Follow this link for the video, as it has no longer become available on YouTube.
When something like this is created, I want you to look me in the eye and tell me it isn't staged.
Regardless of all of that, I said this wouldn't be a commentary on Charlie Sheen. It is instead a discussion on the idea that sports in general have siphoned the entertainment from the game, to the point of win or get out. Professional sports aren't the only culprits to this claim, as many collegiate level teams are imbued with the idea of "what have you done for me lately?"
Recent names to be fired or "resign" are:
Steve Roberts - Arkansas State (34-47)
Stan Parrish - Ball State (6-19)
Dan Hawkins - Colorado (19-39)
Bill Lynch - Indiana (6-26)
Doug Martin - Kent State (28-53)
Rickey Bustle - Louisiana-Lafayette (41-65)
Ralph Friedgen - Maryland (75-50)*
Randy Shannon - Miami (28-22)*
Rich Rodriguez - Michigan (15-22)
Tim Brewster - Minnesota (15-30)
Todd Dodge - North Texas (6-37)
Dave Wannstedt - Pittsburgh (42-31)*
* - Indicates expectation versus performance
There's a trend here, even in collegiate sports. The NFL saw to oust five head coaches, and the NBA has already cut ties with Jim O'Brien of the Indiana Pacers. What's the point to all of this? After all, it's not exactly a new mentality. The point is that these behaviors are easier to focus on when there's a lack of entertainment.
It's an era of control for all major sports. Rule changes and regulations prohibit celebration almost entirely in the NFL. No more will we have this wondrous sack celebration. Without a yellow handkerchief that is.
It isn't just the officials and the bigwigs that determine the level of fun to be had in sports. Fault lies with avid and casual fans as well. If I were to say to you, "There's this dude on your team that's bad-ass! He isn't really intense enough though. He needs to play with more of a cutthroat attitude." Isn't that a little contradictory? This exact conversation has been tossed around about a particular player. A player that those contributing to this blog all find amazing.
In fact, the article in this SI is indicative of this argument.
"But to spend a day with Howard -- hell, to spend 10 minutes with him -- is to realize that despite his imposing stature and freakish athleticism, he may be among the least badass big men in NBA history. For starters, he has this unfortunate habit of smiling all the time, even when he's dunking on someone. Clearly, this violates one of the cardinal rules of intimidating big men, namely Thou Shalt Posture and Grimace Upon Vanquishing Thy Foes. This means you have three choices: flexing concrete biceps (like Alonzo Mourning), grasping your crotch with authority (à la Shawn Kemp) or letting loose a banshee scream (see Kevin Garnett). Smiling, however, is not an option."
