Here’s something I was thinking about Monday morning while catching up on the games I didn’t see Sunday. Colts head coach Jeff Saturday told former boss Peter King he thinks his victory is an important step for other players hoping to transition into the coaching world.
“I hope that many other former players will get opportunities like I’m getting,” he said. “I was at ESPN when Aaron Boone was there and then two days later he’s the manager of the Yankees. And basketball, right? I’ve watched all these guys get these opportunities.”
A few weeks ago, Saturday was in the ESPN studio. Other players, like longtime NFL tight end Greg Olsen, or former Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez, or Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma, have widespread access to the facility. They get to interview the players and coaches. They get to “bump into” folks. They get a more intimate look at the operation, which is theoretically supposed to improve their commentary but almost always indoctrinates them into whatever talking points the team wants to get across on the broadcast.
