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(New York, NY) – As someone who grew up listening to Mike and the Mad Dog, I can connect most moments in sports to a rant I once heard while tuned in to sports talk radio.
And the most recent NFL drama grabbing headlines – in which Chiefs WR Mecole Hardman became (officially) the 1,003,075th player to publicly bash the New York Jets (while acting like its edgy) is no exception to the Mike and Dog theory.
Because what Hardman is alleged to have done last season, while still employed by the Jets, is a cardinal sin.
To quote dog, “off the team? Kick him out of the LEAGUE!” Of course, back then Christopher Russo was referring to since-retired defensive back and long rap sheet aficionado Pacman Jones. But the sentiment certainly applies here. Jets players Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner and Kenny Yeboah, responding to Hardman’s critical comments made during a podcast appearance, implied something very serious. Apparently, there are allegations that Hardman leaked the Jets game plan to the opposition. Not once, but twice.
Reports are emerging suggesting that Hardman, angry with the Jets because he was asked to return punts while dealing with a sore finger, and frustrated with his lack of usage in the offensive game plan – leaked the team’s weekly installment to the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs. And it’s worth noting Hardman went on to play for the Chiefs last year (after originally being drafted by them) so he’d theoretically have ample ability to converse with the opposition and send them information.
No good deed goes unpunished, of course. The Jets graciously granted Hardman’s trade request in late October – perhaps unaware of the possibility and allegations surrounding leaked game plans. It’s also funny that the Jets beat the Eagles – whether or not the game plan was leaked – and soon-to-be departed QB Zach Wilson played the best game of his season against the Chiefs.
Let’s also get the butt-covering text out of the way: there’s no way to know at this point whether Hardman truly did what has been alleged, or if it’s just more mud slinging after the Chiefs’ WR badmouthed Gang Green. So let’s just say that right now it’s a big if. If Hardman did truly leak his team’s gameplans to opposing players, it’s a wrap.
Off the team? Suspend him? The league! Kick him out of the league! Thank you Mad Dog, I needed the inspiration. And perhaps NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell will be faced with the need to make a decision, if there’s anything more than smoke to these rumors. Yet if its found Hardman did this, he’s gotta go. Maybe the XFL-USFL merger will give him a second chance.
Once more, let’s go to the archives and quote Mr. Russo: “HAVE SOME GUTS COMMISSIONER GOODELL. HAVE SOME GUTS! SHOW SOME GUTS! A LITTLE GUTS HERE! GUTS!”
If we were in the car, listening to the radio, we’d be nodding.
