Sunday, September 17, 2006
Judgment, People
Sports has an ugly side, we’ve all seen it. Steve Bartman, any professional team from Kansas City, fans at the White Sox game, Jake Plummer’s moustache, the NHL, Chris Simms, etc. But the last week has brought out the worst of the worse.
Greeley, Colorado, is mostly known for mining and skiing, and for a university that once offered me a full academic scholarship based on my Pre-SAT scores. Flash to Monday of this week, when the backup punter at Northern Colorado University, a Division II athletic program, was arrested in connection of the stabbing of the starting punter. Even from one month in law school, I know that you are innocent until proven guilty, but Jesus almighty, there is some compelling evidence.
Wait a minute? A backup punter stabbing the first stringer? Is that a joke? The victim, Mitch Cozad was averaging 36 yards a punt! In the thin Colorado air! How bad was the backup, where his only conceivable way of capturing the job was STABBING his competition IN THE LEG?
And when you thought it couldn’t get any worse, an even more sickening story was reported out Pittsburgh, where a coach was convicted of corruption of minors and criminal solicitation to commit simple assault after he offered one of his T-BALL (emphasis added) players $25 to take out a teammate, who was mildly autistic in practice, so that he could not play in the game. This sort of action needs no smart aleck, jackass commentary. Next time you get a speeding ticket, or have a hangover throw up attack in the office or get banging your girl’s best friend again, just drop the story about Mark Downs, you’ll be instantly forgiven.
Now I know it’s unnecessary to focus on the ugliness with so much good sports action going on. Football season is in full bloom with all of its glory shining upon the grateful college and professional fans, the pennant races are heating up, and there is just love in the air, in general. I’m just saying, we all need to pause once and a while, reflect and put our priorities in place. The next time you find yourself coaching your son’s little league team, or your co-ed softball team, or your intramural flag football team, use good judgment on whether intentionally battering someone causing serious harm to another is a worthwhile practice, to ensure a better competitive outcome. That’s all.
Well, I am happy to report that, Northern Colorado did bounce back and beat Texas State (formerly Southwest Texas State, who might I add played for the Division II title last year), despite the fact the third string punter and strong safety, forced to play in such weird circumstances, was injured. Fourth stringer Michael York’s first punt went 7 yards.
And while I can’t report on any happier endings for the poor autistic child who was beaned by his own teammate, I will assure he is OK. In fact, the court could not convict Downs of a more serious crime, because he did not cause serious body harm to the child.
And if you can’t take solace in that, the Bears are straight up nasty, Notre Dame was embarrassed, and the White Sox are choking down the stretch. If that doesn’t make you happy, you have no heart.
Have a safe week people.
Greeley, Colorado, is mostly known for mining and skiing, and for a university that once offered me a full academic scholarship based on my Pre-SAT scores. Flash to Monday of this week, when the backup punter at Northern Colorado University, a Division II athletic program, was arrested in connection of the stabbing of the starting punter. Even from one month in law school, I know that you are innocent until proven guilty, but Jesus almighty, there is some compelling evidence.
Wait a minute? A backup punter stabbing the first stringer? Is that a joke? The victim, Mitch Cozad was averaging 36 yards a punt! In the thin Colorado air! How bad was the backup, where his only conceivable way of capturing the job was STABBING his competition IN THE LEG?
And when you thought it couldn’t get any worse, an even more sickening story was reported out Pittsburgh, where a coach was convicted of corruption of minors and criminal solicitation to commit simple assault after he offered one of his T-BALL (emphasis added) players $25 to take out a teammate, who was mildly autistic in practice, so that he could not play in the game. This sort of action needs no smart aleck, jackass commentary. Next time you get a speeding ticket, or have a hangover throw up attack in the office or get banging your girl’s best friend again, just drop the story about Mark Downs, you’ll be instantly forgiven.
Now I know it’s unnecessary to focus on the ugliness with so much good sports action going on. Football season is in full bloom with all of its glory shining upon the grateful college and professional fans, the pennant races are heating up, and there is just love in the air, in general. I’m just saying, we all need to pause once and a while, reflect and put our priorities in place. The next time you find yourself coaching your son’s little league team, or your co-ed softball team, or your intramural flag football team, use good judgment on whether intentionally battering someone causing serious harm to another is a worthwhile practice, to ensure a better competitive outcome. That’s all.
Well, I am happy to report that, Northern Colorado did bounce back and beat Texas State (formerly Southwest Texas State, who might I add played for the Division II title last year), despite the fact the third string punter and strong safety, forced to play in such weird circumstances, was injured. Fourth stringer Michael York’s first punt went 7 yards.
And while I can’t report on any happier endings for the poor autistic child who was beaned by his own teammate, I will assure he is OK. In fact, the court could not convict Downs of a more serious crime, because he did not cause serious body harm to the child.
And if you can’t take solace in that, the Bears are straight up nasty, Notre Dame was embarrassed, and the White Sox are choking down the stretch. If that doesn’t make you happy, you have no heart.
Have a safe week people.
