“Real Athletes” & Their “Real Conduct”
By Brad Thayer August 29, 2007
For you readers who have been wondering the origin of the “real athletes” comments, let me fill you in. There has been ongoing, private bantering among the elders about what is a “real athlete” and specifically whether or not golfers could be considered such, hence Greg’s comment. Well, I’ve refused to take this public. But at the unexpected provocation of two elders, one of which I’m a bit surprised by, Monsieur Keisling, I can’t resist.
“Whatever you think about football players, I think this is safe to say: Golfers couldn’t…” If you’re setting up football players as quintessential athletes then, as a golfer, I don’t want to be one. NPR’s Morning Edition Steve Inskeep rightly asked the question in light of Michael’s Vick’s confession eclipsing the opening week of NFL season, “Is there something about the sport that encourages people to be violent off the field?” Former NFL star and current ESPN analyst, Bill Curry, replied, “Of course there is! Do you think we are all well-adjusted human beings because we go smash our faces into 300 lb. people for 20 years? We’re some of the worst-adjusted people. Football has drawn the most aggressive males, so you’re going to get the most aggressive behavior.”
That comment alone brings up a whole host of questions and issues about the nature of some sports and a Christian’s participation. (I’ve got my shield up.) But the principle is that athletes are to have appropriate conduct on and off the field. As for the case of football, there seems to be at least one opinion of someone very knowledgable of the sport that football does at minimum foster inappropriate conduct off the field.
(I know there are cases of scandalous golfers, e.g. John Daly. FYI, look who ESPN determined to be the Ultimate Sports Star. Also, looks like Wheeler’s and Yong’s fellow Californians are taking things to a new noise level in an attempt to distract the UT’s Vols.)