Dancing? Trash-Talking? I Love it!

About a week ago, I was bored and turned to old-reliable; the NFL Network. Their excellent documentary series, “A Football Life” was on and featured the great Barry Sanders. 

It was my second time watching this episode and a segment that should have stood out to me the first time around was longtime Lions radio announcer Tom Brandstatter describing how “refreshing” it was that Barry always just handed the ball off after scoring and never felt any need to spike the ball or do some dance.

Nonsense Tom

You’re full of shit just like every other white-collar, uptight sportscaster or writer who tries to come down on celebrating after a big play and trash-talking.  Whether it’s in Football, Basketball, Baseball, or any other sport for that matter. 

I want to throw up anytime some old ass analyst gets on TV and gives me the whole  “act you’ve been there before” spiel like you’re a lower class of human-being for doing otherwise.

You know who else just gave the ball to the ref? OJ. Doesn’t mean a thing.

Barry Sanders didn’t do the “stanky-leg” after scoring?  Awesome. Excellent. Barry Sanders is one of the greatest of all-time.  He did not choose to show out or talk trash, as it just wasn’t a part of his game.  If he wanted to, he could have done it and it would have been AWESOME! 

The best part is that no could have done or said a damn thing about it either.

Can you imagine if High School, College and Pro teams were still allowed to have FUN without repercussions like the Miami Hurricanes of the 80's used to? It would be fun, hilarious and must-see TV.

If you don’t like what you just saw, tough.

For years, I watched Brett Farve cut up the Bears defense and run around like a jackass after a TD as John Madden screamed “HE’S LIKE A LITTLE KID OUT THERE!” 

What, was I going to do? Hate on him and say “there’s no place for that in Football” because he just dicked my team?  Don’t think there weren’t times where the shoe was on other foot and I enjoyed it.

Specifically this.

What about sportsmanship and class? If you’re an athlete and don’t like an opposing squad’s player showing you and your team up, stop them.  It’s that simple. 

If you’re a fan and don’t like it, tough, write a letter to your team’s General Manger or Athletic Director and ask them to stop recruiting and drafting bums because it’s their fault.

I’m not saying teach your kids to act like complete jackasses after scoring a goal at a third grade soccer game but also let’s stop with this idea that NOT celebrating following a big play or score is better.  It just means you don't feel the need to add that aspect into your game.

As far as trash-talking goes, it’s not bragging if you can back it up.

Trash talking is a psychological tool that can motivate oneself just as well as throw someone else off their game.

If you say, “you can’t stop me chump!” is it in the best taste, not really, but maybe saying it to yourself makes you go harder.

Yesterday, at Super Bowl Media Day, Randy Moss said that he is the best Wide Receiver to play the game.  Fans and analysts are already jumping on him.

ESPN must have gotten on their knees and thanked god Ray Lewis style. Less than a hour later, they had the stats comparing him with the true greatest receiver of all time, Jerry Rice.

 By the evening, Rice on my TV, suit and all, talking a little shit back and flashing his Super Bowl ring.

Yes, numbers and championships tell a lot different story than what Moss is talking about but if you’re a 49ers fan, do you want Moss going into the game with the mindset that he’s not the best to ever play at his position?

Personally, I’m excited to watch him Sunday because I’ve been waiting to show some flashes of that guy who used to ruin my Sundays when he was with Vikings.

When you go to work every day, do you not tell yourself that you’re the best analyst, stock broker, manager, street sweeper in the world?  If you don’t, start looking for a new career.

Some of the best NBA players of all time incorporated trash talking as part of their games. Remember Magic, Jordan, Barkley, and Bird? All ran their mouths enough to co-author a book on the subject.

Again, if you have a problem with it, stop it.

A high school or college kid should be able to dance after a sack.

Dunk a basketball on some and do the 'dougie' afterwards.

Talk a little trash (just leave wives and Honey-Nut cheerios out of it Kevin Garnett!)

Or don’t.  But that should be their choice.

They say act like you’ve been there before but what if you never get there again? Nothing is guaranteed.

The only sportsmanship REQUIRED is shaking hands afterwards and saying “good game” or “thanks for coming out”.  If a player is embarrassed or pissed off that someone made them look bad, that’s their problem for letting it happen.

-WST