Linebacker Takeo Spikes is a free agent and because of that he will not be participating in the San Francisco 49ers player organized workouts. Spikes played for the team last season, but he is not currently under contract so he prefers to stay in shape on his own instead of doing the player organized workouts that he believes many players just do for positive publicity.
“I’m not in favor of [player organized workouts],” Spikes said, via Sports Radio Interviews. “And the reason why is because, number one, I think guys are doing because the next man is doing it. It’s like, if you are going to do what you are going to do, I’ve always been taught — and I live by this creed — that what you do in private will be displayed in public one day, so you don’t have to try to keep up with the Joneses and try to do something because, hey, this quarterback is doing it, so I’m going to do it.
“The next thing I hate about it is the fact that some guys legitimately they can’t come. They can’t come and so when you let the media come in and tape the workouts the first thing they are going to say is where is so-and-so? From that point, on whether it is wrong or right or indifferent, the media guys will paint a picture to the public about a guy who can’t legitimately come.”
Spikes prefers working out on his own and has harsh words for those who don’t seem up for the task.
“If you can’t wake up in the morning, go work out, do what you are supposed to do and come back and have the rest of the day to do what you want to do,” Spikes said, “then you got a problem.”
Spikes wouldn’t be the first player to speak out about player organized activities, but he may have had the harshest words. You can’t blame Spikes for avoided the workouts, especially since he needs to worry about his own health in order to further his career if he so chooses.
He may be criticized for his comments, but I applaud Spikes for sticking to his guns and doing things his own way. He is a veteran of the game and doesn’t need the workouts to keep himself in shape and learn a new system. He will be just fine.