I read something interesting that I thought I would share. I’ve already discussed how what Dent did to Dickey was far more dangerous than what Martin did to McMahon. Even though most people didn’t see this, I do have a bear-fan witness to this and it doesn’t change the fact that it happened. I’ve also told you that the bears did a number of things the game before the Martin play, including the Dent play, to start this, and the Packers after the game publicly said they would retaliate. Everyone might not have seen the Dent play, but the Packers publicly talked about what the bears did. I’ve also said that what Peppers did to Rodgers in the NFC Championship Game, which was intentional, was also far more dangerous than what Martin did.
So, let’s recap the Martin play. He wrapped up McMahon and threw him down on his shoulder. Inexcusable and worthy of a suspension, but not dangerous as defined a certain way. Let me now quote something from the Sun-Times shortly after Dave Duerson died. This is Emery Moorehead talking.
“When he was a rookie and we were playing against Detroit, Eddie Murray kicked a long field goal and was jumping up and down. Ditka was (ticked) he was doing that and told Double D to get him. He beelined it right toward Eddie Murray and knocked him out. At that point, he became one of the guys.”
I think we would all agree this is not only a dirty play, but very dangerous with a potential long-term negative impact on Murray’s health. This is the type of thing the bears did, but all they talk about in Chicago is Forrest Gregg. Gregg was retaliating, and what Ditka had his team do was far worse. If Martin should have been suspended for a year, what should Duerson have gotten?