manifests itself in the form of a multi million dollar deal. I'm sure the guy loves surfing, but hell, I love pizza and I would burn Papa John at the stake for a 7 figure salary. Sure, I'm just your average, everyday schmuck, but so is Marcus Mariota if he isn't getting paid to play football. I have a novel idea. How about you 'hang ten' on Tampa in the first quarter of week one before you go making contract demands? Outperform your rookie deal and the Titans will pay you enough to buy your own ocean, never mind give a fuck what it is that you do in it.

I, by no means, think that Mariota is a dumb person, but NFL players have certainly found a proclivity towards hurting themselves in the most foolish of ways. When you combine a recreational activity that requires physical exertion with something as volatile and unpredictable as the ocean you open yourself to a world of possibilities. Hey, I'm sure surfing does provide Marcus with a release from football. I'm sure it is good for his mental health. Unfortunately for Marcus, The Tennessee Titans don't give a fuck if he's a schizophrenic sociopath as long he is tossing touchdown passes. They aren't paying him to be at ease mentally, they are paying him to perform physically. I can't remember the last time that a quarterback who lost a leg to a shark has turned around the fortunes of a franchise. With his questionable accuracy and his reliance on his athletic ability I think it might be pretty smart to have Mariota avoid the 'Blue Crush' and all the risks associated with it. Especially since their have been more shark attacks in the last 10 days than capable franchise quarterbacks in the last 10 years. 

P.S. .....Or just sign the contract, surf behind their back, and then lie about it when you inevitably get hurt like any real professional athlete would.