Webster Introduces New Verb: "Petrino"
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
"Just Keep Changing Out the Backdrop About Once a Year"pe-trin-0
- verb (used with object; "to petrino")
1. To abandon or leave duties unfulfilled
2. To rescind on promises and commitments in an irresponsibile and/or reprehensible manner
3. To act in a cowardly nature in the midst of a challenging situation
4. To pay no heed to concepts of loyalty or responsibility
5. To quit
Related forms
pe-trino-ed, verb past
pe-trino-er, noun
pe-trino-ly, adverb (e.g. weasely)
"pulling a petrino," slang (e.g. behaving in a similar way to Bobby Petrino)
Synonyms: Lie, abandon, quit, be unfaithful, break promise, deceive, mislead, sell-out, Saban
Antonyms: Loyal, commit, defend, support, trust, rally, lead
Contextual Examples:
The Knicks petrinoed down the stretch in that game up in Boston.
You'd think after Saban pulled a petrino a few years ago that others might be a bit hesitant to make a similar choice, but, alas, it was not to be.
I could never trust that guy, he's a total petrinoer.
In all seriousness, we've tried to rationalize this one a bit by removing the context of college football and the media spotlight and playing out the metaphor with "normal" people in "real" life. Unfortunately, for Petrino, I don't think it paints a brighter picture. It's OK to leave the 'Ville for greener pastures. The NFL is the top of your profession and you have a chance you take it.
HOW-ever, even if you realize that this job is completely wrong for you and you belong in college, the five-year deal is the bed you made and you have a responsibility - to ownership, players, fans and the community -- to make an attempt to sleep in it, or at least make it up as nicely as you can before you leave. Lean on assistants...call for a lifeline...do what you need to do...for goodness sakes, tuck in the sheets at least...
All of which begs the question: how long do you stay? Say you've just taken over as CEO for a company in an industry that is new for you. After six months, you've decided that advertising, or banking, or insurance, is just too different from the life you knew and isn't for you. Only you've signed a five year 20-something million dollar deal. How long do you wait? Are you not doing that company a disservice by sticking around?
The answers are not clear. But one thing is...if that is the decision you MUST make, the onus to do so with integrity is even higher. Resigning at the end of one season with the explanation that the college game is better for you is one thing. But leaving a team with three games remaining on the schedule...to take a new job...and travel across the country...to participate in a press conference in Arkansas? On the character scale, it doesn't get much lower.
It's hard to understand how someone can be so lacking of any sort of conscience or internal "alarm" system in a situation like this. I have no ties to the Falcons or any major college football team, but I will root against Petrino going forward.
Maybe one day the 'ole boomerang will make its way around and somebody will petrino the man himself. It would seem fittting.
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1 comments:
I hope Petrino munsons it at Arkansas. A little kingpin drop in. Great post Cecelio.
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