Superdome's Blog
Hello Urbana, the city that starts with yoU! It is a new year, a new decade for that matter. Isn't the world of sports great?! It is a never ending source of entertainment and gives us fans all something to talk about. This past year was no different and two recent instances is where we will spend this week's installment of "The Rant".
1. "Adam James"...up until about a month ago, that rather common name would have congered up nothing real exciting. In fact, I live near Texas and follow the Big 12 conference rather closely and never knew who he was and that he played for Texas Tech. It seems there are all sorts of sides to this story and many seem to have jumped on one side or the other to give their opinion. Mike Leach was the offensive coordinator for the 2000 Oklahoma Sooners National Title, so I am a fan of his. However, he CERTAINLY doesn't fit the typical coaches mold. Like him or not, here is a man who has never played football (at least in HS or college) and has a law degree, but you cannot argue with what he has done to their program since taking over. Without "picking a side" in this story, as until ALL the information is revealed, that would be premature. There's the obvious question like, why not just appease the AD and University by apologizing when the story first broke and still be there (according to the Chancellor). My guess is Mike is smart enough (with a legal background), that admitting fault may have given the university cause to still fire him and avoid paying the $800K bonus due him the day after they actually ended up doing so.
The real reason I bring this up is to look more at the player. Was he milking an injury? Did he have a history of this? Who knows. Oh, by the way he is the son of the very well know Craig James (of the SMU Pony Express days) and an ESPN analyst whom has been reported to have made his displeasure of Adam's playing time to the coaching staff known more than once. Whether you agree with Mike's handling of this situation, which on the surface, appears out of the norm and (to some) a bit extreme. Let's remember the personality of the Coach. I'd like to think I would have handled it differently, but my point is I believe this and my second item below gives us a very revealing cross section of our society today and how sports is viewed. Having a father as a coach and being at almost every event and practice growing up, I can PROMISE you, some measures of discipline would have made headlines in today's sports world. To be clear, he NEVER put anyone's health or safety at risk. Suffice it to say the point was made and I challenge you to ask ANY of his players if it did not have a positive impact on their life. Looking beyond the "story" at Texas Tech reveals to me we are living in a time where (at the COLLEGE level mind you), it's ok to go back to the YMCA flag football days and believe everyone should play (regardless how many practices they miss) and mom or dad have a right to complain to the head coach.
2. To finish my point, did anyone happen to watch the recent Under Armour Black/White HS All Star Football game? After watching, I can't even recall many of the drives an/or how the scoring occurred. That is because it was a non-stop festival of self serving celebration dances. Isn't it now a penalty to remove your helmet on the field of play? Apparently not in that game. Maybe Under Armour, ESPN or all the sponsors want this to be how they are represented. What ever happened to just playing the game with purpose and aggression and when you are successful, you celebrate with your teammates? Football is a very emotion sport, and I have no problem with someone showing excitement when making a big play, but does there have to be a choreographed dance after every one? I had the privilege of attending Oklahoma State when Barry Sanders was there. He was the epitomy of sportsmanship and, unfortunately days of that being the norm are gone. Why do you suppose that is so? Could it be that they see it every weekend while watching a college or pro basketball or football game? I see this in Soccer and Hockey as well. Sadly enough, this is now a part of the actual video games. It's more fun to have the best NCAA 2010 or Madden 2010 celebration dance or taunting than it is to actually win the game. What the heck is that about?!? I believe it is about how far we have come (or how far we have regressed) as a society. Athletes are elevated to super start status and are some of the most recognizable people in the world. In case you have missed it, we are TEACHING our youth that it is acceptable (expected even) to propmote yourself, draw attention to yourself and celebrate YOU. Using football as an example, isn't it the linemen or fullback that provide the block to allow you to score? Is this really that big a deal, I mean we're ONLY talking about sports. Sports is supposed to be fun. It's fun when I dance after a big play and pound my chest, that's how I show emotion. That's cool, so when these same folks start disrespecting you as a parent, a coach, a co-worker, spouse, girlfriend/boyfriend or boss, just remember "that's how they show emotion".
Until next time, this is your man Superdome. Again, I welcome your comments and/or questions to "roam the dome".