You’d be cranky too if your testicles were shrinking.

@Nimis…..Wow, there’s a vision I could have done without. LOL

Thanks for posting that article. It was interesting.

No thanks needed. Wiki is the lazy man’s go-to answer.
It’s somewhat related to this topic; you might want to check out this book.
The writing is a little meh/collegiate, but touches on a lot of interesting points.

The editorial reviews of that book sound interesting and I think I might give it a go.

I find it ridiculous that grown men, who get paid that much money think it’s ok to duke it out while doing their job. Though it would be kind of fun to bitch slap some of the people I’ve worked with in the past!

@Blue, I certainly see your point.

But I love to try to understand things. So here’s my take on why it happens…

War. War has become so far removed from our everyday experience. I know “we” are engaged in a war in Iraq, but it is so distant. Sports can provide a substitute for war. Look at the language of typical sports headlines (I made these up, based on hundreds I’ve read):

“Rays must survive elimination.” “Boston decimated by injuries.” “They crushed their opponent.” “It’s do-or-die time.” “New York goes down in sudden death.” Etc. You get the point.

I watch football sometimes and just marvel at how these men could violently attack each other during a play – and then somehow restrain themselves after the play, when it’s deemed illegal. When I think about how much aggression and testosterone is flying around… I’m actually amazed there aren’t MORE fights.

Many sports are raw physical contests. The idea of sportsmanship is a concept overlaid on top of the (often violent) action.

Think about how passionate many fans get. Especially hockey and football fans – some of them are there FOR the big hit, the blood, the fight. There can be something so cathartic about a good contest.

Now some professional athletes are role models. They’ve found a way to take aggression aimed at them – and not take it personally. (How the heck do they do that? That must be so difficult!) Many of these men would probably be role models no matter what profession they chose.

Personally, my opinion is that professional athletes aren’t paid millions of dollars to be role models. Some of them do that, because that’s who they are.

What if athletes are paid so much simply to hold our collective projection? What if they are paid that much for the skill – and the willingness – to play out our battles in public?

That was a long response. Hope it was thought-provoking.

@Trusting…..It was a very good response and quite thought provoking. You made some very interesting points and thank you for answering my question.

@Trusting: I couldn’t have said that better myself. I was having a iscussion about this with my best friend a few weeks ago. Well said. :)

Yes. There’s something wrong when an athlete makes six figures a year and a day care worker is below the poverty line. They choose their paths in sports and should be held accountable. They are the role models for many kids; it comes with the job. If they can’t handle the pressure, they need to rethink their career goals.

Most of these athletes are fairly young. Most athletic careers end at some extraordinarily young age (I don’t know what it is, but I’m guessing under 30). They are in a feverish competition to be one of the few who last up until their 40s. So these things matter to them not just on a team level, but on a personal level.

That, combined with being used to getting their way, and getting adulation all their lives, and throw in steroids, which make you more hair trigger, it’s a wonder there aren’t more fights.

Enormous amounts of money are at stake. Enormous amounts of status are at stake. It’s something that strong men probably think is worth fighting for.

Well this is the culture we are living in, we have boxing, mma, football, hockey, soccer, and other sports that is competitive, cut throat and only the strong survive. Now you put money into it and yes these people are fighting and doing what ever it takes to keep making that money and remain popular, and if you don’t think the sports organizations don’t promote this you are seriously mistaking look at hockey…the players take boxing lessons, and when they get into fights they get a penalty not fined like other sports, now the teams that get fined, what, five to ten thousand dollars…to someone that makes millions that is a drop in the bucket…now let’s look at the fans, who is going to watch a hockey game, if they never fight??? When some of the fans have enough drinks in there system they even fight…and last but not least who gets the spot on the sports news, you tube, and other video spots, and sports radio shows….so yes I don’t like the fights but it’s part of the game, and if the players don’t have the drive to do everything possible to fight for there spot well there is more than enough people that will.

@hammer; good answer but next time use some breaks for the tired eyes here.

@gailcalled, well noted.

I would also suggest that some of them never leave that “center of the world” stage that we all left at oh, 3 or 4.

They were that good at the sport they are in they went on and on as best and when they hit a point where “just being them” isn’t good enough to cover it they start doing other things, throwing fits etc.

It really hits the fan when they are figured out and not the top of the heap any more.

Here is a guy who has it right!

I would keep him as coach in a minute. Screw anyone who doesn’t like it. The ones who want to win know where to go if they want to be serious.

http://www.noupe.com/gimp-brushset/1000-free-high-resolution-gimp-brushes.html

@Bri, huh?

I went to that link and don’t understand what it has to do with professional athletes.

I checked it out also. I don’t get it.

EDIT::::::::

CRAP wrong link, this is the one:

http://www.nfl.com/videos?videoId=09000d5d80bf9709

sorry everyone

That’s a good video clip, Bri, with some interesting insights from both the coach and the NFL analysts.

sure once you get the right one up.

Interesting clip. I appreciate the “old school” mentality of playing the game “the right way.” I also liked Deion Sanders’ take on it: There’s no right way to coach. How true. Good clip!

I guess this is one way of disciplining our more basic tendencies and shaping a team.

@ Trusting – Good point. I just get fed up with the behavior of some of them. I was glad to see him put in his place. I will say, he took his punishment like an adult.

I disagreed with Meriucci (sp?) If the offense took place in public, let the punishment take place in public. I have seen him ball out to many refs to turn around and say “I like to discuss it with them in the locker room.” In my mind your sending mixed messages.