Athletic Peeves

It seems as though poor sportsmanship is a problem that just continues to get worse; sort of like the nominees for president does every four years. The NBA has the most proliferative examples of this sad and worsening behavior, but I am more of an NFL fan so let us start there. Remember that embarrassing display in the game between the Cowboys and 49ers back when Terrell Owens was still playing? All of that taunting and fowl behavior was sickening. Steve Mariucci even had to get his team in a huddle and lecture them on how to behave properly. Shouldn’t that have been done by the parents of these idiots a long time before that?

While engaging in any competitive sports activity, there always seems to be an over-abundance of shady characters that you have to deal with. First, and most common, is the alpha-male type who has an incessant scowl on his face. This guy makes Ice Cube look like Will Smith, and is usually the one who takes the game way too seriously. It often times seems to me as though he is making up for talent with intimidation. He constantly is trash talking and barking at the other players…even his own teammates.

Then there is the hypocritical player. This one is the most annoying because he whines that he is being fouled, but then conveniently forgets this concept as he blatantly fouls you at his leisure. The double standard with which this punk carries himself is enough to make Jerry Falwell wince.

Last but not least is the showboat. This guy makes Deion Sanders look like Barry Sanders. This is the character type that is currently infesting most professional ballplayers these days. Deion Sanders is the poster boy for this type of behavior. I will admit that he got better toward the end of his career, but who can ever forget the two-stepping fairy dance into the end zone every time he scored. What a debacle he performed! I was often embarrassed for his parents.

The lack of humility and shame he displayed in public was vomitous. There is nothing wrong with a modest celebration after the game is won. Michael Jordan was the anti-Deion. His clinched fist after the game winning shot said it all. There was no need to dance like a maniac on PCP. Besides, these guys get paid to do this. What’s the party for? Does an accountant do a dance every time he balances a client's account? Do physicians high-five each other at the close of a successful operation? Should a pharmacist pat them self on the back every time they count out 30 Prozac and label the bottle?

I know it sounds like I have a lot of animosity toward professional athletes and my comments about those who I bump into during sporting events is filled with acrimony, but I must admit that most of these people are great players. Most of them are good people and fair sportsmen. It just saddens me to see the numbers of the punks continuously increasing.