Goodell, Step Up or Step Down

I guess if you want to commit a crime the best place to be is in the NFL.  You know, I'm not into "making examples" of people for certain causes or picking at silly things folks might do, but wow ... Goodell is a fabulous example of a leader whose talking leads to nothing but silence and inaction.  He's a "do little" when you're caught and "do less" when you're suspected sort of fellow.  The examples last year and at the start of this year alone are endless.

How many players have to beat women (and children presumably in at least one case) in order for a leader to say STOP?

How many rules (large or small) have to be broken in order for a leader to take control of the situation and put the entitlement by some of these owners and managers to a STOP?

Oh, great ... a player pummels females and gets a fine here, a few days suspension there, a banning for the season with an opportunity to come back the next and so on -- someone please explain to me how this is ok?

A team gets caught "presumably" cheating in the most childish, unnecessary ways and SHHHHHH ... "We're looking into this matter ..." More like, 'Just keep watching the Superbowl and dishing out that money to the league and after the big game we'll see if it's all died down or find a way to address it then."

Explain to me how that is ok ...

To me, Goodell had ALL those opportunities to be a leader and step up.  He could have created a campaign by the entire league of respectable football players standing against violence.  He could have suspended or ENDED a convicted player's pay, ended his career and said "that does not belong in the NFL."  He could have either stood by Tom Brady and said, "Hey, maybe we need to take a look at this air pressure rule ... just be honest" or contacted him FIRST -- first! -- instead of going through a pathetic couple weeks of silence under the false-talking dialogue cloud of "It's under investigation." Bull.  Lying or telling the truth, at least Brady and Belichik faced the music!  Hellooooo ... Goodell, are you there?  Are you there??

Sir, you're no leader ... you cater to criminals, plain and simple.  You cater to rich owners that don't want to lose their riches.  There, I said it.  And you know what's funny? Ha! I agree with Kraft on one thing -- the NFL should apologize -- but, not to him ... to the fans ... to those who have been directly abused by certain players ... to players who have played fairly despite being around some that bend the rules. 

I'm not angry at the Patriots for possibly "cheating" ... I'm not even angry at violent players whose crimes have been proven -- cheaters and violent people are already pathetic to me.  However, when there is no one enforcing established laws, there is no reason for unreasonable people to abide them.  I'm angry at the NFL.  I'm angry that Goodell keeps talking and saying nothing.  I'm angry that honesty, integrity, and morality have escaped this league under the misdirection of a man that cannot or does not know how to step up.  I'm angry that these years, months, weeks have gone by and still there is more support for abusive players, managers and owners than there is for the abused.  And then, the circus-type shows of hype and interviews and true foolishness in the media -- Do you understand that there does not appear to be any semblance of control??? (sample articles below)

If I could, I would tell him straight to his face, "either step down or step up." Either be strong enough to make strong decisions that show you have such control of the situation that you have turned dark events into light, or let someone that knows how to rise beyond these moments come forward in your stead.  Enough, Sir ... enough.

I don't know if this is a common quote, but MLK, a hero I look to often for inspiration once said: "They're straightening their backs up because a man can't ride your back unless it is bent."

Those words are too brilliant not to leave it there.  They say it all.


http://www.cnn.com/2014/09/17/us/nfl-off-field-problems/index.html

http://blog.thenewstribune.com/seahawks/2015/02/03/roger-goodell-marshawn-lynch-after-the-super-bowl-and-how-we-in-the-media-view-lynch-and-the-nfl/

http://espn.go.com/nfl/playoffs/2014/story/_/id/12254585/nfl-commissioner-roger-goodell-said-league-looking-why-new-england-patriots-used-footballs-compliance-was-deliberate

Players Deflating What it Means to Win #DeflateGate

DEFLATING WHAT IT MEANS TO WIN

 Little Ralphie is the best player in school. Everyone wants him on their team. He always goes out there on the field, conquering fear, nervousness, and gives it his all.  He maneuvers; he stays focused; his aim is fantastic. He brings pride to his district. In fact, he’s so good that if anything endangers his ability to win, he finds a solution to that problem … because he must win … everyone expects him to win … he expects himself to win.

 And there’s genuineness to it.  He wants his team and himself to be the best.  So he seeks modes of comfort during a game.  He says to himself: “Well, I know I’ll be able to throw that ball well but I’ll throw it better if I just make a wee adjustment.” And so, he does the silliest little thing, breaking a wee rule to settle his mind.  And then he says to himself at another game: “Well, I know I’ll be able to outthink that play but just as a backup, I’ll sneak a peek at what my rivals are doing.” So, this phenomenal player, Ralphie, illegally observes some signs … just in case … he’s not good enough.

And there it is … that “just in case” crap that destroys absolutely marvelous players.  Ralphie, my imaginary player, becomes so consumed with doing what he can to win, he not only fails to remember what made him such a marvel before, but the very trait that fans so admired: having the courage it takes to win fair and square.

 … having the courage to not doubt one’s abilities … having the courage to go out there and give the game all you can muster because you believe in yourself.

 Why do we all still remember Mary Lou Rhetton’s perfect 10 score in the 1984 Olympics? It wasn’t just about her being an underdog. It wasn’t just that she was injured and went through the motions. It’s that she believed in herself, despite being at a disadvantage, so much that she fought through that moment of doubt, gave it everything she had, and won it like a champion.  And we loved that moment, not because of her fabulous vault, but because of that charging, determined sprint towards it with her face silently screaming: “Whatever happens, I WILL make it over that barrier.” Does anyone think that the audience and people at home would not have applauded manically if her mark was any less? Who cared? The win made it sweeter, but man, her expression going towards it!  

 Same thing, when runners near the finish line … when footballers race towards the goal. Who cares when they cross the finish or score? It’s nice … but it’s more about that mad dash or the breakaway run that comes before it where we the fans can watch that Eureka moment in an athlete’s eyes shouting “YES, I CAN! I’m gonna do it! I’m gonna do it!”

  The Patriots won the game. They clearly outplayed the Colts. Deflated or properly inflated balls, it seems fair to say they would have won - they’re an awesomely talented team with an awesomely talented Quarterback. What’s sad to me as a fan of sports in general, is that they robbed me of that “I’m gonna conquer my doubt and plow through this!” moment.

 Tom Brady, or whoever did it, gave himself an advantage, a comfort, and the silliest, most unnecessary cop out of what I personally feel is the greatest aspect of all athletics: the courage to win, the courage to be defeated, the courage to step out there “blind” … without a crutch.

 Can you imagine how awful Improv would be if one of the best actors paid an audience member to shout a word that he/she and the team could prepare for beforehand?  Or a singer that lipsynchs? Alllll the same deal.

 It totally defeats the purpose of being live and “in the moment!” And, this sucks, because the Patriots forgot what it means to win.

 So many examples of why this is such a downer.  Well, I’ll still be watching the Superbowl nonetheless … don’t know what’ll happen or how best it would be to penalize the team (keeping of course, in mind, that it is discovered they truly DID cheat – I acknowledge it’s still speculation, but the evidence sounds pretty bad).

 I’ll be thinking of Ralphie … and hoping for a pure, shining game with courageous players that believe in themselves.

Madbum? One-pitch ... One-hit Wonder-ment. World Series 2014 Yoooo!

It took Madison Bumgarner one pitch to shock me.

Game 5.  First toss of the game and the first ever I’d seen of this World Series made me take quick notice.  I’d brushed off watching any more baseball once the Tigers were swept out by the Orioles … I’d sworn off San Fran ever since those Barry Bonds fiasco days and sort of waved my hand over Kansas City ever since Sweeney – I think it was Sweeney – got into a tussle with the whole team because of – who was it? – Weaver? – I think it was Weaver.  Can’t even remember anymore, it’s been so long, but one thing’s for sure: It looks like I’ve been missing out on some tremendous talent.

            One pitch and I exhaled: “Wow.  That guy can throw.”

            Second toss and I couldn’t concentrate on bar trivia anymore, asking “Who is THAT?”

            Third toss and KC gets a hit but I’m not mad at the SF pitcher.  That hit was psycho good.

            I do declare, this became the first World Series in I don’t know how many years that made me want to watch the game itself again – despite whether they’re MY team or not.  The by-gone (finally and hopefully) junk about steroids or wild trades or mega salaries or non-baseball issues in general are no longer the major-most cloud blocking out the series - of course not yet the entire sport - itself.  It wasn’t that the teams before were bad … it’s just that there was so much behind-the-scene drama that made fans like me wonder, in not the greatest way, what we were watching. And ... gee ... um ... San Fran's almost always in it, so, I just couldn't look anymore! But looking up at the TV during trivia and ...

            ... there you are baseball.  You hooked me again.  I don’t believe this, but I am pumped for the game tonight.  I’m not rooting for either team … or in it for “fantasy” funds … I’m just aimin’ to watch some players play on an age-old diamond dream. (Although, something tells me my dad would want me to lean heavily towards a Kansas City win ...) And according to some pitching stats I've seen of who's next ... outside of SF's momentum, it's lookin' Royally good.  But, no one really knows ... and that's fantastic to me.

            One awesome pitch. One phenomenal hit. One very happy fan of the game rebirthed … and ready to hit up her pastime and pitch the past in the “that nasty part of baseball don’t live here no more” glovebox. It's anyone's game! 

Dear Detroit Tigers, You're Not Done Yet, Love NY

When you fall down you should stay down.  When you make a blunder one day, you should expect yourself to make the same mistake the next.  When you lose a lead in a game you gave your heart and soul to, you shouldn’t bother showing up for another game because chances are, you are not going to win.

            Good messages to teach society, Detroit?  After two miserable losses by the Tigers in the ALDS against the Orioles, those are essentially – even bluntly – the phrases I’m hearing from fans, from Detroit sports writers, from the very people that have supported this organization with Old English D’s on their heads and orange/blue tigers across their chests.  What happened?  Here I am, now a New Yorker … having left Motown for opportunities here in the Apple, but I’m still rooting for the Tigers.  It’s appalling that articles would wonder how anyone can still believe this ball team is “capable” of winning – at hearing words suggesting fans would not be “tolerant” not if but WHEN the next game goes bad.  Unbelievable.

            Look, I may live in and love New York, but I’m still loyal to my home team and town where I grew up.  And to those lucky enough to be going to that game today, please give your ticket to a real fan IF you’re planning on booing them when they’re down.  They’re not done yet.  If you’re going to write them off after a couple of really bad games, great.  Stay home.  As for me, if they end up struggling, I’m going to shout for them to keep trying.  IF they blow another lead, I’m going to be clapping for them all the way in NYC to hustle and get it back.  THAT is what fans do when their team is down.  That is what humans that believe in the power of kinship, comebacks and underdogs do.  Booing them is just begging for them to lose and you know what?  Bullies boo people that are down.  Lift them up.  They’re nervous because they care … they’re trying.  Lift them up.  Be behind them, pushing them forward and motivating them to win not just because they’re your home team but, because you are the type of fan that wears that team brand with pride no matter what.

            My message to them and to you: Detroit, you are one step closer to having another game.  Show this league and those newscasters and sports writers and everyone that says you can’t, that you still believe in yourselves.  It’s been done before; it can be done again.  And if that score doesn’t end up reflecting a win, be proud of the grit it took to get them that far.  If not this year, then the next.  Hey, neither of the New York teams are even in it anymore!  Tigers … “incapable?” BALONEY! Power to the D.  Go Tigers!  And if you call yourself a fan ... you better be rootin' for 'em, too ... or ELSE ... !