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The league has been growing exponentially every decade. You go tell the owners and Goodell it isn't worth it. It's a billion dollar industry. Everything about it works - the things you like and the things you don't like. That's why it's so big. There's something for EVERYONE, including consumers of silly reality tv type of entertainment. If these guys haven't fizzled out of the league yet, they MUST be doing something right... Right?
No kidding... I wasn't asking for a list. I get it.
Ok I get it, this is personal for you. I'm confused, though, about your definition of the word "sportsmanship." So these guys talk trash... And? Are they beating guys up on the field? Are they not shaking hands at the end of a game? So they like to celebrate extravagantly when they win... And? So they get really mad when they lose... Have you ever met a really competitive person that isn't really mad when they lose? Do they always go about it the right way? No. (I'm agreeing with you) But, with 1700 guys in the league, your bound to have a few with some screws loose... Your expectations are too high. These aren't always the brightest people...
And while you're at it, explain your definition of "superstar." All NFL fans can recognize those players. I'm sure many casual fans would recognize T.O. and Ocho. There are probably a lot of non-sports fans that may recognize Ocho from Dancing With The Stars. They may remember T.O. doing sit-ups and bicep curls (classic) in his driveway. To me, transcending fans in all realms constitutes a superstar. Maybe your definition is different...
Spare me on the nostalgia. Please. You sound like a baseball purist... (and besides, you left out my favorite - Deion Sanders)
They certainly aren't the first OR last players in a team sport (any sport) that are more concerned about getting theirs before the rest of the team. A lot of pro athletes just play the sport because they've always been good at it. It's easy to them because they're physically gifted (6'4", lean, run fast and jump high) or whatever and they can make millions doing it for a few years (or longer if they're lucky). It's not unreasonable to think some of them don't really care as much as you want them to.
Toxic? These guys? I'm not sure you can put Ocho in that conversation. But I see where you're going. But then you lost me again when you mentioned Pacman. Not sure how he's related to this, since he has a rap sheet and T.O. and Ocho don't. The only thing they've ever been accused of is acting like a fool at times. No crime in that, right? If it's so bad and such a detriment to the league, why doesn't Goodell just ban them both? Why doesn't he just ban all the players you don't like? Some contrary personality never hurts a tv show (since that's all sports is today). Why do you think reality tv is so popular? They throw a bunch of personalities in a room together for 6 weeks and let nature do it's thing. The NFL is a lot like that.
You hurt your cred when you made it a personal argument. I get why you're so mad: these guys make a lot of money to play a game you'd play for free with out all the extra stuff. What happens if the Bengals make the playoffs (reasonable)? Conference title game (maybe)? I won't go as far to say Super-Bowl cuz I don't even believe the team as a whole is that good and I can name a couple teams better. But where will you be? I guess you can spew your hatred toward them at the end whenever they lose and beat your chest saying "I told you so." But at the end of the day, you would have watched and so would millions of others every week. It won't work out for 31 teams, and most of them have a bunch of good guys.
First of all, let's clear something up, I am not angry over any of this. I don't lose sleep over billionaires who don't even know or care that I exist. I am disappointed that the league, ESPN, and the younger sports fans cater to these clowns. I find it odd that you are so happy for the league and owners who are getting rich from arrogant athletes who are more flash than substance. Did you know that TO was already late to training camp on his first day? Most likely it was intentional so he can keep more of the focus and press on him. This is the sort of thing that happens when you not only tolerate spoiled brats but encourage their crass behavior as well. By mid-season you'll be able to cut that tension in the locker room with a knife.
I am disappointed that the league, ESPN, and the younger sports fans cater to these clowns.
That's where the money is. I'm not disappointed in them chasing the money.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Coolhand68
I find it odd that you are so happy for the league and owners who are getting rich from arrogant athletes who are more flash than substance.
Never said I was happy for them. I'm happy for me cuz it's an entertaining story for the season (one of many).
Quote:
Originally Posted by Coolhand68
Did you know that TO was already late to training camp on his first day?
I don't care...
Quote:
Originally Posted by Coolhand68
This is the sort of thing that happens when you not only tolerate spoiled brats but encourage their crass behavior as well. By mid-season you'll be able to cut that tension in the locker room with a knife.
And it'll be great television! That's what it's all about. That's why ESPN, FOX, CBS, NFL Network, etc promote it. It sells. Whether you're watching to see them succeed or fail, you'll be watching. Besides, it's only a few guys. It's not like half the league or more behaves this way. There are a few clowns, a few guys that do EVERYTHING right, and the rest are in the middle. Typical of any business.
It's a multi-billion dollar industry. You don't think it should be taken seriously?
As a fan, no. It's a game. It isn't more than that. It's entertainment and my discretionary income, the same way going to the movies is. Why should I take it seriously?
For the players and the business aspect, yes, they should take it seriously. I don't like guys that don't work in the offseason to perfect their craft and develop as a professional on the field. That bothers me. But I still don't take that all that seriously because I can't expect all these guys to understand what it means to be a professional. I played football thru college and it's no different than at the pro level where some guys just play because it's something to do, some play because they're good but don't really care, some put everything into it, and a few are class clowns. Some are lazy and some put in overtime. It's no different than any other business.
As a fan, no. It's a game. It isn't more than that. It's entertainment and my discretionary income, the same way going to the movies is. Why should I take it seriously?
For the players and the business aspect, yes, they should take it seriously. I don't like guys that don't work in the offseason to perfect their craft and develop as a professional on the field. That bothers me. But I still don't take that all that seriously because I can't expect all these guys to understand what it means to be a professional. I played football thru college and it's no different than at the pro level where some guys just play because it's something to do, some play because they're good but don't really care, some put everything into it, and a few are class clowns. Some are lazy and some put in overtime. It's no different than any other business.
That's the problem these days. Guys like you are entertained by the soap opera aspect of the game. I'm entertained when my quarterback fires a 30 yard rocket to a receiver waiting between coverage layers.
I believe that T.O. and Chad Ochocinco are long lost brothers. They will be great on the field and off the field. I think they will have a friendly humorous competition between eachother, and I don't like that because of being a "true" Steeler fan, but I've always liked T.O's effort. He is 20 times better than Chad, and I hate Chad. I think it's HILARIOUS when Hines Ward mocks Chad's celebrations in the endzone. I don't like what the media carry's T.O.s mouth to, but he backs it up when the word spreads.
AND THATS WHY IM GONNNA HATE TERREL OWENS THIS YEAR!!!
That's the problem these days. Guys like you are entertained by the soap opera aspect of the game. I'm entertained when my quarterback fires a 30 yard rocket to a receiver waiting between coverage layers.
I'm entertained by a lot of different things. Football has been my favorite sport since I was 2 and I played it for 12 years. I like almost everything about the NFL. I love a well played game with great plays, like you do. But I can evolve and understand that in our society, some of the antics of athletes like TO, Chad, etc are entertaining. It's not that serious. If one or two storylines (out of countless ones in the NFL) this season involve a couple guys being clowns while they succeed or throwing huge fits when they lose, so what? It's NEVER brought the league down and it won't, EVER. For every T.O., there's a bunch of guys like Steven Jackson, Larry Fitzgerald, and others.
We're seriously talking about TWO players in a league of 1700. The fact this thread has this many responses is proof they have value. They matter. Nobody is talking about Andre Davis (WR - Houston Texans), because he doesn't matter.
I'm entertained by a lot of different things. Football has been my favorite sport since I was 2 and I played it for 12 years. I like almost everything about the NFL. I love a well played game with great plays, like you do. But I can evolve and understand that in our society, some of the antics of athletes like TO, Chad, etc are entertaining. It's not that serious. If one or two storylines (out of countless ones in the NFL) this season involve a couple guys being clowns while they succeed or throwing huge fits when they lose, so what? It's NEVER brought the league down and it won't, EVER. For every T.O., there's a bunch of guys like Steven Jackson, Larry Fitzgerald, and others.
We're seriously talking about TWO players in a league of 1700. The fact this thread has this many responses is proof they have value. They matter. Nobody is talking about Andre Davis (WR - Houston Texans), because he doesn't matter.
Individual players will never bring down the league, but they bring down their teams.
Individual players will never bring down the league, but they bring down their teams.
If you let 1 or 2 players out of 53 (and coaches, front office personnel, etc) bring down your entire team, what does that say about the team? Seriously. If you lacked the leadership from the get-go you were doomed from the start. You had no chance. Your arguments are getting weaker...
If you let 1 or 2 players out of 53 (and coaches, front office personnel, etc) bring down your entire team, what does that say about the team? Seriously. If you lacked the leadership from the get-go you were doomed from the start. You had no chance. Your arguments are getting weaker...
You obviously don't understand NFL locker room dynamics if you don't think a single player can screw things up for the whole team.
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