The term "team cancer" needs to be removed from everyone's vocabulary

[BIGDen]

typical internets. Instead of taking this guy seriously about his mother's cancer battle, you make fun of him. Everyone's a tough guy behind a mouse and keyboard.

Right. Why don't you read some of the posts again?
Nobody's being a "tough guy". I've probably dealt with more cancer tragedies than a majority of the people on this board and I certainly feel for anybody who has had to deal with cancer in any way. Having said that, I understand why and how this term is being used. People are defending their right to use a word that is clearly not intended to be offensive. If anyone would be offended by the term, it would be me....but I'm not because I understand why the term is being used.

 

[BIGDen]

I understand what you're saying and a lot of it makes perfect sense. However, here's an example of someone using a term well out of context. In this case, the term used was "soldier". This clown can only wish he was half the man of the real soldiers that protect the freedom of people like him every single hour of every day.
[youtube]3X60mrYO1UU[/youtube]

I agree about the "half the man" stuff. In addition to having had many cancer-related tragedies in my life, I have numerous family members who have served. These are athletes playing a game, not soldiers in an actual war. It IS a violent game and emotions take over. Winslow is also a noted rocket scientist, so you take his comments with a grain of salt. Things don't get much more real than cancer and war, but these types of terms are used by writers and fans all the time and we know what is meant by them. Anyone who actually believes that the game of football or a personality in a locker room is truly akin to war and cancer need to do some research on things like analogies and metaphors.

I'm just saying this world needs to lighten up and understand where things/comments are coming from and not be offended by every little thing.

 

[5Countem5]

The term "team cancer" doesn't really bother me. It just shows the follower mentality of most fans.


"Throw under the bus" is another. I'm sure Ralph Cramden would be offended but some people can't post anymore without tossing the cliche' of the day.

 

[Hostile]

typical internets. Instead of taking this guy seriously about his mother's cancer battle, you make fun of him. Everyone's a tough guy behind a mouse and keyboard.

My Dad died of Cancer on October 15, 2008. You're telling me I should be offended.

I hate to tell you, but I refuse to be. I can separate the metaphor from the disease real easily without PC instructions.

 

[Apollo Creed]

My Dad died of Cancer on October 15, 2008. You're telling me I should be offended.

I hate to tell you, but I refuse to be. I can separate the metaphor from the disease real easily without PC instructions.

Hammer hitting nail thing here. Close thread.

 

[Arch Stanton]

add one more to the list that thinks TO is a problem player.

:laugh2:

 

[EPL0c0]

Seriously, does no one on this board actually HAVE cancer themselves...or family members who have it?

My mother had breast cancer 7 years ago and I don't particularly enjoy being reminded of it every time I read a thread on this board.

It's completely unnecessary for two reasons:

1. Do we really need to use such an extreme term to describe a problem player?

2. There is no such thing as a "team cancer." There is no such thing as one player who can ruin an entire team. Anyone who thinks one player can bring down a team of 53 men all by himself is a complete idiot.

The only cancer that needs to be cut out is this offensive, idiotic term from everyone's vocabulary.

There is no such thing as one player who can ruin an entire team. Anyone who thinks one player can bring down a team of 53 men all by himself is a complete idiot.

complete idiots...or employees of ESPN! *ZING*

 

[hutch1254]

Seriously, does no one on this board actually HAVE cancer themselves...or family members who have it?

My mother had breast cancer 7 years ago and I don't particularly enjoy being reminded of it every time I read a thread on this board.

It's completely unnecessary for two reasons:

1. Do we really need to use such an extreme term to describe a problem player?

2. There is no such thing as a "team cancer." There is no such thing as one player who can ruin an entire team. Anyone who thinks one player can bring down a team of 53 men all by himself is a complete idiot.

The only cancer that needs to be cut out is this offensive, idiotic term from everyone's vocabulary.

Agreed. Use "distractor" "divider" whatever. It's not necessary to use cancer. It's almost similar when dudes use war phrases in football. Teams are "going to war" with each other. I don't think it carries the same weight as using cancer but it does come off as disrespectful to the actual people serving and fighting out there.

 

[bbgun]

This reminds me of our Scottish friend who objected to the term "world champions." Look hard enough, and you'll always find something to whine about. The "cancer" brouhaha is merely censorship disguised as politically correct "sensitivity."

 

[Bleu Star]

My Dad died of Cancer on October 15, 2008. You're telling me I should be offended.

I hate to tell you, but I refuse to be. I can separate the metaphor from the disease real easily without PC instructions.

Add me to the list of "my father died of cancer" club members. In his case he had a choice and chose not to listen to the advice of those closest to him (incl me). In his case it was lung cancer that got the best of him back in 03. He smoked cigarettes for over 40 years proudly... I don't touch those sticks and hope this little message might remind someone on this board to re-evaluate why they do. Life is too valuable to toss it in the can over some cigarettes. Thankfully the doctors warned me of his impending departure and I was able to take time off to go spend a few days with him. He died just a couple of weeks later.

That said, I'm in the "don't be overly sensitive" camp but like to provide some perspective instead of going with the tide. Winslow Jr is just a plain idiot. No question. I spent my time contributing to the war effort back in 91. He has no idea what a real soldier, marine, seaman, or airman is.

 

[jackrussell]

Agreed. Use "distractor" "divider" whatever. It's not necessary to use cancer.

Perhaps not necessary, but actual grasp of the English language would show it is used here in it's literal definition:

cancer
Noun
1. a serious disease resulting from a malignant growth or tumour, caused by abnormal and uncontrolled cell division
2. a malignant growth or tumour
3. an evil influence that spreads dangerously
Also:

2. A pernicious (wicked or malicious), spreading evil

 

[SultanOfSix]

Perhaps not necessary, but actual grasp of the English language would show it is used here in it's literal definition:

cancer
Noun
1. a serious disease resulting from a malignant growth or tumour, caused by abnormal and uncontrolled cell division
2. a malignant growth or tumour
3. an evil influence that spreads dangerously
Also:

2. A pernicious (wicked or malicious), spreading evil

Neither of which fit Owens. Is he evil? No. Is he wicked or malicious? No. At least, there is no evidence that he is on a personal level that I could state with any certainty that he fits any of those terms. I don't know the man, and I haven't seen any such activity from him to claim that he is. All I have is a bunch of information spread from anonymous sources in the media who have their own reasons to vilify him, and I have enough common sense not to accept it simply because they say so. If he was so evil, why does he do several different sports related activities for kids and the parents of those kids have no problems sending their kids off to attend them? Why does he do things for various charitable organizations if he's so evil?

It's pretty pathetic that the media can label him as such, and people can buy it hook, line and sinker. But, of course, that's the power of propaganda. In WWII, the media said Russia was our ally and friend, and we had to support them against the *****. A few years later, they became that dastardly enemy that initiated nearly 40 years of anti-Red curtain propaganda.

 

[jackrussell]

Neither of which fit Owens. Is he evil? No. Is he wicked or malicious? No. At least, there is no evidence that he is on a personal and individual level that I could state with any certainty that he fits any of those terms. I don't know the man, and I haven't seen any such activity from him to claim that he is. All I have is a bunch of information spread from anonymous sources in the media who have their own reasons to vilify him, and I have enough common sense not to accept it simply because they say so. If he was so evil, why does he do several different sports related activities for kids and the parents of those kids have no problems sending their kids off to attend them? Why does he do things for various charitable organizations if he's so evil?

It's pretty pathetic that the media can label him as such, and people can buy it hook, line and sinker. But, of course, that's the power of propaganda. In WWII, the media said Russia was our ally and friend, and we had to support them against the *****. A few years later, they became that dastardly enemy that initiated nearly 40 years of anti-Red curtain propaganda.

Chill.

I was showing the word has multiple definitions other than the disease.

Nice rant though.:

 

[SultanOfSix]

Chill.

I was showing the word has multiple definitions other than the disease.

Nice rant though.:

I'm quite chill, and I understood exactly what you were doing and had no problems with it. IMO, I still don't see how the definition is applicable to Owens.

 

[5Stars]

I'm quite chill, and I understood exactly what you were doing and had no problems with it. IMO, I still don't see how the definition is applicable to Owens.

Of course YOU would'nt...we know!

 

[SultanOfSix]

Of course YOU would'nt...we know!

You talk in the royal plural now? Well, I haven't seen any evidence that shows he is remotely evil or pernicious. Perhaps you have some verifiable stories?

 

[Thick 'N Hearty]

TO's organizational carcinoma has metasticized to the fan base.

So basically what people are saying is that we can't use the words or phrases cancer, dimentia, heartless, short-arm, stop-the-bleeding, put a nail in the coffin or such because someone is going to get offended? Please. Don't wear your heart on your sleeve. Oops. Sorry.

Look people, it's a word. It this thread, there's a war of words going on. Oops. Sorry. That's saved for the military, and yes I served, too, and don't mind someone using a term that can be used in many contexts.

Move on people. Let the wounds heal ... oops. There I go again.

 

[Vintage]

With a cancer, cancer here, and a cancer, cancer there. Here a cancer, there a cancer, everywhere a cancer. Ol McDonald had a cancer, C-a-n-c-e-r.

 

[Apollo Creed]

With a cancer, cancer here, and a cancer, cancer there. Here a cancer, there a cancer, everywhere a cancer. Ol McDonald had a cancer, C-a-n-c-e-r.

About time to close this thread.

C'mon mannn.

 

[Bleu Star]

About time to close this thread.

C'mon mannn.

Every three minutes an idiot rears it's ugly head nationwide. We can do nothing to stop that trend. You close this thread & the idiot travels to the next.