“How much more do you need? Could have got more, whatever. Who cares? If $85 million is not enough to take care of my family and generations to come, then I’m pretty stupid.”

–—Los Angeles Angels pitching ace Jered Weaver,after signing a 5 year, $85 million contract to stay with Angels.

Weaver hardly signed for chicken feed, but his statement should be heeded by greedy athletes and corporate executives alike. After next year, he probably could have demanded another two or three million dollars a year or more from the highest bidder for his services, in exchange for leaving a team and a city where he is appreciated and comfortable, putting additional pressure on himself, and using funds that otherwise could pay the salaries of many lower paid club workers who might end up with no jobs at all.

The usual mantra from sports reporters and other players is, “You can’t blame anyone for trying to get all the money he can.” Sure we can, just like we can blame corporate CEO’s who pry obscene contracts out of struggling companies that are cutting their workforce. There are indeed more important things in life than money, and when one has “enough” by any reasonable standard, seeking still more is piggish, wasteful, and shallow.

Every now and then, it is refreshing to here from an athlete who understands

Whatever.