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Sports - I Love Most sports but...

By
Mortgage and Lending with Mortgage Magic

I was raised in an orphanage (Mills Home, Thomasville, N.C.)

With almost 400 kids on campus sports was a big thing for most of us and we
had our own baseball teams, football teams, and basketball teams. Kids swam
in the summer at least an hour a day and many were acrobatic from the hi-dive.
Kids also engaged in school sports and it was not uncommon to have a all-state
wrestler or other champions on campus.

We were also in church Sunday morning and evening and Wednesday night.
I actually remember a sermon which is now more than 60 years ago. The Pastor
referenced The Sports page in the Newspaper. He said he enjoyed reading the
Sports Page because it was always pure and clean. It was only about the sporting
event.

That is so not true today. I turned the TV on yesterday and a sports announcer was talking about an unhappy player wanting a trade and make more money. It was reported he is earning $36 million a year. Wow. Player celebrations; bat flips, end zone celebrations and trying to show the opponents up are common. Mickey Mantle was my favorite player and he said that when he hit a home run he ran the bases quickly with his head down. He did not want to show up the pitcher
stating that the pitcher already felt bad for giving up the homerun.

I see football players jumping for joy with a big celebration after a tackle and
the team is 20 points behind. I still enjoy some sports but miss the days when
team effort shined more than the ego celebrations and demonstrations of entitlement.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Show All Comments Sort:
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Hi Doug- I couldn't agree more!  I'm from Texas and love my football. But the focus on "ME" is turning me off. I don't have a big problem with players being happy in the endzone when they score. However, I don't like the "look at me" show that they seem to spend as much time producing as they do practicing their plays. 

The transfer portal in college sports is a joke and is turning college games into a pre-pro NFL camp. 

Jan 03, 2025 05:04 PM
Doug Jones

I agree 100%......Now, Let's go Longhorns !

Jan 03, 2025 06:52 PM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hello Doug - I am not a follower of sports, but I do think its foundation of building character cannot be ignored.  In addition to sharing your personal experience, examples of good and perhaps not-so-honorable behavior continue to exist. 

Looking at the bad may be like an accident on the side of the road as we drive past but just ahead there may be someone helping another.  It's a combination of things happening around us.  

 

Jan 04, 2025 05:52 AM
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

Hi Doug,
Sports have always been a big part of my life. I love playing sports and I enjoy watching them. However, like so many others, I'm disenchanted by what you mentioned. Why do they need to show off for doing what they are paid to do? Professional sports have become so money-oriented that it's not that fun to watch anymore. I enjoy college (or even high school) sports much more.

Also, I was intrigued to learn that you were raised in an orphanage. I'd like to know more about your story.

Jan 04, 2025 06:32 AM
Kathy Streib

Me too Carol Williams 

Jan 04, 2025 05:37 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Jan 04, 2025 06:07 PM
Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® CRS,ABR,PSA,RCS-D, CFSP
Big Block LPT Realty 858.232.8722 - La Jolla, CA
Coastal San Diego, Veteran's & Retirees Services

Sports can be a great way to connect with others, as fans or players, you choose a team and there's an instant comradery - a shared experience. But as you point out, the salaries and individualism of players these days lacks sportsmanship. That's why one of my favorite players if George Kittle of the SF 49ers. He's always postive, upbeat and never really over celebrates...well except last year against Dallas, but he's human. I need to dive into your blog more - have you written about being an orphan and how that affected your life? I think your story would be fascinating.
I see you're from San Jose, I'm a San Mateo Native, hence a Niner Fan!

Jan 05, 2025 07:21 AM
Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543
Realty ONE Group Advocates 484-237-2055 - Downingtown, PA
Selling the Main Line & Chester County

I totally agree with you about the celebrations when a team is far behind, I also seem to be seeing the willingness to hurt other players on other teams to take them out of the game more this year. As an Eagles fan, I was upset to see a Washington Commanders player slam our quarterbacks head into the ground with what looked like a deliberate smack to the side of his head when he was already down. At the same time, when our head coach sat our starters this week, even though our running back could have achieved a new record there was no histrionics, but an acceptance and understanding that the goal is to win a Superbowl, not just a personal record, even though the offensive line was willing to help get him the record.

Jan 06, 2025 07:17 AM