NFL Football Player Rejects Team Offer, Keeps Job as Train Conductor
- Posted on December 8, 2010 at 6:58am by
Jonathon M. Seidl
- Print »
- Email »
Keith Fitzhugh chose operating trains over a shot at a Super Bowl.
The free-agent safety has turned down an offer to join the New York Jets to remain in his current job with Norfolk Southern Railroad because “I know every two weeks I’m getting a paycheck.”
Jets coach Rex Ryan said Tuesday the team was looking to sign a safety after Jim Leonhard was lost for the season last week and James Ihedigbo suffered a leg injury in New York’s 45-3 loss to New England on Monday night.
Fitzhugh, who had stints in camp with the Jets the past two years, says he was contacted Tuesday but declined. He says he needs the stability of a steady job to help care for his parents.
“I told them I’m very thankful for the opportunity,” Fitzhugh told Newark Star-Ledger reporter Jenny Vrentas. “But right now, being that it would be for just a couple weeks, I feel that I’d rather stay with a secure company and job, somewhere I know I could have long-term employment.”
Had he accepted the offer, Fitzhugh knew the writing was already on the wall. At most he would be a walking insurance policy for the Jets; at worst he would be a casualty of the “business” side of the NFL. He’s been that in the past. ESPN says he’s played in only three preseason exhibitions for the Jets, while spending much of last season on the Jets’ practice squad. The Baltimore Ravens signed him to their 53-man roster in December, but he never got into an actual game.
“I know the Jets have a great opportunity of making the Super Bowl, and that’s one dream that every child has is to play sports and make it to the Super Bowl or get to the World Series,” Fitzhugh told the Associated Press. “But there‘s a time when you have to think ’Hey, you’ve only got one mom and dad.‘ They won’t be here forever, and while they’re here, you’ve got to cherish that time.”
His father is reportedly disabled and can’t work. According to ESPN, the NFL minimum salary is $325,000, or about $19,118 a week, while PayScale.com says the median salary for a Norfolk Southern conductor is about $49,000.
“Many people will hear what Keith Fitzhugh did Tuesday and think he’s certifiably insane,” ESPN blogger Tim Graham writes. “Not me. When I read why Fitzhugh turned down an offer to play safety for the New York Jets, it put a smile on my face.”
“Fitzhugh sounds like a character individual I’d want on my team — or in my family.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Popular Stories
Does Misstated Marathon Claim Prove Paul Ryan Is Dishonest? (POLL) 710 Comments
Paper Details Obama Admin’s Alleged Secret Note Sent to Iran: If Israel Attacks, We Won’t Get Involved 562 Comments
‘Made Up Religion’: TV Historian Enrages Muslims, Receives Threats After Producing UK Documentary Questioning Islam’s Beginnings 383 Comments
This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 375 Comments
Roseanne Barr: Most Billionaires ‘Violent Pedophiles’ & ‘Heartless’ Cocaine Addicts 364 Comments
Faith
- This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 375 Comments
Pakistani Muslim Cleric Accused of Framing Disabled Christian Girl in Koran-Burning Case Read More- ‘Made Up Religion’: TV Historian Enrages Muslims, Receives Threats After Producing UK Documentary Questioning Islam’s Beginnings 383 Comments
Meet the Controversial German Imam Accused of Brutally Beating His Wife & Pushing Sharia Law Read More
‘Self-Proclaimed Messiah’ & Unification Church Leader the Rev. Sun Myung Moon Has Died — Here’s His Life Story Read More
Business
President Obama Issues Major ‘Green Energy’ Executive Order 312 Comments- Germany’s Upcoming Court Ruling Will be Huge for the EU Read More
Ford Looks to Beat Toyota for Best-Selling Car in 2012 With This Model 149 Comments
Bernanke & QE3: Here’s What You Need to Know Read More- ‘Extortion’: Why Did the Labor Department ‘Drop the Hammer’ on Oregon Farmers? 302 Comments
Technology
- This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 375 Comments
‘TaserDrone’: Hackers Weaponize Quadcopter With Actual ‘Shocking’ Technology Read More
Ever Heard of the Wild ‘Burning Man’ Festival in the Middle of the Nev. Desert? Here’s Your Primer Read More
Stanford Develops Technology ‘Better Than Steroids’ for Athlete Recovery Read More
Have You Pretended to Know What ‘the Cloud’ Is? You’re Not Alone Read More
Submitting your tip... please wait!
Comments (92)
mcFirst
Posted on December 8, 2010 at 8:41amReminds me when the doc saves the kid in Field of Dreams. Sometimes the call is all you really need, Hey Rookie you were good.
Report Post »GeeWhiz
Posted on December 8, 2010 at 8:30amHe’s got his priorities straight. Two or three weeks of salary and after that, on the street versus a secure salary that is continuous?
It would be great for him to make “$325,000 a year” but three weeks is not a year, so that number is meaningless and not even real. When you have commitments and obligations to meet in the real world, you have to do the right thing and he did.
Good man.
Report Post »AzDebi
Posted on December 8, 2010 at 8:16am“Honor Thy Father and Mother”…
Report Post »newcleardays
Posted on December 8, 2010 at 8:14amwell done sir
Report Post »crossdraw
Posted on December 8, 2010 at 8:09amGreat guy. Knows what he wants and goes for it. Bet his parents are proud.
Report Post »Lightworker
Posted on December 8, 2010 at 8:06amWhy this story makes us feel so good is that we intuitively know this is how to be the best we can be… heart combined with reason. This young man’s decision exemplifies lack of greed, lack of ego, and a heart governed by common sense and a good value system. When he is secure that his parents have been cared for, perhaps he will consider serving his country in a leadership role. I suspect we would all be the better for it.
Report Post »Rn mom
Posted on December 8, 2010 at 8:03amWow, what a stand up guy. God bless him.
Report Post »heavyduty
Posted on December 8, 2010 at 8:01amPeople think that the UNIONS are running the country. Guess again, the RCC is the real culprits here. If you can get in you have a job that UNION workers would kill for.
Report Post »Skip Ernst
Posted on December 8, 2010 at 8:01amI agree with him. First of all, he has good fiscal reasons not to join the team. Second, when his parents are gone, he probably doesn’t want to be thinking how he could have spent more time with them instead of all the potential bench-warming.
Report Post »Jim in Houston
Posted on December 8, 2010 at 7:51amGood for him. He chose a real job instead of playing a game and calling himself a soldier.
Report Post »Paleo Archer
Posted on December 8, 2010 at 7:48amThis story needs to be Highlighted…..NFL, sports, etc, seems already morphing into “reality TV”…I have lost interest in football, WAY too much Drama!
Report Post »GeorgeWashingtonslept here
Posted on December 8, 2010 at 7:45amSmart man.
Report Post »Bronco II
Posted on December 8, 2010 at 7:44amGOD will Bless him more then he’ll ever no.That‘s what real men are made of and a man I would be PROUD TO SAY THAT’S MY SON.
Report Post »Skutt
Posted on December 8, 2010 at 7:42amHe sounds to me like a man who might just see good advancement with the company he chose to continue to work for. He will probably do very well through the years because of this decision.
Report Post »GeauxAlready
Posted on December 8, 2010 at 7:29am“He says he needs the stability of a steady job to help care for his parents.”
This guy has something most black athletes don’t. Know what it is?
A Mother and a Father
Pocono Countryboy
Posted on December 8, 2010 at 7:28amSounds like a real man to me.
Good on you son!
Report Post »guyperram
Posted on December 8, 2010 at 7:20amSounds like he is a guy that has his head screwed on right. Kudo’s to him and his family.
Report Post »@leftfighter
Posted on December 8, 2010 at 7:19amHe likes football but wants to play with his choo-choo more. lol :-)
Report Post »TommyGunn
Posted on December 8, 2010 at 7:51amAre you a moron leftfighter
Report Post »Bermuda Onion
Posted on December 8, 2010 at 8:14amSo typical of you libs. Wait till your parents get old and then expect EVERYONE else take care of them for you. There will be a special little nook in hell for the likes of you.
Report Post »@leftfighter
Posted on December 8, 2010 at 9:06amYeah, crack a joke and get called a lib. NICE! Why not check my other posts and see how lib I am.
@LeftFighter doesn‘t mean I’m a southpaw and doesn‘t mean I’m fighting *for* the Left, and the joke was actually kinda funny.
Why not check out my twitter feed to see how far “left” I am, hmmm?
Report Post »PDfromToledo
Posted on December 8, 2010 at 9:17amyes he is a moron…
Report Post »Reagan/Demint.deciple
Posted on December 8, 2010 at 9:22amLeftfighter , I knew it was a joke as soon as I read it.. With a name like LeftFIGHTER ,how could anyone mistake that for being a leftist.. ?? anyway, a joke is a joke…
Report Post »@leftfighter
Posted on December 8, 2010 at 9:27amOK, fine, my serious response if, of course, that this guy’s got his head screwed on straight and has his priorities right.
Given that he‘s likely not going to see any playing time and likely wouldn’t be back with the Jets the following year, even if he’s being paid an insane amount of money to sit on a bench, he might not get his railroad job back when the season is over. It’s the better fiscal decision for the long term.
Now factor in the family aspect, and I‘m fairly sure I’d make the same decision.
Now, If it were a chance to be a starter, he was earning millions, and would definitely be back the following year, I would understand the opposite decision. “Taking care of family” means financial security, too. Pair that with being paid an insane amount of money to play a kids game, and *that* is a no brainer.
Guess you could say it‘s all in the terms of what he’s being offered. Since it’s only the promise of riding a bench for a few games instead of a longer term deal with some security, I can’t fault him for making his decision.
But still… I think I’D PAY THEM to play in the NFL… Just sayin’!
Report Post »@leftfighter
Posted on December 8, 2010 at 9:29amThank you, Reagan/Demint
I guess some folks can’t understand a joke and must take literally everything seriously.
Report Post »River0
Posted on December 8, 2010 at 7:18amI applaud his decision, especially after seeing the Jets fold like a cheap suit on Monday night with the Patriots. There’s no glamor in football for the guy who is far down on the roster. He would also be putting his long-term health at risk, one play away from a season-ending and perhaps lifelong injury. Concussions and broken bones can do permanent damage.
Report Post »Ahcma
Posted on December 8, 2010 at 7:16amGood for him. Having a secure job is way more important than having a temporary one. His parents “done did good” in raising him.
Report Post »conservativeme
Posted on December 8, 2010 at 7:16amWow – he‘s got the common sense that most pro athelets don’t have today!
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on December 8, 2010 at 7:11amGood for him is right!
Report Post »Dirty Harry
Posted on December 8, 2010 at 7:08amThat’s called character.
Report Post »JJ Coolay
Posted on December 8, 2010 at 7:28amYeah he has character, but what if he were good enough to actually keep the job as a safety? Then he’d be passing up $300,000 to make $50,000.
Report Post »I guess a bird in the hand is better than 6 in the bush.
RepubliCorp
Posted on December 8, 2010 at 7:31amdoing what is right for you makes you a character…Why?
Report Post »CHARACTER MATTERS
Posted on December 8, 2010 at 7:46amCharacter is defined as: qualities of honesty, courage, or the like; integrity. He showed character by making what he believes is the best choice for his family’s long term security. Character matters in everything we do!
Report Post »Dirty Harry
Posted on December 8, 2010 at 8:01amThe poor house is full of people who were willing to risk it all for a chance at their fortune. If you have nobody depending on you, that’s ok. But I know a lot of people who stepped up to the plate and swung for the fences every time at bat, and who now don’t have a pot to piss in and a destitute family.
Report Post »lketchum
Posted on December 8, 2010 at 8:39amCharacter used to be defined as one’s ability to recognize right from wrong and to choose to do the right thing, regardless of the personal consequences.
This man demonstrates the very essence of the meaning of the word!
Report Post »libchem
Posted on December 8, 2010 at 8:52amYou bet!
Report Post »uncleherbert
Posted on December 8, 2010 at 9:15am@RepubliCorp, Why? Character can be good or bad! You can answer that question yourself…
Report Post »CPolyzois
Posted on December 8, 2010 at 9:31am@republicorp It figures you dont know the meaning of “character”.
Report Post »Soldiers_Son
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 4:31pm@REPUBLICORP
You said: “doing what is right for you makes you a character…Why?”
I respond: Doing what is right for you does not make you a character, rather, it shows that you have it.
Report Post »grandmaof5
Posted on December 8, 2010 at 7:07amAlmost unheard of in these days and times and it does bring a smile to your face and warms the heart that this young man sees the big picture. His parents raised a wonderful young man and they are very blessed. Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year.
Report Post »TXPilot
Posted on December 8, 2010 at 8:09amIt’s for the best, that he kept his current job. Having someone who is honest, hard-working, loyal, and of overall good character in the NFL could utterly collapse that organization.
Report Post »Lesterp
Posted on December 8, 2010 at 10:26amTX, Very true!
Report Post »Bearfoot
Posted on December 8, 2010 at 4:14pmKeith Fitzhugh is a man who warrants respect, instead of going for the quick race, he chose the long haul. Caring for his family is the noblest course he could do. Today, it is very rare to see such a man.
Report Post »Cemoto78
Posted on December 8, 2010 at 7:05amSecurity sometimes means more than money. Good for him.
Report Post »Freedomisslavery
Posted on December 8, 2010 at 7:20amPatriot.
Report Post »2
Posted on December 8, 2010 at 7:51amThis Black Man is the best example for inner city Children. More than Obama, Oprah, Lil’ Kim. Lil’ Wayne, Al -not-so-Sharpton, Tiger Woods, Kobe, and anyone else you can think of who is famous.
THIS IS A REAL MAN . . .
Report Post »walkwithme1966
Posted on December 8, 2010 at 7:58amWow, someone who really believes that taking care of his parents is more important! I am truly amazed!
Report Post »http:maboulette.wordpress.com
mizflame98
Posted on December 8, 2010 at 8:19amI have to applaud that man for having a good head on his shoulders. He didn’t go for the glitz and fame, he stuck with the responsible and steady job. That’s a merit award candidate if ever there was one.
Report Post »americanidiot
Posted on December 8, 2010 at 8:36amIt is nice to see someone with their priorities straight. Be ready america, it will be time to make a new sport America’s favorite. How about soccer? If the unions allow this to happen it will be a slap in the face of every American. This is the reason that our country is falling apart GREED!!!!
Report Post »dmforman
Posted on December 8, 2010 at 8:53amHope his parents have just as big smiles as I have right now. This young man has a good head on his shoulders.
Report Post »HillBillySam1
Posted on December 8, 2010 at 9:05amTrue enough. I applaud his decision. Also, after watching the Patriots humiliate the Jets, I am not so sure that the Jets are a Super Bowl caliber team.
Report Post »Dustyluv
Posted on December 8, 2010 at 9:07amI wonder if he is in a Union? He would be if he went into the NFL for sure. And next year he will be locked out with all the other greedy players.
Good for him…
Report Post »Reagan/Demint.deciple
Posted on December 8, 2010 at 9:12amEver hear of a leave of absence ????
Report Post »firstHat
Posted on December 8, 2010 at 9:31amThis is true PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY! God Bless him
Report Post »ImaStooge
Posted on December 8, 2010 at 9:37am4 weeks at the NFL minimum is worth over half year’s salary as a conductor, hmmm. LOA at Norfolk, maybe worth a second thought.
Report Post »Voice-O-Reason
Posted on December 8, 2010 at 10:40amdefinate Patriot
Report Post »Tagudinian
Posted on December 8, 2010 at 11:48amThis man is more than an NFL player… he is a responsible individual who has a good sense of priorities. His Arithmetic ain’t that bad either.
Report Post »bcullum1952
Posted on December 8, 2010 at 4:14pmNot sure how many companies would grant a leave of absence to work for another employer. But this guy apparently figured that earning $49K as a conductor for long term beats earning $50K from the NFL and then having to find another job, build seniority, and benefits. Long term gain with the railroad beats short term NFL. He has my admiration.
Report Post »pajamash
Posted on December 8, 2010 at 5:28pmGood luck Mr. Fitshugh! You have a good head on your shoulders and will do well in life.
Report Post »ConsiderThis
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 2:18amI have great respect for this man!
Report Post »