I like sports. I like some athletes. I hate athletes that whine, complain, and trash-talk without backing it up. Just shut-up and play! Show us, the fans, why you are paid a zillion plus with a signing bonus. As my friend says, don’t talk about it, be about it! I’ve got to take a moment and go back in time …
“Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee.” That’s my all-time favorite Muhammad Ali quote. He is an icon to trash talking, in fact I think he was the teacher to the wanna-be trash-talkers. Again, he did what he needed to do in the ring. I wish all the up and coming athletes would take a lesson from Ali, it’s ok to trash talk if you can man up and make the basket, hit the homerun, make a touchdown, knock your opponent out, bend it like Beckham, – you get the point.
Remember Deion Sanders the notorious trash talker? I know, taking you back – huh? Well, he was infamous for his lips flapping and for his end zone dance moves. But he backed it up, with his speed and that winning smile – he was (and is) a charismatic guy. Maybe that’s why he gets a pass.
This past week, Shaq had some choice words to say against his former coach, Pat Riley, teammates, and trainers. (Who is the classiest and best-dressed coach in the NBA? Pat Riley!, I’m digressing) Shaq’s lips continue to move and all I want from him is to concentrate and make those free-throws! Shut-up and play!
Not so much a trash talker, but definitely a whiner. Kobe. We want to be dazzled by his lightening speed and slam dunks … I don’t want to hear about him complain to reporters why he wasn’t given the ball, the play wasn’t centered around him, or if he is hurt – suck it up and shoot!
I think sports would be a little more interesting if, for instance, basketball players were paid by the number of baskets they made, or baseball players by the number of homeruns they hit, etc. What do you think? Would the whining turn to silence?
I’ll leave you with another quote from the great Ali, I think there’s a lesson in there for all of us, whether a professional athlete, neighborhood ballers, recreational athlete or whatever else you are into that gets your game and smack on …
“A rooster crows only when it sees the light. Put him in the
dark and he’ll never crow. I have seen the light and I’m crowing.”
So to all you athletes out there, shut-up, play and start crowin’! Just bring it.