Is there more to story with Darrelle Revis?
Let’s hold off on demonizing Darrelle Revis as some thug involved in a street fight.
People see four felony charges and a version of events in a police report based on witnesses whose credibility and motives are unknown, and they think the worst.
According to the complaint, at least eight men were involved in an altercation on the south side of Pittsburgh in the wee hours of last Sunday morning, including Revis. Two men — Dallas Cousins, 22, and Zacheriah Jarvis, 21 — were knocked unconscious. A friend of theirs, Nathan Watt, told police he doesn't know if Revis struck the two men. There was also an unidentified man who helped Revis.
I’m not sure what happened before the video started rolling, but according to the complaint, Revis walked away from the men and repeatedly asked, “Why are you following me?”
We have yet to hear Revis' side of the story. He surrendered to police on Friday and there is a hearing scheduled for Thursday. He may not have struck anybody. His actions or those taken by friends may have been in self-defense.
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The bottom line is it's unlikely we know the full version of events. Revis is typically low key and has no history of off-the-field incidents, so let's give him his day in court before assuming the worst.
"There are two sides to the quarter," Revis' attorney, Blaine Jones, said Thursday. "And it seems only the tail side was spoken to."
In any event, the man who raised the bar for NFL cornerback pay is now a fresh example of how athletes need to avoid putting themselves in positions where they can be targeted.
As former NFL lineman Mark Schlereth put it during a roundtable discussion on ESPN, “It’s not fair. But it’s the reality that you sign up for.”
Jones said Revis was in town to check on real estate investments when he bumped by a drunk man. Never mind you’d think daylight would provide a better view for inspecting property.
NFL coaching mantra: Fellas, nothing good happens after midnight.
What's most puzzling is why a four-time All-Pro cornerback who, according to Spotrac.com, has collected career earnings in excess of $180 million during his 10-year career, would not have personal security guards. For all of the business instincts that Revis has shown throughout his career while strategically cashing in on the NFL market – groomed by his financially-savvy uncle, former Pro Bowl D-tackle Sean Gilbert – a bodyguard also makes good business sense.
Never mind that Revis, who attended Pitt and grew up in Aliquippa, Pa., about 30 miles outside of Pittsburgh, was back in old stomping grounds as he is prone to do during offseasons.
The past year has been so turbulent for Revis, whose Hall of Fame case was built on supreme man-to-man tactics that earned him the moniker, “Revis Island.” For the bulk of his career, he won by snuffing receivers out at the line of scrimmage, a master technician of bump-and-run coverage.
Last spring, though, he fired his long-time agents, Neil Schwartz and Jonathan Feinsod, who negotiated the five-year, $70 million contract that Revis signed with the Jets in 2015 that guaranteed $39 million, a record for a cornerback.
In November, Revis sued Schwartz and Feinsod, contending that they inflated their fees for an endorsement deal.
On the field, Revis just finished what he has acknowledged as the worst season of his career as the Jets plummeted to last place in the AFC East with a 5-11 record. With his skill on the corner in decline and not-so-subtle criticism of his tackling ability, he seemed open to the suggestion of moving to safety – although that comes with doubts of whether he would be committed to the additional physical demands playing in the middle of the field and sometimes closer to the line of scrimmage.
All of that fueled much speculation that Revis, due a $13 million salary and $2 million roster bonus (and $6 million remaining in his guarantees), would soon become a salary cap casualty.
Now this.
Revis’ is forced to defend himself against some serious charges. Even if it turns out that he was more of a target than instigator, his reputation – complete with perp walk footage outside of Pittsburgh Police headquarters – has taken a hit.
The incident that occurred last weekend might have little impact on the Jets’ decision of whether to keep Revis, as it is believed that he’ll collect $6 million, even if released.
Unfortunately for Revis, the implication that he punched out two men on the street won’t add any points if teams are wondering whether he is physical enough to extend his career as a safety.
