Douchebaggery just seems to follow Bill Romanowski around. He was the NFL’s dirtiest player for years, and now, as the coach of a youth football team in California, he’s involved in a controversy concerning the dirty play of a 12-year-old, and his reaction to it. It may cost him his position as coach.
And the first thing that I’m wondering is … who the fuck let Bill Romanowski coach a youth football team? Who was coaching the other team, Rae Carruth? Todd Marinovich’s dad?
I’m all for second chances for everyone, but I’m sorry, when you build a career out of exhibiting a complete lack of class and sportsmanship on the football field, you do not get to be the guy entrusted to teach those things to kids.
But I digress… that isn’t the issue on the table. He is a head coach, we’ll just have to deal with it… and here’s what happened: Romanowski’s team was playing against another team that included a particularly rambunctious little bastard. Romo’s kids kept coming back to the sideline with scratches on their neck, cuts and bruises… the player even spit in JJ Stokes’ face. Romanowski confronted the other coach, and told him what his player was doing, and asked the coach to try to keep the game clean.
Then later, the same kid leg whipped another of Romo’s kids, and Romanowski, being an expert on recognizing dirty play, went out onto the field to check on his player. In the process, he also told the junior Romanowski out there, “Buddy, I warned your coach at halftime this kind of stuff doesn’t belong out here. You hurt my kid.”
This is the first time I’ve ever said this, and it will likely be the last, but … I don’t think Romanowski didn’t anything wrong here. I wouldn’t even describe it as inappropriate. In fact, I feel like it would’ve been irresponsible fo him not to say something to the kid.
If it scared the hell out of the boy, good. He was playing dirty, and it’s the responsibility of coaches and adults to put a stop to it. If the other coach won’t do it, then someone has to… even if that someone is Bill fucking Romanowski. The kid is 12 years old, not 5, and if he’s old enough to try to intentionally hurt other players, he’s old enough to have a steroid abuser scare the hell out of him.
Some parents and some administrators, though, had a problem with Romo’s running onto the field and confronting the player. The athletic director at the middle school says that Romanowski will be barred from the field when the two teams play again.
I’d argue that if anyone‘s going to be barred, it should be the coach who’s letting his player do this. He was aware of it, Romanowski told him politely about it once, and the kid kept doing it. That’s on the coach. If he can’t control his own player, either by lecturing him or benching him, then he is the irresponsible coach. And if you’re coaching in a league that includes Bill Romanowski, and you earn the title of the most irresponsible coach in the league, then you’ve got some serious problems.
The Fan's Attic
Silly MJD, Carruth is still in jail…he only coaches in the penal league…haha…penal.
September 28, 2006 at 1:07 am
wolf blitzer
bill romanowski needs to seriously stop fouling dwayne wade
September 28, 2006 at 2:23 am
Ron
I’m surprised Romo didn’t go roid rage and give the kid a flying Zidane headbutt or something. You know, really teach him how to play dirty by example.
September 28, 2006 at 2:23 am
23
If I was that kid, I woulda looked him square in the face and said “You’re my hero! Teach me to spit in hiss face for next time, will ya Coach? Please?”
September 28, 2006 at 2:29 am
Jay Miller
I can’t believe that Romo is such a fucking… decent human being and coach in this one particular instance.
He still shoulda said “here’s what a real leg whip looks like you little pussy,” and brought that little fucker down with enough force to take out teeth.
September 28, 2006 at 3:41 am
twoeightnine
I feel dirty, I just gave Romanowski some respect.
September 28, 2006 at 9:13 am
BA
Fuck, for once Romo isn’t the biggest douche on the field.
September 28, 2006 at 9:36 am
WBRS Sports Blog
Well, I wish he could teach me how to inject myself with roidsssssssssss
September 28, 2006 at 11:56 am
Doctor Lingerie
Maybe this young hooligan could benefit from the tutelage of this new softer, gentler Romo. Like Lorilei Gilmore or Tom Berenger in “the Subsitute,” maybe Romo’s just saying “Hey, I made some mistakes. You shouldn’t make them, too. Sure, plucking another man’s leg hairs in a dog pile may give you a competitive advantage, but it’s not worth your integrity, son.”
Then he devours a fetus.
September 28, 2006 at 1:42 pm
James
The kids lucky he didnt come away with a broken eye socket. The other coach was probably rendered speechless by the irony of Romo telling him his players were dirty.
September 29, 2006 at 11:47 pm
StillAFan_CEL
I had the pleasure of being around Bill in Denver. These seemingly new observances of Bill’s justified leadership are not new. He was a professional on the field and practiced his craft using every edge allowable. His profession just happened to include a very physically violent day at the office. Put your armor on, and prepare for battle. And prepare all 12 year old gladiators for the same. I think it best they learn from a man like Bill. Thanks for writing the book and lighting the way Bill.
Still a Fan in Denver
October 4, 2006 at 3:56 pm
Bob
i doubt he would’ve cared if it wasnt his kid
February 4, 2007 at 12:53 am