I am no expert on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict by any means. I have many Jewish friends and personally know zero Palestinian people...which of course gives me authority to comment on such issues straightaway with much zeal... I do know that that region of the globe has a long, LONG history of conflict and violence. It is a very different part of the world where everyday violence and subjugation is quite common, and of course it helps that a few British, US, and French dudes created arbitrary borders cutting through direct religious/racial areas of a region they had zero historical knowledge of or experience with (thanks a lot, OBAMA...).
I honestly cannot have an educated opinion on this ongoing conflict because of how far removed my own life is from any history or relation to either of the two countries. My education on the subject is based on The Daily Show and The Colbert Report's coverage of the events or random maps I find scouring the internet for pictures of puppies and videos of bears or hamsters doing funny things.
Bringing this all back around to sports, newly-hired Cleveland Cavaliers coach David Blatt (possibly the luckiest coach in the history of sports to literally have LeBron James and potentially Kevin Love fall into his lap) recently shared his opinions over the conflict, per Deadspin. Blatt is an Israeli national being interviewed by an Israeli media organization. Of course his opinion is going to be pro-Israeli, and he has every right to own his opinion and feel the way he feels. But...there is a thing called tact, or cultural sensitivity, or understanding of potentially career-ending sound bites. MAYBE, just MAYBE you wouldn't want to comment on an issue as controversial as this just months after you've been given the greatest job opportunity of your young career. As much as I've learned in my short time on this earth, one of the most important lessons I've gathered is knowing when to shut the hell up and keep certain opinions to myself. That's exactly why I started writing a challenging blog, so I can keep my opinions to myself...
The NBA showed with Donald Sterling that culturally insensitive or ignorant talk is going to be punished severely. If I'm an NBA owner, and my newly-hired head coach, the man I've chosen to lead my team and be the face-man of the franchise, opens his mouth and puts himself in the middle of a global controversy, I may begin to rethink that decision. You'd hope that you wouldn't have to go through the same childish media-related PR lessons with your head coach as your rookie point guard who accidentally posts dick picks on Instagram; you'd hope the leader of your team would understand the bigger picture and realize that his opinion then gets associated with the Cavaliers organization...you can't really hide from things anymore. Know your role, know your responsibilities, and for heaven's sake KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT if you don't want to find yourself coaching the Tel Aviv team again next season rather than riding along Lebron's coattails to the podium next June.
I love movies. It's kind of been an unhealthy obsession of mine ever since I watched The Wizard of Oz as a child, pretending to be one of the Munchkin Men. I figured I'd better shoot off a more light-hearted post here, giving you all my definitive list of my favorite sports movies. I have a hard time really putting them in order, as a lot of these movies are incredible in different ways. I am making a distinction between hollywood-style movies and documentaries, as the two forms offer very different modes of storytelling. So, here they are...watch them all.
Documentaries: 1. Senna
Senna is the best sports documentary I've ever seen. I'm not really an F1 guy, but the story of Ayrton Senna immediately makes me wish I knew more about and followed F1. I had never heard of the Brazilian race car driver before watching this film, and you may find that knowing less about his career and life will make the movie more poignant. It shows the egotism, fearlessness, and true skill of F1 drivers that make them able to go so fast and push themselves to their absolute limit. Watch it as soon as you can. 2. The U
Until I saw Senna, I thought that ESPN's 30 for 30 film The U was the greatest achievement in sports filmmaking I had ever seen. It has everything you could ever ask for in a sports movie while focusing on the rise of the Miami Hurricanes football team during the 1980's. These guys changed college football and challenged much of the old standard of the NCAA, and they did it with mad style to boot. 3. The Best That Never Was
The Best That Never Was is another 30 For 30 film...one of four on this list. Marcus Dupree was the first superstar high school football player to usher in the modern recruiting techniques and politics. He was an athletic phenomenon with his choice of any school he pleased. Talent can certainly get you somewhere, but sometimes you find out it's maybe a place you didn't want to be in the first place. If there was ever a case for educating young athletes about the stresses and temptations that come with being a superstar, it's Dupree's.
4. No Crossover: The Trial of Allen Iverson
Practice? We talking 'bout practice. Allen Iverson's famous rant is one of the most-quoted sayings in sports, a sort of in-the-know slang for sound-bite lovers everywhere. His high school days in Virginia were filled with as much controversy as his professional career. This movie showcases the racial tensions prevalent in his home town, giving us a sample of what some of these athletes were forced to endure during their upbringing. It's heavy stuff, but incredibly powerful. Who knew he was also one of the most talented high school football players in the country?
5. King's Ransom
The first hockey movie on this list (a clear violation of humanity...a sign that we need more filmmakers keen on showcasing the greatest sport on the planet). King's Ransom explains the biggest trade in NHL history, when Wayne Gretzky was sent to sunny Los Angeles, inciting the NHL's attempt to populate the sunbelt with hockey fans. It's an amazing portrayal of business acumen, branding strategy, and emotional ties to one's community.
Hollywood-Style 1. Moneyball
I had a hard time debating where to put this on my list, but the more times I watch this movie the more I fall in love with it. It's one of the only movies that may be even better than the book it's based on (even if it is more Hollywood-ized and scripted to viewers rather than readers). But, the moments of validation and comedic performances give the movie a very endearing touch. Even if you're not a baseball fan you'll love this movie. As singular as Brad Pitt usually is, he's fantastic as Oakland GM Billy Beane. The fact that Beane has kept Oakland competitive to this day with his methodology is testament to his team-building skills and eye for what's needed to win on the cheap. 2. Friday Night Lights
Friday Night Lights...the movie, based on the book, based on the TV show, based on the movie about the book about the movie...? The book and television series are both very, very good in their own right, but the movie version stands out as one of the more real (albeit historically inaccurate in some respects) portrayals of the trials and tribulations that come with religious-like zeal of high school football in small-town Texas. It's filled with incredible acting performances and, being a former athlete, gives me chills throughout the film. How I'd love to see a Minnesota high school hockey movie in similar fashion...a boy can dream, eh?
3. Miracle
A classic tale of David v. Goliath. The 1980 US Mens Hockey team made one the most unlikely gold medal runs in history, as a collection of college kids took on the most dominating force in world hockey for over three decades, the USSR. The movie does get a bit cliche in classic Disney fashion, but it shows the building process and coaching work of the legendary Herb Brooks, the architect behind the mental and physical toughness needed to take on the Big Red Machine. Being a Minnesota native myself, the names are engrained in our history and the majority of these guys remain forever legends in the State of Hockey (I believe at least 12 of them were born and raised on the ponds of Minnesnowta). Pride, much? 4. The Mighty Ducks
Shame on you if you haven't seen this movie. No explanation needed on this one. Emilliiiiooooooooo!
5. The Sandlot
Again, no explanation or justification is needed on this one. America's pastime is never more purely showcased than in this movie...everything about it screams of boyhood. Plus it has Dennis Leary and the greatest fairground ride scene ever put on screen. America, sweet America!
Honorable Mention The Two Escobars
Another 30 For 30...in all honesty most entries from this series of films could all be on this list. This one showcases the passion for Colombian soccer juxtaposed with Pablo Escobar's reign of the drug trade and his influence on Colombian life and connection with the National team during that time period. It's a devastating look at how some people take sports too seriously, and how national identity and esteem can be so reliant on athletes' achievements and/or failures.
Rudy
I feel pretty horrible for not having this in my top list...Rudy was probably the first sports movie that moved me to tears, and made me want to play football for Notre Dame. Also has possibly one of the greatest speeches of all time and Jon Favreau and Vince Vaughn pre-Swingers. I may revise my list with more time.
Hillsborough
The most tragic accident in English football history. This film takes an in-depth look at the safety failings, emergency response, top-down failure of planning, and gross cover up of the Hillsborough disaster in the English media and government. It's more of an indictment of the failure for emergency planning and quality leadership, leading to horrific scenes spilling out into what was supposed to be a great day of Cup football. Rookie of the Year
Two words: Edward Brigma
The NFL, or should I say Roger Goodell, has the luxury of being able to get away with negative publicity and poor ethical decisions because of the frenzy American sports fans have when it comes to our precious football. I have to admit, much like my previous post about FIFA, I too am guilty of continuing to give my money, time, and passion to an organization lacking in modern-day ethicality. The NFL has had a pretty terrible offseason so far. Dan Snyder's continuing battle to retain the "Redskins" name in Washington, Josh Gordon's spiral into drug-induced suspension, and Ray Rice's recent domestic violence charge would have most major sports leagues risking drastic backlash and loss of revenue. The NBA showed with Donald Sterling's lifetime ban it's willing to throw the hammer down (kudos, Adam Silver) in a zero-tolerance stance for that kind of antiquated thinking and moral view.
With these incidents, the NFL has basically said fuck you to women, Native Americans, and modern-day drug awareness and education. When it comes down to it, you have three wrong-doers residing on very different points along the moral spectrum: An openly vocal, ignorant racist, a wife beater, and a dude who really loves weed. Now, the NFL, much like the NBA, has indeed laid the hammer down in one of these instances...on the guy who really loves weed. For decades (more like centuries) marijuana has had an egregiously negative stigma associated with it and its users. Thankfully, we're living in a time when drug education and research is beginning to challenge the long-standing public image and negative rhetoric on marijuana. I could debate for days about the various dangers of marijuana versus alcohol, yet alcohol is so engrained in our lives and such a common commodity, it's like trying to change someone's political views through logical argument. You eventually wind up storming out and hitting up the nearest bar to calm your rage. I've personally witnessed friends and family members abuse and become addicted to alcohol and marijuana, and in no galaxy could anyone convince me that weed is the more harmful, destructive, life-ruining drug. Marijuana certainly has it's negatives and should not be given carte blanche, I'll be the first to admit it, but the stereotypes and stigma are certainly more harmful than most of the actual physical repercussions.
Back to the topic...the NFL has laid the hammer down on Josh Gordon, with his current suspension looking likely to take him out of action for the entire upcoming NFL season. Daniel Snyder? He still owns the Redskins, still refuses to acknowledge the racial connotations and issues associated with the term, and is the last vestige of American sports organizations using these Native American slurs. Leading us to Ray Rice...he was caught on tape dragging his unconscious fiance's body out of an elevator in Atlantic City after cold-cocking her in the face when she, according to many male media pundits, provoked him and instigated the argument. How may games is he suspended? Two. Two games. Two fucking games (Albert Haynesworth received a 4 game ban for stomping on the head of an opposing player DURING A GAME). It's absurd; it's backwards; it's disgusting. ESPN recently suspended Stephen A. Smith one week for his comments regarding his opinion on female provocation and their role in instigating domestic violence...at least they took immediate action, but it took Stephen two attempts at backtracking and clarifying his remarks to actually get him to understand that each time he was digging himself a bigger hole and making himself look more misogynistic with every word. It's actually pretty painful to watch.
Roger Goodell had an opportunity to show the world where the NFL's priorities lie, and instead he shat in the face of one of his targeted fan bases: young women. Josh Gordon's incident was considered a third strike, thus warranting stricter suspension than the usual four-game ban for first-time offenders. I have no problem with suspending a player who clearly needs psychological help for an addiction prohibiting him from fulfilling his professional duties...any worker in any workplace would hope to receive some sort of support and professional help (although if this dude is catching 2 td's and going for 120 yards every game while high as a fucking kite on performance-reducing drugs, I'm guessing every other team's defensive coordinators are hoping he continues rocking out with Bob Marley). So, if I'm okay with Gordon's lengthy suspension, I am absolutely not okay with Ray Rice's slap on the wrist. The message you're sending to every young player out there is this: well, you can kind of kick the shit out of your girlfriend (as long as you go to minimal counseling, marry her and she takes a boat load of your money in exchange for shutting up), you certainly cannot smoke weed and play in this league. That message is so astoundingly backwards you'd think Roger Goodell's combover looks at Donald Trump and says, "Damn, now where does HE get his hair done?"
I, for one, want kids. Certainly not at this stage in my life, but I do know that I want to be a father at some point. In no way, shape, or form would I ever be supportive or understanding of them committing domestic violence, male or female...I could certainly be supportive in helping them deal with marijuana abuse or addiction. When I'm teaching my kids about how to behave and treat people in this world, I'm hoping to everything holy that the biggest issue in their lives are marijuana related. Josh Gordon is a kid who needs some guidance, Ray Rice is a piece of shit being rewarded by the media and NFL leadership, because to them women don't matter, they can be silenced. The NFL gets away with a lot, but these issues continue to be piling up and are becoming more frequent and disturbing. In this day and age of increasing gender/sexuality/racial equality, the NFL can only say "Fuck you, we're the NFL. We don't care about moral progress or changing societal norms" for so long. Eventually, the toilet is going to get clogged and the shit will runneth over. Take a page out of the NBA's playbook and lay the hammer down on Ray Rice, make him an example. These types of people pander with apology press conferences and then receive standing ovations upon return to training camp, not understanding the deeper consequences of their actions and their lack of remorse and punishment. With the power and range of effect the NFL has on the United States, changing their violence policies and reforming their drug education and abuse programs would be a major signal of intent and step in the right direction.
One of the more interesting things I learned during my sports graduate program was the bidding process, funding, selection, and event planning of major worldwide sporting events such as the Olympics and the FIFA World Cup. For those of you like me who don't have HBO (I cry myself to sleep every night), you may have missed John Oliver's brilliant piece on FIFA and it's fearless leader, Sepp Blatter. Here's the video:
This clip touches on so many taboo topics in sports. It's a slow-cooked stew of bigger issues: female sexualization, corruption, human rights abuse, shady tax dealings, bigotry, violence, fan safety, all getting to know one another in the crock pot that is FIFA. In all honesty this whole article should probably just be that video...he does a better job explaining and illustrating the bevy of problems and really makes my point for me. Anyhow, the main issue I want to address is the absolute power FIFA, pro sports relocation committees, and the Olympic Selection Committee have over the cities and countries vying for their events.
Oliver touches on the grotesque amount of money spent in Brazil on stadiums that, once the world cup is over, will have only seen four games played on its surface. No local team will be filling the stadium with fans, no other events are planned for its use. It is not an unusual outcome. Wikipedia (yes, I am of the generation that uses Wikipedia as canon) shows that since 1994, all but one of the Olympic games have come in astoundingly over budget (Vancouver 2010 is the only exception). In fact, the majority have come in AT LEAST THREE TIMES the initial operating budget planned for the event (with Sochi coming in at an astronomical $50 billion). Not only that, but over those twenty years it appears that almost 50% of the funding for these events comes from the public sector. Much like NFL stadium battles (*cough* Vikings *cough*), the public and local community is held at ransom. Either pay up from your pockets or watch as your team or this global event follows the money. (Fans of "The Wire" will understand...follow the money). Billionaire owners and organizational presidents get let off the hook and use the threat of relocation to get taxpayers to fork over millions of dollars that should be spent on education, wellfare, medical research, roads and public transportation, while the suits sit in their leather chairs watching their money come in in waves. It's incredibly illogical and backwards, but as Oliver points out, the religion of sports causes us to do crazy, illogical things.
The accompanying pictures show several derelict and abandoned Olympic and World Cup venues, from China to Athens to South Africa. The major problem with these types of places hosting large, global sporting events is that they require bags of money to even build the necessary infrastructure to be a viable host. In reality, there may be only ten countries in the world capable of hosting events such as this with existing stadiums, travel accommodations, and security. Forcing developing countries to spend millions or billions of dollars does not offset the "positives" gained through media coverage and PR for the host nation or city. There's always economic impact studies done beforehand listing the ways the PR and increased tourism will bring in more money and stimulate the local economy...but look at these places even just three years later and you will see abandoned arenas, communities, and neighborhoods. The global economy cannot afford to spend that type of money for four weeks of publicity. Use the stadiums that are already there or don't host the event in that country, simple as that. There is no study out there proving that the PR or media coverage has any long-term advantage or link to economic growth in these places, and most of the time ends up bankrupting or severely hindering future growth and development because of the excess spending.
The conundrum Oliver faces over his excitement for the world cup versus his genuine disgust for the organization and methodology is one I face every day. I would have been personally devastated and perhaps left the NFL fandom forever if the Vikings had left Minneapolis, but is it worth $600 million of taxpayer money when Mr. Wylf is earning that much annually? I have a hard time justifying it even in my superfan mind.
I have to start off saying that I like ESPN. No other media outlet has given me greater access to sports: highlights, columns, interviews, fantasy sports...it has everything. But can that be a problem? It's a question we'll get to in more detail with later posts. Right now, I want to focus on the article I've linked to above, per ESPN.com.
Dan Graziano writes about the need to play first-round rookie quarterbacks. While it's a decent argument for logical reasoning as to why fans and sportswriters want rookie quarterbacks to be tried and challenged at the NFL level straight away, he completely misses the point and illustrates a rampant issue in sports media and public perception of athletes, particularly Black athletes.
It happens in many other articles besides this one, but how many times do (mainly) white, arm-chair journalists with a fancy vocabulary use dehumanizing descriptives when waxing lyrical about a stellar performance in a game? Athletes, particularly in the NFL and NBA, which for the majority are Black athletes, are often compared to cars and horses, whereby changing their oil or putting them in the garage and following X-Y-Z prescription will get them back on the racetrack. Athletes don't need an oil change, they don't need new brakes or better suspension...the relative concepts might be similar in terms of taking care of ones body and that we, along with horses, do have biological anatomy, but using dehumanizing language such as this only serves to feed the notion that athletes (again, particularly NFL and NBA athletes) aren't human. They're ANIMALS, or they're CARS. Not only does this minimize the years of mental dedication and perseverance it takes to achieve their athletic prowess and body performance, it also forces the millions of readers and viewers of these media channels to think of them as animals, something less than human, less than themselves.
Athletes don't need a tune-up in the garage, they need real support. Medical benefits, psychological counseling, financial planning...until the wider issue of athlete perception and racial issues that are prevalent with the 24/7 media scrutiny and coverage, concussion issues will never be fully addressed, post-career bankruptcy education won't be utilized, and incidents such as Ray Rice's domestic violence against his fiance (I may touch upon this in a later article...it's a big deal) won't see real debate and eventual progress. Athletes will continue to be perceived as some sort of god-created super specimen with a one-dimensional vision and thought-process being used to satiate our need to see huge guys run fast and hit hard.
So, while I would love to see Teddy Bridgewater earn his starting spot and lead the Vikings to our first super bowl title, I also would like to see journalists and media pundits think about the way they talk about these kids. Speak about his precision accuracy, speak about his mental capacity and leadership qualities...don't make him out to be a shrink-wrapped product with an expiration date. With as many viewers and readers ESPN, DeadSpin, BleacherReport, and other sports media channels earn on a daily basis, their language and illustrations are the foundation of what the majority of casual viewers use to form their opinions and images of athletes...does the media have an obligation, in a wider sense then, to be less of a creative vehicle and focus more on real, society-based issues and news? I'd like to think so, but sometimes that doesn't sell as many tickets.
And to counter Graziano's opinion in two words: Aaron Rodgers.
ps- I blame Bill Simmons. He's made every relatively cognizant sports writer assume he has the talent and ability to write articles in poetic fashion. Bill has that; his articles and his Grantland webpage are some of the best thought-out reads you'll find in the sports writing universe. It would be great if they all had his talent for recall, description, and story telling, but they don't. Neither do I.
