Corporations, profits and greed have destroyed the purity of sports
There was a time long when sports was a shining beacon of admiration. In the professional world, it has become a moneymaking machine for the owners and players. The scandal indulgent fans, super egos, over paid self-anointed super stars have made a travesty of the sports world. Corporations have destroyed the purity of the game, where profit overrides the sport itself.
There is no honor among superstars who profit with endorsements of products made in third world countries working in sweatshops. Why do we adulate such conduct from players who dishonor themselves and their sport? We are worshiping the worse of society, a sports generation living a world of greed and hypocrisy.
Now, Penn State. I thought college campuses are supposed to be places of enlightenment. The most important man on campus is not the school president or a well-published professor. No, it is the football coach. In addition, this is not just isolated to Penn State. School administrators and coaches use students as pawns to achieve an all-win mentality, at the expense of a true education. The game and its fans have been reduced to a Roman Coliseum mentality.
There was no ethical conduct of honor, at Penn State, which illustrates the power the university has over their football program. The administrators and coaches looked the other way over the foul and disgusting practice by one of its coaches.
This is a classical example of what America has become. Look at our state of the nation. We have lost our way intellectually and culturally descending to the lowest depths of humankind. Worshiping the worst aspects of the celebrities and athletes that contribute nothing to the betterment of the common good.
America has lost its principles and honor.
Pat R. O’Malley
Ann Arbor
Comments
A2Dave
Sun, Dec 18, 2011 : 1:44 p.m.
I would call this naivete of a high order--purity in sports? There has not been "purity" in sports since the first recorded games in Greece. Sport is a human endeavor like any other. If there are rewards of recognition and wealth to be obtained, there will be corruption and cheating. With big rewards goes big corruption. So it goes.
rosewater
Sat, Dec 17, 2011 : 8:42 p.m.
Maybe we can get Anderson Cooper to host a reality tv show next year with this title...and let's through in politicians for good measure. Oh wait, I also would include lack of morality.
Mush Room
Sat, Dec 17, 2011 : 8:38 p.m.
"The game and its fans have been reduced to a Roman Coliseum mentality." I think that's true, but it's always been true, and the sport, whether it's mace fighting, baseball or football, doesn't make much difference. It's in our genes. It's primal. Screaming for my team in a raucous coliseum (stadium) can be better than sex (a slight exaggeration). The real questions here are whether we should apologize for our vicarious thrills or try to suppress what comes naturally? I am bothered by the injuries and cringe whenever a player goes down. But, as rough as a football field is, it still isn't nearly as destructive as our highways. Let's face it, living is a dangerous thing to do and never ends well. Rationalization is a wonderful thing. GO BLUE, GREEN , TIGERS, PISTONS, EDSELS and RED WINGS
Gorc
Sat, Dec 17, 2011 : 8:19 p.m.
Well said Mr. O'Malley. It's a shame when our society reveres the school quarterback more then the school valedictorian.
Gorc
Sun, Dec 18, 2011 : 2:37 p.m.
A2Dave - it's nice to know where your priorties are.
A2Dave
Sun, Dec 18, 2011 : 1:46 p.m.
Read a little history, starting with the Greeks, and get over it.
Attempted Voice of Reason
Sat, Dec 17, 2011 : 7:56 p.m.
I'm confused: Haven't professional sports ALWAYS been "money-making machines for owners and players"? Isn't that the definition and the dream of those entering into it? I can understand a critique that university sports have turned into professional money-making machines, but I'm confused why that's a problem with the professional sports businesses. If you don't like it, don't buy tickets, and don't buy premium cable sports packages. Then they don't get your money.
kathryn
Sat, Dec 17, 2011 : 11:05 p.m.
Good idea. I won't.
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Sat, Dec 17, 2011 : 6:54 p.m.
Purity of Sport? Really? Because, God knows, no cheating has ever happened in any sandlot baseball game or in any street-court basketball game. Let's get serious here. Good Night and Good Luck
David Briegel
Sat, Dec 17, 2011 : 6:30 p.m.
Corporations are just folks like you and me! Our not so supreme court said it was so! One could easily claim that corporations, profit and greed have destroyed the purity of our government. Truth, justice and the American way is not so pure any longer!
Ross
Sat, Dec 17, 2011 : 7:05 p.m.
So sad, so true.
MRunner73
Sat, Dec 17, 2011 : 6:30 p.m.
You will find a few shreds of that honor at Schembechler Hall. Bardy Hoke has restored that within his coaching staff, players and recruits. You did find that under Bo, Mo and yes, even Lloyd Carr (I don't want to be reminded what's in John Bacon's book). The integrity of it all has slowly evaporated almost everwhere else One assistent coach at Penn State did come forward but was ignored, until now. Shame on that insitution and now football will be on the back burner over there. So it is about the brand and how to market the product and we do see that at Michigan. A double edged sword, indeed. The "me" attitude of many of the pro athletes is sad. Just know that Bo Schembechler stood for "The Team, The Team, The Team" first and foremost. Thank goodness, Michigan had him and he did not end up somewhere else.
Daniel
Sun, Dec 18, 2011 : 2:26 a.m.
Good thing Paterno wasn't Michigan's coach. Oh, wait a second, he was offered the job and turned it down and then they offered it to Bo!
David Briegel
Sat, Dec 17, 2011 : 6:34 p.m.
Joe Pa reportedly told McQueary that he was sorry he had to witness that, indicating he knew exactly what was going on. The children were a fringe benefit! Not as important as the cult leader and his cult!
hut hut
Sat, Dec 17, 2011 : 5:52 p.m.
Greed has destroyed a lot more than just sports.
5c0++ H4d13y
Sat, Dec 17, 2011 : 5:49 p.m.
Painting with a broad brush is always productive.
Craig Lounsbury
Sat, Dec 17, 2011 : 5:09 p.m.
A lot of what you say was said in a manner in the "Day Report" of 1926 on the state of athletics at UofM. Here is a link: <a href="http://bentley.umich.edu/athdept/misc/dayreport.pdf" rel='nofollow'>http://bentley.umich.edu/athdept/misc/dayreport.pdf</a> On page 5 of the actual report on the right hand side starts a section on "some evils of intercollegiate sports" . I find it both fascinating and amusing.
1bit
Sat, Dec 17, 2011 : 9:02 p.m.
Thanks for the link. One of my favorite parts of the report is this passage: "A football stadium is used only a few times each year and then merely for the accommodation of spectators who watch an athletic contest. The total investment in the structure should be kept as low as possible. With an economical plan of construction, the sound financing of a new stadium should not be difficult. The Committee is opposed to any plan which involves the sale of bonds carrying the privilege of preferred football-ticket application; the distribution of football tickets should be kept free of any such encumbrances. Furthermore, no such concession as this should be required to obtain the necessary funds." I think of this as U of M just cashed my "preferred seating donation". However, I do not bemoan a changing world. Games and cheating have gone hand-in-hand since their inception. It is our nature and the optimist in me sees value in the efforts we take to try and make fair rules, even when those rules fail or are imperfect.