Brian Mullan Shaken Over Tackle, Steve Zakuani Injury

We’ve all (or at least I’m sure a fair number of us have) been in situations where we’ve been far more out of control than we realised, and it could be someone showed him the tackle and he has realised how dangerous it was. If this is the case and he’s distraught over his lack of self-control in the situation handle it similar to the Rothlisberger situation where a conditional reduction of the suspension can be set in place.

(In theory) we don’t show leniency to criminals simply because they say they regret their actions, but we do provide for reduction of sentence if they show the regret is real. That dangerous play has finally caught up to the league makes it all the more important for a precendent to be set. Setting a precedent that large penalties can be reduced via some recompence I believe is also a good precedent to set.

But I don’t think Mullan is not genuinly distraught about the play. I’ve been involved in contact during sports that hurt another player and I came away psychically crushed by the implications of a “clean hit”. People train to play on the edge and then have to deal with the consequences for a long time.

Still should get a 10 game or longer suspension.

But if you watched the video of him reacting to the red card after the match, where they pulled the “i’d do it again” it was pretty clear he felt the full eight of what had happened and felt terrible about it, even if his words didn’t really reflect that. Looked like the guy was about to start crying at any moment. Obviously could have been more tactful with his answers and should be made an example of, but I don’t think he’s the monster a lot of us are making him out to be.

He’s human. Of course he feels horrible. No matter whether he personally believes it was truly accidental or due to his own premeditated malice, whether he thinks that’s a tackle he’s done often before or now feels differently, I’d be disturbed if he DIDN’T feel a strong sense of remorse over what happened to Zakuani. Only somebody who is truly psychotic wouldn’t feel remorse. Having caused that kind of injury is something he’ll have to learn to live with and work through.

I honestly hope Mullan does work through it and he and the rest of MLS get a little less physical as a result, having had a first row seat as to what can happen.

I am sad Zak is hurt. I am angry with Mullan. I am happy that Mullan feels bad and believe he really does. I do not know him but only a monster would not feel about that and I doubt he is a monster.

I am not christian but I generally share the forgiveness aspect of the religion when someone feel bad for doing wrong. I do not expect others to but I think it is the best route to go.

With all that said, sports is sports and I will boo him like crazy when/if he comes to seattle.

There is way too much peace, love, and understanding on this thread. At least, it is misplaced compassion.

Let’s be clear. Mullan’s actions robbed Zakuani, the Sounders, and, least of all, us. More generally, it was the actions of the Rapids and the neglect of the MLS and US Soccer to promote skillful play that robbed us.

There is a very real possibility that Zakuani will never be the same. Given the fact that Zakuani was on path to a DP slot in the MLS if not a job in Europe, Mullan could have cost Zakuani millions of dollars. That’s not hyperbole. I’ll say it again. Mullan may have cost Zakuani millions of dollars.

Secondly, the Sounders have spent millions of dollars constructing a team that can contend for the MLS title and beyond. Zakuani was, without doubt, a cornerstone of that team. Mullan’s actions have cost the Sounders, at a minimum, hundreds of thousands of dollars in terms of lost productivity and damage to the product on the field.

Finally, those of us who buy tickets for the Sounders have been robbed of the opportunity to see Zakuani play. Let’s also be clear that it was the revenue from our tickets paid for Zakuani’s salary, as well as indirectly supporting the MLS. Mullan’s “red mist moment” directly deprived us of our investment in the team. And if the team goes loses games that it might have won had Zak been on the field then that is another cost.

Mullan now says he has his fee-fees hurt. Well screw him. His claimed remorse isn’t going to return Zak’s career, return the Sounders to full strength, or return the investment that 30,000+ season ticket holders made in the Sounders.

That said, if the league REALLY wanted to send to a message they would ignore Mullan entirely and go after the coaches and GMs who tolerate and promote “thug” football. Rather than penalizing Mullan why not throw the book at the Rapids:
- Give the Sounders their 1st round draft pick next year
- Fine the Rapids’ the amount of Zak’s salary for the rest of the year
- Give the Sounders salary cap relief so the club can truly make an effort at replacing Zak so that the club, and its supporters, have a true opportunity to win the MLS and advance in the various club tournaments

The league could suspend Mullan for life, and it won’t make a bit of difference for the MLS, Zakuani, the Sounders, or the fans if the style of play in the MLS doesn’t also change.

Sadly, my guess is that Mullan gets a slap on the wrist and nothing at all will happen to the Rapids. And the day after Mullan retires there will be another thug right behind him getting an MLS contract. And one day we will get to hear how that guy “wasn’t a bad guy” and how he “feels bad” because he got his fee-fees hurt due to a non-call and decided to resolve his issue by breaking some bones.

As for the issues of this thread regarding whether or not Mullan is eligible for compassion and forgiveness, I say he is definitely eligible for compassion. When you look at it, Mullan clearly has issues and who really does need to seek professional help.

He (a) lost control of his emotions because things didn’t go his way on the field and who is now (b) claiming to seek counseling and to be unable to play because he can’t control his emotions. He is clearly someone who needs help, and bully for him if he is truly seeking it. Yet people as clearly unstable as Mullan probably don’t need to have high-pressure jobs like being a professional athlete.

Moreover, if Mullan can assault someone in front of thousands of people and a national television office, who knows what he is capable of behind closed doors. One need only look at the NFL to see how violence on the field carries over into violence off the field.

So while Mullan may deserve our compassion let’s not forget what he did nor the price we all paid due to his presence in the league which hired him. Mullan may feel bad today, and the league may truly regret this past weekend, but if fundamental changes aren’t made then it will soon be business as usual and our “forgiveness” and “compassion” will have been thrown back in our faces.

So, yes, suspend Mullan. Frankly he needs to be out for as long as it takes for mental health professionals to get him the help he needs. But throw the book at the real culprits – the clubs and the soccer executives who are all too eager to promote and protect thugs like Mullan.

When I broke my tibia, the guy who was involved in my “breakage” met me at the clinic and sat there with me in the waiting room. He emailed to make sure I was OK. Mullen should have left the pitch and gone directly to the hospital to “support” Zakuani in any way he could. The gesture would have spoke volumes!
Mullan needs to stop and think before he opens his mouth or does anything else. The ice is very thin where he’s standing. He has handled this whole thing wrong from the moment he flung his hands up in the air disgruntled that Wahl wasn’t called for a foul.
Smith is a fool if he even brings Mullan to Seattle. It was a terrible and malicious tackle. Maybe he didn’t intend to break some bones, but he clearly didn’t intend to go for the ball.