remember when it was considered rude and unsportsmanlike to exult over one's triumphs in the immediacy of the event 
many modern athletes seem to . . . think their victories are much more significant than they really are First of all, the significance of any event is attached to personal context. Second of all, these athletes (in general) have busted their ass since grade school to get to the top level of competition, busted their ass all season, sucked it up on back-to-back nights after plane flights, etc. to get to where they are. And where they are is in an arena with 10,000+ screaming fans, a furry on a motorcycle, fireworks and some dumbass on a mic who can't say anyone's name without shouting. If, at the conclusion of a long, successful season, someone jams a microphone in your face and asks if this is the greatest achievement in human history, it's understandable when the athlete doesn't stop, take a breath and say, "Be real, Ms. Tafoya, there are people out there suffering on less than a dollar a day", etc.
That would preclude Muhammad Ali from being cool. I think Ali might rank up there among the coolest of them all. Agreed. I know this contradicts the article and what I said earlier, but Ali just made it work. Maybe because of his principled stand against the Vietnam war, maybe because he's the exceptio that proves the rule. But he definitely was among the coolest.
Barry Sander and Emmitt Smith were the epitomy of cool. After a TD run or catch, they'd simply hand the ball to the ref and move on. It was their job and they knew it. Actually Emmitt Smith didn't do that at all. He saved every touchdown ball for his own collection as a tribute to his greatness (or something along those lines, but give it to the ref? Nah, never happened.)
...in an arena with 10,000+ screaming fans, a furry on a motorcycle, fireworks and some dumbass on a mic who can't say anyone's name without shouting... yerfatma, this is my point exactly. The increased media coverage, particularly the immediacy of live television coverage of nearly everything, has caused nearly every event to be over-hyped, glorified into apocalyptic proportions, and exulted as truly an experience for the ages. This atmosphere then rubs off onto the players. Let's not forget that many of those on the field are not wise and mature old men. They are kids, some in their teens, and they are, in a word, excited. I can understand how adrenalin is a greater determinant of their behavior than any coaching they might have received. Is "cool" really dead? I think not. Every once in a while you will see a player do something outstanding and make only the simplest of acknowledgements that he or she has actually done something good. The spirit is still there, and it could be revived if only we (and those who make fortunes from the electronic picture box in your living room) would stop rewarding the outlandish behavior that is fostered by artificially heightened promotions.
Yeah, and I'm sorry I'm being a dingus, I just can't stand articles like this. My default assumption is the author has lost his passion for the sport (or art or whatever) and is blaming the field instead of accepting his interests have changed. Sticking to Boston, I can think of a handful of athletes I think would come close to the author's definition of cool.
No one is going to call Marvin Harrison cool. Not unless he was the shooter in Philly. That would make him violent-cool. Actually Emmitt Smith didn't do that at all. He saved every touchdown ball for his own collection as a tribute to his greatness... And that makes Emmitt, Nostradamus-cool since he was able to predict that he was going to be the NFL's All-Time leading rusher and saved his TD balls. Uber-cool!
And that makes Emmitt, Nostradamus-cool since he was able to predict that he was going to be the NFL's All-Time leading rusher and saved his TD balls. He was a star in middle school, high school, college, and a number one pick. Didn't have to be nostradamus to know he'd have a good career. Not sure where you're getting the idea that he had to be NFLs leading rusher to save his touchdown balls.
Back in the late 70s, I used to think Viv Richards, the West Indian Test cricketer, was one of the coolest guys around. Calm demeanour, steely nerves facing fast bowling, but brutal with the bat when he wanted to be. And he wore rasta coloured wristbands, just to show he was one of the people. I took my then girlfriend to the cricket in Sydney, and pointed Viv out to her. Her only comment? "He reminds me of my grandfather."
Didn't have to be nostradamus to know he'd have a good career. Good career? Emmitt had a GREAT career while with the Cowboys!! My point about him saving his TD balls is because somewhere inside of him, he knew that he would not only be the NFL's all-time leading rusher but also that he would have the most TD's for a RB (with 175). That makes him cooler than the other side of the pillow.
Wow...using a Stuart Scott catchphrase in a discussion about "coolness." The irony is quite thick. Also, wasn't Emmitt Smith (allegedly) the reason for the NFL's "No Taking Your Helmet Off After You Score A Touchdown" Rule? I think he was; otherwise, why would they refer to it as "The Emmitt Smith Rule?" Barry Sanders, though, I'll agree with; I never saw much emotion out of him, no matter what he did on the field.
Barry Sanders, though, I'll agree with; I never saw much emotion out of him, no matter what he did on the field. That makes him cold as ice. *shiver* As for Emmitt, the No Fun League also made a rule after a touchdown that a team cannot celebrate together either, ala the 'Greatest Show on Turf', St. Louis Rams. The rules & regulations that they've come to terms with are just ridiculous. These guys are killing themselves out on that field, let them have a little bit of fun, will ya?
As for Emmitt, the No Fun League also made a rule after a touchdown that a team cannot celebrate together either, ala the 'Greatest Show on Turf', St. Louis Rams. Actually, that rule came about because of Washington's "Fun Bunch."
I do remember that but the St. Louis Rams also were dealt with a ban from the No Fun League. Here
I don't remember who made the original quote. When you score or make a big play, act like you've been there before. That's cool walk off like its just another play.
What exactly is the big problem with celebrating a touchdown anyway? I understand limiting anything that is threatening or demeaning to the other team or their fans, but beyond that, I can't see any reason why celebrations should be outlawed. Sport is entertainment. The players are there to entertain the fans. If they do a dance and it's entertaining, that enhances the experience. The celebrations that get to me are the stupid ones. And what is so wrong with the players showing some emotion or having some fun when they accomplish what (i.e. a touchdown) the other team has been trying to prevent them from doing?
