- 07:09 PM
- 11/21/09
'Soccer Players Can't Be Trusted'
Because, you know, if the MLB steroids scandal, the NFL's Patriots filming games scandal, and the recent allegation of NBA refs fixing games has taught us anything, its that you can trust every sport that isn't soccer.
posted by Joey Michaels at 04:04 PM on November 20
rcade - that is fascinating. I wonder what the statistics are like in college and pro and whether they would lead to the same conclusion.
posted by Joey Michaels at 12:51 PM on November 20
So apparently we have determined that this author is not a sports fan. Probably a drama geek who does not understand what being a fan is.
Being a drama geek who actually is a big sports fan, I'd love to refute this comment. But, since I hang around with a lot other drama geeks, I can attest this is true most of the time.
To be fair, I know a lot of sports geeks who don't understand what being a fan (of theater) is.
posted by Joey Michaels at 12:22 AM on November 20
You know, its their wedding. And, really, this doesn't even scratch the surface of hideous wedding wear.
posted by Joey Michaels at 06:15 PM on November 19
"Hand of Frog"
All right, that cracks me up.
Much more on that sorry incident at Metafilter.
posted by Joey Michaels at 03:03 PM on November 19
I'm not one of those hardcore "eliminate all team names associated with Native Americans" types. I see two major issues in current U.S. professional sports.
One is Chief Wahoo, but we've already discusses an appropriate solution to him.
The other is the team name "R*******."
We've discussed this at length, but what's at issue here isn't the number of Native Americans who are offended by the word 'R******." I hope irunfromclones doesn't mind if I quote him from that Chief Wahoo link, but he summed this up better than I ever could (bold text was added by me):
In the case of Native Americans it bothers some and it does not bother some others. Just like everything. It is just the vocal ones, usually a minority ( and I am not saying the Native American issue is created by a minority of them) that create the illusion that it offends the entire group.To whit, using "R*******" as a team name is demeaning to Washington, its demeaning to the NFL and, ultimately, its demeaning to the USA.Which in itself is an illusion. It's just a vocal minority of blacks that object to Little Black Sambo, right? I am a Native American (Cherokee), and I partake in many of the Nations forums and discussions. The vast majority of us are offended by the Indians logo and the Washington Redskins name. But we know that it demeans you more by continuing to use and defend them. Other than the logo, we don't have a problem with the name Cleveland Indians. I have more of an issue with people making accusations of it being overly PC just so that they can excuse their racism. It took years of lobbying, discussion, boycotts, and economic sanctions before the University of Illinois removed one of the more blatant, stereotypic, offensive mascots in all of sports- their "Chief Illiniwek". What still amazes me is how even highly intelligent and very well educated people could possibly believe that a half naked white boy dressed in buckskin and a chief's headdress jumping wildly up and down somehow "honored" Native Americans. I am however, highly gratified by the general response in this and many other spofi threads on this theme by the majority of contributors. You may keep your scalps.
No matter how you slice it, we don't have teams named "Yellowskins" with a Chinese mascot or "Blackskins" with an African mascot. "Redskins" is purely an insult. Ask yourself - if you were in a business meeting with a Native American that you'd not previously met, would you be comfortable calling him a redskin to his face? Do you think that would help you in your business relationship? If the answer is "no, I probably wouldn't do that," then chances are you recognize that the word is insulting.
Logically, then, it stands to follow that that word shouldn't be a team name.
As I said, it demeans Washington and the NFL to continue using it. It makes them seem like that guy in your office who insults everyone without realizing it and then takes offense when they're offended. Nobody wants to ask that guy out for a beer after work.
posted by Joey Michaels at 02:45 PM on November 17
They flip you off in Buffalo all the time, but you can't tell because they're all wearing mittens.
posted by Joey Michaels at 09:10 PM on November 16
But I'm certainly not someone who is in a position to second-guess someone like Bill Belichick.
Dude, of course you are. We all are. We're sports fans. Its our job to second-guess Bill Belichick. Otherwise, we're merely "sports aficionados."
posted by Joey Michaels at 09:08 PM on November 16
Fair enough! That is a logical, legal argument, as opposed to mine, which is just based on a gut feeling. I think my concern is that if they're forced to change the name legally, they're never going to think they did anything wrong.
posted by Joey Michaels at 02:37 PM on November 16
Agreed .. the call to go seemed legit, the actual play called and route they threw to is a head scratcher.
That's my point exactly. At least go for five yards. Jeez.
posted by Joey Michaels at 02:30 PM on November 16
As much as I despise the R******* name, I don't think this is the way to make the change happen. Forcing them to change the name has the short term benefit of fixing the problem, but my gut tells me that it creates long term issues.
I think continued public shaming and mockery will eventually win the day. Indeed, I think if more people were to consistently use The Hoser's "Washington Racists" designation to describe them in the public sphere, it would only be a matter of time before they changed if only to lose that label.
posted by Joey Michaels at 02:28 PM on November 16
What the hell was Bill Belichick thinking last night?
posted by Joey Michaels at 06:45 AM on November 16
Every team is not the Bulls.
posted by Joey Michaels at 02:27 PM on November 13
Also, I know way more about the Village People than I realized. Yikes!
posted by Joey Michaels at 05:04 PM on November 11
If they weren't ever called that, let me come out and say "totally racist."
The whole idea of having Felipe Rose dressed as a Native American was because the dude who formed the band had this whole "noble savage" fantasy going on. That's one of the most ingrained and sort of loathsome racist images of Native Americans in history.
So, yeah, totally racist.
posted by Joey Michaels at 05:04 PM on November 11
How about The Patriot's redesign their helmets around this iconic moment from a Mel Gibson movie?
The Bucaneers could use this iconic pirate.
...and if they won't give up the racist name, maybe Washington could pay tribute to another iconic entertainer who dressed like a Native American by wasn't really Native American on their helmet.
posted by Joey Michaels at 07:41 PM on November 10
Oh, and while I agree that the New England helmet is hella bland, I think his solution is a little too Evel Knievel.
posted by Joey Michaels at 03:05 PM on November 10
Just coming here to post this.
In light of their attitude towards their fans, and in light of their insensitivity to charges of racism, allow me to propose that Washington use this as their logo. The bulk of the hand could be on the back of the helmet and the finger could burn straight up the middle.
posted by Joey Michaels at 03:04 PM on November 10
As a lifelong Red Sox fans, let me extend my congratulations to the Yankees.
posted by Joey Michaels at 06:44 AM on November 08
Yeah, so, I'm thinking "how bad could this be" and, holy cats, its really bad. Worst sportsmanship I've seen in any sport this year.
posted by Joey Michaels at 03:03 PM on November 06
THX-1138: But it doesn't have this. (At least I don't think it does.)
Well, New York doesn't have anything like that, but London has this.
posted by Joey Michaels at 03:44 PM on November 05
From a Red Sox fan, genuine congratulations to the Yankees who absolutely earned the win this year - and also props to the Phillies who proved once again that they are the best team in the NL.
Special congrats to the much maligned A-Rod who finally gets a World Series Ring. Dude is a basket case, but damn can he play ball.
That said, just wait 'til next year!
posted by Joey Michaels at 03:42 PM on November 05
All celebrations should look like this.
posted by Joey Michaels at 03:56 PM on November 04
In my uninformed opinion, the fact that he migrated to America as a kid and was able to succeed, at least in part, due to the advantages that he received as an American citizen rather than an Eritrean citizen, is in and of itself a reason we should be proud of this guy. Isn't that part of the American dream? That you can come to America and have a better life for yourself?
While I'm not necessarily more or less proud of Mr. Keflezighi than I would be of any other marathon winner from any country, I am proud of America for giving him an opportunity that he might not have had otherwise.
And, hey, whether you joined my team at birth or you joined it in an immigration office ten minutes ago, you're on my team now and that makes you my teammate no matter what. There's no "more or less a member of my team." This is a binary function.
posted by Joey Michaels at 03:07 PM on November 03
That was ruder to bb than I intended it to be. My point is, this isn't necessarily a bad thing or a surprising thing. Indeed, as a New York sports writer, Kepner would be something of a dick to not engage in a certain amount of pro-Yankee hyperbole after the bad luck they've had in the last few seasons and post-seasons.
posted by Joey Michaels at 03:24 AM on October 27
Hometown writer makes case for his team being in the series being an event of importance that surpasses all other teams making it to the series.
In other news, dog people tend to prefer dogs 100% of the time over cats.
posted by Joey Michaels at 02:17 AM on October 27
Well, heck, Rolle sounds like somebody who not only recognizes that being a professional athlete makes one a role model, but somebody who embraces the opportunity to be a role model. Good on him!
posted by Joey Michaels at 08:30 AM on October 25
Montana coach bullies student newspaper.
posted by Joey Michaels at 10:18 PM on October 23
Aw, sad. Captain Lou was a great figure in wrestling, but also became a great pop culture figure in general for about a decade. It sounds like he lived life on his terms and really had a pretty good go at it. Congratulations, Lou, for living the life you wanted. Not everyone can say that.
posted by Joey Michaels at 03:16 PM on October 14
Ya know, the NFL should be able to sell it to whomever they want. And players, coaches and fans should have the right to choose not to support them if they do.
Of course, if the debacle with Washington is teaching us anything, its that fans will keep giving even the lousiest of owners some of their money.
posted by Joey Michaels at 02:23 AM on October 13
On the plus side, they've officially given themselves a new unofficial name now:
The Washington National Embarrassments.
This is good because it brings their Football Team's name in line with their Baseball Team's.
posted by Joey Michaels at 06:12 PM on October 12
I'm going to suppress my incredibly tasteless (but funny to me) comment.
Instead, let me say that this seems like a spontaneous celebration that erupted into a tribute to their teammate. Hats off to them for remembering him during a period of unbridled joy.
posted by Joey Michaels at 05:55 PM on October 01
Also, I almost get choked up watching the crowd go nuts for them at the end. I'm a softie that way.
posted by Joey Michaels at 11:24 PM on September 30
For the record, via Metafilter.
posted by Joey Michaels at 11:13 PM on September 30
I play DS games. Recently, I was playing Lego Indiana Jones. At a certain point in this game, you've earned so much "money" that there's no longer anything left to do with it. The game doesn't exactly become boring, but its certainly a lot less interesting.
I wonder if Tiger ever feels this way.
I'm thinking "no."
posted by Joey Michaels at 09:09 PM on September 29
Despite all the health risks, if I had a kid who really wanted to play football and had the ability to do it, I'd let him (or her?). While it is, of course, an especially risky sport, if they really love it, I'd support it.
Of course, this is easy for me to say because my wife would forbid it and I'd back her up because that's how she and I roll.
Furthermore, I support any parent that wants to keep their kids out of football 100%. That's their right.
All that said, sincere sympathy to Drew's family, friends and teammates. His family's willingness to discuss organ donation so soon after his death speaks volumes to the quality of Drew's character - indeed, his whole family's character. Very tragic.
posted by Joey Michaels at 09:06 PM on September 29
What's Breckinridge County's record? If they have an especially successful season, perhaps we'll see a lot more of this sort of thing. Of course, if they have an especially unsuccessful season...
posted by Joey Michaels at 04:08 PM on September 28
Hopefully, next time he is in this position, Morgan will realize that he should just score the touchdown so he can avoid the criticism.
posted by Joey Michaels at 04:57 PM on September 27
bobfoot, I'm glad you let that joke rip.
posted by Joey Michaels at 08:33 AM on September 26
That's a gas! :D
posted by Joey Michaels at 10:09 PM on September 25
Sportsfilter: No Noble Gesture By A Teenager Shall Go Unsnarked
posted by Joey Michaels at 08:49 PM on September 25
I love this sort of breaking news story.
posted by Joey Michaels at 08:46 PM on September 25
My goodness, F1 is currently the most compelling soap opera in sport, and for that, my heart genuinely goes out to Drood and all of its fans. I hope FIA gets this under control because they're starting to invite unpleasant comparisons to WWE.
(and I love me some WWE, just not the soap opera elements)
posted by Joey Michaels at 08:23 PM on September 18
Egads, Evan Stone (googled) for the win.
posted by Joey Michaels at 08:10 PM on September 18
Memo
TO: The Hoser
FROM: Joey Michaels
RE: Comment on St. Louis v Washington
Oh and snap!
posted by Joey Michaels at 02:20 AM on September 18
tahoemoj: This is the closest thing I can find.
posted by Joey Michaels at 09:29 PM on September 17
Also, a fun follow up story on the little girl who tossed the ball back at the Phillies game. The Phillies really come across as classy and the family seems great. Lucky girls to have such cool parents!
posted by Joey Michaels at 08:16 PM on September 17
The Impact of One Ohio School District's Decision To Cut Sports
posted by Joey Michaels at 07:38 PM on September 17
What I really see is that this is all about perception. The perception that it is some how not offensive to refer to Scandinavian culture as Vikings ( a brave, strong warrior like, conquest oriented symbolism) in regard to a sports team, but it is offensive to refer to Native American culture as Indians ( a brave, strong warrior like, conquest oriented symbolism) in regard to a sports team. Both perceptions have about the same element of truth, myth and fiction and should both be taken with about the same grain of salt and seriousness, as they both are similarly ridiculous.
The Vikings no longer exist.
Native Americans still exist.
I imagine if Vikings were alive today, they would object to many aspects of their portrayal that reflect ignorance of their culture. For example, their hats didn't have horns. King of ignorant of us to put horns on Vikings, but we do it because "everyone knows Vikings had hats with horns.
Native Americans are alive today and recognize when they are depicted in a way that is ignorant. They have every right to point out that the mascot for the Cleveland Indians is ludicrously ignorant and racist or that the name "R******s" was one that was applied to them rather than one they chose for themselves.
Furthermore, R*******s has been used as a racial slur. Maybe that wasn't its origin. If you're going to insult an Irishman or Englishman, I very much suspect that you're not going to be calling them "you fucking Celt."
You also probably wouldn't call a Northern European a "fucking Viking" because they would chop you in half with their mighty battle axe and then cart off your female relatives.
Damn vikings.
posted by Joey Michaels at 07:16 PM on September 17
Please, make that "Person of Cave" willya
We prefer "Geico Representatives."
posted by Joey Michaels at 01:51 PM on September 17
We may not agree on this point, bdaddy, but I think we can at least agree that the Washington owners are kinda douchebags for suing their own fans. ;D
Ah! There we go! The Washington Douchebags! Not offensive to anyone!
posted by Joey Michaels at 12:42 AM on September 17
bdaddy: You want to make a compelling argument to me? Explain to me how I should feel the word is offensive if the majority of Native American's don't feel it's offensive.
rumple posted this link that debunks the Sports Illustrated poll.
In essence, that article significantly challenges the SI poll that suggests that 'the majority of Native Americans don't feel it's offensive" to the extent that I think its impossible to use the SI poll as evidence that the majority of Native Americans truly don't find it offensive.
In light of this, your statement that a majority definitively don't find the name offensive cannot be regarded as definitive fact. To whit, an opinion based on questionable evidence is, in itself, questionable.
In other words, if the SI poll is the basis of your belief and the SI poll is questionable, you can't definitively argue that the majority of the Native Americans don't feel it's offensive. At best, the SI poll coupled with rumple's linked article suggests that "the majority of Native Americans may or may not feel it is offensive."
So, in essence, I would argue that if the majority of Native Americans may in fact feel it is offensive - since we can't definitively say that they don't based on the current evidence at hand - you would do better to err on the side of caution in regards to use of the word.
---
To make another argument, let's assume rumple's article is 100% wrong and that only a small percentage of Native Americans found the R-word offensively racist.
Were you to enter into a business negotiation with a Native American in your field, would you be willing to call him by that word and risk that he might be one of the small percentage of Native Americans that did find the word offensively racist? If you used it and she or he got angry with you, do you believe that saying "dude, chill out, 90% of your R-word brothers and sisters aren't bothered by that word" would make the problem better or worse?
Heck, do you think you'd have any better success assuaging their anger by explaining that you read something on the Internet that suggests that Redskin isn't really based on anything racist and that their understanding of the word is flawed?
Of course not. You, being a sensible person and a prudent businessman, would avoid using the R-word in a business setting with a Native American vendor or client because you know it could potentially cause offense and damage the business deal. That isn't being PC - that's being shrewd and customer/vendor friendly.
---
On the Internet, you never know who you might be talking to. It could be a Native American - perhaps even one of the (maybe) small percentage that finds the word offensive.
Knowing this, I propose that if you wouldn't use another word that could potentially be interpreted as deeply offensive to a group of your fellow citizens, you should avoid using the R-word for the exact same reasons. There are people of every ethnicity who aren't offended by the racist labels attached to their ethnicities - and there are people who are offended by those same labels.
Avoiding calling somebody something that you know insults them - even if they are a little confused - isn't a PC thing. Its part of rational, civil discourse.
You've demonstrated that you are a rational person interested in civil discourse. To this end, I would suggest that, even if you don't personally believe the word is offensive, that you should avoid using the word in order to avoid deeply offending even a (maybe) small percentage of Native Americans.
Anyhow, those are my three arguments and I believe they are compelling.
posted by Joey Michaels at 10:46 PM on September 16
I wasn't there, but it sounds like Coach Tyrrell really did everything short of telling his players not to play their best to even out the playing field a little.
We had a similar "running up the score" story a year or so ago that seemed a little more outrageous.
If there isn't a provision that allows for the officials to apply a mercy rule, then all the coach can do is field his greener players. That said, in my heart, I know I said something the opposite of this in that other thread and, for the life of me, I can't remember why.
posted by Joey Michaels at 08:59 PM on September 16
There are probably a dozen solutions to the name issue that require a minimal amount of adjustment for the Washington fans.
Corporate: The Washington Red Bulls
Horror: The Washington Redrums
Synergyistic: The Washington Red Sox (or) The Washington Reds
Federal Intelligence: The Washington Redacted
Plain Old Federal: The Washington Red Tapes
Topical: The Washington In The Reds
Tropical Sunburn: The Washington Red And Damaged Skins
Classic Schoolyard Athletics: The Washington Skins (hopefully, somebody could convince KC to become the Kansas City Shirts)
Internet: The Washington Reddits
Religious: The Washington Foreskins
I think you'll agree that the last name in particular suggests an especially colorful mascot.
posted by Joey Michaels at 08:50 PM on September 16
Fixing lil_brown_bat's link.
The R******s don't just have an insensitive mascot name, but they've demonstrated total contempt for their fans this year. I propose the name be changed to the "Washington Managed-By-Asshats."
posted by Joey Michaels at 06:01 PM on September 16
All right, you're in the boxing ring. Its pretty close so far. Suddenly, your opponent and you are in a clinch and the ref is trying to pull you apart. Just before he separates you, your opponent says in your ear "I drink my own urine" and breathes hard on your face. While you're freaking out over inhaling pee-breath, he nails you with a devastating upper cut and you're down for the count.
It doesn't work? Au contraire!
posted by Joey Michaels at 04:15 PM on September 11
I don't know that I've ever encountered light-hearted shock humor before. As truly appalling as this column is, he may have invented an entirely new literary genre.
posted by Joey Michaels at 07:24 PM on September 09
If I could, i would favorite dirigibleman's comment x1000.
posted by Joey Michaels at 04:36 PM on September 04
AP Columnist: 'Soccer Players Can't Be Trusted'
Everyone has done this at one time
Exactly. They're all cheaters.