Would Sports Be Interesting Without Ego? (1 Viewer)

[Tom Skerritt]

Just had a thought about this... and I'm referring to the showboating, celebrating, disrespecting, etc. Would competition be exciting without it?

Barry Sanders never needed to celebrate. And he was incredible. Arguably the best RB of all time. Don't think Jim Brown celebrated either. And that's just football.

I think that I would enjoy it better without all of the bravado. How bout you?

 

[Limp Ditka]

Awaiting Power Monster's response.....

 

[ChainsawU]

Just had a thought about this... and I'm referring to the showboating, celebrating, disrespecting, etc. Would competition be exciting without it? Barry Sanders never needed to celebrate. And he was incredible. Arguably the best RB of all time. Don't think Jim Brown celebrated either. And that's just football. I think that I would enjoy it better without all of the bravado. How bout you?

So, if life is full of possibility and you stop thinking about yourself, you end up in the service of others. Is that what you're trying to say? That the ego is really a product of 'self' and that 'self' is a convenient illusion? I think that's what you're trying to say. You're trying to say that we're only occasionally who we want to be and not what other people think we are. And that the self concept evaporates as a result, right? That is pretty rad and I totally agree with you that if you take yourself out of these existential issues that life will get a little simpler as a result. My question to you is, how have you adopted the darkest philosophy out there and yet still manage to find peace within yourself? Or are you at peace at all?

 

[GregR]

I think real, spontaneous celebration adds to the moment.

But most of what you're talking about isn't real. It's posing for a camera to try to get on a highlight reel. The worst is when a player runs away from the teammates who allowed him to make a play so the camera will get a shot of him by himself for Sports Center.

When players first started doing extra stuff, the Dirty Bird, Ickey Shuffle, etc, added something because it was rare and unique. But it's been taken so far that now the players remind me more of a little kid shouting "look at me!"

 

[avoiding injuries]

Yes. It's gotten way too over the top. Every play, every sport. The breaking point for me was watching players in the secondary make a tackle after the offensive player got the first down and celebrated that tackle. Um...

Now get off my lawn.

 

[Tom Skerritt]

Just had a thought about this... and I'm referring to the showboating, celebrating, disrespecting, etc. Would competition be exciting without it? Barry Sanders never needed to celebrate. And he was incredible. Arguably the best RB of all time. Don't think Jim Brown celebrated either. And that's just football. I think that I would enjoy it better without all of the bravado. How bout you?

So, if life is full of possibility and you stop thinking about yourself, you end up in the service of others. Is that what you're trying to say? That the ego is really a product of 'self' and that 'self' is a convenient illusion? I think that's what you're trying to say. You're trying to say that we're only occasionally who we want to be and not what other people think we are. And that the self concept evaporates as a result, right? That is pretty rad and I totally agree with you that if you take yourself out of these existential issues that life will get a little simpler as a result. My question to you is, how have you adopted the darkest philosophy out there and yet still manage to find peace within yourself? Or are you at peace at all?

It's very existential I know. I played most every sport growing up. I was better than average, but certainly not a star.

I still love watching sports, but I cringe every time I see someone celebrate a first down. It's pervasive.

I long for a little humility.

 

[Limp Ditka]

I think real, spontaneous celebration adds to the moment.

But most of what you're talking about isn't real. It's posing for a camera to try to get on a highlight reel. The worst is when a player runs away from the teammates who allowed him to make a play so the camera will get a shot of him by himself for Sports Center.

When players first started doing extra stuff, the Dirty Bird, Ickey Shuffle, etc, added something because it was rare and unique. But it's been taken so far that now the players remind me more of a little kid shouting "look at me!"

Started well before the examples you provided and The No Fun League did nothing but force it into individuality through horse#### rules about celebrating.

 

[Tom Skerritt]

Just had a thought about this... and I'm referring to the showboating, celebrating, disrespecting, etc. Would competition be exciting without it? Barry Sanders never needed to celebrate. And he was incredible. Arguably the best RB of all time. Don't think Jim Brown celebrated either. And that's just football. I think that I would enjoy it better without all of the bravado. How bout you?

So, if life is full of possibility and you stop thinking about yourself, you end up in the service of others. Is that what you're trying to say? That the ego is really a product of 'self' and that 'self' is a convenient illusion? I think that's what you're trying to say. You're trying to say that we're only occasionally who we want to be and not what other people think we are. And that the self concept evaporates as a result, right? That is pretty rad and I totally agree with you that if you take yourself out of these existential issues that life will get a little simpler as a result. My question to you is, how have you adopted the darkest philosophy out there and yet still manage to find peace within yourself? Or are you at peace at all?

To answer your question though, a life a being disappointed by those I am supposed to emulate and idolize has led me to this darkest philosophy of life. I am certainly in a life of service to others, and that is what truly makes me happy. Hope that helps.

 

[Willie Neslon]

They need to outlaw making the first down signal after every first down. Other than that all good.

 

[dschuler]

Yes it would still be interesting

 

[Snoopy]

Ego is inactive this week.

 

[jhib]

I'm not a GB fan, but the only celebration I'd miss is the Lambeau Leap.

Probably because it's as much about the fans as the player.

 

[Insein]

No. Not nearly as entertaining. Sure people would still watch but they'd do so out of tradition rather than enjoyment. I want to see the showmanship, the bravado, the cockiness. Who doesn't love when Sherman makes a game winning pick and then has a classic post game interview to seal it? Who doesn't love a QB who kisses his bicep and trademarks it only to see him be terrible later on. That's what I live for.

 

[BowieMercs]

Yes.

"When you go into the endzone, act like you've been there before." and other pearls of wisdom are found at

https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Talk:Vince_Lombardi

 

[SaintsInDome2006]

I think you're talking about two different things - good sportsmanship is not related to ego.

 

[matuski]

Ego <> Bravado

 

[dgreen]

I think having different types of characters helps make it interesting. Having some guys to hate helps make it interesting.

 

[McGarnicle]

I normally hate that stuff, but there's something about the Gronk Smash. Possibly because I won a championship with him last year and own him again this year. Plus it's short, simple and old school.

I always liked Arian Foster's bow too. Seems more about respect and gratitude than showboating imo.

 

[Dread Pirate]

If it's about "team", celebrate all u want. My fave is in Any Given Sunday when player scores then tosses ball mimicking grenade and all his teammates are seen in background falling to ground when ball hits the ground. Very cool.