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RockRam
This stuff where family and friends come first in every circumstance is dubious.
Woods has an obligation (contractual and ethical) to the Rams. He has to properly balance his concern for family and friends with his obligations to his team.
None of us know the extent or substance of the issue he's dealing with. But if he is healthy and able to play, and provided his presence with family or friend doesn't constitute a life or death decision on the part of the affected person, then he needs to show up to work today and play Sunday. Perhaps Monday he can resume his vigil or whatever it is.
We all know of situations such as a player's wife going into labor and the player bows out and stays with his wife during the birth process. I don't think anyone would argue that that is the right choice. But one has to ask why something that has to do with family or friends seems to be going on for many days, and the solution means the player has to miss his team obligations and remain with family and friends. Is he is the ONLY one who can handle the situation?
I acknowledge that this is my speculation. What I'm addressing is less this specific matter and more the overall issue of when family circumstance overrides job considerations.
His job obligations are owed to his employer the Rams. That's it.
If they are fine with him taking the time off, then he is in the right to do so. End of story.
When your job says "sure we have no problem with you taking time off to go handle mysterious family/personal circumstance", then there should be no issue. Why are fans trying to judge him on this? Makes no sense!
And if one says the Rams are too lenient on this type of thing, maybe the Rams would get a rep as a team that takes care of its players and become a favored destination for players to migrate to.
