Should we care whether athletes are humble or does it only apply to black athletes? (football, soccer)

[Wild100s]

After reading takes from writers the humbleness (or lack there of) about Cam Newton, RG3 and Derrick Rose, I'm wondering why we place so much stock in the perceived humble nature of athletes, especially black athletes.

[Velvet Jones]

Originally Posted by Wild100s

After reading takes from writers the humbleness (or lack there of) about Cam Newton, RG3 and Derrick Rose, I'm wondering why we place so much stock in the perceived humble nature of athletes, especially black athletes.

Probably because so few of them are. Can you imagine Bart Starr dancing around after throwing a TD on the frozen tundra? Vince Lombardi would have tore him a new one. I can barely watch the NFL anymore. Nothing but self absorb morons who dancing around like they just won the Super Bowl after making a simple tackle, even when their team is down 35-0.

[red4ce]

Johnny Manziel didn't get a pass for his behavior and he's white. That said I really couldn't care less whether an athlete is humble or not. I look to them for entertainment, not to be my role model.

[Wild100s]

Originally Posted by Velvet Jones

Probably because so few of them are. Can you imagine Bart Starr dancing around after throwing a TD on the frozen tundra? Vince Lombardi would have tore him a new one. I can barely watch the NFL anymore. Nothing but self absorb morons who dancing around like they just won the Super Bowl after making a simple tackle, even when their team is down 35-0.

I agree with my man, red4ce. These athletes place they're bodies and livelihoods on the line for our entertainment. And reading about what football players physically and mentally go through just take the field on Sundays, it doesn't bother me one bit if some are overzealous in terms of celebrations during the game.

[BrianH]

Its all part of the competition isn't it, no matter what sport. The dance or whatever they do when they score goals/touchdowns/whatever. You shouldn't be humble at that point, you need to rub it in your opponents face because if you frustrate them there is a good chance they will mess up and concede again.

The only time where its good to see no rubbing it in is when a player returns to his old club he had history with and when he scores he doesnt rub it in then, that shows class imho.

[DaveinMtAiry]

As long as you are not openly taunting an opponent I am fine with on the field celebration. Sacks and TDs are hard, enjoy the moment.

The reason I hate Cam Newton is not his on the field behavior, and believe me it has nothing to do with race. It's because there are a lot of stories like this one. He's an A-hole plain and simple:

Cam Newton Was A Jerk At The Pro Bowl, So He Became A Target | SportsGrid

[justtitans]

It's the same reason why people put stock in the kind of person any type of celebrity is. People develop these unhealthy perceptions of individuals and assume that they can do no wrong. It's a fatal flaw in our society.

[saxonwold]

Originally Posted by Wild100s

After reading takes from writers the humbleness (or lack there of) about Cam Newton, RG3 and Derrick Rose, I'm wondering why we place so much stock in the perceived humble nature of athletes, especially black athletes.

I don't think it has anything to do with Black athletes, you are just exaggerating. Since sports can put an individual on a pedestal above everyone, since they could better than everybody else at that sport, it's hard to find a person to be truly humble.

[mco65]

When I think about obnoxious self absorbed athletes, Cam Newton, RGIII and Derrick Rose are probably the last ones I would take note of..

What they do on the field, has zero to do with who they really are. When a players in on the field, making a play.. his emotions are amped up so if he gets a little celebratory after a play then that's just part of the game.. i don't mind celebrating. I do mind taunting and mouthy players who take celebrations and turn them into smack talking contests. But again, that can all be chalked up to emotions being amped up during play.

What an athlete does off the field says SOOOO much more than what he does on the field about who that person really is...

[mooksmom]

Originally Posted by Wild100s

I agree with my man, red4ce. These athletes place they're bodies and livelihoods on the line for our entertainment. And reading about what football players physically and mentally go through just take the field on Sundays, it doesn't bother me one bit if some are overzealous in terms of celebrations during the game.

These athletes get paid VERY WELL for playing ball, and many of them, ie:Cam Newton get paid lots of $$ for their autographs ($250./per was the last amt I saw) and other endorsements, too!! Nobody puts a gun to their heads to go out there and play ball...whether football, basketball, baseball, soccer, ETC. Most have been 'groomed' by their families first, to play, then HS and colleges, all enticements with $$$ and other 'prizes'. They know the risks of playing ball and have since the 70s as far as I know. IF they are not smart enough to put some of that CASH away or invest it for 'down the road' OR finish college to have something else to fall back on when their careers end, I hate it for them.