*** DOLPHINS NEWS ***
Sep 05, 1999: -- Parmalee Released --
The Sun-Sentinel announced yesterday that the Dolphins have
released veteran running back Bernie Parmalee. If true, that would
end an 8 year football career with the Dolphins.
Parmalee started his career in Miami as a UPS driver and was a
walk-on player for the Dolphins, starting in 1992. Through sheer guts
and determination, Parmalee worked his way up to lead the Dolphins in
rushing in 1994 and 1995.
Parmalee averaged 4.0 yard per carry in 1994 in 216 carries
for 868 yards. In 1995, he averaged 3.7 yards per carry on 236
carries for 878 yards, despite running on an injured knee for the last
part of the season.
Since JJ came to town, Bernie has been primarily a special
teams player, although he has played backup at running back and
fullback for the team. For the past two years, Parmalee has been the
captain or co-captain of the Dolphins' special teams.
My Comments:
The reason I'm writing this single article about the release
of one player on this weekend where several hundred NFL players will
end their NFL careers is that Bernie Parmalee represents both the best
and the worst of what the National Football League is about.
On the one hand, Bernie Parmalee was the poster boy for
opportunity in the league. He turned talent and drive into an NFL
career without being drafted or even wanted very much.
On the other hand, he is now the latest victim of the
combination of owner's greed, NFL leadership arrogance and NFL Player
Association incompetence. That's where the 53 man roster limit, the
current state of free agency and the salary cap come from.
In the late 60's and early 70's, the Pittsburgh Steelers kept
Rocky Bleier on the roster when he couldn't play football to save his
life. Eventually, he became as important to the team as any person in
the Steeler's organization.
Today, Rocky Bleier would not make a team in this league.
Nobody could afford to keep him on the roster.
Today, Bernie Parmalee is unemployed.
But Lawrence Philips has a job.
Now, tell me again about what a great game football is,
because today, I seem to have forgotten.
Related Info:
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Curt Fennell,
curt@phins.com, DOLFAN in New Rochelle (almost)
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