NFLPA president Winston to rookie class: 'This is a business'
NFLPA president and Cincinnati Bengals offensive tackle Eric Winston gave the incoming rookie class plenty of good advice Friday in the wake of the Laremy Tunsil bong hit saga.
A video of Tunsil taking a bong hit surfaced minutes before the draft commenced. The former Ole Miss standout, considered a top-five selection prior to the event, was eventually selected 13th overall by the Miami Dolphins.
Related: Dolphins' Tunsil appears at press conference after being initially ruled out
Tunsil was originally ruled out of his introductory press conference, but appeared later Friday after suffering an allergic reaction.
Winston warned the rookie class about the perils of professional football on Twitter not long after:
Last night everyone saw a young man’s dream turn into a nightmare.
— Eric Winston (@ericwinston) April 29, 2016
The mistakes he made in the past were released out there to millions with an intent to harm him. What did the NFL do? Nothing.
— Eric Winston (@ericwinston) April 29, 2016
In fact, if Roger is to be believed, they loved it because it made the draft “so exciting."
— Eric Winston (@ericwinston) April 29, 2016
The NFL invested big on this marketing campaign of “family.” It was all over Chicago on every billboard.
— Eric Winston (@ericwinston) April 29, 2016
Let me dish out some free advice to the young men coming into this league this weekend: they are not your family. This is a business.
— Eric Winston (@ericwinston) April 29, 2016
I wish him good luck and hope every drafted player is wise to what it takes to make it in the NFL and who really has your back.
— Eric Winston (@ericwinston) April 29, 2016
Winston, entering his 11th season, has enjoyed a steady career arc. Tunsil, along with the rest of the 2016 class, would likely be wise to take his advice.