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Don’t Praise Detroit Lions’ James Ihedigbo For Doing What Should Be Expected of Him

By Max DeMara

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After plenty of threats, James Ihedigbo finally relented and decided to do what’s best for the Detroit Lions this week by showing up for OTA’s.

For those who haven’t paid close attention in recent weeks, this might not qualify as breaking news. But the Lions’ safety had made noise about being unhappy with his contract situation, and hadn’t shown up around the team until now, even though the first round of workouts are voluntary.

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ESPN’s Michael Rothstein provided Ihedigbo’s thoughts upon returning, which included a usual sampling of hyperbole regarding his past absence and the future.

"“I can’t talk about my contract situation. I’m not going to,” Ihedigbo said. “I hope you guys respect that. I think the most important thing is that I’m here and I continue to say that because it is important that I’m here in terms of being a mentor to these young guys and in terms of being a leader on this team.”"

Except Ihedigbo’s logic is flawed. He’s not a leader or a mentor for showing up now, especially with his situation unresolved. What type of example has he been setting for his young teammates in the meantime after his dirty laundry has been aired in public? That’s not how to be a pro.

Just because Ihedigbo shows up for work like he’s supposed to doesn’t mean everything else disappears. The fact remains that the safety showed his greed by letting personal discussions and opinions get public and taking a hard line with the organization.

True leaders shouldn’t have to see their head coach issue statements in the press regarding their absence, hinting they should get their act together and step up for the team.

True leaders shouldn’t have to see their head coach issue statements in the press regarding their absence, hinting they should get their act together and step up for the team.

When those players return soon after, that’s not a move worthy of praise. Basically, Jim Caldwell pulled Ihedigbo back to Detroit by his ear and told him to sit down at the kitchen table, eat his dinner and be quiet.

So, Ihedigbo’s return isn’t all that special.

Debate Ihedigbo’s on-field value late last season and to the 2015 Lions all you want, but the fact remains that such greed should not be tolerated from any player currently under contract. Ihedigbo is making plenty of money doing what he loves, so he shouldn’t need to be told when to report or get pat on the back for doing so, even in a voluntary role.

Calvin Johnson restructures his contracts at the drop of a hat and has always shown up for voluntary team activities despite his status as a star. Matthew Stafford has done the same. Even Dominic Raiola, who routinely crossed boundaries on the field never dared push the envelope this far off of it.

What does that say about Ihedigbo the man that he is willing to let a few (more) million dollars come between he and the franchise which took a chance on him in the first place?

Hopefully, the youngsters on the 2015 Lions do as Ihedigbo says and not as he does. As Martin Luther King, Jr. said, the ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in times of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.

Ihedigbo stood apart from the Lions during that time, largely until it was implied he should do differently.

That’s all that really needs to be known.

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