Second Thoughts

Paying Irvin not an option for Seahawks

This is a 2013 photo of Bruce Irvin of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of Wednesday, May 29, 2013 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
This is a 2013 photo of Bruce Irvin of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of Wednesday, May 29, 2013 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)

NFL players, like other professional athletes, often realize that sooner or later their days with their current team are going to end and it's time to move on.

Seattle Seahawks defensive end Bruce Irvin, coming off a season in which he had 6.5 sacks and two interceptions he returned for touchdowns, doesn't think it's his time.

Irvin is upset that the Seahawks are not picking up his $7.8 million option for the 2016 season. The deadline to pick up the option was Sunday. Irvin will make $1.5 million for the 2015 season and be a free agent at the end of the year.

After the Seahawks drafted his potential replacement, Michigan defensive end Frank Clark, with the 63rd overall selection last weekend's NFL Draft, Irvin took to Twitter to express his displeasure.

"Worked for everything I got in my life this s will b no different!" Irvin tweeted early Monday morning. "I earn my keeps. Face way tougher adversity getting outta them streets coming up! That's s is nothing! F*** THAT OPTION!"

Seahawks Coach Pete Carroll said Saturday the team hopes to re-sign Irvin, but given the nature of Irvin's comments, it's not just business, but personal.

"I'm a very blunt person and that won't ever change," Irvin tweeted. "Sorry if u dislike it. Gonna teach bray [his son, Brayden] to be the same way."

Just like the guys

During his 12-year NBA career, LeBron James' one fashion statement has been his headband, which he's worn since a preseason game during his rookie year in the 2003-2004 season.

But since a March 7 home game against the Phoenix Suns, James has gone without the headband.

New fashion statement?

Not according to James. He said he's doing it to "look like my teammates."

"Just wanted to be one," James said. "Nothing more than that."

Cavaliers guard Mike Miller said he thought James' reason was humorous. "Well, that's the only way he can [look like us] because I can't get away with wearing a headband."

With Kevin Love out for the playoffs with a dislocated shoulder and J.R. Smith suspended for the first two games of the Eastern Conference semifinal series against Chicago, James might need more than his missing headband for the Cavs to advance.

Eye for an eye

After New York Yankees centerfielder Jacoby Ellsbury was hit by a pitch from Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Edward Mujica in the Yankees' 8-5 victory Sunday night, Ellsbury said he thought it was more than an accident, especially after Yankees pitcher Adam Warren hit Red Sox shortstop Hanley Ramirez earlier in the game.

"You throw one up and in and then 3-0, you come at me," Ellsbury said. "I don't really care what they're trying to do over there, but [just what] we're trying to do so I just took my base and let them know I didn't appreciate it.

"I don't need to get thrown out. I don't need to miss any games. I realize my importance to my team. It didn't hurt anyway. If it hurt ... I didn't even feel it. He's just lucky I didn't steal two bases off him."

Yankees Manager Joe Girardi said, "I thought it was little bit fishy. But only Mujica knows for sure."

Ellsbury had four hits and reached base a career-high six times in the game, so whatever the Red Sox hoped to accomplish, didn't seem to work.

"Maybe they didn't want me to get another hit," Ellsbury said.

Sports quiz

Where did Bruce Irvin play college football?

Answer

West Virginia

Sports on 05/05/2015

Upcoming Events