Kendall's Dilemma

by maryrose on Sep 19, 2008 3:57 PM EDT

Kendall Simmons' wife is about to have his third child. If she goes into labor, Simmons has decided he will not go to Philadelphia or turn around and come home if he's already left. What is your take on this? Does it matter that it is his third child? Would your response be different if we were talking about Ben rather than Simmons? Would it be different if it was the Super Bowl instead of Game Three? What if it was the Super Bowl and it was Ben who was in the situation? Let's see if I can generate a little discussion with this post.

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tough call

I’d say first there’s too many details of this story that we don’t know to make any real definitive statements but assuming that it’s a normal brith and there aren’t any complications with his wife or child, I’d say that he should make the game. If she’s that close to delivering, they could always induce in the middle of the week to ensure that he wouldn’t miss the game. He’s only really required to “work” one day a week so it’s not like they couldn’t plan around it. That’s just my take but like I said, we don’t know all the details.

Revenge of the Birds

by cgolden on Sep 19, 2008 4:25 PM EDT reply actions

For sake of discussion

Let’s assume it’s a normal birth with no complications or danger to either mother or child. I think we might hear if it was any different with today’s media coverage…regarding inducement, that has already ben ruled out, at least for this weekend. It’s now Friday. If he can get through the weekend, then they can consider inducement next week. But what about this weekend?

by maryrose on Sep 19, 2008 4:42 PM EDT reply actions

assuming all of that....

I’d say Simmons should go to work. I understand his responsibility to be with his family and all (I had a daughter two months ago), but we’re talking about one day here. He could concievably leave in the moring and be back by 8 or 9 that night. Considering that it’s thier third child, I’m sure his wife knows what to do and could have her mother or siblings or a friend stand in for moral support. That’s my take.

Revenge of the Birds

by cgolden on Sep 19, 2008 11:37 PM EDT up reply actions

if we're assuming it's normal

and with no complications, then there’s no need to induce. It’s a natural process that shouldn’t be over medicalized for the sake of timing or convenience. Especially the timing or convenience of the man, who doesn’t have to do any laboring.

I’m a big a fan as anybody, and would hate to see any starter miss a game by his own choice, but I’m also a father whose daughter was born very far away from the nearest hospital and with no doctors in sight … born healthy, naturally, & at the time she was ready to come… (my wife’s a doula, and so these issues are regular around my house … sorry to get mildly off the football topic)

I, by the way, took a few days off work when my baby girl was born. It was paid time off, but still, there was never even the slightest consideration of going into the office. I’m assuming you would all do the same.

Ultimately, how & when the baby comes is a process that’ll be decided by the baby, nature, and the mother. Whether or not Kendall suits up for Philly is entirely up to him and his wife, and I’ll make no judgment on his character either way he decides to go.

But my best wishes for a happy, healthy baby, and my best wishes for a win in Philly.

by Fahey on Sep 20, 2008 1:56 PM EDT up reply actions

yeah...

Considering what each game-day paycheck looks like I think you have to stay at work. One day’s work basically could pay off the child’s entire education and set them up in good standing for life. Ok that’s an exagerration but not if it’s well handled money.

If the mother or child is duress then my opinion changes but if all looks to be a standard birth then he needs to go shake his money maker and I don’t think it’s bad of the rooney’s to expect that.

by Chicago Steeler on Sep 19, 2008 5:12 PM EDT reply actions

no brainer on that one for me

as a man and a husband you should without any question or hesitation be present for the birth of your children unless the situation dictates that you absolutely cannot be there. all other priorities are rescinded.

by SE7ENS on Sep 19, 2008 5:36 PM EDT reply actions

he shouldn't play

If his wife is in labor,…his head won’t be 100% in the game anyway. Plus,..family comes before all else.

by ismail on Sep 19, 2008 6:53 PM EDT reply actions

Doesn't matter if its Big Ben and the Super Bowl

A Father should be there for the birth of a child.

As a fan, it would be a bitter pill, but this is what i would teach my son to do. Family is more important then a job, especially one as trivial as playing football.

Also, football players are required to be there 5-6 days a week including training camp and manadatory (and "volunteer") workouts in the “off” season.

by _ET_ on Sep 19, 2008 7:30 PM EDT reply actions

Simmons can sit out,

We have Stapleton and the 7 million dollar man to take his place. If this was Big Ben’s situation, then I might get a bit apprehensive. I might suggest Ben buy out a skybox and turn it into a maternity ward for Sunday night. Just a suggestion.

by betelgeuse on Sep 19, 2008 10:12 PM EDT reply actions

haha

Nice. Good stuff betel.

by Michael Bean on Sep 19, 2008 10:41 PM EDT up reply actions

Be there for the family...

Easy call for me. I have two kids and couldn’t imagine not having been there. Agree that his head will not be in the game if labor is going on elsewhere. The thing with births after the first (in our experience and many friends’ experience) is that things move quicker from start to finish and for many folks this means you don’t have time to wait around (our second came very close to being an in-car delivery by about 20 minutes. If it’s a close call with the labor, I’d give the guy a day off just to get the “worry” out of the question.

Interesting though about what if it was a bigger game or Ben…. I still think that’s a time for families to be together, but that would stink. I imagine that most player familes in those situations might insist on the player going ahead and playing anyway…it would sure be a tough call.

by SCSteeler on Sep 20, 2008 3:15 PM EDT reply actions