As far as professional athletes go, offensive linemen might come in last in terms of notoriety. Their faces are never seen, but their mistakes are scrutinized by broadcasters, fans and everyone in between.
Linemen will never be as famous as the quarterbacks they protect from being tackled.
But at the end of the season, linemen always receive the best gifts. The Baltimore Ravens players who helped protect and pave the way for Lamar Jackson to become an MVP frontrunner all received new watches last week as a thank you from their quarterback.
Jackson, who threw the most touchdown passes this season and also ran for more than 1,000 yards, gifted his linemen with new Rolexes.
Former Baltimore quarterback Joe Flacco, who Jackson replaced this season as the starter, used to buy his linemen anything from slushie machines to grills and virtual reality equipment.
It’s a gesture quarterbacks have done for years as a way to say thank you for keeping them upright and injury-free. If it’s not new watches, it’s flat screen TVs, luxury bags or Amazon stock, like Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson gave his line a few seasons ago.
Running backs can show their appreciation too. When Le’Veon Bell played in Pittsburgh, the dynamic runner showed his appreciation by buying Hublot replica watches for his linemen. Former Cowboys running back DeMarco Murray gave 22 of his offensive teammates new Orefici watches.
Mark Sirianni Watch Repair
25 Fraley Street
Kane, Pa. 16735
814-837-9435
814-558-4818 (cell)
watchdoctorpa@gmail.com
9 Comments
Mark Morgan
GREAT
This is the kind of story that never is told. thank you Mark
Tom Cosby
Thank You Mark, I know where I’m sending my Rolex for service!
Tom Cosby
Rap McBurney
And it never gets old, keep the stories coming, Mark.
Gerry Acquilano
Mark:
Your stories both interesting and fun! And thanks again for tightening the main spring on my Rolex at no charge, you re the “Rolls-Royce” of watch doctors….HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY!”
Gerry Acquilano
Geneva, NY
David DePaul
Mark I agree with Gerry above. Thanks for your quality workmanship and your quick turnaround. You are now my watch guy. Have a wonderful, successful and healthy New Year. Dave D. NJ
Reg Pierce
Greetings Mark:
As a former center for the 1971 Williams College football team, I can totally relate with Lamar Jackson’s noble effort to gift his offensive line with a ROLEX watch this season. My quarterback was my old friend,John Murray who praised his entire line (The “Hogs”) in an emotional, locker room speech after our team beat arch-rival, Amherst, 31-14 to win the coveted “Little Three Championship” (preceded by a big win over Wesleyan the previous week) in November of 1971. In his speech John (now Dr. Murray), told the team that it was his “Hogs” that made the difference that afternoon (not a ROLEX but the next best thing — genuine love for his teammates). Of note, Murray’s offensive line went on to accomplish great things (a world-renowned Art Historian, a medical doctor, marketing types, small business owners and, importantly, great fathers).
Fast forward to my U.S. Navy days, when I was given Navy Orders to report to Newport R.I. to join the crew of the 12 Meter yacht, “Courageous” for the 1974 America’s Cup Defense. As a member of the winning boat, the crew were each given a ROLEX Submariner watch from the ROLEX Corporation! About 25 years later, I sent my ROLEX to Mark for a major tune-up (best job and watch repair cost ever!). Today, as I write this note, I am letting you know that, in January, I am sending in my old, tired and slighty rusted wrist watch to your shop for what we have discussed in the past year… major internal surgery. I am ever hopeful that you can track down some used (or new) internal parts to put the “old girl” back in my engraved, outer-watch hardware to help me celebrate 45 years as a ROLEX owner and wear it to our crew’s 50th Celebration in 2024. I will be calling in the next week. HAPPY NEW YEAR and congrats on your son, Tom, joining your business!
Reg Pierce III, West Chester, PA
Tom Nosker
Great story of brotherhood and kindness.
Nelson McCants
Lamar Jackson is a class act. Very nice way to reward his teammates. Great story. Thanks for sharing Mark! Happy New Year to all!
Bob McCorkle
It is so nice to learn about the great things professional sportsmen do in their daily lives, not just their negative exploits reported in the news. Thanks for sharing, Mark.
Bob