Friday, January 21, 2011
"Are Pro Sports Growing More Altruistic?"
This past June a television show wasted an hour of my life that I will never get back. "The Decision" which documented Lebron James free agency was a glorified commercial that ultimately ended up with him leaving the city of Cleveland and heading to the Miami Heat. At the time I like many other Cleveland sports fans was extremely anger and viewed James as a trader. However, now almost 8 months later my perspective on this move has changed.
James' left Cleveland believing that the Heat's all-star roster comprised of the "Big-Three": (Bosh, Wade, and James) would better provide him with the opportunity to win a championship. In order to go to Miami, James took a great a pay cut and although this does not appear as selflessness James did what was best as he was taught by society. Our society loves winners and remembers champions. Therefore, James did what he thought would put him in elite company and more importantly he did what was necessary to win a championship.
The article "Are Sports Growing More Altruistic" cites an example of Brooks Laich stopping to help a mother change her flat tire. This is a prime example of an athlete acting selflessly and is a positive for professional sports athletes. However, this example is often smothered in the stories of Brett Favre sending inappropriate text messages, Cameron Newton's father accepting $250,000 or so dollars for his son's services. Further, that trade off doesn’t look so bad right now as $250,000 for a national championship doesn’t seem so bad especially given the payout for a national title appearance.
Additionally, my generation the Millennial are noted as being less turned on by the violent side of sports. This is ridiculous simply look at the growing popularity of the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) to disprove this theory. Overall, I believe professional athletes are becoming more aware of the role they play off the court and are attempting to enhance their image though in general are acting status quo which is unacceptable cite Gilbert Arenas bringing guns to his work place. I disagree that my generation of professional athletes and athletics are becoming more altruistic.
Until next time
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You gave some great examples to illustrate both sides of this argument. I am more inclined to agree with you that your generation does not seem more altruistic. Then again, maybe it is because we hear more about stories like Favre's.
ReplyDeleteThis past June a television show wasted an hour of my life that I will never get back.
ReplyDelete--Hahaha, I can definitely say the same thing.
I think you provide an interesting perspective that time can change how one interprets a sports event such as LBJ's decision to go to Miami.
As a non Clevelander,I still thought LBJ was a traitor too and could never understand why he would turn his back on his home state.
However, what I was thought was interesting about "The Decision" was that LBJ vilified for doing things that are typically respected in the United States. He took less money to try to win. Also, his decision special raised millions of dollars for the Boys and Girls Club of America. Furthermore, LBJ has still committed to continue supporting his charities in Akron.
However, that all gets lost deservedly because LBJ turned his back on his home. LBJ can win 6 championships in Miami and it would never equaled the power of winning 1 in Cleveland.
Ian, I definitely agree with you when you say our generation of athletes are not growing more altruistic. In today's society, good news rarely makes the headlines. It's the juicy Tiger Woods and Marion Jones scandals that we seem to be more interested in. Sad, but very true.
ReplyDeleteHi Ian,
ReplyDeleteMiami Heat is so good for this season, but the "big three" almost take over 90% scores. If one of them played abnormally, they may lost the game. People want to win, want to be famous, want to be remembered, including athletes. In this respect, no one can be considered as an altruistic person.