Tell overture

The Patriots and a Major use truth to set them free

Sometimes in the NFL honesty can be the best policy. I don't know how many times over the years I've heard a team say that an agent or player lied in negotiations, and I've heard the opposite just as many times. That's why the story of Major Applewhite retiring from football before his pro career could ever began is so refreshing. Applewhite, as you know, became a quasi-legendary figure at the University of Texas with his clutch play before -- and after, too -- heir apparent Chris Simms arrived on campus. Applewhite was one of the best college quarterbacks in America. But being one of the best QBs in the country does not always translate to NFL success. At best Applewhite has a mediocre arm, but his terrific leadership skills and his ability to play well in so many big games convinced the Patriots to sign him as a free agent when he went undrafted in April.

Applewhite was thrilled to get a shot at the NFL, but he never tried to fool himself. His goal after college was to become a coach, perhaps some day even rising as high as the Longhorns' head coach. He figured that if he got cut by New England, he would just return to Austin, where a position as a graduate assistant for the 2002 Texas team would be waiting.

The Patriots, meanwhile, were being honest with Applewhite. After drafting LSU's Rohan Davey in the fourth round, they knew that it would take a preseason injury to one of the top three quarterbacks -- Tom Brady, Damon Huard, Davey -- for Applewhite to have any chance of making the team. Plus, New England coach Bill Belichick knew that Applewhite would never have the arm to succeed at a high level in the pros.

There were some other factors complicating Applewhite's attempt to make the NFL. He is six credits shy of his degree and knew he'd have to finish an internship in Texas this month -- which would have kept him from some rookie preparatory sessions in New England -- and keep his nose to the academic grindstone throughout summer to assist on Mack Brown's coaching staff this fall if he didn't make an NFL roster. So last week Applewhite leveled with Belichick and Belichick leveled with Applewhite. Applewhite said it was more important to him to be an assistant at Texas this fall than to take his near needle-in-the-haystack chance to make the Patriots. Belichick told him he was making the right decision. New England granted Applewhite his release and wished him the best. The Patriots could have placed him on the reserved/retired list to keep his rights. But because Applewhite had been so upfront with them, they simply cut him free.

The moral of the story is this: When two parties with immensely self-interested stakes can be honest with each other, the results can be amazing. The rest of the league's teams and players could learn from this lesson.

Sports Illustrated senior writer Peter King covers the NFL beat for the magazine and is a regular contributor to CNNSI.com. Check out his Monday Morning Quarterback column every -- and you should see this coming -- Monday morning.

 

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