Awesome story coming out of the Meadowlands: the New York Jets are still looking for a replacement for Jim Leonhard, their gritty defensive back that was placed on IR three days ago. They put a call out to Kevin Fitzhugh, a safety that spent part 2009 on the Jets practice squad and was in their training camp this summer. Fitzhugh, looking at a chance to start for a playoff-contending team, said thanks but no thanks.

“I told them I’m very thankful for the opportunity,” Fitzhugh said. “But right now, being that it would be for just a couple weeks, I feel that I’d rather stay with a secure company and job, somewhere I know I could have long-term employment.”[..]

“Being unemployed is not a good feeling,” Fitzhugh said. “It’s a lonely feeling. I’d rather be somewhere safe and have a great foundation.”

–NJ Star-Ledger. Thanks, Ben, for the heads-up.

Fitzhugh shot down a chance to follow his dream to keep his job as a conductor for the Norfolk Southern railroad. Good for him. I’d rather see him support his family than get back into football and then 20 years later testify to Congress about how he’s unable to support his family. These guys have a choice when it comes to putting their bodies on the line, and it’s refreshing to finally see a guy realize that. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m late for my shift as a sex slave at the gay bar downtown. Yeah, it’s degrading, but the tips are great. When they wash them.