THE CHEAP SEATS with STEVE CAMERON: Note to the QBs, keep it clean for now

“The race is not always to the swift, nor the battle to the strong – but that’s the way to bet.”

Damon Runyon

(and others)

That quote has been attributed to more than a dozen individuals, but we know that Runyon —a colorful journalist and all-around character in the early days of the 20th century — got it into print.

Did Runyon crib it from someone else?

Did he borrow it from the Bible?

Right there in Ecclesiastes 9:11, it states: 

"The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favor to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.”

No matter the origin of the thought (and whether or not betting might be involved), the point is obvious.

And it’s been true ever since David, the ultimate underdog, took down Goliath.

David would have given the Vegas bookies a whupping if they been in business at the time.

Imagine the furor at Caesar’s Palace when the play-by-play man boomed: “Ohh, a perfect shot … and DOWN goes Goliath!”

OK, FOR all the humor here, sports have given us more Goliaths than Davids.

Bigger, stronger, faster athletes tend to win things.

That’s why baseball had to endure its steroid era.

Hitters discovered they could add 80 feet to their fly calls, and pitchers got some extra hop on their heaters.

Simple advantages, and all you needed was a needle.

The sport, though, which constantly searches for “bigger, stronger, faster” is football.

The Seahawks are sorting out their gladiators during preseason camp right now, preparing for their first exhibition game — Thursday night, Aug. 7 at Lumen Field.

That one will offer a little more hoopla than the average exhibition, since Seattle legend Pete Carroll will be coming to town with the Las Vegas Raiders.

Despite the fact that both teams will be trying to pound the other into dust, almost nothing will be settled for either side that night.

The score won’t matter.

In fact, the only result that gets coaches’ attention is scribbled on the after-action report submitted by their medical people.

Who got hurt?

How seriously?

Most seasons, teams keep their stars safely wrapped up on the sideline while undrafted kids commit something close to street violence on each other.

Among players, the real battle is about clinging to the roster, so the harder they hit and the more spectacular their special teams tackles, the closer they are to staying employed.

Seahawks boss Mike Macdonald will have to gamble more than usual and hold his breath while he’s doing it.

He’s got a new quarterback and remodeled offensive line, and those guys will have to experience live fire to prepare for games that actually count in the standings.

They’ll have to play together.

Everyone knows the possibilities.

In August of 1971, superstar quarterback Joe Namath was knocked out for most of the season in the New York Jets’ first exhibition, a meaningless exercise against the Lions meant to amuse a neutral crowd in Tampa.

HERE’S a report of that night’s mishap, as captured by the New York Times.

The story came from award-winning columnist Dave Anderson.

“Joe Namath severely damaged his left knee tonight while attempting to tackle Mike Lucci, a Detroit Lions linebacker. 

“Surgery will be performed tomorrow in New York on the Jets' 28‐year-old quarterback, his fourth knee operation and the second on the left knee.

“‘There is a possibility that Joe may be able to play by the 10th game of the season late in November,’ said Dr. James A. Nicholas, the Jets' orthopedist. ‘His leg will be in a cast for six or seven weeks.’

“Namath limped on his left knee while returning to the Jets' bench after his collision with the 230‐pound Lucci, who ran 29 yards for a touchdown with a fumble return. 

“One of the Jets' assistant coaches, Ken Meyer, mentioned to Namath what many had wondered: Why had Namath bothered to try tackling Lucci in are exhibition game?”

Namath replied that he couldn’t just watch Lucci score, because he’s a football player.

Just not a defensive back.

By the way, current Jets quarterback Justin Fields is already out with a dislocated toe.

It’s a DNA thing.

Memo to Seattle QBs Sam Darnold, Drew Lock and Jalen Milroe:

Pretend it is flag football.

Live to fight again.

Email: [email protected]

Steve Cameron’s “Cheap Seats” columns appear in The Press three times each week, normally Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday unless, you know, stuff happens.

Steve suggests you take his opinions in the spirit of a Jimmy Buffett song: “Breathe In, Breathe Out, Move On.”