You know, you can almost understand why an athlete would drop a Hitler reference so flippantly, without much thought. We mean, do you really think they have spent a lot of time studying the time frame? Do you really believe Kevan Barlow is like, "As a World War II scholar, I understand absolutely the weight of my words."

Anyway, Barlow, the brand new Jets running back, unloaded on former coach Mike Nolan on Tuesday, comparing the 49ers leader to the Nazi dictator in comments to the Contra Costa Times.

He walks around with a chip on his shoulder, like he's a dictator, like he's Hitler. People are scared of him. If it ain't Nolan's way, it's the highway.

Then on Wednesday, Barlow realized what he had done.

I was kind of harsh on him, saying he's a dictator. That's bad. Saddam Hussein is a dictator. I was speaking on emotion.

But then, Barlow said something really crazy:

I put it behind me, and I'm glad to be a Jet.

Players Support Nolan [Contra Costa Times]