I must say this Blog has been banging around in my head for quite some time but it seems more and more that athletes are being portrayed in the media as monsters, as tidbits about their personal lives hit the television, radio, and newspapers. I will touch on the sports media largely being nothing more than a bunch of tabloid hacks in another article but today I want to dig into the way they portray these athletes as people and sports figures.
Let's review some of the more recent poo flinging scandals. Brett Favre accused of sending "racy" text messages and photos to a team employee when he was a member of the NY Jets. Braylon Edwards getting a DWI. Ben Rothlisberger having inappropriate relations with a young "lady" in a club bathroom. Tiger Woods cheating on his wife with multiple women.
Now for some not so recent. Barry Bonds and the rest of the media drubbed "steroid era" players being vilified for cheating. Pete Rose and his gambling problem. Kobe Bryant being accused of rape. Michael Jordan and Charles Barkley and their gambling issues.
All these things both recent and not so recent have several things in common but the two things that stand out most are that they got HUGE media attention and the players involved were slammed by media outlets, fellow professionals, and fans. Don't get me wrong, in every instance I mentioned the player involved made a giant error in judgement and did something that I think we can all agree on was morally wrong. Did everyone read that right? I said MORALLY WRONG. These professional athletes were morally wrong but people by and large want to condemn them as scum and even go so far as to blast them as athletes. What they did wrong may make them bad people but it in NO WAY makes them a bad athlete.
Pete Rose gambled on baseball. You can question his morals but you cannot question that he was one of the best players ever to swing a bat. Michael Jordan had a gambling problem. You can question his morals but you cannot question that he may be the best player ever to pick up a basketball. Brett Favre is accused of flirting with a team employee while he was married. You can question his morals but you cannot question that he may be the best quarterback ever to throw a pass. Tiger Woods had affairs with numerous women while married. You can question his morals but you cannot question that he is one of the best golfers ever to swing a club.
I think you see my point. So many times it seems like the media and even fans want to connect the players personal lives with their accomplishments on the field. This seems ridiculous to me. I watch all these players and think to myself... these are some of the best players in the history of sports but they sure do lack a strong sense of morals and in some cases integrity. Believe it or not, you can appreciate an athlete for his play on the field, rink, course, etc while disagreeing with his morals and beliefs as a person. It can be done people. I stand as a living testimonial of this ground breaking fact. So much is made of the professional athlete as a role model or lack there of. Yes, countless years ago, players were looked to as role models for kids and adults alike. Lots of little boys grew up wanting to be just like their favorite pro hero. That was realistic then because the media did not report the players personal baggage. It was easy to idolize a player because all you had to base it on was his or her performance on their filed of choice. Now however, as unfortunate is it is, you must separate the player from the person. Don't get me wrong there are some athletes, a good majority I would venture to say, that are great people and they gladly take on the mantle of role model. There are some however that do not want this title and do not believe that it should be forced upon them. I must say that I agree with them in this day and age. The world has changed and so have the people who live in it. It does not make the moral and personal indiscretions right it just means that people should not view them as both good people and good athletes.
Long road to tie in the title of this article but here it is. Parents. You need to wake up and realize that your kids can like and idolize an athlete for being great even if he is one of the people I mentioned above or another athlete that has done similar things. It is YOUR JOB as a parent to make them see the separation that has to exist between what they do on the field and then off the field. I would want my kids to idolize every athlete I mentioned in this article... for their play on the field. It is my responsibility, not those athletes, to make them strong moral people.
A note to all the adults who cannot make the separation. Those who stop being a fan of a player that has done great things in sports but has made personal mistakes. Those that bash them as being horrible in general based on those types of things... get over yourself. Get off your moral high horse and realize that you can be a great athlete and still be a horrible person. "Normal" people do it in their lives every day. You can be a great doctor, lawyer, teacher or any other profession and still be a complete and utter poor excuse for a human being personally.
The ultimate point here is that adults and kids alike seem to be losing their love of sports based on the kinds of things mentioned above. Sports was a HUGE part of my life and was very instrumental in making me the person I am today. I think I am a pretty good person. Not perfect by any means but I do the best I can. I was taught a solid sense or morals and the difference between right and wrong by good parents. Sports can help kids in so many ways and the love of sports needs to be fostered and encouraged.
Shame on the athletes for doing things that or morally wrong and sometimes worse...
But shame on the adults and parents for not being able to separate on the field from off the field to try to keep the love of sports alive.
See you soon from the cheap seats
Friday, October 15, 2010
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Scandal as an NFL pre-game tactic?
Being from Michigan, the U of M vs MSU game would have been too easy to comment on so here we go...
Earlier this week it came out that Brett Favre may have sent "racy" messages to a NY Jets employee when he was with the team. The allegations naturally made national news and I am sure interfered with the weekly prep of the Vikings. Being asked about the statements has to have an affect on Favre and the rest of the team. If nothing else it is a distraction that professional athletes do not need. The game of professional football is hard enough to play without having your focus pulled away to deal with something non-football related.
That being said.
Does anyone find it a coincidence that this weeks opponent for the Vikings is... The Jets? You have got to be kidding me. If the allegations prove to be true they have been true for over 2 years. They could have come out at any time during those two years. It just seems way to convenient to me that they came out the week prior to the Vikings vs Jets game.
That raises the question...
Did the Jets in some way have something to do with this coming out now. As I previously noted, this could have come out at any time over the last 2 years. Suspicious is probably an understatement in my opinion. Perhaps it is all just a happy coincidence but I think not. What better way to get the QB of the team you are playing off his game than to present him with a huge distraction during his prep week. Whether the allegations are true or not this would prove to be a HUGELY unprofessional move on the part of the Jets. Could I see them doing it... sure. Going into the season I thought the Jets were a down to earth, gritty, talented, working man's team that had a real chance of getting deep into the playoffs and possibly playing in the Super Bowl. I still believe they are all those things but there are some additions. I now also believe that they are a sometimes unprofessional team that thinks because they got a lot of press and were on HBO that they somehow have the right to do and say whatever they want and that they are untouchable. Coaches and players continuously run their mouths which is a part of the game to a point but to hear it daily is a bit over the top. The run in with the female reporter earlier this season speaks volumes. Braylon Edwards DWI and then joke of a suspension by the team speaks volumes. They call it professional football for a reason. Despite all the violence and fierce competition things must remain professional. Would a team do something like let slip accusations that their upcoming opponent's QB may have had some scandalous things happen years ago? I imagine some teams may have thought about it but it appears one may have gone and done it.
All the talk is that Brett Favre is being investigated and could even face a possible suspension. If he is going to be investigated I believe that the Jets should be investigated as well and if it is determined that they had anything to do with this getting out they should be penalized and penalized heavily. Draft picks being forfeit would be just a start. Competition is sometimes mean and nasty but it in end it must remain professional.
I do like the Jets and would much rather see them win rather than say the Cowboys, Patriots, or Raiders but winning should be done the right way... and if the Jets are involved in this scandal, not this way.
See you soon from the cheap seats
Earlier this week it came out that Brett Favre may have sent "racy" messages to a NY Jets employee when he was with the team. The allegations naturally made national news and I am sure interfered with the weekly prep of the Vikings. Being asked about the statements has to have an affect on Favre and the rest of the team. If nothing else it is a distraction that professional athletes do not need. The game of professional football is hard enough to play without having your focus pulled away to deal with something non-football related.
That being said.
Does anyone find it a coincidence that this weeks opponent for the Vikings is... The Jets? You have got to be kidding me. If the allegations prove to be true they have been true for over 2 years. They could have come out at any time during those two years. It just seems way to convenient to me that they came out the week prior to the Vikings vs Jets game.
That raises the question...
Did the Jets in some way have something to do with this coming out now. As I previously noted, this could have come out at any time over the last 2 years. Suspicious is probably an understatement in my opinion. Perhaps it is all just a happy coincidence but I think not. What better way to get the QB of the team you are playing off his game than to present him with a huge distraction during his prep week. Whether the allegations are true or not this would prove to be a HUGELY unprofessional move on the part of the Jets. Could I see them doing it... sure. Going into the season I thought the Jets were a down to earth, gritty, talented, working man's team that had a real chance of getting deep into the playoffs and possibly playing in the Super Bowl. I still believe they are all those things but there are some additions. I now also believe that they are a sometimes unprofessional team that thinks because they got a lot of press and were on HBO that they somehow have the right to do and say whatever they want and that they are untouchable. Coaches and players continuously run their mouths which is a part of the game to a point but to hear it daily is a bit over the top. The run in with the female reporter earlier this season speaks volumes. Braylon Edwards DWI and then joke of a suspension by the team speaks volumes. They call it professional football for a reason. Despite all the violence and fierce competition things must remain professional. Would a team do something like let slip accusations that their upcoming opponent's QB may have had some scandalous things happen years ago? I imagine some teams may have thought about it but it appears one may have gone and done it.
All the talk is that Brett Favre is being investigated and could even face a possible suspension. If he is going to be investigated I believe that the Jets should be investigated as well and if it is determined that they had anything to do with this getting out they should be penalized and penalized heavily. Draft picks being forfeit would be just a start. Competition is sometimes mean and nasty but it in end it must remain professional.
I do like the Jets and would much rather see them win rather than say the Cowboys, Patriots, or Raiders but winning should be done the right way... and if the Jets are involved in this scandal, not this way.
See you soon from the cheap seats
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Red Wings Opener
Final score 4-0 Wings... nice opening night win.
Modano scores in his first game with the Wings... nice touch.
Howard gets a shutout and plays solid in net... goal tending is a key to the cup.
But... can someone explain to me... WHY THE HELL IS DATSYUK FIGHTING!
Don't get me wrong, I love the fact that he was willing to come to blows with a bigger player from the Ducks in defense of his team. He shows the kind of heart that is commendable, especially in a highly skilled two way player that normally would not drop the gloves. The point is he never should have been put in that position in the first place. The top talents in the league do not fight for a reason and that reason is that they are WAY to important to their team to risk possible injury doing something that other players on their team should be in place to do. It has been an ongoing theme with the Red Wings for years now. Other teams take liberties with their star players because they do not fear any type of retaliation. Last nights game was a hack and slash fest on the part of the Ducks, especially when the game was out of reach. Yes, there were fights earlier in the game and in one of them an Anaheim player broke his thumb which only drives home my point further. The Wings have possibly the deepest offense in the NHL this year but all that offense means nothing if those players are taking a beating every night and then missing games due to injury. It has been happening for far too long. They lose games due to injury which ultimately costs them wins, playoff positioning (last year especially), and potentially a chance to play for the Stanley Cup.
At the point when the hacking and slashing got out of control there should have been someone on the Wings roster that grabbed a Duck player and pounded on him to send a message to them that that type of play will not be tolerated. This in turn sends a message to other teams that they can take less liberties with the Wings star players. Instead NO ONE mans up and Datsyuk is forced to fight and risk himself and the best interest of the team. Even if someone was not willing to take the lead and do the "dirty work", there should have been someone as the third man in to peel the player off Datsyuk and take the third man in penalty. The game was already 4-0 and at that point taking the penalty would have meant nothing... other than possibly keeping the Wings best player from being hurt and missing time. Probert, Kocur, and dare I say it even Darren Mac would never have let Yzerman fight even if he had wanted to. They would have made a streak to the opposing player and taken care of business.
I love the Wings but this is a weakness that cannot be overlooked. It has been a problem for years and apparently times are not going to change any time soon. I applaud Datsyuk for his heart. He did well and held his own in the fight but it never should have come to that.
Great game Wings but shame on you for your lack of toughness... shame on you for allowing your star players to be abused night after night... shame on you for not realizing that Datsyuk fighting is not in the best interest of the team... and most of all shame on you for doing NOTHING about it.
See you soon from the cheap seats
Modano scores in his first game with the Wings... nice touch.
Howard gets a shutout and plays solid in net... goal tending is a key to the cup.
But... can someone explain to me... WHY THE HELL IS DATSYUK FIGHTING!
Don't get me wrong, I love the fact that he was willing to come to blows with a bigger player from the Ducks in defense of his team. He shows the kind of heart that is commendable, especially in a highly skilled two way player that normally would not drop the gloves. The point is he never should have been put in that position in the first place. The top talents in the league do not fight for a reason and that reason is that they are WAY to important to their team to risk possible injury doing something that other players on their team should be in place to do. It has been an ongoing theme with the Red Wings for years now. Other teams take liberties with their star players because they do not fear any type of retaliation. Last nights game was a hack and slash fest on the part of the Ducks, especially when the game was out of reach. Yes, there were fights earlier in the game and in one of them an Anaheim player broke his thumb which only drives home my point further. The Wings have possibly the deepest offense in the NHL this year but all that offense means nothing if those players are taking a beating every night and then missing games due to injury. It has been happening for far too long. They lose games due to injury which ultimately costs them wins, playoff positioning (last year especially), and potentially a chance to play for the Stanley Cup.
At the point when the hacking and slashing got out of control there should have been someone on the Wings roster that grabbed a Duck player and pounded on him to send a message to them that that type of play will not be tolerated. This in turn sends a message to other teams that they can take less liberties with the Wings star players. Instead NO ONE mans up and Datsyuk is forced to fight and risk himself and the best interest of the team. Even if someone was not willing to take the lead and do the "dirty work", there should have been someone as the third man in to peel the player off Datsyuk and take the third man in penalty. The game was already 4-0 and at that point taking the penalty would have meant nothing... other than possibly keeping the Wings best player from being hurt and missing time. Probert, Kocur, and dare I say it even Darren Mac would never have let Yzerman fight even if he had wanted to. They would have made a streak to the opposing player and taken care of business.
I love the Wings but this is a weakness that cannot be overlooked. It has been a problem for years and apparently times are not going to change any time soon. I applaud Datsyuk for his heart. He did well and held his own in the fight but it never should have come to that.
Great game Wings but shame on you for your lack of toughness... shame on you for allowing your star players to be abused night after night... shame on you for not realizing that Datsyuk fighting is not in the best interest of the team... and most of all shame on you for doing NOTHING about it.
See you soon from the cheap seats
Friday, October 8, 2010
Day One...
OK, so here we are at day 1 of my new Blog, View From the Cheap Seats. I hope to post here daily on something in the world of sports that has caught my eye or ear. Having been passionate about sports my whole life I generally have an opinion on most things sports related. You may agree with me, you may not but in the end we all have an opinion.
Again, let me be clear... this Blog comes from my love of sports and the views expressed are my opinions. Please feel free to comment often with your agreements or disagreements. Talking about sports is one of my favorite things to do so follow the blog, participate, have fun, and by all means spread the word to all your friends that love sports.
See you soon from the cheap seats
Again, let me be clear... this Blog comes from my love of sports and the views expressed are my opinions. Please feel free to comment often with your agreements or disagreements. Talking about sports is one of my favorite things to do so follow the blog, participate, have fun, and by all means spread the word to all your friends that love sports.
See you soon from the cheap seats
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)