As a sports fan in general I appreciate all sports. When it comes to physical contact, have always been a fan of boxing. However, this generation of boxers has been lackluster. On top of that, the UFC and mixed martial arts in general have defined recent memory of violent sports. However, Manny Paquiao has rejuvenated the sport with his previous four fights alone. Not only winning dominantly, but also doing so in four different weight classes.
His recent defamation of Ricky Hatton in two rounds puts an exclamation point on a tirade that exemplifies greatness. My favorite thing about him is that I root against him every time knowing he is almost definitely going to be victorious. The “Mike Tyson Rule” might be need to reinstated (meaning if the headline fight is over within two rounds Pay-Per-View reimburses the customer). Let’s see Paquiao/Mayweather…this generation deserves a Thriller in Manilla.
The NBA is enjoying their month or so in the spotlight, the Playoffs. 40 games in 40 nights, okay its somewhat exciting. But the teams are seeded and play 7 game series, so who is really watching every single game? Maybe some really avid fans, but clearly not as many as tune into to the NCAA March Madness Tournament, which can boast 48 games in 4 days during the opening round. The NBA Playoffs, and the whole season in general, are just so drawn out that only potentially series ending games are really worth watching.
On the contrary, the NCAA captivates fans and office pool participants around the world for three weeks. You can get away at the water cooler if you didn’t see Bull/Celtics Game 3, but good luck if you didn’t see 13 seeded Cleveland State upset 4 seeded Wake Forest. The NBA system is also too predictable. Aside from 2008, no Final Four has ever consisted of all 1 seeds. Last year, the Celtics had home court advantage all through the Playoffs, and won every home game on their way to the Championship. Give me a single elimination tournament any day.
Driving while intoxicated is an inexcusable offense, even when done by an average citizen. However, those regular men and women will tell you they couldn’t get a cab or had to get home one way or another, etc, while these millionaire athletes are constantly being arrested for completely avoidable wrongdoings given their income and lifestyle. Donte’ Stallworth’s recent self-caused tragedy is an unfortunate, ideal example. Why does drinking and driving seem like a good idea for a sports star that could have any car with a driver he wanted within minutes? These guys have all these lackeys and entourages, but can never find a designated driver? Stallworth’s ordeal is an exception because most times the only downfall of an athlete is getting caught driving drunk, but that should be taken just as seriously.
While the obvious concern is their disregard for their lives and the lives of others, let’s examine an even more selfish approach. I can only imagine have a driver and car on an athletes payroll year round can’t touch what they would lose in sponsorships from the negative publicity. On top of this, drugs are continuously understated as long as these guys are really sorry and promise not to do it again. Once the next Olympics come around, Michael Phelps will have just as many sponsors as last time regardless of his incriminating photos. What normal employer keeps workers on after testing positive for cocaine or is involved in buying or selling it? Its brutally disgusting the avoidable offenses athletes get away with. While I can’t stand hearing from Donovan McNabb’s parents in regard to his NFL future, at least I don’t have to hear his lawyers defend his absurd actions.
He was likely loved and hated equally, some fans even believe he passed away years ago but has been propped up in broadcast booths until Brett Farve retired as well. Madden really made it seem as though announcing and coaching the NFL could be done by anyone. Definitely not the brightest and at times borderline annoying, but over the past few years I personally have grown fond of John Madden as announcer, especially compared to alternatives, namely Joe Buck. For every NFC game I must endure on Fox with Joe Buck announcing this coming season, I will miss John Madden more and more.
As a career announcer, it seems as though Fox just puts Joe Buck on as often as possible. He is tolerable as a baseball announcer but utterly sub par when it comes to football. However, in fairness, I am an avid Philadelphia sports fan and he seems to loathe our Phillies and Eagles, even more so than his ex-Cowboy counterpart Troy Aikman. Maybe one day John Madden and Brett Farve will be the tandem calling the games on Fox. We can dream I suppose…
Baseball has a knack for deterring fans every so often. The strike in the early ninety’s helped and now the steroid era. If the Phillies hadn’t won the World Series I don’t know if I would be watching any baseball right now. I cannot fathom why a person that who’s job is to practice baseball (or any other sport) and work out needs to have steroids. They can afford any legal supplement and an ideal diet. What seems to be worse is the nonchalant attitude taken towards the players that admit to using steroids or are caught in the act. Furthermore these individuals are often rewarded and acclaimed. Alex Rodriguez admitted to using performance-enhancing drugs and also had previously denied usage. Are any of his records going to be tarnished or denied?
On the other side of the coin, many years ago Pete Rose captivated fans through his play and embarrassed MLB while managing. Sports’ gambling while coaching a team is clearly not an intelligent choice, but what effect does it have on the outcome? Did it advantage or disadvantage his team? Clearly, a team full of steroid injecting players has a physical advantage over a sober team. One of the fairest things Major League Baseball can do to restore faith in its system is to let Pete Rose the same opportunity as these current enemies to the game, such as Mark McGwire, an at least be allowed on the Hall of Fame ballot. If a speculative or admitted drug user can go before the committee, why not a former player that tried harder with his natural ability but exhibited poor judgment as a manager?
America in general cannot get age restrictions right, with one age to enlist and vote, another to drive, and another to legally drink. The same can be said for professional sports. For years football has required athletes to be 3 years removed from high school, giving way to lucrative college programs and prepared young men. Baseball, with no salary cap, and hockey, formerly no salary cap, have no restrictions with many prospects being drafted at ages 17 and 18. Clearly these decisions are not financially based. The NBA formerly had no such restriction as well, with some of their greatest players coming straight from high school (i.e. Dwight Howard, Lebron James, Kevin Garnett, oh and a fellow by the name of Kobe Bryant). However, this practice was suddenly stopped but instead of going all the way like the NFL, the NBA irrationally made the rule of one year removed from high school, leaving college basketball in the fallout zone
Now college coaches must recruit and build their teams around the notion the best players will be on the team merely a year. Highly recruited minors choose colleges that will be the best experience and most exposure with no concern with the coach or program. Consider OJ Mayo, who supposedly sought out USC coach Tim Floyd and expressed his interest in playing for him. I guess if I had to go to college for a year and not really worry about class, southern California wouldn’t be too bad. Thankfully, we are sometimes saved as fans of college basketball by cases such as Tyler Hansborough and Co. who returned to UNC as juniors and seniors out of a thirst for a National Title. The real enemy is the NBA, who should follow the NFL’s example. Those who want to go right to the NBA, prepared or not, should either be able to immediately or wait longer than a year. This age old age dilemma is all or nothing, otherwise the college game suffers.
I’m all for good sportsmanship and what not, but there a things about professional sports that clearly show that many athletes are playing for money instead of pride. I can understand in the Super Bowl, maybe even the playoffs, after a loss a team hanging out on the field and laughing with the opponent that just defeated them. But as a competitor, how can these athletes that claim to want to win more than anything not mind being around the people that just out performed them? To me, this type of exchange nullifies any sense that the losing team cared about the outcome, or at least certain individuals.
Furthering this attitude are players from defending champions that leave a team for a higher contract. Even when a player leaves a cohesive team that loses say in the playoffs for a non-contender with more salary cap room. If an established team offers a player $10 million to return due to total payroll restrictions while the last place team offers him $15 million, how can he save face? Clearly the better opportunity to win is with the team that did well the previous year and can only afford a lowly $10 million.
