Schuetz: My First Sports Column

“A man’s greatness is not measured by his accomplishments, but by the content of his character.”

— Martin Luther King, Jr.

Most writers in the gaming space got there through a substantial interest in sports, with a few poker degens thrown in for good measure. The logic seems that if you knew about sports, you could become qualified to write about the sports gaming industry and its regulation. 

Like so many things in my life, I apparently approached this backward. I spent over 50 years in gaming operations and gaming regulation and was just a so-so sports enthusiast. I, therefore, have generally opted to write about things like gaming operations (including having profit-and-loss responsibility to what was arguably the most significant legal sports betting operation in the United States) and regulation.

Anyway, my logic is that if people can write about regulation and gaming operations without lived experience in either, then I could write a sports column. This is my first effort. 

I believe that Saquon Barkley should have been the Super Bowl MVP. I also think that he should be given any other awards that may exist for being an amazing athlete and person.

Allow me to set the stage. In the playoffs, Barkley ran for:

• 119 yards against the Green Bay Packers.
• 205 yards against the Los Angeles Rams.
• 118 yards against the Washington Commanders.

What I saw during those games (understanding that I am the type of sports columnist who often falls asleep on the couch during the games) was a running back that was kicking ass and taking names.

Because of that playoff performance leading up to the Super Bowl, I believe that Goal No. 1 of the Kansas City Chiefs was to keep Saquon Barkley from running amok during the Super Bowl. We old-timers in management would call it a “mission-critical” goal.

In fact, I think the defensive brain trust for Kansas City was obsessed with keeping Barkley confined. I also want to applaud this brain trust for meeting this goal, for he only ran for 57 yards. I believe that was a huge accomplishment, mission-critical-goal-wise.

I also believe Philadelphia had a mission-critical goal: not allowing Patrick Mahomes to beat them. In the first half, Mahomes was 6 of 14, with two interceptions and a passer rating of 10.7. By the time Kansas City found the end zone, the game was essentially over, and one of the stories of the game was that Mahomes was basically a non-event, at least in terms of leading Kansas City to victory.

Somebody stop me

Both apparent mission-critical goals of the two teams were achieved. Saquon was held in check, and Patrick set records for Super Bowl mediocrity.

The problem, at least to this first-time sports columnist, was that stopping Mahomes destroyed any hope the Chiefs had of being a three-peat Super Bowl winner. 

Moreover, the Eagles seemed aware that the Chiefs were losing sleep over Barkley and brought along several other players who could make a difference, and they did. While the Chiefs were working to ensure Saquon did not beat them, the Eagles showed up with a bunch of additional guys who did.

My point is that while Saquon’s 57 yards were not crucial to the outcome of the game, per se, his presence on the field was. While the Chiefs went all-in on Barkley, the rest of the Eagles kicked their ass … badly.

There is more to like about Saquon Barkley. After the 16th game this season, he was positioned to possibly set the single-season rushing record, a distinction held by Eric Dickerson (understanding that Dickerson set his record in a 16-game season). For the 17th game, Barkley left it up to the team whether he would play (the Eagles had already locked in their seeding in the playoffs). While he wanted a shot at the record, he clearly understood his playing was the coach’s decision as to what was best for the team — a rather refreshing position in an environment with its share of prima donnas. The coach said to sit out the game, and Mr. Barkley understood.

There was also an incident near the end of the NFC wild card game where Barkley had a clear shot at the end zone yet took a knee in the field of play. His logic was that this was best for the team, understanding that by taking a knee, victory was certain — an excellent example of situational awareness. I understand that certain bettors were not thrilled with this action, but it has always seemed that whining is the next best thing that bettors enjoy after winning. Hey, folks, stuff happens. Deal with it.

Man of the people

And then there was the parade in Philadelphia. It was reported that Barkley spotted a team ball boy watching the parade from behind the barricades. He walked over to this individual, lifted him over the barricade, and walked along the route with him and other team members. (It is important to understand that Barkley spent most of the day walking the parade route to be close to the people and spent little time on a float.)

Farther along the route was a 3-year-old girl with a sign announcing it was her birthday and the message “Go Birds.” Barkley approached the child, held her sign, and posed for pictures.

My point was that the Chiefs expended such incredible energy worrying about Barkley that there was little left to stop the rest of the Eagles. Because of this, Philadelphia won the Super Bowl in a breeze. Beyond that, Mr. Barkley is an incredible man.

Oh, and I almost forgot. Saquon Barkley left Penn State early, in 2018, to go to the NFL. He made a commitment at that time that he would get his college diploma to be a good example to his daughter. In 2022, he received his degree and hung it in his house so his daughter would know that he “accomplished something great.”

There is also a great essay here, in the Players Tribune, written by Mr. Barkley, where he talks of his life goals after his playing days. It is titled “The Anchor-Mentor-Father Plan.” It is an inspiring read.

Saquon Barkley is the consummate team player. He is committed to the team and is most kind and respectful to everyone. On the field, he is tough. He is a fantastic father and husband. What I define Saquon Barkley to be is a man.

In today’s world, we seem to be missing something: men. It appears that men have evolved into something that is a caricature of a real man, lacking courage, civility, kindness, and respect. Rather, a man has become a mass of ego and greed, with it being all about him. And they are easy to find, for they are all over the political and business worlds.

That is why it is great to have a man like Mr. Barkley on the field, in the sport, and living in our world.

And that is why he is my MVP.

—

Richard Schuetz entered the gaming industry working nights as a blackjack and dice dealer while attending college and has since served in many capacities within the industry, including operations, finance, and marketing. He has held senior executive positions up to and including CEO in jurisdictions across the United States, including the gaming markets of Las Vegas, Atlantic City, Reno/Tahoe, Laughlin, Minnesota, Mississippi, and Louisiana. In addition, he has consulted and taught around the globe and served as a member of the California Gambling Control Commission and executive director of the Bermuda Casino Gaming Commission. He also publishes extensively on gaming, gaming regulation, diversity, and gaming history. Schuetz is the CEO American Bettors’ Voice, a non-profit organization dedicated to giving sports bettors a seat at the table.