I tried posting this some time ago. After slaving over it for almost an hour, I had said JUST what I wanted to say. I hit "post comment", but you know what happened, "SERVICE UNAVAILABLE" appeared like magic on my screen!! I hit the back arrow immediately, hoping that I could save the post. Ahh, twas not to be; now I will have to attempt to redo the whole thing all over again, although the masterpiece of prose I wrote previously will not appear; you see I write and edit at the same time, and by the "seat of my pants" so my thoughts are oft lost after putting them down, unless there is hard copy available. So, with no further adieu, here we go
Why, oh why, do we do it! What you MAY ask. Why do we place mere mortals on pedestals; they are only men or women or........ They are humans, #### sapiens, only a few steps above the apes that some say we evolved from. They are not gods, just God's creation. So....why do we treat our sports' figures like gods, place them on pedestals, hero worship them like they hold all the answers to all the questions. WHY?!? At some point, a few, even more, will make an ERROR in judgement, unintentionally break a law, OR outrightly snub the nose at the law and commit a crime! Thus, my friends those who do thus[y, will fall off that pedestal, a fall from grace if you will, and the public will OUTRAGED! How could he (or she) do that?! He was a role model for our children, he, he, he,..............was MY hero, I worshipped him from afar. Next, one will be calling for that icon of virtue, that "god" to be axed from his (or her) team and locked up, why?? Because he or she let you down?? Why did you, us really, place that person up in that rarified air, anyway? Just because he could throw a football, catch a football, shoot a basket, hit a pitched 200 mph fastball or throw one? That is no reason, the person is still flesh and bone, still a human being with flaws, faults and foibles.
Now a history lesson: George Washington, Father of our Country, Abraham Lincoln, the Great Emancipator, Thomas Jefferson, Andrew Jackson, Benjamin Franklin and many, many more are real heroes. But.....dear hearts..they all had serious flaws in character, they too made errors, cheated, lied and carried on with "wonted" women. Jefferson dallied with his houseslave, who bore him children, Jackson is alleged to have committed bigamy (still a crime in the US) which nearly cost him an election AND he killed a person over the accusation, Franklin had an illegitimate son, who happened to be the Royal Governor of New Jersey at the outbreak of the Revolutionary War; while an emmisary to France, Franklin engaged in more than one dalliance, and finally, it has been noted that both Washington and Lincoln did things....well a little different, The biggest thing of Lincoln was that he freed the slaves, correct? Read the Proclamation, you will be surprised as to whom he freed, then read history behind it, you will see WHY they were freed. These people were, WHAT? Human beings! They #### up, too; just like the rest of us #### Sapiens!
Next comes the politicos, who have been placed onto the rarified pedestals of hero worship. Franklin D. Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy, Dwight David Eisenhower, Ronald Reagan, Lyndon Baines Johnson; to name a few who happened to be President. And of course, before they fell of that damn pedestal, there was William Jefferson Clinton, Richard Milhous Nixon, Spiro T. Agnew, George W. Bush and Gerald R. Ford (for pardoning Nixon). These guys lied, cheated, twisted the law to their own advantage, some had dalliances outside thier marriages for which great pains were taken to cover it up. There is some evidence that FDR "forced" Japan to go to war with the U.S. and that the attack on Pearl Harbor was really known about. JFK was really reluctant to send Federal Troops to enforce desegradation in the Sout, Bobby had to convince him it was the right thing to do, JFK was worried about losing the South in the next election. Point is, these guys are up there, but they #### up, just like us. They were all to human, conniving, cheating, lying #### Sapiens.
Next are our religious leaders, those icons of morality and godliness, God fearing Christians all! Course we all know about the Roman Catholic and Catholic Priests, so I won't go into that. But....we have Martin Luther King, Jr., Reverends Jimmy Swaggart, #### Roberts, James Baker (founder of the PTL Ministry) and others of recent infamy that have been also documented. ALL of these were good, decent men placed on pedestals by us for various reasons. Of course the best of them all was the Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr., who is still a personal hero of mine, no matter what! They, again, made errors in judgement, had affairs outside their marriages or "dipped" into funds when they should not have. Thus their iconic stature became somewhat tarnished. WHY? Because WE placed them on that damn pedestal again, believed they were somehow untaintable, more than us, more than any of us. But..............they were/are humans, after all.
LASTLY (and aren't you glad) come the athletes. Professional players of games of entertainment. These guys cannot be compared to the aforementioned for the simple reason: they PLAY GAMES! Just because they do something most of us cannot do is no reason to put them up there with the others I have mentioned. The others have "saved" the world, saved our souls, created a new Nation, saved a Nation; did something that REALLY MATTERED! We put Babe Ruth, Roger Clemens, Mark McGuire, Sammy Sousa, Pete Rose, Johnny Bench, Joe Dimaggio, Lou Gehrig (a brave man), Joe Namath, Terry Bradshaw, Rocky Bleir(a REALLY brave person), Franco Harris, even Barry Bonds up on that damn pedestal because, mostly, they did well in theirarea of sports They could pitch, catch and throw better than anyone, especially us "mere" mortals. Just one thing: we forgot they are only human; some have already outraged us because they fell from the pedestal and from grace. How could they do that, we ask; they are role models for our children for God's sake, he....he... he was my hero...how could he do this TO ME!? Face it!! These people are only too human also, they have their flaws, faults and foibles too. Only thing, they get more offers to do something "wrong" than we do, or ever will. We want them to perform better, block and run harder, throw the ball longer, harder, faster.....whatever, to do what? Entertain us!! Just don't expect them to stay up ther on that pedestal too long, some will, some won't.
Remember these words of wisdom friends: It is not always the swiftest who wins the race. AND It is always true: All is NOT fair in love and war, nothing is ever completely fair or unfair, even though there are those who wish it so. Fuzzboss
Well that is that! One I forgot to mention of iconic leaders: Winston Churchill, one can find his errors well listed in history, still a great, great man; but a man, after all.
As previous, any rude or profane remarks will be reported and deleted. This is an opinion piece and I don't expect all to agree with me, but IT IS about sports icons and how we treat them and them us.
I hate to tell you this, but I'm putting you up on that pedestal! There... How's the view from up there? Now you be good!
In days gone by our heroes got a pass from the media, not so anymore. I wonder why they did it that way in the old days and now nobody is sacred?
It's human nature to compete, but when we fall short, we then grab onto our heroes so that we can live out our dreams through them. It certainly hurts when we learn they make errors in judgement too...
Fuzz...good stuff. You know, religious or not, life really is all about survival of the fittest. And it really is amazing at how much money and time we spend admiring people we've never met. Heck, you could really say the same about Jesus, Mohammed, etc. None of us have ever met them, yet our lives revolve around them. It's amazing at how a God given talent can change the priorities of people. What I mean by that is this:
Athletes are blessed with God given talents the rest of us don't have. Although we are all blessed with different talents, the athletes get all the human praise. And I think you bring up a good point when you ask "why"?
Dwindy! Thanks for reading AND the props! Boy, I gotta be careful, nosebleeds you know. Where's my oxygen mask? All kidding aside, thanks. Yellow journalism always existed, if that is the correct word that goes for today's "journalism". There is such a hungry demand to know ALL (and it pays well) that we have all the print media (includes the rag sheets), radio and TV competing to get "THE" story; sometimes forgetting the truth, inadvertantly or on purpose. Thanks again! Fuzz
Fatmaw! Thanks, I really appreciate you reading the post. True, why do we worship these guys? What is missing in ours. Maybe now, since Bonds, Clemens, etal, it will change.....or not. Maybe our lives have become so ...... mundane and boring, with toooo much free time that we focus on what we aren't, rather than what we could be. Thanks again. Fuzz
Deep thoughts, Fuzz! Crooked, Crazy or Queeeer--They are still all ours......Now , get that terrible "Jessica" jinx off my Boys, and lets play some FOOTBALL!
Cboy! Good morning! Thanks for thinking of me and reading. Maybe deep thoughts, but.....shame they are true, for the most part. We even pedestalize movie actors and actresses who may do NOTHING else than act! Not to offend those who do extra "good" works. Fuzz
I think that the main reason we place others on pedestals is to remind us of the possibilities. We want to believe the human condition is not all bad. We get innundated with "bad" all day... everyday, and when we find some good.... any good.. we hold it up for all to see. We shine a bright light on it, and say...
"See ? We aren't so bad !!"
... and maybe... just maybe.... there's hope for us all.
....and there is you know... HOPE. I get to meet a lot of folk's im my travels, and rarely do I meet a person that doesn't remind me of the GOOD that exists in us all.
So... put 'em up there! Shine the light on 'em.... and let's all strive to stand there with them!
Mom always said Reagan was just an actor playing another role-They say he will be remembered as one of the greatest-Yet he relied on astrologers to guide him in world affairs-Grandmother sent part of her SS check to Swaggart(?) every month-When he got busted chasing hookers in New Orleans, it crushed her. Yes it su(ks!---Life goes on........
Chux! Good to see you! I ran Emails out to all my "old" blog mates and Email buddies from Fox, cause some aren't posting here of late, it's a shame.
Anyway, thanks for the props! That isn't a stupid opinion, rather I'm stupid that I didn't think of it. That is more true today, than ever with all that is going on. Guess WE figure that some won't fall or fail AND true, there are a lot of GOOD and true people out in the world. Course the media think they have a duty to only tell bad news, Thanks again. Fuzz
Fuzz great scribble I'll never forget when ZAZAgabore smaked the cop all she got was a samck on the wrist Some athelets feel they are above the law and that they dont have to live by our standards...
Cboy! Thanks for revisiting, a lot more people were hurt that Jimmy Swaggart chased "hookers". I dare say there are a lot more "religious" icons doing the same; remember the big name out West somewhere who evidently had "sex" and drugs with a male hooker?? Ahh, the things we do, hopefully not to get caught. Fuzz
JW!! Thanks for coming by! Thanks for the props! Yeah, I remember that! I recall the interview of her over that, it was like she said....so...? She felt she did nothing wrong, either way.
I think some athletes believe they are above the law and us mere mortals, much akin to the old steel, coal and railroad barons of industry long ago who made their money on the backs of the workers. Fuzz
Fuzz: Your 10% comment on the other post holds true. We put them up on that pedestal-Some fall off-Some dont get caught-Some like Pacman flaunt it-Then there are those who are above it all and rightfully deserve to be there-Those are the heros!!! Look at Favre-Montanna-Etc-They deserve to be there and will never have an asterix by their names.....or a question of their character..............
As long as there is football--There is HOPE!!!!---When does Pre-Season start? Im in total withdrawal!!!.........HELP!!!!..The shakes are the worst part--Maybe its the coffee......or the burnt brain...........LOL-Cboy
Cboy! What is the cliche? Hope springs eternal. By why does it always spring the wrong way? Pre-season will be here before we know. Time does fly. Fuzz
Fuzz, we came up in a different era-Or maybe it was just kept quiet-Babe Ruth was a HOooooo chasing drunk, yet who didnt grow up wanting to be like the Babe? I snuck a radio into class to listen to Maris or Mantle hit one, or Don or Sandy pitch one-Who does my kid look up to-Barry? Clemens? The Crack dealer on the corner with all the Gold, Cars and "Ladies"? Times have changed-We just have to roll with it! Dammmm! These deep thoughts sure hurt my shalllow mind!!!!
Cboy! I grew up respecting our local Police Chief. probably the biggest reason I entered the field. I had lost track of him after he left our town's employ (for lots better pay). More than often I gave him credit for being the officer I became. I often hoped that he had seen what I became. Ahh, memories. But, my parents taught me honesty, truth and justice. Fuzz
Mine did too! Sex, Drugs, and Rock'n Roll knocked me out of the box. The 60's and 70's were hard me!!! But I aint crying--I made it! Clean and sober now- And like Willie says-"Still crazy after all these years!" Rock On, Big Dog!!! Rock On!!!!!
Guess a lot depends on the crowd one hangs with; peer pressure is hard to deal with. I entered the US Navy the Sept after graduating from High School, that seems justlike yesterday! Fuzz
Charles Barkley said it the best - "I am not a role model!" My dad always used to say that all famous people were ####s since to want to be famous you had to be an ####. These people want to be on a pedestal and then they are shocked when the fall hurts worse than if they were standing on the ground like everyone else.
I have to say that I don't come down on the athletes for their indiscretions as much as I do the politicos and people of the cloth. Pro athletes are typically 18-22 year old kids who have been treated like gods their entire life. Think back to when you were 20, now add millions of dollars and open every closed door. I don't think that many of us could thread that needle and come out smelling like a rose (granted most of us wouldn't start illegal dog-fighting rings either).
P.S. I write my posts in a Word document and then copy it over to the FSN site so I don't lose everything if the upload fails. Just thought that might help.
Woffy! Thanks for coming by! Think your Dad was pretty damn smart! I respect athletes for what they can do in sports; if they do the extras like Mario Lemieux, Roberto Clemente, Charlie Batch, Jerome Bettis and others, so much the better. One time, I gained a lot of respect for Frank Sinatra when someone leaked the fact(s) that he had donated millions of dollars over the years to all kinds of causes, anonymously. The bad press on him then began to be less and less.
Cboy...now that is a "forgotten" war, what the vets of that disaster went thru and still go thru is a stain on our Nations conscience. Fuzz
BTW Woffy, I remember Barkley's statement. Gained more respect for him. You know he is running for Governor in Alabama? FB
Fuzzy...nice scribble. Here's the interesting part- I don't have any sports heroes. Imagine that? I loved OJ, but he blew that image right out of the water 10 years ago. No political heroes either...don't trust 'em.
Nope, my heroes are people like you, who bought Cindi a DELL laptop to make her life easier, a teacher that finally got through to my child in a subject she was struggling in, and all men and women who take the oath to protect this country, whether in the military, law enforcement or protective (fire dept etc) branches.
Lisa! Thanks for coming by! Thanks for the prop too! Hope you and child are doing better. Growing up in my era, we had different heroes. My Uncles who fought in WWII, a neighbor who survived the Bataan Death March and was awarded the Medal of Honor and the aforementioned Police Chief. Our teachers gained our respect, but being "rebellious" teens, never thought of them as icons, but....... Course we learned of the true heroes, the ones that don't come back from war. I have always NOT considered myself a "hero" as such, but when young often daydreamed of being one, saving the day and all that. Later, I just did my part. Best to be a hero to your kids, that I am, proud to say. Thanks again. Fuzz
Good write Fuzz. Since wer're dealing in opinion, here's mine. We look to these "icons" so that we don't have to take to deep a look at ourselves, we sort of live "vicariously", as some do through their kids, through these role models and such. You stated the problem, they are all human, and even the greatest of humans, no matter how bright and shining they are relatively, are imperfect flawed creations.
There is only one worth of my worship but I won't go all religous, I am just stating if you are looking to a man chances are he has or will let you down. As a kid I grew up idolizing OJ and Kareem. We all know about OJ, and all in all KAJ seems to be a pretty good guy, but obviosly not worthy of worship. There are people we look up to (I kinda like Ladanian Tomlinson and Kurt Warner), but we really need to realize they are human and keep it in perspective.
Last edited by UltTroyDos on March 24th at 4:05 PM.
fuzz...another comment concerned how young pro athletes with millions, get in trouble. What amazes me is that more don't get in trouble. I'm sure there are plenty that screw up only once, and we never hear about it.
There are plenty of interesting stories about our founding fathers. Old Honest Abe had a male roomate that slept in the same bed with him for years.
Although I had many sports icons I looked up to growing up, Many fell short of impecable character. My only hero was my dad growing up but he had flaws too. Don't we all.
It is inbred in our genes to wander and do questionable acts. For any us to be above reproach, we would have to be saints or dieties. There are only two that I know of capable of those requirements and they are not of the human flesh.
UltTroy! Thanx for stopping. Yep, you got my point. Very nice comment, thank you! Why do we do it? Is something missing? Hmmmmm...... The other thing you touched on is the kids being "pushed" so parents can again live through them. How many young talents are ruined by too early ball playing that turns into "not fun"? I guess it is just human nature to do so, even the Cavemen wanted the Cavekids to excel at whatever Cavekids were supposed to do, ahhh well...... Thanks again. Fuzz
Hannahan! Thank you for commenting. I know that there are a good many who do nothing but excel in all areas after being offered HUGE contracts, scholarships, etc. I have always followed "my" ten percent rule: ten percent of anything is just no damn good! But...that is what we always hear about in the media. We have to realize they are there, will always be with us! "Good" upbringing is the key, hopefully, but sometimes even that doesn't work. Look at Tiger Woods, Jerome Bettis (who was on the way to thuggery-he said), L.T. of the Bolts and so many more that turn out so well. Then look at the bad guys; quite a few times I have looked at "my" inmates or arrestees and say: there, but for God, go I...seriously. We just got to realize this. Fuzz PS That was what I alluded to about Honest Abe and George W, course look at Mrs. Lincoln!! Other things occured with our icons of history; if rag sheets had existed then, there would be a field day.
Photo!! Thanks for stopping in! Appreciate the comments. Most things must be taken with a "grain of salt". All is never true, nor is all ever fiction. True enough only one man was perfect and they hung Him from a cross! Thanks again, take care. Fuzz
I have to go along with Lisa on this, I admire a good athlete but its the teachers, cops, fireman, a good parent. These bare the people who deserve to be put on a pedestal. The guy who spends time coaching kids or mentoring them.
Edclinch! Thanks for the read and the props. I feel that while we should admire, maybe even respect, persons who have talents we possess not, they should not be given "deity" status. If we honor the talent, that is one thing; to honor the human................do it with that grain of salt. Thanks again. Fuzz
Degraff! I agree for the most part; I think I said the same to Lisa. The protectors of the citizentry are right up there, but you would never find one of them (I hope) "beating their chest" for all the good they have done. Same for those who teach, coach and/or mentor out young. Course,there is my ten percent rule, so always remember that they are only human, after all. Thanks again. Fuzz
Nice post Fuzz. I think we put people up on those pedestals because the media tells us too. Often enough we believe what we are told. Some of us may even believe they are immortal. It's too bad because the ones I tend to hold with high esteem are those with Military ties and religious based leadership, especially local. The people who visit shut ins. The ones who help little children with school.
I could go on and on. You post gives us something for all of us to read and learn, and maybe change to leaving a great legacy of help with all mankind.
Marty!! Thanks for the visit. Seems you arose early as did I, only I got up to .... and get a bowl of cereal, course then I had to check this. People tend to put others on pedestals because they think they are better than they are, only to discover, sometimes, that elevation wasn't warranted. Honor and respect those you wish, just remember we are all human. Thanks for the props. Fuzz
As always, I'm late. This is excellent. My Dad was my hero. There are a lot of kids that don't have a special relative to look up to so it is a sports figure. Politicians? Not in this day and time. Preachers? The woods are full of them. (Actually, my rabbi is someone I admire, but I know that he is human.) Sometimes, it is easier for people to look to others like you have mentioned as someone to look up to rather than try to improve their own lives. My neighbor was raised in the inner city area of Chatt. He never played sports, but he loved watching the Gators. He earned his way into Fla., by making good grades. He still couldn't afford to play sports, but he excelled at school while working his way through. He never knew his Dad, his Mom died of a drug overdose, and he was sort of raised by a Gram that didn't want him. The Gator family became his family. Now he is a productive member of society with a son of his own. He loves the Gators, and he is one of the best Dads I've ever seen. As a TN fan I just can't be against the Gators because of the love this man received at that university. My point being that his heroes are the students and professors of the university that accepted and loved him. Now he knows how to pass that type of love on to his wife and son.
Did my rambling above make sense to you guys? I'm trying to say that there are many reasons we love and admire certain people or groups. Sometimes admiration goes too far and becomes worship. I know that. Anywho, we all have our reasons for what we do, think, and feel. Possibly I've had the grandkids too many days in a row and I just can't make sense when I talk!
Volfan! Better late than never (unless you don't want to be "late"). Thanks for coming by. Understand you perfectly. I think we shouldn't place people, any people, on pedestals without understanding that they could fall off. Sports figures should be admired for the talent, not idolized as they are; if they go that extra mile in charitable humanitarian pursuits it makes a difference, but they are still human. Thanks again. Fuzz
fuzz, sorry i couldent get to this sooner. the answer to your question is simple. where never satisfied, our lives are never good enough and we need something or someone to aspire to or aspire to be. thanks for nocking down all my heros and leaving me in this dark pit of dispare.
Ahhhh, B@O, I am truly sorry to burst the bubble. Only thing I can suggest is for you to start cheering on the Steelers, that will immediately give you a lift; too, rewatch our 4 man Bobsled tape, looking at my arse snuggled up against HB should give you a laugh/just don't tell him I said so. Fuzz
Interesting post you got going on here Fuzz.........It sounds alot like one of the great family debates amongst the men of my family. The big gathering in the kitchen with as many as 8-10 participants and 8 or more spectators all crowded into what was normally a sizable kitchen.
The Emancipation Proclamation was always a crowd favorite along with the indiscretions of this countries fore fathers.
After having a few brushes with fame, it's always more comfortable to address a celebrity like a normal Joe...........Because that's all that they really are. It's just that their job is in the public eye.
When we begin to follow others, we begin to loose our own identity's. Because sometimes those little small town churches morph into a line of Lemmings leading up to a Koolade bowl............LOL!
EQ!! Thanks for coming by. Appreciate the compliments. Humans do it all the time, don't we? Attach our wagon to a star that sometimes burns out or worse. I'm often reminded of a quote attributed to Lincoln when he was introduced to the author of "Uncle Tom's Cabin" at a party at the White House. Something to the effect: so you are the little lady that started all this; cause th book created such a stir in the North and the South. We always forget humans are just that, human. Thanks again. Fuzz
I am an old #### living in Southwestern Pennsylvania, about 60 miles or so southwest of Pittsburgh. AND I MEAN AN OLD ####!! Served over 35 years in Law Enforcement as a Police and Corrections' Officer.
