COMMENTARY | There was so much hope for Carson Palmer when the Bengals drafted the Heisman Trophy winner. He was the future of the team, the golden boy from California destined to lead the hapless Benglas to victory, possibly their first Super Bowl win. Who would have predicted the ire Bengals fans now hold towards Palmer?
Palmer’s time with the Bengals started out well. During his third season with the Bengals, he led the team to a division title and the playoffs, but then things took a turn. Palmer’s knee was seriously injured during the first round of the playoffs against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Bengals fans shed tears as he was carted off the field. The people of Cincinnati stood behind their fallen quarterback, following his recovery, willing him back to good health, and developing an ever-deepening hate for the Steelers. When Palmer had mended and was ready to start the next season, he had the entire city on his side.
However, it was not to be. Palmer never returned to the greatness he exemplified in college or in his brief success in the NFL. Some say his knee was never the same, others feel he mentally was not able to overcome the injury. He grew tentative on the field, throwing bad passes, arguing with receivers; he was no longer a leader on the team and it showed. Shoulder injuries began to plague Palmer and the team suffered, finishing the 2010 season with a record of 4-12. Despite this, fans continued to sport Palmer jerseys all around town, holding out hope.
Palmer let them all down when he demanded to be traded. He let down the fans who stood by him through his worst, and the team that continued to give him a shot despite his poor performance. What kind of person does a horrible job then demands a new one, or else? Someone with a complete lack or character, or someone who doesn’t actually want to work at all. Can you imagine Brett Favre threatening to retire if he didn’t get his way? Anyone who is willing to retire so easily has clearly lost his love for the game.
Some Bengals fans have been thanking Palmer for leaving – despite how they once loved him it turns out the team is indeed much better with him gone. But don’t let that fool you. Carson Palmer turned his back on his fans, and it will not be forgotten. Clearly the Bengals and their fans are pleased with the outcome – a first-round draft pick in 2012 and a later-round pick in 2013 for a washed up has been. However one might advise Mr. Palmer to steer clear of Cincinnati. He may be gone, but Bengals fans will not forget.