While We’re Waiting… What about Chris Grant?
February 4, 2014Bills edge Browns to “win” honor of being “NFL’s Most Tortured Fan Base”
February 4, 2014The topic of athletes talking has been prominent in the media in recent days/weeks. Here in Cleveland we’ve seen our fair share of athletes on both sides of the equation. We decided to discuss this topic and see where everyone’s head is at on the issue of athletes talking. Check out the conversation below:
15 Comments
a bit surprised that Deng was not brought up above. I think he (and DQ as mentioned) are great examples of what the fans want. Players who speak their minds, but doing it with class.
Example, here are two quotes saying the same thing:
Quote1: This roster is trash and full of a bunch of worthless scrubs who couldn’t care about defense because they have guaranteed contracts.
Quote2: We have a bunch of young players who need to learn the level of commitment it takes at this level. When I was with my last team, we had those veterans who set the tone. I hope to help be that veteran for this team.
The issue is that not all athletes think in the terms of “Quote2” and it’s a bit unreasonable to expect all of them to do it. But, it seems to be the golden standard. The Sherman situation was a great example of it because he created the stir using “Quote1” style (but in a hyper adrenaline situation), then backed off of it using “Quote2” style to defend his position while adding substance to his arguments.
The bare minimum for the rules of the speaking athlete should be:
1) Criticizing your own fans (current or former) is a land war is Asia. Avoid at all costs.
2) Don’t bring up your money situation.
3) Never underestimate the fallout.
The first one seems both easy and obvious, but reality shows it to be neither. It just does not accomplish anything positive. Either show the paying masses some love, or disregard them entirely.
The second one goes for both “Picture Me Rollin'”-style boasts and “Pay the Man”-esque laments. That’s tough for me to acknowledge, as I had no issue with Josh Cribbs and his grassroots efforts at a raise while in Cleveland. But the aftermath of that (which I think has more to do with his performance drop off than his methods, but both were attacked with gusto) made it clear that ultimately the pros are paid better than the fans, aso sympathy is limited and fleeting. And flashing your money and bragging on your spending just makes you look like an ass.
The third rule may be the most important of all, and so many athletes don’t consider it until it’s too late. You can be the most milquetoast interview in your profession, but all it takes is one thing being taken out of context or said in frustration and you’ll never get away from it. In the age of 24 hour sports media and the obsession with social networking, anything you say can and will be used against you. Even simply stating your preference for a pro team not in the city you play for can be enough to draw ire. And so often athletes–even the ones who make a sport of poking the media bear as often as possible– are just blown away by the uproar ultimately created when folks decide to “embrace debate” at their expense. Stop being shocked. If you’re going to say something–even offhand, even sarcastically, even in a snapchat video–expect that folks will see/hear it, and expect there to be reaction. Which brings me to a fourth rule of sorts for speaking athletes: if you’re going to apologize, then apologize. Don’t half-apologize, or give a non-apology apology. Apologies should not contain conditions. Just man up and be sorry, or man up and stand behind your words. Heck, that’s not a bad rule for anyone who chooses to speak, athlete or not.
Everyone hates on Sherman until he plays for your team. And Marshawn Lynch I remember when Buffalo had him on the block and I thought the Browns should get him. Of course I also thought they should have pursued Anquan Boldin when he was ready to leave Arizona but what do I know.
Yep.
We all loved us some Albert Belle…
Very true great example. You really have to dig hard and deep to find another example for a Cleveland athlete.
Auroboros of Sports Fandom Outrage:
1) Note that athletes only speak in banalities, complain.
2) Demand the curtain be pulled back and athletes are more candid.
3) Athletes are more candid.
4) Outrage.
5) Athletes dial it back.
6) Step 1
what is a “media bear,” exactly?
very good point.
Sometimes I wonder if it’s an education thing. Deng went to Duke. He certainly is intelligent – since he attended Duke – and professional – since he played for Krzyzewski. Others who jumped from high school or after one year may not have the same demeanor.
I imagine he’s somehow related to Denny’s orange bear that used to frequent these parts. Here he is being poked
In truth, I was imagining the media as a bear, one that certain athletes like to poke by saying/doing outrageous things–knowing full well that this will provoke this proverbial bear and get the athlete attention/buzz.
amen.
This is a great point, but what’s the Aurora Borealis of Sports Fandom Outrage? I’d like to see THAT.
I imagine it is something like this:
Minority of one viewpoint: at this stage of my fandom, I generally have no interest in what the athlete says about anything. I watch to see him perform, to do things I cannot. Oh, occasionally I’m interested in an explanation of some seemingly inexplicable event. But understanding his limitations – in not ticking off his teammates or coaches, in his ability to put thoughts to words, in his maturity and sometimes his intelligence – who cares what he thinks? Pro sports is just entertainment. Players provide little insight, and the quotes are rarely entertaining.
I once had a great chat at a bar in Chicago with a former Miracle at Richfield-era Cav, who was then an assistant coach elsewhere. He told me and a buddy things about that team and the league now that were brutally honest and funny and really insightful, things no player or coach could ever say to the media. That one convo informed my belief about the NBA more than the thousand quotes made in front of a microphone.
So go on, jock: say nothing as far as I’m concerned. Don’t care whether you like your teammates or coaches, what shape you’re in, how you “get” the Cleveland fans, how all you can do is keep working. I get about all the insight I’m gonna get from my own eyeballs while the game’s on.
Delonte West