An open letter pertinent to all professional athletes:

Dear deer,

Thank you for being so tasty, but the after dinner activities must cease. Although our players are in need of sustenance, they need to remain healthy and on the field. I hope that in the future you will take this into consideration.

Sincerely,

Dan O'Dowd

Colorado general manager

P.S. And don't cause any choking.

Nothing seems to be worse for professional sports teams than to have a player injured off the field of play. Such was the case last week when Colorado rookie shortstop Clint Barnes broke his collarbone when he fell lugging a package of deer meat at teammate Todd Helton's house.

Barnes, who was leading National League rookies in most offensive categories, underwent successful surgery to repair the break in his left collarbone.

Prior to his fall, Barnes, Helton and rookie teammate Brad Hawpe were taking ATV rides on Helton's ranch. Helton said the trio never went more than 5 miles an hour.

Barnes originally said he fell carrying groceries so as not to drag Helton's name into the incident. O'Dowd said he believes Barnes.

Evidently, Barnes didn't want to mention the ATV ride in the wake of Kellen "Evel Knievel" Winslow who ended any chance of playing tight end for the Cleveland Browns this season when he claimed to have wrecked his motorcycle turning into a parking lot going "35" miles an hour.

Actually, Winslow tore the anterior cruciate ligament doing tricks in a secluded parking lot.

Pro athletes need to understand that the amount of money they earn brings certain responsibilities. While they may want to ride motorcycles or ski, they're going to have to settle for bowling or crawling through the maze at McDonald's Playland with their children.

Clauses put into contracts not only protect a team's investment, but they protect the athlete's financial future as well.

Kellen Winslow Sr. was upset with how the media was handling his son's accident. He said 21-year-olds make mistakes and that the media was making a spectacle of the event.

When you're a No. 1 draft pick and making millions of dollars, you're already a spectacle. If you want fame and fortune, it doesn't come without some unwanted baggage.

Since he's making barely more than the minimum salary, Barnes should be able to command more money in his next contract. If Barnes actually injured his shoulder carrying a package of meat, then his next contract should have some new clauses.

I have some suggestions.

1. Only carry bags of meat with the words McDonald's, Burger King or Rax written on the side.

2. Ride only on an ATV – A Taxi or Vacuum cleaner.

3. When vacationing in the Florida Keys, make sure the keys are to the front door, back door and car door.

4. Accept only tickets to festivals such as MegaFest.

5. Swim only at the Ironton City Pool.

Athletes may not have much of a social life, but at least they can imagine ways of spending their money.

Jim Walker is sports editor of The Ironton Tribune.