My Antonio Gates Blog

Just as I was wondering how Tom Brady was going to get himself mentally prepared to play in the Pro Bowl next week, my question was answered before it was even asked: Brady isn't going and neither, it turns out, is Randy Moss.

I can't blame them, although I'm sure the sports pundits will bat their absences around, trying to insinuate that Brady and Moss have caught the "sore losers" virus.

The fact is that athletes, despite their outward bravado, are emotional creatures. While Brady and Moss may have physical situations that prevent them from playing, I have little doubt the emotional shock of losing the Super Bowl - and of the team performing as badly as it did - has taken its toll.

I had tons of sympathy for Terrell Owens after the Giants beat Dallas in the playoffs. While some of the usual sports suspects denigrated T.O.'s tears for his team, I thought it was a genuine show of emotion that anyone who is an athlete or lives with one understands and respects.

I also thought it was convenient and rather vulgar when some people tried to accuse San Diego Chargers running back Ladainian Tomlinson of "not showing up" for his teammates because he came out of the Chargers' playoff game against New England early with a persistent knee injury. L.T. seemed to be hiding behind his tinted helmet visor, but I knew what we were witnessing was an athlete hurting inside and out at his inability to perform. Shame on the sports pundits - even former athletes - for disrespecting L.T.'s quiet, and quite obvious, show of emotion.

So I say back off, press. Give Brady and Moss their due. They gave NFL aficionados a heck of a show, they just lost a huge game, and they deserve some space. If you want to even get an inkling of what they're going through, talk to former Buffalo Bills QB Jim Kelly, or Miami Dolphins QB Dan Marino. Those guys never even won rings - and the way they didn't win them was, I can guarantee you, hugely disappointing for both men.

The disappointment of athletic achievement falling just short of the mark is the great risk athletes face every day. That risk is magnified at the professional level. What we owe the men and women who are willing and able to compete on that level is deep respect.

Brady is being replaced by Cleveland Browns' QB Derek Andersen and Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chad Johnson will join his teammate, T.J. Houshmandzadeh, in place of Moss.

But the two Patriots stars are not alone. Tomlison and Chargers tight end Antonio Gates are also sitting out the Pro Bowl. So is their teammate on the defensive side of the ball, Jamal Williams.

With so many stars out of the Pro Bowl this year, it will probably be hard for NFL promoters to whip up as much enthusiasm as expected. Like a lot of my fellow fans, I'm spent from all the pre-Super Bowl hype, anyway. Maybe after the raising and tearing down of NFL demi-gods during the season, we're ready to enjoy a match of also-rans.

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