Preston McGann

Well, you knew it wouldn’t be long (no pun intended) before reality TV met football. With models, chefs, fashion designers, hair stylists, aspiring soap opera “actors” (remember Soapnet’s I Wanna Be a Soap Star? …me neither) all competing in their chosen profession, why not football players?

4th and Long is the new reality show on Spike TV that pits 12 hopefuls (6 WRs and 6 DBs) against each other for a spot on the Dallas Cowboys roster. It is hosted by ex-Dallas Cowboys wide receiver and Hall of Famer Michael Irvin, former Cowboy Bill Bates, and former Cowboys’ special teams coach Joe Avezzano.

There are a total of 10 episodes and, from what I’ve seen, like most everything with football, there are parallels in life – whether intentional or not.

Take, for example, a few pieces of advice from the second episode’s special guest Jay Novacek.

-Reminded of what Coach Johnson used to tell players, he said “It doesn’t matter how many great plays you make. It matters how many bad plays you make.”

-He also said “One of the blessings that we have in life is to do what we love.” I get particularly wistful upon hearing this one perhaps because I’m a lawyer and am affirmatively UNblessed in that way. Might also be why I become irate whenever I hear of another player squandering his talent and chances on women and weed.

Which brings me to another interesting aspect of the show. When the competitors are “disclosing” to the camera, underneath their name appears an explanation of why they are there, such as “Quit to support family” or “Screwed by his agent.” One of them said “Derailed by women and weed.” At least, he’s honest.

Like all reality competitions, someone has to go home each week. On this episode, the “bottom” two were Preston McGann (WR from Fla) and Montrell Jones (a/k/a “Derailed by women and weed”). Irvin’s concern with Jones was that he was lazy. His concern with McGann was that he wasn’t physical enough. Who got to stay? The WeedWacker!!!

But, who taught us the greatest lesson in the end (in my opinion)? McGann.
As he was packing up his locker, he left the others a note wishing them good luck and reminding them to keep their chins up. Now, that’s CLASS.