THE ARROGANCE OF ATHLETES By David Crerand

After I read this piece I felt it relevant to add a picture of Chad Johnson, a complete idiot in my book and an average receiver at best,I can't stand the guy, however kicking an extra point and a kickoff last week was impressive.....
I want to introduce to you David Crerand,he writes great short stories. We've only recently been introduced so I'm not sure how many sites he publishes for, but he's branching out and is tackling sports this go round,and this is his take on some modern athletes, enjoy, Bo.......
David Crerand's profile at Triond
The Arrogance of Athletes

Published on September 3, 2009 by David Crerand in Football

An exploration of arrogant misbehavior by today’s sports heroes.

The Arrogance of Athletes
By David Crerand
Well, after a long summer waiting for Brett to unretire, and waiting to see how much jail time Plaxico would get, and wondering who would be the next NFL star sidelined by scandal, we have finally limped through almost all of the pre-season games and stand on the brink of another season. But, I’m sorry to say, for me, it’s just not the same anymore. I used to get excited early, like May or June. I used to follow all the trades and negotiations and “developing stories” that lead up to that exciting transition from summer baseball games with their itinerant lazing in the summer heat, sunscreen lotion, and polite applause to the brisk days of autumn with its barbecue grills in the parking lot
, steaming breath in the chilly air and the painted faces of rabid, frothing football fans. But so much of that has all gone away for me now, and, sadly, I miss it. And regrettably, the players themselves have brought on the change.

When I was a kid heroes trod upon the athletic fields of this nation. Men of power, selfless devotion, unquestioned integrity and valor; so much valor. Unitas, Tittle, Huff, gladiators of impeccable merit. Nitchke, Page, Robustelli, warriors of ferocious tenacity. Starr, Staubach, Gifford, clean shaven leaders with the emotional comportment of eagle scouts. And what has this been replaced with? The self serving antics of Terrel Owens, the get out of jail and return to the NFL without skipping a beat of Michael Vick, possible assault charges against Oakland Raiders head coach Tom Cable for punching an assistant coach, where is the NFL fan’s gag reflex? How much more of this crap must we be expected to swallow in the name of ‘fanship’?

Sundays used to be my comfy chair, the remote control, cold beer, munchies, and every game I could get up until “60 Minutes” and my eventual nap. And then, of course, Monday Night Football and the inevitable struggle to get to work on time on Tuesday morning. And I believed it was not only worth it, it felt like a duty. It was part of my job to be there! But now it seems that my favorite game is renegotiating its contract with me, the fan, the guy who steadfastly stood by while salaries climbed to unbelievable heights, while inferior product was trotted out during labor disputes, while sportsmanship was eroded before my very eyes.

A lot of folks will make the excuse that during the olden days the press was more respectful of the players. They didn’t report a lot of the off-field antics, the drinking and carousing. They didn’t pry into the private lives of the players and expose their marital issues and bastard children and gambling habits. But, let’s be realistic folks, the police blotter is public record, the athletes, corrupted by their wealth and status, feel they deserve adulation and are exempt from criticism for the adolescent choices they make, and free agency has destroyed any link and/or allegiance between the players and the residents of the cities they play for.

It all started with the simple spike of the ball after a touchdown was scored. Harmless enough at first, but look at what it has evolved into. The end zone dances, the ‘Lambeau Leap’, back-flips, hip waggling that would make Elvis proud, cell phones hidden in goal posts, egotistical peacocks strutting their stuff like their trying to attract a mate for breeding. I mean really, do we need to sit through this posturing? And now, it has spread like a cancerous growth. Defensive lineman celebrate sacks, wide receivers celebrate each catch, cornerbacks celebrate interceptions or even just good coverage, linebackers celebrate tackles, running backs celebrate almost any positive gain of yardage, when does the water-boy get his chance? Forgive me for posing the question guys but, the last time I looked, all of these activities were simply part of your job description. You shouldn’t have the right to celebrate when all you’ve done is what is expected. I mean, when I write a really good sentence, all the verb tenses are correct, the punctuation is right and all the words are spelled correctly should I leap up from my desk and slam my keyboard into the floor and trot around slapping high five’s with the wife and kids?

I would ask the athletes to think for a moment. Think about the extravagance that the American love for sports has brought to them. Think about the average guy, sitting in the stands cheering for you while you make somewhere between four and five hundred times his salary. Think for a moment about the “thrill of victory and the agony of defeat” which is supposed to define athletic competition. Think of the millions and millions of fans who are mesmerized watching you play a game that they had played as children but had to give up because the realities of life beckoned to them. Think of sportsmanship and humility and then, get your head in the game and go out there and play with integrity. The true fans deserve that!