The Measure of Muscles... and the Psyche
Jacob Sahms, Sports Editor  |
Why are we so concerned with "who's the man?" Whether it's the domination of a company or the measure of, ahem, muscle size, part of the psyche seems hellbent on determining one's own worth in comparison to everyone else. It's individualistic rather than communal, and it's dangerous sometimes, too, especially in the world of sports. Doesn't that lead into the "need" for steroids? Doesn't that cause teenagers who might be gifted in some other area to struggle emotionally and mentally because they don't "measure up" in P.E.? But it seems that a new wave of professional athletes are reaching the highest pinnacle of sports media attention, and maybe, just maybe, that will filter down to our children as well. A few exhibits of "man status" from the recent past: - Exhibit A: Third baseman Alex Rodriguez signs a record-breaking contract with the Texas Rangers in an attempt to dominate and show off his worth to everyone else based on the dollar figures in his bank account. Years later, he finally finds success on the New York Yankees, surrounded by other top players, humbled by his steroid charges, and cognizant of it being Derek Jeter's team. Is he a failure because he didn't prove to be "the man" on a lesser team?
- Exhibit B: Quarterback Donovan McNabb leads the Philadelphia Eagles to the NFC Championship game over and over again, and the Super Bowl once, but he's constantly criticized by the hyperactive Philly media for not getting it done, for being unable to win the big one. Given that he had two Pro Bowl receivers for a total of two years in his time there, one a complete headcase (T.O.) and one a diminutive speedster (DeSean Jackson), is it any wonder that he often had to do too much on his own and was traded to the fallen-on-hard-times Washington Redskins? Is he a failure because he didn't prove to be "the man" on a lesser team?
- Exhibit C: LeBron James has dominated the NBA since he arrived seven years ago, serving as an All-Star and playing out two MVP caliber years, but he signs with the Miami Heat, joining fellow superstars Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh. Ripped by legends Michael Jordan, Charles Barkley, and Magic Johnson, as well as a host of lesser lights including Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert, James' competitive spirit has been called into question because he didn't want to stay in Cleveland basically by himself. Is he a failure because he didn't prove to be "the man" on a lesser team?
Why wouldn't we embrace the athlete who recognizes that he can't do it on his own and creates a community that promotes winning and working together? Why do we (okay, some of us) embrace Kobe and spurn LeBron? [Ed.'s note: Kobe has had Shaquille O'Neal, Lamar Odom, Pau Gasol, and Ron Artest, but except for the first, he's considered the "lone superstar."] Why has the majority of America decided that Miami is the new team to hate? Obviously, the tables would be turned if that was YOUR team, right? But the truth is that winning is supposed to be the most important thing. If the Heat's situation sets a new standard for peer recruitment and working together, then wouldn't that make professional sports more about winning and less about individualism? Rather than believing that they must always do it on their own, what would it look like if athletes recognized that working together and winning beat losing alone?
Sounds like that might be a good lesson for us all. |
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