Most Disappointed in an Athlete

SmootSmack · 12-09-2009, 07:45 AM

Whether we want to admit it, and whether it's right, we put pro athletes at a higher pedestal than we put even ourselves and expect them to be beyond reproach.

I have, I think, a bit of a unique perspective having been around pro athletes for much of the past decade on a daily basis. And I've told here about my personal experiences with Darrell Green and finding him to be less than the person I thought he was (still doesn't take away from what I think of him as a player or what he meant to Redskins fans). It was very disappointing, but in a way it was good because it was so early in my career that it prepared me moving forward. I should say I've been pleasantly surprised as well.

Anyway, my question is when have you been most disappointed with an athlete. And I'm not really talking about on-field performance. I'm talking about their actions off the field. Though if you want to include something like Palmeiro using steroids, that would count.

Was it finding out Mickey Mantle was an alcoholic who allegedly beat his kids, was it finding out Kirby Puckett was a womanizer who allegedly beat his wife, was it finding out Agassi was a druggie in his prime, was it finding out about Tiger, was it something else? Has it never happened? And maybe it was a college player, not necessarily an NFL player.

Smooter · 12-09-2009, 08:19 AM

I remember being a kid and idolizing Mike Tyson. Watching him destroy people and playing his video game only to be shocked when his career took a complete 180. The baseball steroid scandal was another disappointment for me. Being a rangers fan I had grown to love players like Rafael Palmeiro and Juan Gonzalez.

dmek25 · 12-09-2009, 08:35 AM

met Charles Barkley, and what you see is what you get. cool as hell. met Dr. J. and more of the same. carried himself just reeking of class. idolized Mike Schmidt as a kid, and never heard anything bad about him. i always looked at these guys as normal guys, that made it. maybe i didnt hold athletes as high as i thought i did

Schneed10 · 12-09-2009, 08:36 AM

I've got issues with the premise. Fine thread, because a lot of people do put athletes on a pedastal, and do somehow get disappointed by athletes (or other celebrities) on a personal level.

I personally can't understand that, but that's just me. I want the Redskins to win desperately, and I do like when they're good guys. But I only care about their character and their actions to the extent that they disrupt the team's ability to win games.

When I learned John Riggins was out drinking before big games, I didn't care. Why? Because he was awesome, and the 'Skins won with him. If they had lost because of that stuff, I'd care.

But if Tiger Woods cheats on his wife, or Jason Campbell decides to smoke pot, Jimmy cracked corn and I don't care. I appreciate them for what they do on the field. That's where it ends, I don't know them as a person. And for me to pretend like I do or should is somewhat silly.

SmootSmack · 12-09-2009, 08:40 AM

I should have said many of us put pro athletes on a higher pedestal.

mredskins · 12-09-2009, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

Whether we want to admit it, and whether it's right, we put pro athletes at a higher pedestal than we put even ourselves and expect them to be beyond reproach.

I have, I think, a bit of a unique perspective having been around pro athletes for much of the past decade on a daily basis. And I've told here about my personal experiences with Darrell Green and finding him to be less than the person I thought he was (still doesn't take away from what I think of him as a player or what he meant to Redskins fans). It was very disappointing, but in a way it was good because it was so early in my career that it prepared me moving forward. I should say I've been pleasantly surprised as well.

Anyway, my question is when have you been most disappointed with an athlete. And I'm not really talking about on-field performance. I'm talking about their actions off the field. Though if you want to include something like Palmeiro using steroids, that would count.

Was it finding out Mickey Mantle was an alcoholic who allegedly beat his kids, was it finding out Kirby Puckett was a womanizer who allegedly beat his wife, was it finding out Agassi was a druggie in his prime, was it finding out about Tiger, was it something else? Has it never happened? And maybe it was a college player, not necessarily an NFL player.

I totally agree about Green he is a big time jerk in person. He seems to hate all the attention, well he should move out of the DC area and go some place where less people will know him, I suggest the North Pole.

mredskins · 12-09-2009, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schneed10

I've got issues with the premise. Fine thread, because a lot of people do put athletes on a pedastal, and do somehow get disappointed by athletes (or other celebrities) on a personal level.

I personally can't understand that, but that's just me. I want the Redskins to win desperately, and I do like when they're good guys. But I only care about their character and their actions to the extent that they disrupt the team's ability to win games.

When I learned John Riggins was out drinking before big games, I didn't care. Why? Because he was awesome, and the 'Skins won with him. If they had lost because of that stuff, I'd care.

But if Tiger Woods cheats on his wife, or Jason Campbell decides to smoke pot, Jimmy cracked corn and I don't care. I appreciate them for what they do on the field. That's where it ends, I don't know them as a person. And for me to pretend like I do or should is somewhat silly.

I totally agree with you as well. This is going to be very unpopular but I felt the same way when S. Taylor died. I was sad but I only knew him on a football field, I don't understand the folks that are crying their eyes out like a family member died, you didn't know him personally.

mlmdub130 · 12-09-2009, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mredskins

I totally agree with you as well. This is going to be very unpopular but I felt the same way when S. Taylor died. I was sad but I only knew him on a football field, I don't understand the folks that are crying their eyes out like a family member died, you didn't know him personally.

i didn't know sean, but when he died i felt like i lost a family member to an extent. i think it's cause he was so fun to watch on the feild and it was amazing to see him grow up so fast off the feild. i would hear all the stories about him and his daughter and the way it chaged him. i felt like he was cheated. sorry i could go on forever about taylor

i would say have to say bilicheat, i honestly used to really like the pats, once that stuff came out and i saw the video i lost all respect for him. cheating during games is something that i can't get past, and it makes me second guess all the accomplishments he has.

jamf · 12-09-2009, 10:04 AM

I think most people would act differently if they had a disposable income and fame.

It's pretty easy for the average man to not get into any trouble because they have to work 9 to 5 and they go unnoticed in bars and nightclubs.

Now if you have unlimited income and a line of women waiting to meet you, things would be very different.

Pro athletes are just a reflection of society. Most are good people but there are your deadbeat dads, Junkies and drunks mixed in.

over the mountain · 12-09-2009, 10:23 AM

i think i ve told this story on here before.

im about 11 years old, my pop took me to what used to be called the Kemper Open at tpc avenel.

i was hanging around right outside the players locker room. there was no one in the hallway, just an 11 year old kid sitting on the floor. some golfers come by after their round, i ask them to sign my program. they all do to varying degrees of niceness.

along comes payne stewart with his knicker-bockers and all. i ask him to sign my program. without looking at me or stopping walking, he takes the program, signs it as he continues walking away then throws it on the ground and enters the locker room.

Schneed10 · 12-09-2009, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by over the mountain

i think i ve told this story on here before.

im about 11 years old, my pop took me to what used to be called the Kemper Open at tpc avenel.

i was hanging around right outside the players locker room. there was no one in the hallway, just an 11 year old kid sitting on the floor. some golfers come by after their round, i ask them to sign my program. they all do to varying degrees of niceness.

along comes payne stewart with his knicker-bockers and all. i ask him to sign my program. without looking at me or stopping walking, he takes the program, signs it as he continues walking away then throws it on the ground and enters the locker room.

See now that's a little different. That's an actual personal interaction with the guy.

If some random dude on the street bumped into you and didn't say sorry, you'd immediately think he's a jackass. And that's appropriate. Same thing with Payne. If he did that to you, I think you're legitimately justified in being disappointed in him.

What I struggle with is why anyone cares if Tiger Woods cheats on his wife, unless they know Elin or Tiger personally.

FRPLG · 12-09-2009, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schneed10

See now that's a little different. That's an actual personal interaction with the guy.

If some random dude on the street bumped into you and didn't say sorry, you'd immediately think he's a jackass. And that's appropriate. Same thing with Payne. If he did that to you, I think you're legitimately justified in being disappointed in him.

What I struggle with is why anyone cares if Tiger Woods cheats on his wife, unless they know Elin or Tiger personally.

Yeah I agree. Tiger is a good golfer, maybe the best. But just because of that doesn't mean he is some god. He's like a ton of other guys. Given open access to just about any hot chick in the world they'd all be cheating too. Who really cares? So he's a dog...it's not like he went and killed someone. Not that I don't "care" but it doesn't affect my admiration for him because my admiriation was for him as a golfer not for him as a person.

mlmdub130 · 12-09-2009, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FRPLG

Yeah I agree. Tiger is a good golfer, maybe the best. But just because of that doesn't mean he is some god. He's like a ton of other guys. Given open access to just about any hot chick in the world they'd all be cheating too. Who really cares? So he's a dog...it's not like he went and killed someone. Not that I don't "care" but it doesn't affect my admiration for him because my admiriation was for him as a golfer not for him as a person.

i think we

in the tiger thread

SmootSmack · 12-09-2009, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FRPLG

Yeah I agree. Tiger is a good golfer, maybe the best. But just because of that doesn't mean he is some god. He's like a ton of other guys. Given open access to just about any hot chick in the world they'd all be cheating too. Who really cares? So he's a dog...it's not like he went and killed someone. Not that I don't "care" but it doesn't affect my admiration for him because my admiriation was for him as a golfer not for him as a person.

So how do you feel about OJ Simpson....

Seriously though, it's true that for some people it really doesn't matter at all. But I would believe that there are several people for whom it won't be the same to see Tiger win because their image of him has changed.

Still, I would agree that a personal experience would be more impactful. I mean Green has never done anything morally or legally wrong, but my personal interaction with him "hurt" more than hearing things about Kirby Puckett who I always considered a bit of an ambassador for the sport.

Maybe the thread question should have been "Have you ever had a disappointing experience meeting a pro athlete?" or something along those lines

tryfuhl · 12-09-2009, 11:42 AM

I haven't met too many personally and really I don't think a lot about their personal lives. I think that something like your Mantle and Green examples would be some which I'm not too fond of, mostly Mantle. I'm sure that they get tired of the attention but they also signed up knowing that it was coming.

I'm really struggling to come up with a good case here, I definitely didn't like how Palmeiro was a rat though.

12-09-2009, 07:45 AM	#1
SmootSmack Uncle Phil Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 45,256	Most Disappointed in an Athlete Whether we want to admit it, and whether it's right, we put pro athletes at a higher pedestal than we put even ourselves and expect them to be beyond reproach. I have, I think, a bit of a unique perspective having been around pro athletes for much of the past decade on a daily basis. And I've told here about my personal experiences with Darrell Green and finding him to be less than the person I thought he was (still doesn't take away from what I think of him as a player or what he meant to Redskins fans). It was very disappointing, but in a way it was good because it was so early in my career that it prepared me moving forward. I should say I've been pleasantly surprised as well. Anyway, my question is when have you been most disappointed with an athlete. And I'm not really talking about on-field performance. I'm talking about their actions off the field. Though if you want to include something like Palmeiro using steroids, that would count. Was it finding out Mickey Mantle was an alcoholic who allegedly beat his kids, was it finding out Kirby Puckett was a womanizer who allegedly beat his wife, was it finding out Agassi was a druggie in his prime, was it finding out about Tiger, was it something else? Has it never happened? And maybe it was a college player, not necessarily an NFL player. __________________ You're So Vain...You Probably Think This Sig Is About You

12-09-2009, 08:19 AM	#2
Smooter Impact Rookie Join Date: May 2007 Age: 40 Posts: 965	re: Most Disappointed in an Athlete I remember being a kid and idolizing Mike Tyson. Watching him destroy people and playing his video game only to be shocked when his career took a complete 180. The baseball steroid scandal was another disappointment for me. Being a rangers fan I had grown to love players like Rafael Palmeiro and Juan Gonzalez. __________________ Same freakout different year.

12-09-2009, 08:35 AM	#3
dmek25 MVP Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: lancaster,pa Age: 62 Posts: 10,672	Re: Most Disappointed in an Athlete met Charles Barkley, and what you see is what you get. cool as hell. met Dr. J. and more of the same. carried himself just reeking of class. idolized Mike Schmidt as a kid, and never heard anything bad about him. i always looked at these guys as normal guys, that made it. maybe i didnt hold athletes as high as i thought i did __________________ "It's better to be quiet and thought a fool than to open ones mouth and remove all doubt." courtesy of 53fan

12-09-2009, 08:36 AM	#4
Schneed10 A Dude Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Newtown Square, PA Age: 44 Posts: 12,416	Re: Most Disappointed in an Athlete I've got issues with the premise. Fine thread, because a lot of people do put athletes on a pedastal, and do somehow get disappointed by athletes (or other celebrities) on a personal level. I personally can't understand that, but that's just me. I want the Redskins to win desperately, and I do like when they're good guys. But I only care about their character and their actions to the extent that they disrupt the team's ability to win games. When I learned John Riggins was out drinking before big games, I didn't care. Why? Because he was awesome, and the 'Skins won with him. If they had lost because of that stuff, I'd care. But if Tiger Woods cheats on his wife, or Jason Campbell decides to smoke pot, Jimmy cracked corn and I don't care. I appreciate them for what they do on the field. That's where it ends, I don't know them as a person. And for me to pretend like I do or should is somewhat silly. __________________ God made certain people to play football. He was one of them.

12-09-2009, 08:40 AM	#5
SmootSmack Uncle Phil Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 45,256	Re: Most Disappointed in an Athlete I should have said many of us put pro athletes on a higher pedestal. __________________ You're So Vain...You Probably Think This Sig Is About You

12-09-2009, 10:04 AM	#9
jamf Pro Bowl Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: San Diego Ca Posts: 5,183	Re: Most Disappointed in an Athlete I think most people would act differently if they had a disposable income and fame. It's pretty easy for the average man to not get into any trouble because they have to work 9 to 5 and they go unnoticed in bars and nightclubs. Now if you have unlimited income and a line of women waiting to meet you, things would be very different. Pro athletes are just a reflection of society. Most are good people but there are your deadbeat dads, Junkies and drunks mixed in.

12-09-2009, 10:23 AM	#10
over the mountain Playmaker Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: close to the edge Posts: 4,926	Re: Most Disappointed in an Athlete i think i ve told this story on here before. im about 11 years old, my pop took me to what used to be called the Kemper Open at tpc avenel. i was hanging around right outside the players locker room. there was no one in the hallway, just an 11 year old kid sitting on the floor. some golfers come by after their round, i ask them to sign my program. they all do to varying degrees of niceness. along comes payne stewart with his knicker-bockers and all. i ask him to sign my program. without looking at me or stopping walking, he takes the program, signs it as he continues walking away then throws it on the ground and enters the locker room. __________________ Life is brutal, but beautiful

12-09-2009, 11:42 AM	#15
tryfuhl Gamebreaker Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Waldorf, MD Age: 40 Posts: 12,514	Re: Most Disappointed in an Athlete I haven't met too many personally and really I don't think a lot about their personal lives. I think that something like your Mantle and Green examples would be some which I'm not too fond of, mostly Mantle. I'm sure that they get tired of the attention but they also signed up knowing that it was coming. I'm really struggling to come up with a good case here, I definitely didn't like how Palmeiro was a rat though.

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