After a whirlwind week of free agency activity the previous week, this past week was one of calm and quiet in Green Bay.
While the Packers did sign former Vikings DL Letroy Guion during the week, perhaps the most notable news was the departure of OT Marshall Newhouse, who signed with the Bengals on Friday.
His signing ends one of the most tumultuous careers in recent memory for the Packers, and gives Newhouse a new lease on his NFL life.
The story of Newhouse’s short career as a Packer is actually somewhat fascinating.
Many are quick to forget that he was the Packers starting left tackle during 2011-12. What cannot be forgotten his the almost unheard 21 1/2 sacks he allowed during his two year stint as Aaron Rodgers’ blindside protector. By the time 2013 came around, he had been demoted from starting left tackle, competing with Don Barclay for the starting right tackle spot, eventually losing out on that opportunity as well.
From starter to unwanted in three short years. That is the harsh reality of the tough business known as the NFL.
Even harsher than the business side of the NFL is the ability of fans to let players know EXACTLY what is on their minds instantaneously through the power of social media. It is both a curse and a blessing to have access to players, to be able to interact with them, and even have conversations with them.
Unfortunately for Newhouse, comments he received were far too often filled with vitriol and hatred.
It is no secret that Newhouse struggled during his time with the Packers. His play was far too often suspect, and that is putting it mildly. And the power of social media enabled “fans” from all over the globe to flood his timeline with spite and hatred the likes of which were seldom seen previously.
Despite this level of hate aimed at him, Newhouse stayed a pure professional, ignoring the haters and maintaining a professional image, in spite of what was aimed his way.
His final act as a member of the Packers epitomized class, when he took to Twitter one final time to thank the support he received while in Green Bay:
I appreciate the support in GB the last 4 years, such great fans and organization! Excited for the future, moving forward in Cincinnati!
— Marshall Newhouse (@MNewhouse74) March 21, 2014
Newhouse should be applauded for sending this message. After years of receiving essentially nothing but hate on Twitter, he could have said nothing, choosing to walk away from Green Bay silently. But he didn’t. He sent a message to those who supported him, as well as those who did not.
He is a better man than I am. It would have been difficult for me not to vent a little about some of the comments received over the years as my final act if the roles were reversed. For that, I applaud him.
We are all too quick to forget the power of social media. Instantaneous messages sent to individuals that can have a profound effect on them. The positive ones come far too seldom; the negative ones come far too frequently, and can have a lasting impact on the person.
Marshall Newhouse was the recipient of far more negative than positive messages during his time in Green Bay. And while he could have lashed out at the haters on more than one occasion, he chose the far more classy path of ignoring them, choosing to focus on the support he received than the countless messages of hate aimed his way.
His final tweet as a Packer taught us the meaning of class. Perhaps we can all learn a little bit from Marshall Newhouse.
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John Rehor is a writer at PackersTalk.com.
He can also be heard as one of the Co-Hosts of Cheesehead Radio. ---------------------
12 responses to “Marshall Newhouse Taught Us the Meaning of Class In His Final Act as a Packer”
One thing fans who spew hate towards these athletes fail to realize is that the people we are saying such terrible things about are human beings with families and people who love them. How would one of these hate-mongers feel if they spewed such venom on one of their children. Good for Marshall Newhouse on a new lease on his professional life and for showing the class many of his detractors failed to exhibit.
Great comment. Thank you for leaving it, and for reading!
Classy yes. Better man than I, yes.
I still blame Newhouse for A) ruining the Packers 2011 season, which was undefeated at 13-0 heading into KC. He let Tamba Hali around him all day long. and B) that caused rookie OT Derek Sherrod to get his leg broken in 2 places, basically ending the 1st round pick’s chances of ever being a stud bookend OT as Ted Thompson tried to get for Rodgers.
Newhouse was slow and lazy. Did not move his feet.
That Chiefs team was horrible and was missing it’s starting safety Eric Berry, QB, and star RB in Jamaal Charles. But because of the horrific lack-of-blocking, Packers dream season and repeat chances ended that day.
You expect me to feel sorry for a man who collected several million dollars for playing a game? Please don’t forget those millions came directly out of the pockets of the people who were mean to him.
I, too, thought his last tweet was classy, but that doesn’t change the fact that while he certainly did not deserve cruelty, he most certainly earned every bit of the criticism that came his way.
I never said anyone should feel sorry for Marshall Newhouse. I said we could all learn a little bit about class in the way he handled his leaving GB considering what he endured while a member of the Packers.
Criticism is one thing. Pure hatred is another. And he far too often received unbelievable hatred from Packers fans.
I too feel he left with class. Sure hope he finds success in Cincy. More than one player has struggled in one place only to do well somewhere else. Any one remember “The Grave Digger”?
It’s difficult to remember Gilbert Brown was at one time a Viking since all of success came with the Packers. Newhouse could very well benefit from a change in scenery. Time will tell.
So while Newhouse left with class he def deserved the criticism. That being said he def did not deserve the hatred he got thrown his way. I totally understand people being upset about him allowing our $150 million dollar man “Rodgers” getting his head ripped off, but for god sake don’t threaten the poor guy. If anyone is to blame it would be TT for bad judge of his talent.
Say what you want about his level of play. He tried and was not as successful as either he, the Packers or the fans would have liked. However, he gave it his best shot and certainly left in a very classy way. I hope the change of scenery helps improve his performance.
Newhouse brought the skills Ted Thompson & Coach McCarthy new he had. I blame them totally for the incompetent way they filled that position and had backup plan. Same at QB last year: a disaster waiting to happen…
Good luck to Newbouse & sincerely hope TT & MM learn from last year!
Marshall Newhouse has great feet. If he finds just a little bit of a nasty streak and plays with heavier hands, he could be a very solid starter.
Nice article, John. I hope that the change of scenery is good for Newhouse.