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Washington Commanders owner Daniel Snyder does not have a legacy that will endear him to the public over the next couple of decades.
How many of you recall learning English literature in grade school (or perhaps middle school for some) of a King Midas in Greek Mythology?
The myth taught that Midas had been hospitable, serving for one Silenus for about ten days until he was back in good health. On day 11, Midas again selflessly served Silenus returning him to Dionysus in Lydia.
Dionysius then thanked Midas and to show his appreciation told Midas he would grant Midas a wish for him. Midas wished that all he touched would be turned to gold and so his wish was granted.
Upon receiving his new powers, Midas was so happy to find that when he touched stones they turned to gold. At home when he touched roses they also became gold.
However, he soon found his powers brought major problems to his life as when he attempted to drink or eat food they too turned to gold. His huge powers were now seen to also be a huge curse.
Money, power, popularity, and fame are all things most of us desire greatly until a very few of us attain them and find that what appeared to be a great blessing is now a great curse.
Has this not been the case for the Commanders owner Daniel Snyder?
Snyder grew a communications business into a billion dollar profit, and with it, purchased the one thing perhaps he wanted more than anything else, the Washington Redskins in 1999.
He was instantly portrayed as a fan, who loved the team and would bring the team success. He soon was popular, receiving all sorts of positive feedback and hopes from the Washington fan base and media.
Yet, in only a couple of months, Charley Casserly was “resigning.” In that first season, the then-Redskins won the NFC East for the first time since 1991. He was experiencing immediate success.
Looking back, wasn’t it the worst thing that could have happened for Snyder? In his second season, he determined he was the practicing general manager making personnel decisions, signing aging veterans to over-priced contracts leaving Washington with dead-cap money in years to come.
Thus for the next 22 seasons, he never had a true NFL general manager other than Scot McCloughan, whom he and Bruce Allen did not permit to act as true general manager. He fired Marty Schottenheimer after only one season. He hired Jim Zorn to be his head coach, though he had yet to be a coordinator.
In his 24 NFL seasons as Washington’s owner, there have been 8 head coaches but only 2 playoff wins. In the playoffs, Snyder was 2-6 and his regular season record was 164-220-2.
The home attendance has plummeted to dead last in 2022, certain aspects of the stadium are in desperate need, there has been an investigation (covered up with no public report) and now another investigation. There have been lawsuits, accusations, and settlements.
His office in Ashburn is empty, and his local residence is for sale. What once began as a fun adventure in 1999 is ending in a desire to live in anonymity. What was once a blessing because a curse as poor choices continued to doom his aspirations as owner.
Perhaps, might Snyder and Midas have more in common than we thought at first glance?