Corys's Corner: Andrew Quarless' tragedy shows locker room strength
Andrew Quarless made it easy for people to make him a joke target.
And that includes myself, who ripped the 26-year-old for firing a couple of shots into the air during an argument in South Florida.
Even after first day of training camp, many were wondering and speculating why Quarless had to leave for family reasons.
Well, the snarky wave has crested after it was revealed that he lost his baby daughter at birth.
"It's the saddest day of my life," the sixth-year tight end said. "I thank this team for the type of support they have given me to help me get through this. Just very thankful for these guys. It's really a family in here.”
This surely doesn’t excuse his behavior in Miami, but it really puts things in perspective.
This may be a contract year for Quarless, but even a solid year that equates to a long-term deal won’t bring back his daughter.
Something like this will really show what kind of leadership and what kind of a locker room the Packers really have. Not just being supportive but also not questioning why he had to leave the team on the first day of training camp. And they did it by offering an ear to listen and a shoulder to hug or cry on.
"Life is serious, “ Quarless said. “I'm a role model to a lot of kids. You can't take things for granted and I don't take this organization for granted and I don't take my position for granted. I'm just really, really thankful. That's the main word I can really use is thankful for this group of guys.”
That isn’t something to be taken lightly. Guys remember loyalty and true friendship. Teammates will be more apt to sacrifice their body for a block for a guy they truly love and respect as opposed to a guy that just happens to be getting a check a few lockers down.
You hear the family cliché all the time in sports. Or we’re brothers on and off the field. That may be, but it doesn’t really get tested until something drastic like this happens.
And Quarless was more than happy to see why the Packers have one of the best locker rooms in the league.
“My whole mindset about life has kind of changed a lot,” said Quarless. “With my daughter, I promise you, I was looking (to find) a little bit of happiness in my daughter. You just can't take life for granted.”
One of the happiest times in a parents’ life took a tragic turn, but it was the play of Quarless’ teammates that dulled the heartbreaking sting.
That’s not easy for people to do — let alone multimillion-dollar athletes. But, the Packers just showed why this team needs to given a second and third look from free agents.
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Cory Jennerjohn is a graduate from UW-Oshkosh and has been in sports media for over 15 years. He was a co-host on "Clubhouse Live" and has also done various radio and TV work as well. He has written for newspapers, magazines and websites. He currently is a columnist for CHTV and also does various podcasts. He recently earned his Masters degree from the University of Iowa. He can be found on Twitter: @Coryjennerjohn
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Comments (24)
Ibleedgreenmore
August 04, 2015 at 02:24 pm
It puts in perspective what is important, Q well I hope the pain is not as horrible as it was for several I know when they lost a child. Sorry this happens to anyone and now he has to move forward so much on his plate right now.
NewNikeShoes
August 04, 2015 at 02:58 pm
Honestly, I was one of the first people that pointed him out for the stupidity of his actions at the shooting, and I still stand by that, but no one deserves to go through what he had to go through.
My respects to AQ, his family. It will get better.
"The night is darkest just before the dawn."
TarynsEyes
August 04, 2015 at 03:55 pm
I would have expected no less from the entire Packer Organization with it's support for Quarless through this horrible ordeal and would expect the same,though to varying degrees from the fans and the public in general.This is a most basic aspect of human nature.
Tragedy,regardless of what,how etc that may come upon someone or family etc,cannot become so easily used to discount or erase any punishment for things done by those prior to whatever tragedy has struck.
Analogies cannot be used since they would surely be taken out of the context in which they are meant for use but I'll try.
The Deflategate has been huge and many people want Brady punished but would these same people simply dismiss any punishment if Brady in some manner were to have a tragic incident occur before the next hearing.
Should Bernie Madoff have been freed the moment his son committed suicide and the pain he inflected on others be waved away because of it.
I have no problem with any one given support for the tragedy that effects someone in any way,but I do have an issue if it is used as a defense to erase punishment for something done that was and is punishable by law.
Tragedy cannot be reason for 'case dismissed'.
Does this come across as cold..yes...but it's part of the must have justice/punishment in society nonetheless.
If Quarless is let go after his court date and decision of the NFL...so be it and I wouldn't be upset. I would be upset if the Packers kept him solely for the reason of his recent tragedy.
MarkinMadison
August 04, 2015 at 06:37 pm
Why write this? Is anyone talking about waiving his court case? Do you really think this tragedy impacts the Packers' decision making? Is anyone talking about him in a positive way (and please don't confuse sympathy with positive, support in tragedy with support for stupidity)? No.
So what does this accomplish? Does it come across as cold? You bet. I got no problem with cold. Does it come across as unnecessary? Absolutely.
DrealynWilliams
August 04, 2015 at 09:22 pm
"Why write this? Is anyone talking about waiving his court case? "
Exactly what I was thinking. Sad...
shmelbs
August 04, 2015 at 08:09 pm
I haven't heard that people are forgiving Quarless's FL incident because of what happened with his daughter. Even if Quarless's play/behavior dropped off severely as a direct result of the loss of his daughter, I doubt McCarthy or TT would keep him around purely out of sympathy for his personal tragedy.
Thegreatreynoldo
August 05, 2015 at 01:17 am
At least one commenter suggested just that in an earlier article "Concussion History May Derail Jared Abbrederis' Career" after a person first advised us of the tragedy involving Q. That commenter wrote the following:
"Yeah, it does and shame on all the people here that wanted to get rid of him. Guys like Nick Perry and Taryn.... Sorry but these a holes wanted Q gone without so much as a trial. They all deserve to feel shameful for what they said about Q. I think God has punished Q enough for shooting off two bullets accidently don't you think Al? Are we still filled with that much hate that we now want to send him a pink slip too? We still have morons on here like Believer saying "he still needs to be gone"?
MarkinMadison
August 05, 2015 at 06:50 am
I meant any serious person. You know, someone who actually matters somewhere in the real world. Trolls don't count.
WKUPackFan
August 05, 2015 at 07:53 am
Taryn has had a tough couple of weeks. First, he/she (not trying to be snarky, not really sure) castigated someone for not being able to find a radio program, now this. Some folks feel it necessary to point out the obvious in a mean way.
TarynsEyes
August 05, 2015 at 10:16 am
I had no idea that he was actually talking about an actual radio,since all radio stations can be found somewhere on the internet and also I had no idea he lived in the Northwoods which is made to sound like a version of Siberia,or was I suppose to know that and all others location and access to all things electronic.
WKUPackFan
August 05, 2015 at 02:11 pm
Fair enough. The point is to have a "kinder/gentler" board, or at least respect for fellow posters. i've been guilty of stepping over the line, even self banned myself for 2 weeks from Al's board during last season. Trying now to be more analytical and less personal. However, to each his/or her own.
shmelbs
August 04, 2015 at 08:00 pm
"Teammates will be more apt to sacrifice their body for a block for a guy they truly love and respect as opposed to a guy that just happens to be getting a check a few lockers down."
Very well said. I think this speaks to what the term "Packer People" means. Based on what's been publicized about his FL incident, I think Q acted like a complete jackass. But I also look at my wonderful 12-year-old daughter, and I feel Q's pain about his personal loss. It takes a high character organization to handle both the personal and the professional sides of such a situation well. It looks like the Packers are doing that.
Here's hoping it all works out for the best for everyone.
hybridauth_Facebook_100004084225446
August 04, 2015 at 11:04 pm
Q needs to step up and play for that girl he just lost .
NewNikeShoes
August 04, 2015 at 11:56 pm
I wouldn't say he needs to, the guy's been through something no parent should.
Its his choice that he needs to make. I'd love it if he tore it up, but I'd understand and still sympathize with him if he does not.
DrealynWilliams
August 05, 2015 at 08:33 am
Wow. Who in the hell disliked that comment?
NewNikeShoes
August 05, 2015 at 01:47 pm
Starts with a T, ends in an S
hybridauth_Facebook_100004084225446
August 09, 2015 at 01:17 pm
Hater trolls hatting because they are losers !
TKWorldWide
August 09, 2015 at 03:10 pm
"Men Without Hatts."
(Your chain just got yanked.)
hybridauth_Facebook_100004084225446
August 09, 2015 at 01:07 pm
Agree.
WKUPackFan
August 05, 2015 at 07:57 am
Yet anoher reason to be proud as a fan of this organization. Wishing the best for Q, the mother and family.
WKUPackFan
August 05, 2015 at 02:06 pm
incidentally, if you were teaching a youngster how to catch a football you'd want to show him/her the picture of Q's eyes and hands above.
4thand1
August 05, 2015 at 08:04 pm
I always thought Quarless would turn out to be a very good football player. I've made my share of mistakes and faced the music. I almost lost my 2nd daughter when she was 2. It was the worst gut wrenching feeling I've ever experienced. I know his pain and wish him the best. He'll get a suspension and the team will stand behind him. The long road of healing will take time and the rest will up to him.
hybridauth_Facebook_100004084225446
August 09, 2015 at 01:13 pm
You nailed it nice .
hybridauth_Facebook_100004084225446
August 09, 2015 at 01:11 pm
After seeing him play i would say he's human and we all make wrong choices sometimes in life but all and all i really feel bad and sad but life goes on he will learn and Packers will too ..