By Aaron Ziraks
NoLogoNeeded.com Staff Writer
Twitter: @Z_NoLogoNeeded
It was reported recently that Shaun Rogers is not the only Brown that is having issues with guns in an airport. Turns out Robaire Smith did the exact same thing 5 months prior to Rogers being flagged down. I guess he flew under the radar because he is less of a star, but flying under the radar doesn't make it any less idiotic.
Speaking of idiotic, doesn't this make Rogers seem like he may not be the sharpest tool in the shed. For God's sake, one of your teammates got pinched for the same exact thing 5 months before you thought it would be a good idea to try the same thing. But I digress....
My point of this is that I cannot for the life of me understand the need to have a gun with you at all times, especially when your traveling. I don't know what these guys do, but when I travel I only take essential items. Toiletries, clothes, wallet, Ipod and maybe some reading material are really all I bring when taking a trip. Now I don't want to make this a right to bear arms issue, but you aren't carrying a hand gun for hunting and I doubt you are in the local militia. So really the only thing the gun can be for is to get in trouble or protection. I don't think Smith or Rogers were going to put a hit on someone, so I will make the assumption they carry a gun for protection. I realize that these guys have a ton of money and could be targets of being robbed, but if you have all of that money, why not hire a professional to protect you. It is a long the same lines of hiring a driver so you don't hit and kill someone walking a cross the road. If you have the money, put it to good and smart use.
While I understand protecting yourself and your possessions, as an athlete you also have to protect your image. I'm guessing plenty of NFL players have tons of toys and could be targets for criminal activities. I highly doubt guys like Peyton Manning, Adrian Peterson, or Andre Johnson would decide that carrying a gun is a more effective way at protecting themselves than hiring a trained professional if they felt threatened.
This isn't a gun control issue, it is a stupidity issue and guys like Rogers and Smith need to wise up.