Seldom set foote in your neighbor's house—too much of you, and he will hate you. Proverbs 25:17 (NIV version)
Adam Foote has heeded this advice since orchestrating his own trade 2 seasons ago at the deadline. Foote has been able to avoid coming back to Columbus and playing for very shaky type reasons that have been, let's just say, questionable. In like the swine flu, the CDC has named it "Foote Flu."
I rarely dislike athletes as they are just working stiffs like the rest of us just their profession has people watch them work and they make substantially more money than most. But just like in the real world of work place universes, character flaws are usually what draws distaste or dislike or, in worse case scenarios, hatred of these pathetic souls.
Character flaws will haunt Adam David Vernon Foote for the rest of his days. Even if Foote would find the cure to cancer, the Blue Jacket's faithful will "vurp" in their mouth every time Foote's name is brought up.
For those not as close to what happened, I will go over the scenario that has been widely reported and never refuted by Foote even though given multiple chances to do so.
Adam Foote was brought in and grossly overpaid by then GM Doug MacLean at an average salary of $4.6 million per in an effort to draw other free agents to Columbus and also bring a veteran leader with Stanley Cup success to the team. Foote was named captain of the Blue Jackets in December of 2005.
Now what transpired at the trade deadline in 2008 and even before. Foote had put his house up for sale the summer before his final season. Obviously the "chance" of not being resigned by Columbus was being prepared for. GM Scott Howson was trying to resign the aging veteran and Foote's demands were 2 years for $8 million dollars which was an absurd number for a defenseman that had lost more than a step and was a minus 30 during his tenure with the CBJ. Howson had come up from his original offer to a $3 million per year 2 year contract. Foote refused and then informed Howson he wanted traded and only would be traded to the Avalanche. He also let it be known that if he wasn't traded that he would lay down on the team for the rest of the season. A season if which the Blue Jackets were 5 points out of the playoff race at the trade deadline and were feverishly trying to trade for Brad Richards in an effort to make the playoffs for the first time in franchise history. This is what was reported in the Dispatch right after the deadline.
It's believed that Foote and his agent, Rick Curran, set their contract demands at a height they knew the Blue Jackets wouldn't accept.
When Howson suggested to Foote that the sides continue negotiating beyond the trade deadline -- that the Blue Jackets' playoff hopes, faint as they are, deserve a hearty attempt -- Foote responded in a way nobody could have predicted.
According to numerous NHL sources, Foote threatened to be "a bad teammate, a bad captain and a bad player" the rest of the season if he weren't re-signed or traded to his preferred destination -- the Colorado Avalanche, where his best NHL years were spent.
The Blue Jackets made a final plea, urging Foote to consider all that the Blue Jackets' ownership group, the coaching staff and the fans had done for him the past three seasons.
Again, according to sources, he responded by saying that he "doesn't owe anybody anything."
What happened in the back ground and why it never was fined by the league for collusion, I will never know. Obviously Foote's people and the Av's people had talked through this scenario as Foote's Avalanche equipment was shipped to Calgary 2 days before the trade. There was also a jet waiting in Columbus to fly Foote directly to Calgary where he was able to play the same night.
What this situation revealed is the true character of Adam David Vernon Foote (now that I write this, I will no longer refer to Foote as Adam, it will now be Vern as I have orchestrated this name change on my own). Leaders do not quit on their team. Not on a shift, not in a period, not in a game and especially not on a season. This is also one of the reasons that I dislike Luke Richardson who in every other aspect was a great guy but when he faced adversity by being healthy scratched, he ripped off his "C" off his sweater.
Leaders are also not selfish. True leaders sacrifice their own personal desires and wants for the betterment of the team. Vern obviously took his own personal wants ahead of a young team that was fighting for a chance at the playoffs.
Leaders are also not 2 faced where they put up the front of being "bought in" and in the background cook up a way to get traded out of town. Another way of saying it is that he lied to his team and thus in the after math was made to feel as if they weren't worth the trouble to lead into the playoffs.
Vern has always been bally hood as this great leader. As this situation revealed he is no such thing. He is the current captain of the Avs as it fits his situation now. If adversity hits, look for him to quit on his team either mentally or physically or both.
Now comes the Blue Jackets fans. You have waited for almost 2 years to let Vern Foote know what you think of him and they things that he did to your beloved CBJ. The fan base should come with a full force of fury that is unrelenting no matter what the score of the game is. It shouldn't let up, from the initial drop of the puck to the final horn, this is your chance. NOW DON"T BLOW IT! As we all know, this chance may never come again as "Foote Flu" is sure to show it's face again. Especially after tonight a cowards always find a way to avoid difficult situations and Vern has taken it to an art form.
"Foote Loose" Video
To get a review of the situation to song. Be sure to listen to this classic.
Columbus Blue Jackets Blogger • 
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