What the Hell Is It With Sports Figures Anymore?

Just what is happening in the world of professional sports anymore? How is it that we've gone from some true greats who embodied hard work, character, excellence and perseverance (examples like Mark Spitz, Pele', Larry Bird, Bobby Hull, Michael Jordan, Johnny Unitas, Don Meredith, Gale Sayers, Joe Namath, Terry Bradshaw, Doug Flutie, Willie Stargell, Hank Aaron, Roberto Clemente, Tom Seaver and much more) to complete utterly destructive and brainless DEGENERATES like OJ Simpson, Dennis Rodman, Pacman Jones, Terrell Owens, Mike Tyson and Michael Vick? ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGH!!!


In times past, it used to be that young kids could look up to people in sports as examples of hard work, physical training, teamwork, perseverance, building character and such. Anymore, it seems that a number of high-profile sports figures are better known for their OUTRAGEOUSLY HIGH salaries, number of endorsement deals and worse yet, INEXCUSABLY STUPID DESTRUCTIVE BEHAVIOR. What kind of a legacy or example is that to follow? Unfortunately, the level of public outrage against this disturbing trend is alarmingly low in this Owl's opinion. Why be outraged? Simply this, if these guys are examples to follow in the context of professional sports, who's to say that these sort of shenanigans and criminal behavior won't manifest themselves in other arenas and areas of life too! Do you want your kids emulating the likes of Mike Tyson (a VIOLENT misogynist), Dennis Rodman (a garden variety MORON and narcissist who ALWAYS has to draw attention to himself), OJ Simpson (a lying, obfuscating MURDERER who got away with it!) and most recently Michael Vick, whose shenanigans range from flipping off fans to running illegal dogfights where he had dogs executed for not winning, what a LOSER!!! If the Atlanta Falcons want to save face, they'd best FIRE this idiot pronto before their team suffers any more damage to itself, financially and otherwise!


Does this mean I hate pro-sports? By no means, but I am EXTREMELY disgusted with how pro-sports gives these numbskulls a free pass, and it winds up biting them in the ass later, financially and not to mention a horribly blemished reputation. I for one am calling on the professional sports world to start getting serious about screening their recruits and signings A LOT MORE CAREFULLY, they should also be taking into account things like character, psychological/psychiatric fitness, past criminal record and such. Most importantly, do these guys play for love of the sport first and foremost, or just for instant, easy fame and big bucks? This is something that should be a REQUIREMENT before being signed ANYWHERE!


And for crying out loud, KNOCK IT OFF with these outrageous salaries that are in turn passed onto the fans. It's bad enough that idiots in the corporate world like Bob Nardelli, Dennis Kozlowsky and the late Kenneth Lay got paid to screw up, but to have this mentality in the sports world is not a good thing either! These guys need to EARN their money, NOT have it handed to them on a silver platter.



And in conclusion, to those in pro-sports who are out there every day playing their hearts out and being there for love of the game (whatever form it takes) and the fans, this Owl takes his hat off to you for upholding a long and proud tradition! This tirade is not directed at you, but rather the rather high-profile imbeciles who are ruining it for everyone else. Keep on playing guys, your hard work doesn't go unnoticed!

ON THE PLAYER

Donald Fagen - Morph the Cat

The keyboard playing/singing half of Steely Dan released this brilliant collection of songs in 2006 to much deserved acclaim. Taking such far-flung subjects as fleeting fame (H-Gang), death ("Brite Nightgown") , a conversation with the ghost of Ray Charles ("What I Do") and even having a fling with an airport security worker (Security Joan), and marrying them to brilliantly crafted melodies and harmonically dense jazz/funk informed arrangements (with KILLER musicians from New York's best), Fagen commands your attention from start to finish. Good stuff!