De’Vondre Campbell isn’t the first player to quit on his team and walk off the field.
Actually, he’s not the first this month. Twelve days ago, Ravens receiver Diontae Johnson refused to play in a game against the Eagles. He was suspended for one game for conduct detrimental to the team.
Ten years ago, Steelers running back LeGarrette Blount did what Campbell did last night. Blount walked off the field during a game. The Steelers cut him the next day.
And Blount got the last laugh. He landed with the Patriots, and he won a Super Bowl. (Along the way, he scored three touchdowns in the #DeflateGate game, a 45-7 thrashing of the Colts.)
Blount later attributed his behavior to the failure of offensive coordinator Todd Haley to play him.
“Probably didn’t do it in the most ethical way,” Blount told 93.7 The Fan in Pittsburgh. “Everyone gets to a point where respect goes a long way. Whenever you respect someone, it goes a long way. When I’m going to Todd and asking him, ‘What is going on, why am I not playing?’ You are telling me we are going to make sure we get you in there. We are going to make sure we put this together for you. Then I go out there and have zero carries.”
Blount pointed out that he left the field while the Steelers were in victory formation. Still, he wanted out — and he got what he wanted.
Campbell has yet to give his side of the story for his refusal to play last night. At a time when fans and media are more sensitive to player mental health than ever before, it would be prudent to hear him out before labeling him as a traitor or a double agent or whatever.
Maybe those shoes fit. But we should be willing to at least hear what he has to say about assuming the worst. Regardless of whether it looks that way, and just might be that way.
