For whatever reason, people constantly dismiss NASCAR drivers from the athlete conversation. Just because they drive, it does not mean they are not athletes. If an average person off the streets tried to drive in a race, they would probably turn into a puddle. The work that they put into prepping to drive each week grants them athlete status in my book.
A lot of people try to say that one side of the ball is more important than the other. However, you can win with a good offense and a bad defense, just like you can win with a bad offense and a good defense. The Green Bay Packers in 2010 weren't real hot on defense, but they brought home a ring. Trent Dilfer quarterbacked a team that won a Super Bowl. Trent Dilfer! It all boils down to preference.
If you look at it, athletes are overpaid. However, there is a market for them. If they didn't get a bad contract from one team, chances are some other team would have paid them. No need to take shots at the athlete over a contract. Do you want him to say he's being overpaid?
The WWE might be one of the more demanding jobs in the athletic world. These guys are on the road almost 300 days a year and performing through all sorts of injuries. If the wrestling was "fake", these guys would not get hurt. It is scripted but the falls are real. Move on people.
I applaud the NFL for implementing safety measures. However, some of the stuff has gone way too far against the defense. The debate still rages about how safe the sport can be, but these are guys running full speed at each other. There's only so much you can do, but people still love to argue about it.
I think that athletes should have their personal matters left out of debates about their feats. However, some people think everything goes when it comes to athletes. Just let the guys do their thing and live their lives. Just because Tiger Woods might be a less than reputable person, it does not take away from his skills. Stop stressing over it.
Considering Notre Dame pulls some of the highest ratings in college football, I think the debate about them being irrelevant is dead. However, some people still try to play that card. That means the rest of us groan at the stupidity of the argument.
Restricting players from playing in the NBA until one year after they graduate high school is just so dumb. Let the kids jump to the league if they want. People say the one year in school helps them, but show me something to back that up and I'll believe you. Until then, let's get the high schoolers back.
A lot of people love to hammer so-called "running quarterbacks." They say you can not win with a guy. However, there have been plenty of Super Bowl champion QBs that run more than you think. Steve Young could run. Aaron Rodgers runs more than you think. Michael Vick may not have won a title yet, but that doesn't mean running QBs don't have a place in the league.
I personally have no issue with players using PEDs. People still use them, even if they are banned. That being said, fans still are uneasy about players using. When players get caught, they get raked over the coals. I say let the players use and end the debate once and for all.
Lance Armstrong may have been one of the biggest dopers in sports history but he did a lot for cancer awareness. A constant debate about this does not change any of the facts. I think we've spent enough debate on how he's going to go down. Let him live his life.
Baseball has one of the best cases for the new school SABR crowd and the old crowd this season. The SABR group is championing Mike Trout for MVP based on his amazing WAR numbers. The old guard wants Miguel Cabrera as the winner, thanks to the Triple Crown.
The debate keeps raging, but you can't simply pick one side over the other. Sometimes, the eye test will still matter. Other times, SABR stats can help fill in gaps about a player that looks grand with the old stats. It's a circular debate and a lot of people are sick of hearing about it.
If I could go the rest of my life without hearing about Bountygate, I would be a happy man. Intentionally trying to take players out is never a good thing, but I think we have heard enough about it. The players are still fighting the league and neither side will give an inch. Both sides have good evidence so the debate keeps raging. Meanwhile, everyone else is sick and tired of it.
Get our content customized for you directly to your inbox!
About | Contact | Write for Us | Advertise | Login
© 2013 Rant Media Network, LLC & www.RantSports.com
Partner with USA TODAY Sports Digital Properties