My buddy and I love to talk NFL over a cold one because it’s one of our favorite sports. You know, it’s like a throwback to our adolescent days of fantasy sports and its only gotten more exciting since then. Sure, things look awfully different this season with the pandemic and the masks and everything, but the cut is a part of the game and the teams have to do it. Have you ever heard of an NFL cut?
Well, an NFL cut is when the team cuts players from the roster to get down to the designated 53 players by the start of the season. It’s really gut-wrenching when these guys get released so close to the start of the season because it’s almost like their dreams of playing in the NFL are cut short. It really hits home when it’s someone we’ve been rooting for all season. Just think about the emotional toll that must take on them going from 100-something participants of camp to just the select few who make the roster. It’s a heartbreaking reality for those players but the teams have to do it to make the league competitive. It’s a pretty harsh workman’s world out there in the NFL.
I remember the first time I witnessed the cut, my stomach twisted up in knots. See, I was never a (so-called) hardcore fan, I just picked up on things as I went along. So I was taken aback when this player I had become fond of got cut. It kind of felt a little personal, like I almost knew him. It’s a hard truth that many people aren’t willing to face but there will always be that element of human capital in the NFL.
It’s a tough deal, indeed. I mean, it’s a cut-throat business where even the best players can get cut if their performance isn’t up to par. It’s a double-edged sword, really, because you want your team to be competitive but then again, you don’t want to see your favorite players get cut either. It’s one of those things where you just have to accept it as part of the business.
That’s why I’m still in awe of the NFL. It’s an ever-evolving entity that can put together a competitive roster even with all the cuts. It’s also a ruthless business that can throw a curveball like the cut at any time. It’s a double-edged sword in every way, but that’s what makes it so great. I guess that’s the beauty of the NFL, you never know what could be next.
There are also some superstitions around NFL cuts. Like, players will only say ‘thank you’ after they get cut, so it’s seen as a sign of respect. It’s really humble and honorable, if you ask me. Then, there are also the crazy fans who will hold NFL Cut parties and watch the news to see who gets cut. It’s almost like a morbid game of football ‘celebrity death match’.
Ultimately, the cut is a part of the system, and it’s just the nature of the game. It’s never easy on either side, but it’s there for a reason. It’s the league’s way of making sure that only the best and most qualified players make it to the roster. That’s why the teams always have to be so careful in their decisions, because one wrong move can mean a season-long disaster. That’s the reality of the NFL cut.