Now, why I start by putting Bradford's name in the mix is because he has been under a lot of speculation lately with his injury and his supposed "BIG" year. People are saying that he should of took his Heisman Trophy, signed a 35 million dollar guaranteed 5 year deal, and started a professional career. But instead he decided to stay at OU for another year and try to make a run for a national championship. Was this the right decision? Well it might be easy for some now to say that he should of went into the draft, but that's not hard to say after his season has been an injury ridden disaster. But I beg to differ with the critics, as did my good friend Mr. McConnell. I think that says a lot about a guy who can put the NFL and a big contract on hold to pursue a national championship. Maybe he wasn't ready, there has been first round disasters before and everyone knows it. Or maybe he simply wanted to win College Football National Championship. Maybe we need more Sam Bradford's in all of sports!
That brings me to my next point, as John and I got talking on the subject of money and sports, I thought about the mentality of our day and really what motivates athletes. We find in sports in this day, it is more important to sign the big deal than to win the big game. Now I have many friends who have signed big deals and I know that it is a step in winning a championship, and their has to be a deal signed before you get the hardware. But that is not how we think in this day. We have athletes that I know are perfectly content when they don't make the playoffs or when they have never made the playoffs, in going home and sitting in their big homes, with their nice cars and to them that's what it's all about. And again I repeat myself it is OK for a young athlete, trying to make it pro, to want to finally sign that deal. It's different than that, it is this inner greedy drive to have the biggest deal in sports. It's ridiculous. I have no respect for players like this!
And therefore don't get me wrong, we still have what I call those pure athletes out there, who make a lot of money, but have a different drive, a drive to win. We might know them as Payton Manning, Derek Jeter, Brett Favre, Sidney Crosby, Tiger Woods, Roger Federer. And why I try and name players that are dominating their game now, is because I know you will find people out there, that say,"oh well the game has changed",or "that is only old players that were like that, all new and young players are corrupted." But as we can see they are still out there leading the way. That is those players who are talented, have a drive to win, be the best and in the end just love their game.
dont forget about Kobe, as a pure player who only wants to win. even laker haters cant deny that.
ReplyDeletethis was a great post.
But now sam bradford will never have that chance again. why would you go pro when tebow and a host of other great quarterbacks are going pro? did he think he would be picked over tebow? its sad because he is good but no nfl owner will pick him this coming year in the draft. now if he had gone last year he may have gone before sanchez. he knows and we all know its not about the money...but shoot he will never have that contract. his chance has come and gone. (i think)
anyways, this was a great post.
i have a question. Is Lebron considered a pure athlete in your book? As we all know he will be a free agent next year and is considering leaving cleveland for another team. If he is a pure athlete shouldnt he stay with his current team and teammates and by loyal to his organization and search for a championship their in Cleveland?
ReplyDeleteit is hard to seperate the business of the NBA and to the loyal/pure athletes. Lebron is a specemin. he owns the league. i think he is a pure player. but i think he will still be a pure player, even if he leaves for money, or leaves for less. obviously he will make more money weather or not he resigns with the cavs. but there are other factors besides money that might lead him to another city. But, lebron has made it clear that he is money driven. he has said that he wants to be the first billionair athlete. so, it all depends on our definition of a pure athlete.
ReplyDeletebut john, to answer your question, yes i think he is a pure athlete. thats in my book.
has anyone seen his new movie? i cant wait to see it.