When LaVar Arrington first entered the league, I quickly nicknamed him "Wolverine," after the comic book hero who was violent, very aggressive, and who had the ability to heal very quickly.
In his early years with the Redskins, Arrington displayed an unmatched tenacity on the field. He was like a rocket, hurtling towards running backs and quarterbacks alike. His most famous hit, of course, is the one that ended Troy Aikman's career.
Arrington's "healing factor," so to speak, was on display throughout his early career. I remember one instance in particular when Arrington was literally knocked out in the first half, but returned to play later in the game.
His healing ability ran out, though, and Arrington retired from the NFL and became a sports radio personality in the D.C. area.
And, apparently, Clinton Portis doesn't like him very much, but we'll get to that later.
Arrington had a falling out with the Redskins, and eventually left for the rival New York Giants before the 2006 season. He lasted just one injury filled season before he was forced to retire.
So it was with a bit of surprise when Arrington returned to the world of the Redskins at Sean Taylor's funeral in 2007. Arrington and Taylor were only teammates for two seasons -- most of which Arrington spent injured. But LaVar's words touched me more than any other that day:
LaVar's comments start at 2:52.
Enter Portis.
Portis first criticized Arrington back in February. Arrington then responded on his radio show, and if you haven't heard the audio from that response, I recommend that you do.
All was quiet until yesterday, when a radio interview of Portis criticizing Arrington was released. Portis criticized Arrington for what he said at Taylor's funeral.
Courtesy of the Bog, here's what Portis said:
"I lost a lot of respect for LaVar at that moment, speaking at Sean's funeral. To get up, I really thought that was, um, I don't know what you call that. LaVar ain't know Sean like that....
"I remember me and Sean was going to jump LaVar, you know, for throwing pie at Sean's face his rookie year, and trying to haze Sean, and be the tough guy. He felt like it was a joke. We didn't like that [stuff]. For all the attention LaVar claim, and that him and Sean was cool -- they wasn't cool. Sean ain't [mess around] with LaVar....I don't think you should do that. If you cool with somebody, or you know somebody, you knew 'em. Don't go and portray, set out an image like 'this is your buddy, this is your pal,' like you all hung, when y'all really didn't. I don't think that's fair, man."
Wow.
Well, Arrington responded today on the radio, but not in the way expected: he took the high road.
Among his comments:
"When you go into personal things like that I can only hope and wish and pray he finds peace and clarity in his own life."
In this battle, Arrington did more by doing nothing. Portis continues to embarrass himself by spreading hate. If I didn't know any better, I'd think he was trying to get himself fired.
Way to go, LaVar, by turning the other cheek.
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