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Superstar's curse: Beckham held to a different standard

Paul Childs / Reuters

Let's get one thing out of the way: voluntary OTAs are just that, voluntary.

While head coaches will always say they want their players at every session, no one is obligated to be there. So, in a perfect world, Odell Beckham Jr.'s third straight missed practice wouldn't be making headlines.

However, Beckham has to realize that, fair or not, he isn't an average NFL player. He's a superstar who'll always be a lightning rod for criticism whenever the opportunity arises for people to tear him down.

After a season in which he was talked about maybe more for being a distraction rather than the otherworldly talent he is, Beckham should take any chance he can to blend into the background.

And Beckham is definitely aware his absence is making waves.

Again, Beckham is all but certain to remain among the elite players in the NFL, and he's not exactly the first receiver to be slapped with the "diva" label.

But this seems to be a completely avoidable situation, made worse by the fact Beckham was reportedly expected to arrive Thursday before a change of plan.

As Beckham enters his fourth NFL season, the Giants and their fans will be looking for signs of a newfound maturity from the pass-catching wizard. No more boat trips. No more love affairs with kicking nets.

"You want all your players here, especially the great players," Giants coach Ben McAdoo said Thursday, according to Tom Rock of NewsdaySports.

Three missed sessions won't stop Beckham from pushing himself beyond greatness to an all-time level. This likely won't even register as a footnote in the history of a storied career.

But for an easier, less drama-filled journey toward Canton, Beckham should try to avoid situations like this.

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