2008 Woodie Awards
Professional Sports Are Gone Forever
Jonathan Stone
Issue date: 2/16/05 Section: Perspectives
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Why is it that sport superstars are constantly looked upon? People try to create public images out of them, and fans remember everything they were involved in. From stats to plays and events they took part in, fans are just as knowledgeable as ever. Fans also remember to criticize everything players do. What happened to having fun, winning, and losing? Let the players play.
Years ago, if a player from any sport making $85,000 a year were to break their leg and make an early comeback to help his team win a championship, he would be considered a hero to the fans, a true team player, and an all around tough-guy. Yet in today's world, fans rip a player with a multi-million dollar contract apart for doing the same thing!
ESPN's John Clayton says, "It would be a credit to hard work, dedication to his teammates and courage." Despite the praise Terrell Owens is receiving from the media for his heroics, there are many Eagles fans are upset because he played. A die-hard Eagles fan who wishes to remain nameless said, "[The Eagles] have put so much value on the man's shoulders that if he plays and breaks his leg again, he may never be the same T-O and Philly has lost their opportunities [to win a superbowl] for the next five years." It seems as if the new generation of football fans weren't told that NFL playoff games are played as if there is no tomorrow.
Is taunting beyond the game or is it added flavor to the competition? If players can trash talk with little interference from officials, then why not allow gestures? The fans sure know how to show their feelings through gestures. There used to be a time when players would just do their job without words being exchanged or celebrations. Barry Sanders used to toss the ball to the referee and hustle to the sideline after a breathtaking 50-year touchdown run. Now, when wide-open receivers make a 5-yard touchdown catch...stop the game! I need my television time to celebrate!
A few years ago when the Rams scored, the infamous bob-and-weave celebration was expected. When Sammy Sosa hits a homer, his hopping and pointing up to the sky is expected. When T-O scores he is expected to display a new and unique taunt. Why did Randy Moss have to pretend to pull down his pants and moon the crowd? Easy, after being taunted by Green Bay fans all day he wanted to get back at them. But, what does it do for the game?
Take football for example. Real football fans want to see teamwork, execution, quarterbacks breaking down defenses, halfbacks breaking tackles, cornerbacks picking the ball off out of nowhere, the hard hits, and the 50-yard game winning field goal attempts. Not the dances, crowd dives, and group hugs.
Maybe there would be more elite players in professional sports today if they focused on the game plan, rather than taunting the other team and celebrating doing their job with their teammates.
Years ago, if a player from any sport making $85,000 a year were to break their leg and make an early comeback to help his team win a championship, he would be considered a hero to the fans, a true team player, and an all around tough-guy. Yet in today's world, fans rip a player with a multi-million dollar contract apart for doing the same thing!
ESPN's John Clayton says, "It would be a credit to hard work, dedication to his teammates and courage." Despite the praise Terrell Owens is receiving from the media for his heroics, there are many Eagles fans are upset because he played. A die-hard Eagles fan who wishes to remain nameless said, "[The Eagles] have put so much value on the man's shoulders that if he plays and breaks his leg again, he may never be the same T-O and Philly has lost their opportunities [to win a superbowl] for the next five years." It seems as if the new generation of football fans weren't told that NFL playoff games are played as if there is no tomorrow.
Is taunting beyond the game or is it added flavor to the competition? If players can trash talk with little interference from officials, then why not allow gestures? The fans sure know how to show their feelings through gestures. There used to be a time when players would just do their job without words being exchanged or celebrations. Barry Sanders used to toss the ball to the referee and hustle to the sideline after a breathtaking 50-year touchdown run. Now, when wide-open receivers make a 5-yard touchdown catch...stop the game! I need my television time to celebrate!
A few years ago when the Rams scored, the infamous bob-and-weave celebration was expected. When Sammy Sosa hits a homer, his hopping and pointing up to the sky is expected. When T-O scores he is expected to display a new and unique taunt. Why did Randy Moss have to pretend to pull down his pants and moon the crowd? Easy, after being taunted by Green Bay fans all day he wanted to get back at them. But, what does it do for the game?
Take football for example. Real football fans want to see teamwork, execution, quarterbacks breaking down defenses, halfbacks breaking tackles, cornerbacks picking the ball off out of nowhere, the hard hits, and the 50-yard game winning field goal attempts. Not the dances, crowd dives, and group hugs.
Maybe there would be more elite players in professional sports today if they focused on the game plan, rather than taunting the other team and celebrating doing their job with their teammates.