Sports Money Talks, BS Walks: A History of NFL Rookie Holdouts

This Sunday marks Week 2 of the NFL season, but you wouldn’t know that if you hung out with Michael Crabtree. The former Texas Tech wide receiver was the 10th overall pick in last spring’s draft, but still hasn’t signed a contract, and may sit out the season entirely. Whether Crabree’s holdout is due to pride, greed, or simple stupidity is an answer that only Crabtree and his ridiculous cousin/adviser knows, but whatever the case dude stands to lose a ton of cash.

Of course rookie holdouts are nothing new, but seldom have players stayed away into the second week of the season, with results ranging from a two-year career ending with a rape conviction to a 13-year career with multiple Pro Bowl selections. Here’s our list of the best and worst of NFL rookie holdouts…

Sports 5 Athletes Who Had Their Careers Ended By Injury

Yesterday was another slow sports day at the Complex HQ, until we heard the sad and shocking news that Yao Ming’s foot injury may be potentially career-threatening. Yao broke his left foot last month in the Western Conference semifinals against the Lakers, and apparently it’s been slow to heal. Now his team physician is saying “the injury has the potential for him missing next season and could be career-threatening.” Yao-ouch!

All kidding aside, Yao is one of our favorite NBA players, and we’re rooting hard for him to get back on the court as soon as possible (he’s still just 28 years old, so we’re not betting against him). Still, we couldn’t help but think back on other Great Athletes Who Had Their Careers Cut Short by Injury…

Kicks of the Day Nike Training Air Trainer 1/Trainer 1 Pack LE

As a follow up to its Nike Training Summit and in anticipation of the release of the new Nike Trainer 1, Nike Training created a Limited Edition two-pack (gifted to VIPS) containing a re-issued Air Trainer 1 (1986) and the new Trainer 1 (2009). Both sneakers follow the original iconic colorway that was made famous by athletes like Bo Jackson and John McEnroe. Look for additional retro Air Trainer 1s and specialty colorups of the new Trainer 1 to drop later this summer as the Nike Training category pushes athletic cross training amongst its professional and amateur athletes and the Nike Sportswear team comes in to turn this puppy into a “Where’d you get those” banger.

Kicks of the Day Nike “Bo Knows” Air Trainer 1 (2009)

At yesterday’s Nike Media Training Summit in Newport Beach California, the Swoosh unveiled a variety of new colorways of the 2009 Nike Trainer 1. When the sneaker hits retail on July 1st, a series of Special Make Ups will accompany the mass release to the marketplace including this version, inspired by the originator of the cross training category, Bo Jackson.

Look for the Bo Jackson “Bo Knows” Nike Air Trainer 1 at specialty retail accounts, driving the hype train behind Nike’s new icon cross-trainer, the Air Trainer 1. This performance sneaker hits at the $90 pricepoint and is designed for everything from the gym to the basketball court to a moderate run. Hit the jump for details and additional angles, including a shot of the iconic Bo Jackson footbed.

UPDATE: This was a 1 of 1 for Bo. It’s not coming out, unless you stalk Flight Club. Sorry, kids.