GREEN BAY, WI – 12/19/2014 – Green Bay Packers’ running back Eddie Lacy has been one of Ted Thompson’s better draft selections in his first two seasons. With 1,178 yards in 2013, Lacy should break the thousand yard mark once again. Unfortunately for the sophomore running back, he’s been missing practices lately due to eye irritation caused by his contact lenses. Eddie Lacy describes himself as “very blind” without the corrective lenses, but refuses to forgo the contacts in lieu of wearing goggles.
He simply refuses to wear them, but realizes he may have to should this interfere with his on the field play. He claims that “it’s old school,” but knows that they may be better for his game-play. Personally, not only does he apparently need to rock the goggles, he should. Here’s why: It’s awesome. Think of all the great athletes who have rocked the goggles. Some of the all-time greats have donned the strap-on glasses, and here’s my top-10 athletes to rock ’em:
- Kareem Abdul-Jabaar – Dude is a legend. Six championships, six MVPs, and the most points scored in an NBA career. Here’s to you Kareem, for making us “four-eyes” proud.
- Hakeem Olajuwon – “The Dream” may have been one of the best big men of all time, but his eyes definitely put him in the lower 50% of the population in the eyesight category.
- Erick Dickerson – The single-season record holder for most rushing yards in a season certainly couldn’t have done it without the gift of sight. You don’t rush for 2,105 yards in a season and make six pro-bowls without being able to see… you just don’t.
- James Worthy – Despite playing in the shadow of the likes of Kareem and Magic Johnson, Worthy is a hall-of-famer. Dude had skills, and some sick specs to boot. “Big Game James” should be a player that everybody knows.
- Horace Grant – Just look at this picture. That’s all you need to know. Dude’s a bad ass.
- Michael Phelps – Yeah, he’s a swimmer, and “duh” his entire sport wears them, but do any of the other members of his sport have 14 gold medals? Didn’t think so.
- Bill Laimbeer – The poster-child for the “Bad Boy” Pistons, Laimbeer was perhaps the dirtiest player in NBA history. He busted out the face-mask long before Rip Hamilton, and even went full-on goggles when he felt there may be some retribution for his previous deeds in the league.
- Kurt Rambis – If you’ve never seen this video, then you don’t know what the great rivalries in NBA history are like. Kurt took the shot, got up, and tried to chase McHale down. Where do you think that confidence came from? Knowing his eyes were protected, I’m sure.
- Bob Griese – Depending on how technical you want to get, these aren’t goggles, but come on… the glasses under the helmet!? Brings me back to 8th grade baby.
- Chris Sabo – You think you could hit 116 home runs without being able to see the ball? Me neither.
So there you have it. Listen to Nike Eddie, and “Just Do It”!
Have any suggestions? Shoot me an e-mail: [email protected]!
-Carl Leander Johnson
