As the BBR staff descended yesterday on the city of New Orleans for a little Mardi Gras fun today, we couldn’t help but think of Antonio Cromartie. Mardi Gras means Fat Tuesday. Fat Tuesday is the day before Ash Wednesday in the Catholic religion. Ash Wednesday officially kicks of the Lenten Season, or Lent.
Lent is traditionally described as lasting for 40 days, in commemoration of the 40 days Jesus spent fasting in the desert, according to the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, during which he endured temptation by Satan. During Lent devout Catholics give up or fast from one or more of their favorite foods, drinks, or activities.
So based on the above clearly the catholic religion, Mardi Gras, lent, restraint, and Cromartie would make for strange bedfellows don’t you say? Therein lies the connection actually. Cromartie has apparently never met a strange bedfellow.
Antonio Cromartie (born April 15, 1984) is a former NFL starting cornerback. He played college football at Florida State and was drafted in the first round (19th overall) by the San Diego Chargers in the 2006 NFL Draft. He was selected to four Pro Bowls and was a first-team All-Pro in 2007 after leading the league in interceptions. Cromartie is credited with the longest play in NFL history, returning a missed field goal 109 yards for a touchdown in 2007. He also played for the Arizona Cardinals, New York Jets and Indianapolis Colts.
Productive might be a word used to describe his career on the field. He played defense. But, on another playing field Cromartie might be called prolific. There he plays offense. And, Antonio’s greatest talent is scoring. His 14 children at the age of 33 arrived via seven baby mamas. So the score, which we clearly hope is the final score, is children 14, baby mamas 7. But, at only 33 years of age we might have only reached halftime.
Several years back when the baby count had reached the meager total of only eight, Antonio was interviewed for a segment on the HBO show Hard Knocks. It’s 1 minute and 27 seconds of pure gold and definitely worth another look. At that point three of his children were each three years old. None of the three were twins, nor were they triplets. Three kids all three years old from three women has to be a record. 3,3,3. It has to be, doesn’t it?
Cromartie owes, and we assume pays, $336,000 in child support a year. We hope that he saved/invested wisely from his successful on field career to fund his successful playing the field career.
Mardi Gras gives one a last shot at decadence before Lent sets us straight. Mr. Cromartie could be the king of this carnival. He more than qualifies. We aren’t judging. Are we?
Lent? Well, so far, not so much for him. There is still time though. It’s only halftime.
We’ll be back after these commercials ladies and gentlemen. Once again, the score 14 from 7.
Laissez les bon temps rouler!
