I don't get it.

[gridlore]

Yesterday Curtis Williams died. He was 24.

Mr. Williams was paralyzed from the neck down. He broke his neck while playing for the University of Washington against Stanford. Reading the article, it became evident that since the October, 2000 game in which he was hurt, most of Mr. Williams' medical bills had been paid by university alumni and he had received hundreds of thousands of dollars from various fund raisers.

Why? This guy broke his neck while trying to spear a Stanford running back. That is completely against the rules for exactly this reason! The Stanford player put his head down to try to save his ribs from the incoming foul, and Williams lost.

So why is this guy, who did something that he knew was against the rules and stupid rewarded? Why did the Huskies dedicate their 2001 Rose Bowl win to him? Why give his death a six column story that makes him out to be a hero? If he had just tackled the Stanford player, he'd probably be in the NFL right now.

Maybe I'm just cynical because of the pain I see friends going through over deaths that were never trumpeted in the papers. Because my own battle for life never was a lead on SportsCenter. Because all the kids who play by the rules can only admire their picture in the media guide and hope that they might get picked in the 5th round and make the practice squad.

But this guy commits a 15-yard personal foul, and he gets benefit dinners.

Comments

[bunyip.livejournal.com]

I think the main reason why this type of stupidity is rewarded is the win at all costs mentality in College Football... rules don't matter, winning does.

[kengr]

Why is this stuff "worthy"?

Probably for the same reason beating somebody to a pulp and calling it "boxing" is ok, but spanming a (consenting!) partner will get you charged with assualt.

We break things into little boxes and the social rules about them don't transfer.

"Sports is good."

Rant ahead

[sylvan.livejournal.com]

Man, nerve struck.

You are right, this is stupid. In fact the kinds of rewards that pro sports players get makes me sick, including their income. (Yes, I know baseball is the worst for income) I still cannot fathom why these guys get the money they do and teachers are fighting to not become homeless. Sure, sports games are fun and all, but come on. I know, I know, people will say they are inspirations and heroes for out kids. Sure, the Doug Flouties (sp) and Joe Montanas are out there, but it is the scandals of these people that make the news. Bah! And look at this, this kid is rewarded for breaking the rules, what kind of hero does that? Besides, inspiration or not, who the hell is going to be running this place in 30 or 40 years? The school system was failing when I was in it... and it's gotten worse! Dude, the world sucks. Pro sports folks should donate half their income to teachers and they should start behaving like the role models they claim to be.

**Note: Yes I know not all pro sports players are bad and in fact some do a lot for the community and education.

Re: Rant ahead

[isomeme.livejournal.com]

For better or worse, we live in a (mostly) capitalist society -- and under capitalism, what something is worth is equal to what someone will pay for it. Yes, it is maddening that Joe Montana or Britney Spears make as much as a thousand grade-school teachers combined, but that's how our society assigns their relative values, using our universal scoring system of money. If people weren't willing to pay a large pile of cash to see them perform, they wouldn't make obscene salaries. It's all driven from the demand side.

One can imagine a more rational way to value contributions, but all attempts to implement such have been horrible fiascos. It may be that as humans we're stuck with this situation as the best of an array of bad choices.

Re: Rant ahead

[sylvan.livejournal.com]

Yep, you're correct. I think that the American public sucks for the most part. I know that the system will never change. I may leave the country someday, and as bad as things are, it's still a very scary prospect. I also know that now is a bad time to poo-poo America, but hey, we're far from perfect. (And yes, I know far better off than many places!) It would be nice if pro sports players would donate their money instead of putting it up their nose but I know that it is not likely to happen.

Re: Rant ahead

[gridlore.livejournal.com]

Less American than human. I cannot think of a single nation on Earth that doesn't have some level of sports madness.

Re: Rant ahead

[kath8562.livejournal.com]

Every time I see something like this, I think
Bread and Circuses-give 'em violence to keep them
from seeing the flaws. Worked really good for
the Roman Empire........