I Am Not A Role Model

Today's Villian.  Seahawks' Richard Sherman

Many years ago Charles Barkley implored the World not to look up to him.  He was, after all, a basketball player.  He could rebound and score.  He was able to lead a team.  But he, like so many of us, was/is a flawed human being.  Why on Earth, as the Nike ad wizards suggested, would we look to him for advice, guidance, discipline?

Now, if I wanted to know how to box out or drive to the basket, Sir Charles was my man.

Many took offense to the spot.  "Well he is on TV" they shouted.  "He does interviews and appears on Saturday Night Live!"  "Damn it! he is a very public figure."

So what?

So is Snooki.  So is Chris Christie.  So too Bill Maher, Jon Stewart, Jack Nicholson, Meryl Streep etc…   I mention all those NJ folks because the latest uproar du'jour has to do with the Garden State's first Super Bowl.  Richard Sherman, the Seattle Seahawks gifted defensive back, lashed out in a cringe worthy post-game interview.  Among other things he belittled an opposing player, lavished praise on himself, and scared the beJesus out of Erin Andrews.

As a lifelong Seahawks fan I cannot condone any of these things.  However as a lifelong sports fan I am not going to act surprised.  This is the NFL we are talking about, right?

The same NFL that saw 38 NFL players arrested in 2013. 

Sherman's antics were over the top.  They were arrogant and rude.  They showed a lack of civility and utter disregard for decency.

In other words, they were an NFL event.

Football is a violent game and its players have a brief window to make plays, carve out a career, and achieve greatness.  When the game ends for many of them the risks of dementia and other disorders loom big.  They die at a higher rate than the rest of us.  In many ways they are modern day gladiators and we eat it up like so many Roman emperors.  The only difference is their death happens over several painful and unrelenting years of illness rather than one quick lions bite.

If it were up to me I would choose the lion.

The culture is not going to change.  In fact, it has only gotten worse.  How many times did Fox show SF 49ers linebacker Navorro Bowman's horrific knee injury yesterday?  If a helmet to helmet penalty is called we are served numerous replays.  If it's a holding call we rarely get another look.

It's a blood sport and we all know it.

But when one of the combatants speaks from the heart (no matter how ill advised and ignorant it is) we all rush to our pulpits and condemn him.

Tweets abound after Sherman's theatrics.  "Thanks to Sherman all of America is a Broncos fan now."

Oh, you mean the Broncos who had to suspend two front office executives early in the season for ugly DUI arrests?    The Broncos who had star linebacker Von Miller sit out 6 games due to drug suspension?

What are we expecting here really?

It is entertainment, pure and simple.  Would it be great if everyone acted with civility and love for one another?  Yes.

But what would ESPN do without all the overblown hype?  And now Sherman has given the NFL exactly what it wants.  Good (Peyton Manning) versus Evil (Sherman and his mates.)  Perhaps now the press will stop talking about how cold Met Life Stadium will be or how poor a choice the Red Hot Chili Peppers are for halftime.

Somewhere through the haze and marketing bonanza that is the Super Bowl a game will be played.  Refs will make mistakes.  Players will make plays.  A winner will be crowned.

And when you lay down after your over indulgent feast of nachos, beer and sandwiches you can remember who your real role models are.

Hint, it ain't these guys.

Act Like You've Been There

It's happening again.  Well, it's been happening forever and shows no signs of letting up.  In Bristol, CT this evening Par-Hills, NJ faced Newark, DE for the Boys Mid-Atlantic Little League Championship.  It was a classic pitchers duel and NJ held a 1-0 lead in the final inning.   Delaware found itself down to their final out quickly.  And with two outs a young man got a hold of a hanging curve ball and sent it to the wall.  Note, it did not go over the wall.  Did that prevent the young man from raising his arms in joy before he touched first base?  Did his over jubilance send the outfielders into disarray?  Nope, he wasn't hustling and the defense played the ball correctly.  The batter barely made it to second and soon thereafter the game was over.  1-0 NJ wins.

Now, since the boy who followed the double made an out you might say much adieu about nothing.  It's a kid showing some enthusiasm.  It's a kid having fun.  Wrong.  It's a kid playing the game the wrong way.  Hit the ball, put your head down, and run until your coaches tell you to stop.  He should have been on third base.  There, a passed ball or wild pitch ties the game.

That's not how things are done anymore.  And as both the Olympics wind down and the NFL gets ready to start up it is high time we address some glaring issues in the sporting life.

First, let's examine Jamaican sprinter and World's fastest man, Usain Bolt.  On one hand his brilliance on the track can not be ignored.  But at the same time his arrogance and ego present issues.  One, his posing at the end of each race shows up his fellow racers.   Crossing the line first and the gold medal that comes with it are reward enough.  The fellow competitors made every effort too Mr. Bolt.   They do not need, nor deserve your showboating and rubbing their collective faces in it?  And you need not say you are "the greatest athlete of all time" in post race interviews either.  Same goes with NBC or the countless other talking heads bestowing such praise to the walking fish called Michael Phelps.  They are all amazing.  They are all worthy of recognition.  They are not, one, or all, the greatest ever.  Really, how on Earth could you figure that out??  They are the best right now, in their respective fields.  Kobe and LeBron are different than MJ and Bird.  Peyton Manning is different from Johnny Unitas.  Stop comparing and enjoy the moment.  And when the moment is here keep your mouth shut and respect the game.

But how can we do that these days when ESPN rules the airwaves and our kids are emulating highlight reel whores?  Recently arrested Miami Dolphins receiver is a gifted athlete capable of remarkable things on the field.  Unfortunately when his name comes up more often than not you think of over the top touchdown celebrations (in addition to rap sheets.)  Quick, name his last great sporting accomplishment.  Ok, name the last 3 (yes, 3!!) reality shows he has appeared on/in.

Slam dunks are valued more than a crisp bounce pass.  Bone jarring hits on the ice get as much time as a defenseman laying out to block a slap shot.  The major networks are content (read: over the top giddy) showing Tiger Woods play his weekend round even is he is out of contention.  Will he swear?  Spit?  Freak out on a cameraman??

We shouldn't care!  The game should be the event.  And the game should be played the right way and without any ego.

Fat chance?  Maybe.  But as the summer winds down and many of us head to the sporting field to coach or volunteer the opportunity is there to make real change.

Tell your kids to play hard, fair and with above board sportsmanship.  It's not the end of the world if they tell an opponent "nice play."  There should never be taunting or teasing of the foe.  Kids should hustle through each base and never show up a pitcher, or goalie, or opposing coach.  Act like you've been there and do it with a smile on your face.  Take a look here folks...  This is how it is done. Where have you gone Barry Sanders?


PS:  What will NBC do now that the Games are over?  Can a monkey show and Matthew Perry be the answer?  What on Earth are Rhythmic Gymnastics and how is that an Olympic event and baseball/softball is not?  Will Tiger ever win another Major?  The Yankees will NOT win the World Series this year!  The Newsroom turned out to be a terrific show.  The Romney/Ryan ticket is compelling and will make a formidable foe for the current administration.  Have a great week folks!  Summer is winding down...  go get some.