OT: Why isn't [sporting] excellence appreciated?

[BradyManny]

Is this a recent phenomenon? I've been following sports for two + decades now, and I guess in general, I associate success with popularity. Clearly, when looking at the Patriots, this isn't the case. Success = boredom, excellence is frowned upon and some kind of sporting communist utopia (also known as parity) is sought by all except those living in the area of said excellent team.

I guess I feel like the national sporting arena should and has (in the past) been able to briefly put aside its local interests and appreciate great teams for what they are.

For instance when I was younger, despite being from around here and despite being a C's fan, I was an enormous fan of Jordan and the Bulls because they were making history, he was the greatest basketball player I'd ever witness play, everyone wanted to be like him, play like him, etc. and in that sense, it was fun to watch. So even though I wasn't from Chicago, I didn't sit around *****ing and moaning that they continued dominating and that Jordan, specifically, was playing at an amazingly high level. I appreciated that dominance from this remote location, understanding it would be unlikely I would ever witness a basketball player that good again.

In fact, I can't think of any other profession or arena in which dominance is not appreciated. I'm not suggesting Jets or Steelers fans suddenly start rooting for the Patriots. Far from it. But I do think there should be some respect or interest in the fact that this team is historically good - and what general national interest there is now seems to be an interest in rooting AGAINST history from happening.

 

[xmarkd400x]

I honestly think there are 2 main contributors to this.

1) Everything gets published. Everything. If an opposing player says something within the ever-present ear of the media, it will be published. Before the "omg newz all da time" interweb era, this wasn't the case.

2) The media found out that creating something out of nothing is a heck of a lot easier than actually finding stories.

 

[Hok]

Perhaps the dystopian future depicted in Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged is coming true. It certainly is somewhat frustrating to see excellence denounced and mediocrity praised.

 

[ColtinIraq]

I know I can't speak for others but I certainly can appreciate it.

I admit I have some "respect issues" I have but I certainly can stand back and marvel at what the Patriots are doing. Moss has been brilliant and Brady, without question, has put together an MVP year that would be very difficult to match. It has been nearly effortless. Having said that, watching the Pats as often as I have my MVP has to be your offensive line. It is undeniable they are the ones responsible for this tsunami offense. There aren't many quarterbacks that couldn't put up huge numbers if there is no threat of anyone getting even close to them.

Now, here is the issue. One of the other posters is correct in saying that everything is available through the net - EVERYTHING. So everyone sees a team getting crowned before the third game has even been played. How ridiculous would it be for NE to go undefeated and lose in the playoffs? My gawd, you would be barraged with the word CHOKE from every corner of the media world. That, in itself, would discredit a phenominal regular season performance.

Then - there are the fans. Let's face it - you or I have NOTHING to do with what happens on the field of play. Yet a majority of fans puff out that old chest like THEY did it. That is what is annoying. That's where a lack of appreciation comes in.

 

[sebman2112]

Is this a recent phenomenon? I've been following sports for two + decades now, and I guess in general, I associate success with popularity. Clearly, when looking at the Patriots, this isn't the case. Success = boredom, excellence is frowned upon and some kind of sporting communist utopia (also known as parity) is sought by all except those living in the area of said excellent team.

I guess I feel like the national sporting arena should and has (in the past) been able to briefly put aside its local interests and appreciate great teams for what they are.

For instance when I was younger, despite being from around here and despite being a C's fan, I was an enormous fan of Jordan and the Bulls because they were making history, he was the greatest basketball player I'd ever witness play, everyone wanted to be like him, play like him, etc. and in that sense, it was fun to watch. So even though I wasn't from Chicago, I didn't sit around *****ing and moaning that they continued dominating and that Jordan, specifically, was playing at an amazingly high level. I appreciated that dominance from this remote location, understanding it would be unlikely I would ever witness a basketball player that good again.

In fact, I can't think of any other profession or arena in which dominance is not appreciated. I'm not suggesting Jets or Steelers fans suddenly start rooting for the Patriots. Far from it. But I do think there should be some respect or interest in the fact that this team is historically good - and what general national interest there is now seems to be an interest in rooting AGAINST history from happening.

I was a huge MJ fan growing up too.

Oh, and I agree with a lot of what you had to say.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

Perhaps the dystopian future depicted in Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged is coming true. It certainly is somewhat frustrating to see excellence denounced and mediocrity praised.

Well we do live in a society where some towns no longer publish HS Honor Rolls for fear of offending the slackers, so perhaps excellence is now despised as a trait offensive to the mediocre. Our media, which is supported by people's free market dollars, takes delight in tearing down the apparently successful.

The contrary example to this trend is the near universal admiration for Tiger Woods' dominant years.

 

[BradyManny]

The contrary example to this trend is the near universal admiration for Tiger Woods' dominant years.

That might be as simple as the fact golf isn't a team sport, but I don't know if I agree with you re: Tiger when it comes to the fans. You listen to the crowds at a given tournament, there's still a lot of people pulling for the underdogs, the nobodies. Hey, I'm rooting for Tiger to downright obliterate every record just because that's more exciting to me than seeing Rich Beem get his 15 seconds of fame.

 

[Lampshade]

People hate other people's success. It's no more complicated than that.

I'd just like to take this slightly further afield if I may, and point out it's the same the world over. In England Man United were hated when they were winning everything; Chelsea were hated when they were dominating; Liverpool and Leeds were hated in the 60s, 70s, 80s at various times.

The reasons given for the hatred varied: Man Utd were always given dubious penalties and free kicks, and exta time in games where they were losing/drawing; Chelsea were hated because they bought their success with a dodgy Russian billionaire; and Leeds were hated for being dirty. Of course all the facts show that Man Utd were never awarded more penalties, Leeds were never given more yellow/red cards, and whilst other teams also attempted to buy success, Chelsea were the only team to do it succesfully.

I have no doubt that whoever the next dominant team is, they will be hated too. The reason that will be given is the only thing I'm not sure of.

 

[pwes]

I think you are not looking in the right places. I've seen plenty of fans of other teams say they have an appreciation for what the Pats are doing. They like the chance to watch history unfold before their eyes. People hate that their team has to fall at the hands of the Pats but they are not stupid enough to not understand that something great is happening.