I have a basketball game to play this morning; however, I will be back sooner rather than later.
That isn't the confession.
"Young athletes carry on antics of over-the-top stars" by Bella English | Globe Staff, January 19, 2012
These days it’s not just pro athletes who spike the ball in the end zone, raise a finger in triumph, thump their chests, dance a jig, or engage in other victory antics on the field, rink, or court. Youngsters are increasingly engaging in what professional sports calls “excessive celebration.’’
Now comes the confession. I've been much more passionate in the past; however, I am still prone to let loose with a loud "Yeah!!" when sinking a winner for my team after a hard-fought game. The culture doesn't just rub off on the kids.
(11:00 AM update -- I let one rip when I sunk the second of my game-winners today -- a shot that rolled around the rim, up of the glass, back onto the rim, and around and in)
Of course, you would never know from this blog that I am a passionate person (blog editor smiles to himself).
Though the pro rules vary from sport to sport, such demonstrations can result in penalties for unsportsmanlike conduct - and can, as they did with a local high school football game in December - change the outcome of a game....
Oh, we don't have that here, although one week I didn't go because of work I heard there were punches thrown (sigh), and a couple of disagreements have gotten people banned from playing.
As for officials, we are all on the honor system (call your own, or call it if you foul a guy) -- and I think we do a better job with more integrity while playing for nothing but fun, love, and joy. And there are no free throws or three-pointers; it is all ball-up-top, one basket = one point, game to 11, need to win by two.
College athletes aren’t much better. Last week the Arizona Wildcats and Oregon State basketball teams nearly got into a brawl after an Arizona player dunked over an Oregon defender, who fell to the floor, and then stood over him while pounding his own chest in triumph.
Well, no one dunks in our group so that is not an issue.
Youngsters follow their heroes at their own peril. In December, the Cathedral High School football team was poised to clinch the state’s Division 4A Superbowl when its quarterback briefly raised an arm in victory while running for what would have been the winning touchdown. A referee flagged him, the touchdown was taken away, and the team lost.
The case ignited a national debate on the topic of excessive celebration among young athletes. Youth coaches say their jobs are made more difficult by the high-profile posturing of pro athletes, some of whom profit from their trademark gestures....
Don't we have more important things to talk about?
Mark Nardelli, the coach of a Norwood youth football team that had a touchdown nullified because of a chest bump. “It starts from the top and trickles down.’’
That's why AmeriKan society is in such terrible shape.
Ever notice only excrement trickles down, no wealth?
--more--"
And yet here are sports on my front page again.
The self-serving Globe needs to confess to being part of the problem.
Update: Penn State coach Paterno dead at 85
They should have let him coach those last two games and set the all-time record. Actually, having to quit coaching probably killed him. Literally took the air right out of him.
