I've been involved in sports, one way or another, most of my life.
I started playing rugby league at 7 and soccer at 9. In high school in Australia I did the equivalent of "lettering" [American term] in rugby league, soccer and track. I earned my rugby league Level 1 coaching certificate but went into soccer coaching at age 16 (while still playing). As both a player and coach I had a shot at semi-pro status (that's all there was in Australia back then) but would have had to take a chance in England to make a living. I didn't want to leave Australia so I decided to just stick with my amateur clubs.
I've also been a devoted sports fan following teams and individual athletes in the U.S., Britain and Australia since I was very young. I remember when George Best played for Manchester United, Keith Barnes was a Balmain Tigers star, Muhammad Ali had his comeback fights in 1970-1 (Quarry, Bonavena, Frazier), and I saw Wayne Gretzky, Magic Johnson and John Elway play live and in the flesh. I also used to be a nationally published sports journalist.
Why am I telling you this? Because anyone who claims to be "on the Left" (a vague term I don't really like) and writes blogs like this is supposed to be some kind of anti-sports house plant. I'm not. I love rugby, soccer, boxing, NFL, ice hockey, basketball, baseball and on down the line. I attended two major colleges in the U.S. -- California (Berkeley) and Colorado -- and I cheer on their teams passionately. So I'm no sports hater. But I do hate the path sports have taken.
Case in point...
ESPN.com today ran a story explaining that star New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (pictured above left) is mulling over a new $72-80 million, 4-year contract. Not to be rushed into it, mind you. Being very hush-hush and coy and decent.
I had 1500 characters, like everyone else, to post my comment at the bottom of the story. I used them all. Here's what I said:
"Anyone living in the real world must puke at these contract stories. I'm glad Tom baby will be okay and gracious and all with $72-80 mill. in his pocket. Has the whole world gone nuts? I love football but it's just a sport. That kind of money could be feeding the poor; not paying for Maseratis and bad haircuts. And of course, much of the cost goes back on the ticket prices, concessions etc. Which means people with an average or below average income have to save for 3 years to take their family to a game. And isn't it the loyal fans that the game's supposed to be about? Rich or poor? Pro athletes should make 6 figures and ticket prices should go down. And owners shouldn't be allowed to skim the rest. (If they don't like it, let the fans own the teams the way the Packers are owned.) Let sports help society a little. Let clubs pay a big chunk of their profits to charities and foundations rather than having a token Jimmy Fund day or breaking out the pink bats. There's way too much greed. And if you think pro athletes won't take 6 figures and all that adulation, try to imagine Tom Brady getting ticked off and saying to [Patriots owner Bob] Kraft: "I've had it! I'm going to sell shoes at Payless!" Exactly: These guys train hard but they live the VERY good life. Red Grange (pictured above right) must be spinning in his grave. So please, when these sports-money stories come up, think twice, all you fans. Object a bit. It's your wallets these people have their hands on and they aren't thinking of you first. Thanks for reading."
I hope you can see my point: Our values in modern society have lost their compass. And we need to get them back pronto.
Take care and keep smiling,
Adrian Zupp
IF YOU FOUND THIS BLOG POST INTERESTING you might like to take a look at REMEMBERING SIMPLER TIMES.
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