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Initial Thoughts On Nick Fairley's Statement

By: Tony Ortiz

1. This is a solid first step for Fairley, to acknowledge that what he did was wrong and to step up and take responsibility for what happened in Alabama over Memorial Day weekend.

2. The next step for Fairley is to show some maturity both on and off the field. That maturity will be tested when he gets his discipline from commissioner Roger Goodell later this year, which will likely be two games.

3. Here's one piece of unsolicited advice: distance yourself from so-called friends who don't understand - or don't care - that you are an NFL player, and that the spotlight you live in is white-hot and constantly on. Look no further than the problems a former Lion, Charles Rogers, is going through to illustrate that point. There is a MAJOR difference between being popular and being successful, and a lot of times the two don't go hand-in-hand (see Allen Iverson for another example of that).

Click HERE for the Nick Fairley statement

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