Lessons Learned From Sports...
As soon as you read that title, you probably think that this blog is going to be about hard work, never giving up, all that good stuff that your high school coaches spew out to you (by the way, I do it now). If you thought that, you were mistaken. I almost called this blog Bizzarro World II, but didn't want people to think that I've taken my "Friends" bashing onto "Everybody Loves Raymond." For the record, I enjoy "Raymond" very much. This blog is about the lesson(s) I've learned from sports in just the past couple weeks.
If our country faces one true epidemic, it is not obesity or even a surplus of bad reality shows, it is a lack of responsibility. We see it all the time. President Bush and his administration not taking any responsiblity for lost lives based on REALLY faulty information could be used as an example. BUT, it is politics. They aren't going to admit defeat, they have popularity ratings and agendas to pass. Thus, a lack of responsibility takes a backseat in politics because that is the name of the game. The prime examples that I've seen recently, and by the way- I'm no saint here, we all at times don't stand up to the test of responsibility some time or another- come from sports.
Example number one: Rafeal Palmeiro tests positive for Steroid use after just reaching a career mileston of 3000 hits. His first response: "I didn't knowingly take them...yeah that's the ticket...they were 'spiked' into my creatine mix." So not only did he admit that he messed up, he was also the one who before Congress in the Spring pointed his finger at Senators and said he had never done anything like that and to think so is an embarassment to him. No "Raffy," I think we all know who is embarassed now.
Example number two: Terrel Owens, the reciever for the Philadephia Eagles signed a big contract last year. I believe it gives him $8 million a year. Well he had a good season last year and wants more money. Instead of just holding out for a new contract like most sports cry-babies, he showed up to camp and proceeded to act like a 3rd grader. He told his coach that "you aren't my dad, I don't have to listen," he showed up to camp in all camo, he did sit-ups in front of the press to draw attention, and got kicked out of camp. He respected no one else on his team other than himself, all because he wants more money. First, you SIGNED the contract last year knowing full well that you couldn't re-up your contract until a couple more years. Live by your word T.O. Second, and this one bugs me the most, have you EVER FOR ONE SECOND, thought about how much money you make? $8 million a year!!!!! Add up all the salaries of everyone in my multiple buidling apartment complex and we don't even sniff the poop on your shoe. Get real and grow up. And to think, an author recently put out a book called "The 100 People Ruining America" and Jimmy Carter (yes the former pres. who builds houses for Habitat despite being like 90 years old) is on the list, but T.O. isn't.
So the lesson these sports figures are shining a lighthouse sized lamp on is that our country has some serious problems with responsibility (not only lying but also doing the right thing and living up to your word). Thanks for pointing this out though, maybe we can learn something from it.
If our country faces one true epidemic, it is not obesity or even a surplus of bad reality shows, it is a lack of responsibility. We see it all the time. President Bush and his administration not taking any responsiblity for lost lives based on REALLY faulty information could be used as an example. BUT, it is politics. They aren't going to admit defeat, they have popularity ratings and agendas to pass. Thus, a lack of responsibility takes a backseat in politics because that is the name of the game. The prime examples that I've seen recently, and by the way- I'm no saint here, we all at times don't stand up to the test of responsibility some time or another- come from sports.
Example number one: Rafeal Palmeiro tests positive for Steroid use after just reaching a career mileston of 3000 hits. His first response: "I didn't knowingly take them...yeah that's the ticket...they were 'spiked' into my creatine mix." So not only did he admit that he messed up, he was also the one who before Congress in the Spring pointed his finger at Senators and said he had never done anything like that and to think so is an embarassment to him. No "Raffy," I think we all know who is embarassed now.
Example number two: Terrel Owens, the reciever for the Philadephia Eagles signed a big contract last year. I believe it gives him $8 million a year. Well he had a good season last year and wants more money. Instead of just holding out for a new contract like most sports cry-babies, he showed up to camp and proceeded to act like a 3rd grader. He told his coach that "you aren't my dad, I don't have to listen," he showed up to camp in all camo, he did sit-ups in front of the press to draw attention, and got kicked out of camp. He respected no one else on his team other than himself, all because he wants more money. First, you SIGNED the contract last year knowing full well that you couldn't re-up your contract until a couple more years. Live by your word T.O. Second, and this one bugs me the most, have you EVER FOR ONE SECOND, thought about how much money you make? $8 million a year!!!!! Add up all the salaries of everyone in my multiple buidling apartment complex and we don't even sniff the poop on your shoe. Get real and grow up. And to think, an author recently put out a book called "The 100 People Ruining America" and Jimmy Carter (yes the former pres. who builds houses for Habitat despite being like 90 years old) is on the list, but T.O. isn't.
So the lesson these sports figures are shining a lighthouse sized lamp on is that our country has some serious problems with responsibility (not only lying but also doing the right thing and living up to your word). Thanks for pointing this out though, maybe we can learn something from it.
posted by CKG at
11:10 PM
4 Comments:
CKG,
Your points are well taken. I agree with your thoughts on T.O., "Raffy" and the G.W. reference is taken, too, in the context of this argument.
I'd like to take your overall thesis one step farther...the problem with America (and the WORLD) is that humans are "bad" people, Sinners, if you will. Jewish columnist Dennis Prager says it better than I... http://www.townhall.com/columnists/dennisprager/printdp20021231.shtml
Matt
By
Matt Townsley, At
7:00 PM
The link did not paste correctly in the previous post. Instead, try:
http://tinyurl.com/b38ws
By
Matt Townsley, At
7:03 PM
I think that responsibility is somehting that is lacking in many people today, I will admit sometimes even myself.
Matt,
That was an interesting link. I think a lot of people blame their problems on others or some factor when in reality there is no excuse for what they do, yes the problem may be bad but that doesn't make in right to blow up children. It reminds me of people suing McDonalds for being overweight it wasn't their fault.
By
Jake Porter, At
8:44 PM
First, the NFL players assoc advised T.O. to NOT sign the contract, its mostly backloaded which is never a good thing if you like living large which T.O. does..
When Duce Staley tried to pull this crap a couple years ago the Eagles told him to take a hike too. More teams should stand up to these clowns who get a boatload of cash for playing 16 freaking games a YEAR...thats it folks..unless they make it to the playoffs..then its an even 20 i think..
By
Unknown, At
4:24 AM
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