I spent much of my Monday afternoon last week hitting the refresh button on my Internet browser, doing my best to keep track of what was going on with the Tiger Woods-Rocco Mediate thriller. I’d walk around my office, giving updates to buddies who were just as eager to know what was going on.
I couldn’t wait until my day was over, so I could get in my car and throw on the sports radio to hear a recap of everything that transpired in the nail-biting finish. Five o’clock rolls around and I am driving down Route 66, hoping to hear some analysis and commentary on an incredible performance by what many consider the greatest athlete in the world, Tiger Woods.
Much to my surprise, I got very little analysis and a lot more negative and suspicious talk.
“What I want to know is; why was Tiger only grimacing on bad shots? His knee seemed perfectly fine when things were going well,” callers chimed in with similar views and beliefs that Tiger overacted, that his performance was a fraud. For one of the few times, when it comes to sports, I was stunned.
As I continued my drive, and began to tune out what I believed to be ignorant remarks, I started to think about why the gap between the fan and modern athlete is so large, much larger than ever before.
Why is it that fans now look at an athlete's performance with a tainted and suspicious view, rather than taking it at face value? Why is it that the small number of people who were suspicious of Michael Jordan’s “flu playoff performance” have grown to a much greater figure? Is it a reflection of our society’s distrustful persona, or could it be the narcissistic, "me-first" attitude that athletes and their Hollywood agents have beaten us down with.
It’s a little bit of both.
The first thing I look at is the athletes themselves. They are bigger, faster, and stronger than ever before. Their abilities and their talents are so far superior to those of the average Joe, that putting the two next to each other would be like standing Roseanne next to Jessica Alba in a beauty pageant (pre-pregnancy of course. Otherwise it’d just be weird).
With the training facilities, personal chefs, personal trainers, and newest technologies, athletes have turned their bodies into machines.
Years ago, when you looked at Joe Montana or Jerry Rice, they looked like someone you knew. In fact, I’m sure you knew someone who was buffer than Jerry Rice or stronger than Joe Montana.
But now, look at players like Vince Young and Terrell Owens. When you watch them on Sunday, neither you nor any of your buddies can have the hypothetical argument that would go a little something like this, “Yeah, I could definitely bump him at the line and keep him from getting off the line quick."
We all know that Terrell Owens has more muscle mass in his left bicep that most of us do in both arms. It is a trait of all human beings to be drawn towards those who are similar to themselves. Fans and athletes no longer resemble each other.
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Also, with their physical gifts and talents come the opportunities for agents to seize a cash cow.
More so now than ever, athletes are told from an early age (sometimes even at the age of seven) that they are greater than everyone else. They are told that their talents are not even in the ballpark when compared to others their age, and their destiny isn’t just making it to the NBA or NFL, but to the Hall of Fame. Kids are made to believe that they are the greatest things to ever walk this earth.
Since this is drilled into their mind from an early age, they actually begin to believe it. Once they believe it, they find it shocking that others don’t feel the same way.
Criticize a talented 18-year old? Don’t even think about it. He’s perfect because his agent and Nike have told him he is.
Pretty soon, bloggers and media folk start talking about how the kid with the killer jump-shot sits on cloud nine and is a bigger diva than Mariah Carey. That gives fans yet another reason to root against that person.
The most obvious reason for the disdain fans hold against athletes could be the issue with dollars and cents. Most fans have absolutely no issue with a top player making $15 or $20 million a year. What fans have an issue with, and cannot relate to, is when a player has $10 million left on their contract, but they want an extension and will hold out and bad mouth the team until they get receive this.
This pouting and acting like a spoiled child is what turns people off. I don’t care how many explanations I hear from athletes like Chad Johnson telling me that this is a business. I know it’s a business, but I will not feel sorry for you because you’re stuck in Cincinnati, being paid millions, and you feel you should be getting more.
The day will NEVER come when fans are taking the hold-out athlete’s side and saying, “Yeah, pay him another $25 mil because he deserves it” while we’re stuck trying to figure out what to do when gas hits $5 a gallon.
Furthermore, it is an insult to the fans’ knowledge to say, “Fans need to understand this is a business.” Contract disputes should be handled behind closed doors. Anger brews amongst those who pay $75 dollars for a ticket, $20 for parking, and $15 for a beer and a hot dog when they hear someone whining about a signing bonus.
Another critical reason for the growing gap between the two sides could also be pinned on the behavior of a few athletes who give everyone else in the world of sports a bad name. The Pacman Jones—wait—the Adam Jones, Chris Henrys, and Tank Johnsons infuriate fans.
Why? Because if we got caught in a shootout at a strip club that left someone paralyzed, got numerous DUIs, or had more guns in our house than our troops in Iraq do, we’d get fired!
Yet these guys get chance after chance after chance. They continue to make extraordinary amounts of money, despite their inability to stay out of trouble. The sports industry is the only industry where you can get away with these things and still get a paycheck. That rubs people in the wrong way.
All that said, it is not that fans are jealous of athletes and dislike them just because of who they are. After all, who has made sports and athletes more popular than ever before by filling the seats, despite the prices?
The biggest reason that athletes today are not loved by society the way athletes in the '70s and '80s were comes down to one simple issue: attitude.
Back in the day, guys did not demand trades because their team was losing. They did not make comments like Dirk Nowitzki did a few years back, about not playing through an injury and risking their career for the sake of the team or playoff run. Fans didn’t have to worry about falling in love with a player by watching them grow and become a star, only to see them leave for more money.
I know how people looked at Gilbert Arenas here in Washington DC before last season, and trust me, I know how they look at him now (since he’s begun blogging non-stop about his contract situation).
Athletes used to be representatives of a city. Their conduct on and off the field, their personality, and their gamesmanship was a reflection of the city they played for. Now, the only identity athletes have is their contract figure and their endorsement deals.
Taking this back full circle, I realized why so many people questioned Tiger Woods. I realized why people didn’t give Paul Pierce the benefit of the doubt that he was really hurt during the Finals. Though I don’t agree with criticizing or suspecting either, I understood that it’s not specifically against those two particular players.
It is larger than that.
It’s the scorn and resentment fans have built up against athletes as a whole. The gap is larger now than ever because fans have lost faith in so many athletes. Fans have grown tired of their acts, and fans no longer want to vehemently defend a player who will leave their team in a heartbeat for more cash.
The fans want to believe, but every time they do, they set themselves up for another letdown.
Just a few weeks ago, after hearing Cedric Benson swear he was wronged in the boat-arrest incident, I gave him the benefit of the doubt. He convinced me. “Maybe he’s telling the truth, and he was not treated properly,” I thought.
A month later, he got arrested for a DUI. Was I angry? Was I surprised or appalled that an athlete misled thousands of people, myself included? Unfortunately, no.
“Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me” never rang more true than it does today when it comes to the relationship between the fan and the athlete.
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4 months ago
great article shaun...keep it coming
4 months ago
What most fans need to realize is that athletes are people just like you and I. They come from the hood, the burbs and the country. Some of what they've learned coming up isn't going to leave them regardless of how many zeroes are in their bank accounts.
Many of us still hold them above reproach, that shouldn't be. I guess to an extent we still have that child-line hero worship thing goin on.
I learned that lesson when my boyhood hero Sugar Ray Leonard admitted to using coke and spousal abuse as champion in the '80's. I never looked at him the same again - but I realized that you can't put anything past anyone.
4 months ago
This was terrific. Well done.
4 months ago
BIG TRADE - http://bleacherreport.com/articles/32817-jefferson-traded-to-bucks
4 months ago
Damn fine read man. 5 starz eeezee.
4 months ago
Excellent read, Mr. Ahmad. I remember years back when Alonzo Mourning was still on the Nets and asked to be trade to a contender, DESPITE THEM PAYING HIM MILLIONS while he was INJURED the previous year. I don't care what Alonzo went through, as a fan, I could never forgive the guy or give him the benefit of the doubt. If there was one player I wish you would have mentioned in this fine article its LATRELL SPREWELL. "I have to feed my family" Ya right. Great read. 5 Stars.
4 months ago
Great article Shaun. I think there are many factors involved. Athletes are more removed and isolated from us "normal folk" than ever before. Some of it is caused by themselves, some of it is because some folks are just "haters."
4 months ago
Definatly a big factor in the seperation between athletes and fans is free agency. In this day and age athletes make so much money and a lot of people resent the athletes that hold out and demand more money. This is especially true with non-superstars that request major bucks. However, some fans need to realize that the superstar athletes bring in a lot of money for their orginizations through ticket sales, merchendise, etc. Orginizations wouldn't pay some of these athletes (A-rod, LBJ, Tom Brady) so much if they didn't bring in fans and merchendise sales. the problem with this is a lot of overrated athletes get paid superstar salaries and do not produce. Teams need to be a little more selective on who they pay the big bucks. case in point, the New York Knicks, Washington Redskins, and New York Yankees. Bottom line is everyone, the fans, players, and orginizations are at fault.
4 months ago
Very great article and a great read.
I believe that it is because the way our society is so structured towards equating money with success. People know deep down that there is more to being a success than with money but somehow that's what it boils down to. I believe that the majority of professional athletes are grossly overpaid yet, I still watch the games and write about them (hence why I'm on Bleacher Report).
It has to deal with the set of morals and values people place on athletes. When I was growing up Michael Jordan was a god to me. Now, he's one of the biggest jerks I could ever lay eyes on. More and more people are thinking this way (in a cynical way) because athletes faults are so easily seen now. Even back when I was growing up in the early 90's, I didn't see everything wrong about my sports idols. Now, with 24/7 sports coverage and the push for instant analysis and criticism, the media and society throw people's sports idols off of their pedestals like yesterday's trash. So they think, why should I even bother getting attached to an athlete or why should I put stock into what I'm seeing?
4 months ago
Cool article, but how dare you blaspheme the Dirkster?
4 months ago
Awesome story. I couldn't agree more.
4 months ago
Great article. I see your point exactly.
Why do athletes demand $120 million dollars, but are insulted when they are offered $110 million instead? Any REGULAR person off the street would take $110 million in a heart beat. Why do you need more?
4 months ago
Excellent article. My Pick of the Day.
4 months ago
The media is to blame too, in my book. If they didn't blow these things out of proportion so much, we wouldn't have to hear about it all the time. Maybe it's just the steroids era, and anything that looks suspicious must be brought to the forefront in order to preserve journalistic integrity. But it's not politics we're talking about, it's sports. Sure, it's a business, but I'm a customer of this business, and I don't want to hear about any arrests, or contract disputes, or issues pertaining to team chemistry. If I wanted to know that, I'd sneak my way into the team offices or something. Sports, 50 and 60 years ago, probably weren't pure, but it was a great experience because you didn't have to worry about that, you could just go to a game, and enjoy the athletes performing with pride, and you could read a beautiful story about it in the next day's paper. Not anymore, in my opinion. There's too much attempt by the media to cause worry in a fan's heart. Why?
4 months ago
Thanks to everyone for the comments, feedback, as well as helping to make this article the pick of the day!
4 months ago
Good piece.
The divide has been created by society itself. The commercialism, celebrity, and charitable causes, plus the expectations placed on a professional athlete's time and life are beyond any understanding we in the general public could understand. They can't go anywhere without being chased by photographers looking for that "money shot", or people looking to find a way to take advantage of them, not to mention the harmless fan who would just like a picture or an autograph.
Almost makes you feel sorry for them. But it's a life they choose, and they are getting PAID!
I look at instances I've seen here in the Dallas area. At the Stars (NHL) practice facility, there is a roped off area where fans can wait to get autographs of their favorite players. At racing events fans have access to drivers for autographs and photos, even at specific timed sessions (nice job, IndyCar).
But here's one even better. I was trying to set up an interview with Kyle Busch (NASCAR) driver over the phone. His PR person told me he doesn't do anything on either Tuesday or Wednesday. That's his day off.
I respect the hell out of that. Racers are so busy (especially the big-name ones) with everything beyond the track, they have little time for themselves. And the season is SO long with only a handful of "off" weekends, that taking a day off in the middle of the week makes sense to me.
I think all of us like to just have a day to do whatever we want, or just chill, without being bothered by the outside world.
Perhaps we have more in common with professional athletes than we think?
4 months ago
I also think it's half sports centers/media's fault. This may have been going on just as much (not likely) in the earlier years of sports as the comment two above me said as i just glanced. I have grown tired of watching sports center...it's all about contracts and law. It's become the News really. Nothing but bad news. That's not what i want to see, i wanna see highlights and analyze them and inform me more about the GAME. It's beginning to get out of hand but, they keep doing it so people out there must like this and give them feed back, idk. I pity the fool who watches sports for that, they are suppose to be watched for a much better experience.
4 months ago
Incredible. I really have nothing to say to this. It was an amazing article, and I look forward to reading your next. I agree entirely.
4 months ago
Great stuff. I think the majority of what has caused the divide can be summed up in two words: Free Agency.
4 months ago
Excellent article, free agency effects this, then add the Owner willing to pay high salaries. Then you have the athlete, who plays solely for the money and jumps from team to team. If the price is right and don't care about the fans.
4 months ago
What a great article. You document the transformation from sports stars of the 70's and 80's to the idols/image consultants America has made the athlete of today.
America is a funny place. As a society, we've gotten to a place of superficiality, boredom or personal apathy that we have turned to athletes and entertainers for identification and standards. The media feeds their image as idols and image consultants while franchises coddle them with concessions and outlandish contracts. Often times, the athlete starts believing his own press as a god; but sooner or later the media coverage will expose a flaw or defect. When that happens, the same coverage that kissed his rear will kick it with extreme prejudice.
But the American public is fickle and god are quite easy to come by in this media-driven society. Yesterday's god can be tomorrow's joke; reality television and True Hollywood Stories only rush the abdication from the throne to the crucifix.
In all of this morbid process, the fans lose the athlete's accomplishments on the field, the athlete loses his marketability and his fan base- resulting in the chasm of which you articulated.
The only people that seemingly win are the media.
4 months ago
Good job here.
While I generally dislike the "sports were better in the old days" articles, your article makes a more subtle point than that. It does appear as though the divide, both economically and socially, is greater today than it was even 10 years ago.
The thing that gets me is that I'm never actually sure if the social divide is larger now than it was before, or if was that large previously and I just didn't know it. With the advent of the internet, I am certainly more aware of a palpable divide, but does that mean that it wasn't in existence before? I don't have an answer for you, but it's something to consider.
4 months ago
Great points Shaun,
I would only hesitate putting Paul Pierce and Tiger in the same breath. Pierce wasn't injured at all and cried like a girl, while Tiger won the Open with four stress fractures and a partially torn ACL. That he had to play another 18 and a sudden death hole to win it has to go down as one of the single greatest sports accomplishments EVER. The Pierce ordeal goes down as one of the most over-reacted injuries EVER. Completely on the opposite sides of the spectrum. I'm not bagging on Pierce here (I like his game) but the injury was bogus. As for the divide between players and athletes, I guess the suspicion comes from the fact that everybody in the public eye seems to lie to our faces these days. We used to trust that our government wasn't populated by liars and our sports athletes were pure as the driven snow. We now know otherwise. If there was ever an athlete that got caught cheating that said, "you got me man, I'm sorry" rather than the parade of unrepentant liars that eventually get exposed, then we might begin to believe and have sympathy for the rest. The point you make about grooming athletes literally from birth resonates here because many of these athletes have grown up free from responsibility or consequences. If they were failing a class, they got passed anyway. If they were caught up in some high school debauchery, one of their boys took a fall for them. They grow up thinking that they are beyond any normally accepted code of decency. This infuriates the rest of us that HAVE to make the grade, pay for our mistakes (times ten), and struggle to recover from them. As Fred pointed out above, when we hear Latrell Sprewell (and numerous athletes since) talk about "feeding their family" when many of us are truly wondering how the next bill is going to be paid, it absolutely illustrates the divide you talk about. Great article and a very good topic.
4 months ago
Wonderful article, it sums up today's sport pretty much
4 months ago
best article ive ever read on bleacher report. well done.
4 months ago
Well someone just hit the nail on the head! Nice work!
4 months ago
Great article..I also attribute that change of attitude with the amount of exposure athletes recieve today. The Joe Montanas and Jerry Rice's of yesterday were famous, but our athletes are basking in the glow of a media machine that never sleeps, the camera is always on....there is very little time to be anything but a celebrity and when that happens the line between athlete and soundbite personality becomes harder to find.
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