Is anyone else sick of this mentality of pro athletes?

[visionary]

Why do you care? And why should I care? I want to see wins on the field that's all. I don't need this guy to be my babysitter or preacher, I just want him to do what he's being paid to do. Let the law take care of thugs, and we should just teach our kids to be respectful of people and the law.

But don't try to change the world, cause you can't. And don't take it personally because a thug makes more money and has it easier in life, because thug or not, he did earn his way thru thousands of athletes to get where he's at so he earned it. How he acts is his problem, not ours.

there is a proverb that is probably a thousand years old that essentially means "recognizing a problem is the first step to correcting it".

of course, the wisdom this proverb embodies, assumes that once we have recognized the problem, we will make an effort to correct it. people (like you and me- note that i include myself) who say "this is the problem but I will not do anything about it since it is not my problem" only serve to perpetuate the problem. congratulations, by saying "this is the problem but it is not mine" you have put a thousand years of wisdom to shame.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Let's face it we are an elitest and exclusive society in every sense of the word.

Well said JT and 100% accurate.


And it's a weakness that marketing geeks like myself have been taking advantage of since post WWII.

The prosperity combined with the feeling of "invincibility" has made every consumer "fair-game" for those that know how to feed their, "I'm entitled to it, so give it to me" ego's.

 

[Juke99]

How many people do you know who have PBA cards, honorary badges, etc that they flash cops....?

Fact of the matter is, if it helps to drop a name, darn near everyone does it.

The only difference is, these guys can drop their OWN name...

And ya know...they do it because it WORKS. That's the really disturbing part.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

How many people do you know who have PBA cards, honorary badges, etc that they flash cops....?

Fact of the matter is, if it helps to drop a name, darn near everyone does it.

The only difference is, these guys can drop their OWN name...

And ya know...they do it because it WORKS. That's the really disturbing part.

It's because we're easily impressed-- this is the age of "celebrity".

 

[ghst187]

We have a saying at my work that I try to live by....
"the quiet professionals"

the men I work with have done some of the most heroic things ever witnessed, yet hardly a word is written about them....in fact most of their stories of heroism can never even be told or their names known....
They are the most well-trained and elite professionals in their line of work, in the entire world yet their salaries are only slightly better than fast food restaurant managers....in fact some of them have even PAID the ultimate price to do what they believe in
they put their lives purposely in harm's way, put their lives on hold, and leave families behind for months and years at a time....
They've never held out for more money, never asked for more money, never voted themselves a raise, and never used their position for political gain....

So perhaps now you can understand why I have little sympathy for pro athletes who want special treatment and think they are above the law...who want more money despite making enough that they could retire and live off of interest after working one year....for those who live such lifestyles only because they can entertain us 16 or 82 or 162 times in a year.

Its not envy or malice or greed or hatred....my grievance is our perspective, esp in the bigger scheme of things

I was a collegiate athlete at one time....even then I thought it was sick the way we got treated by the professors, by the school, by the students, and by the community. I hated the way the professors let a lot of my teammates slide by in class. I hated the way teammates took advantage of it and came to expect everything as "entitlements." I remember some recruits visiting and asking how much money we got and if they got stereos and stuff like that given to them, I remember losing one of our top recruits because another school flat out paid him and his family cash. I remember the boosters and alumni....how they lived vicariously through us....
I remember people asking for autographs and I always thought that may be the stupidest thing I'd ever heard of. Here's a piece of paper with my name scratched on it and barely legible...does that make you feel better? Do you feel like part of the team now? Are you going to tell your friends that we're buddies and hang out?
I remember the main thought that ran my mind throughout my collegiate years...i better make the roster or else I can't finish college...
perspectives man....perspectives

Tell you true, I love competition and its a big part of my life. I love to compete at about anything. I have lots of players I enjoy watching, and of course all of the Boys. I love breaking down matchups and talking about the season and players and everything but the idolotry of sports and athletes in the current age really turns my stomach. I watch it, I talk about it, and I enjoy it, but no way am I buying the merchandise or paying ridiculous ticket prices. The thought of my money going to buy someone like Terrell Owens a new SUV or mansion is a little too much for me to handle.

 

[MONT17]

I was at the Palms casino last night and a homeless guy was pissed because the security guard asked him to leave after he was found sleeping in the sports book at 3 in the morning!!!!

the Homeless guy refused to leave... they got him outside where the cops were waiting for him but I sure he broke out a "U cant arrest me... do u know who I am?" or something to that affect!!!

Im sure the guy played for the Lakers back in the day, those Maloof boys sure can hold a grudge!!!

 

[SkinsandTerps]

I have seen my father get pulled over 4 times in my life for speeding (nothing outrageous, maybe 70 in a 60), yet I have never seen him receive more than a verbal warning on any occasion.

The officer asks for identification , my dad hand the officer his military ID and his DL, and the officer has always let him go.

I bet it works sometimes. So thats why players use it.

 

[The Curly One]

When I was young I had a friend who's Dad was a police officer. We would go out drinking and get pulled over by the cops. Robert always had to pop off and tell the cops to "Shut the F up because his Dad is a Cop" The next thing you hear is Roberts face hitting the trunk of his car and the handcuffs clicking around his wrists. When we get pulled over I would tell him just to be quiet and let me do the talking.... But NO! he had to go and get out and tell the cops off. Strange how alcohol makes you big, bad and invinceable. Makes some people think they are rich, powerful and above the law.
Funny thing is he quit drinking and now is a police officer somewhere south of here.

We all know from Dwayne Goodrich, Michael Irvin, Lawrence Taylor, Barry Bonds and many others that some people think they are above the law because of who they are. Curly

 

[Doomsdayblitz]

Why do you care? And why should I care? I want to see wins on the field that's all. I don't need this guy to be my babysitter or preacher, I just want him to do what he's being paid to do. Let the law take care of thugs, and we should just teach our kids to be respectful of people and the law.

But don't try to change the world, cause you can't. And don't take it personally because a thug makes more money and has it easier in life, because thug or not, he did earn his way thru thousands of athletes to get where he's at so he earned it. How he acts is his problem, not ours.

Now, that's the problem! What if the next time, he gets drunk, drives, and kills your mother?? Leonard Little of the Rams did it with complete immunity! Then got out of his car & said, "Look what the ***** did to my car?" The female judge, (from St. Louis, by the way), gave him probation, & warned him of definate serious jail time if he ever drove drunk again. A couple of years ago, Little drove drunk. He did not a day in prison, and played for the Rams that same year.

What if he decides to get out of his limo with his "gang", pulls a knife, and three of your family members end up on a slab? Ray Lewis of the Ravens did it, then put the finger on his "boys" to stay out of jail. Please don't give me that innocent before proven guilty crap. His friends that he narcked on might give you a different take. That same year, Lewis was voted MVP of the Super Bowl wearing Raven's purple & gold, instead of an orange jump suit.

We want to coccoon ourselves into our little shells, and whatever happens outside of them is of no concern of ours. Ya know what? Sooner or later, it will effect you, so it is everybodies' business.

"Bullies & tyrants prevail when good men do nothing."

Thanks ghst for having the guts to say what so many of us are thinking, in spite of some of the cynical people on this site.

 

[boysfanindc]

Gilbert has been a class act the two years I have seen him here in Washington.

I would like to here his side of the story.

 

[SilverStarCowboy]

Naaa, there are alot of other things to be sick of in this life than pro athletes. Personally, I can think of alot of other things to complain about, don't have to go looking at other people to find them. Life is hard enough already.

 

[Doomsday101]

I'm tired of the fact so many can't take personal responsibility for their own action and how complacent our society is in general. Not only does the person not have to own up and suffer the consequences for there action but people will make excuses for them. This is not just athletes but our society that we live in

 

[SilverStarCowboy]

I'm tired of the fact so many can't take personal responsibility for their own action and how complacent our society is in general. Not only does the person not have to own up and suffer the consequences for there action but people will make excuses for them. This is not just athletes but our society that we live in

There are more people in jails than ever, 1 in 136 of US residents, if that is complacency by society and making excuses, then I'm not sure what you mean.

 

[Doomsday101]

There are more people in jails than ever, 1 in 136 of US residents, if that is complacency by society and making excuses, then I'm not sure what you mean.

I'm not talking just criminal matters but how people make excuses for poor behavior in general

 

[Charles]

It's Miami Beach on a Play-off/Memorial Weekend....the police arrest and site anyone and everyone that doesn't obey the law. Most folks are taken to a police off-site, sited. either you can pay a fine or come back for a court date. Not that serious offense if you've been in this kind of atmosphere, then again most haven't . There is too much congestion to reason with people.

Over 500 people got arrested and sited over the weekend in Miami due to the Holiday Weekend and NBA playoff game.

Most of the knowledgeable fans in DC will just smirk at this because Gilbert Arenas isn't that type of athlete. Infact most fans would have been surprised if he didn't come to his teammates aide. I don't blame the police in South Beach for having a zero tolerance due to the congestion.

Gilbert Arenas is a stand up guy. A happy go lucky guy. He has a good standing in the DC community, even adopted a young DC boy who lost his entire family and home in a fire a couple of years ago.

Gilbert isn't the prima donno type.

 

[SilverStarCowboy]

but how people make excuses for poor behavior in general

Yeh that has been going on for alot of years now, this is nothing brand new but has worsened to a point, IMO starting at the top with certain leaders who wrap themselves with poor excuses for poor behaivior which translates into the ultimate example.

My conclusion is that there will be change soon. The question is will it be soon enough?

And moreover, when this times comes, will we accept a better, more freedom oriented psychological approach for us all, or will we simply continue complain about society? There will be people who do not like what you like, because there are plenty of people who like it the way society is now or they wouldn't have made it so.

To conclude, there is a better way of appraoching your problems besides complaining. With a slight change in observation a problem can ultimantly become a challenge. It's better to face a challenge than deal with a problem anyday.

 

[superpunk]

Gilbert isn't the prima donno type.

I really feel he may have been jesting, and it was overheard. I just cannot see that coming from Gilbert. It doesn't fit.

 

[Doomsday101]

Yeh that has been going on for alot of years now, this is nothing brand new but has worsened to a point, IMO starting at the top with certain leaders who wrap themselves with poor excuses for poor behaivior which translates into the ultimate example.

My conclusion is that there will be change soon. The question is will it be soon enough?

And moreover, when this times comes, will we accept a better, more freedom oriented psychological approach for us all, or will we simply continue complain about society? There will be people who do not like what you like, because there are plenty of people who like it the way society is now or they wouldn't have made it so.

To conclude, there is a better way of appraoching your problems besides complaining. With a slight change in observation a problem can ultimantly become a challenge. It's better to face a challenge than deal with a problem anyday.

I'm just addressing the thread and giving my own feeling about it.