There’s an epic battle on the 3rd Coast this weekend. I can’t really formulate any articulate thoughts about it. Just thinking about 24 hrs from now makes the vein in my forehead throb like that extra tendon in Clay Matthew’s neck. (What the hell is going on there?)
Anyway, following the Steelers defeat of the Ravens, this week saw the predictable sports’ media deluge of the same old ‘redemption stories’ regarding alleged rapist Ben Roethlisberger. On Wednesday, the front-page of both ESPN’s + CBS’ websites trotted out the same old tired cliches and missteps in logic. The predictable thesis is that victory on field somehow proves athlete X is a changed person.
I didn’t know people were questioning the effect Roethlisberger’s off-field behavior had on throwing a football or reading the Ravens’ Defense. He might not be the NFL’s best QB (clearly Jay Cutler), but the big fella has lead the Steelers to 2 Super Bowl victories, throwing big passes at big moments during the process.
And then he got aggressive with any 19-year old in his periphery.
The same stories were written after Michael Vick’s resurgence and the same thing will happen when Tiger wins his next major (I predict 2011). The hacks probably have it in the can already.
Of course the fans will give players an immense amount of moral latitude if successful on the field. Same goes for coaches. Do the sycophantic NFL writers promoters have to do the same? Can we get news? Can we get on-field analysis? Or are these “redemption” stories just too easy to mail in that they can’t resist?
More sports please!
and oh yeah, GO BEARS!
http://deadspin.com/5740217/golden-voice-and-inspirational-speech-set-up-green-baychicago-showdown
[...] 3a. Aaron Rodgers: I will never be a Packers’ fan. However, with the exception of the “Belt” celebration, there’s little not to like about Aaron Rodgers. I realized this while watching alleged rapist and definite dirtbag Ben Roethlisberger get the ball with a chance to march down the field in Super Bowl XLV, thus fulfilling all the disgusting “redemption” storylines manufactured by ESPN & co. [...]