Keep the Personal Agendas Off the Field
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- Look to Hawks for Rebuilding Model
- Keep the Personal Agendas Off the Field
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- Lance Makes Dopey Choice Not to Ride off into Sunset
- Broadcast by 'Worldwide Leader in Sports' Repetitive and Erroneous
- Rutgers Gives Northeast Hope
In the past week, Tracy McGrady and Kevin Garnett sported special edition “Change” sneakers on election night, and on Saturday, Gator quarterback Tim Tebow showed off a Bible verse on his eye black in the huge Florida vs. Georgia SEC matchup. They had a different message, but, in my mind, both were annoying examples of a growing trend in which athletes use the platform of a sporting event to promote an agenda.
The problem is not that athletes have political or religious feelings, or even that they express them. If Garnett wants to campaign for Obama on off-days or star in a commercial, it’s OK with me. If Tebow wants to mention God in every postgame interview, to me there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. Athletes are people too, and they are entitled to free speech on their own time.
The problem is that in between whistles, on the court or the field, it’s my time, not theirs. When Rockets or Celtics fans tuned into the game on Tuesday, they were looking for basketball, not a political message.
Garnett’s shoes said, “Embrace Change,” while McGrady’s star-spangled sneakers read, “A Change is Needed.” They might be right, but those fans in the stadium are paying for a basketball game, not a lesson in politics. “Vote ’08” was also written on both shoes, which is interesting considering the polls had closed in both teams’ home states before tip-off. Considering this timing, we can’t write off their choice of shoes as some public service announcement to get voters to the polls; it was a partisan effort to promote a candidate and show off their association with him.
It would be totally different if McGrady and Garnett were sporting breast cancer awareness ribbons or anti-genocide arm bands. Nobody I know is pro-breast cancer or pro-genocide. In any NBA crowd there must be plenty of people in the audience who are not pro-Obama, and for these people to have a political agenda thrown at them while they pay to see a sporting event seems unfair.
The game is the fans’ time to sit back and enjoy one of our few escapes from a society full of conflicts and controversies. In film, another such example of a break from reality, even the most politically motivated actors don’t turn to the camera mid-scene and endorse a candidate. The same should be true for basketball players.
The case of Tim Tebow is obviously slightly different, but it goes back to the same problem. Tebow didn’t start the eye-black-writing trend — my first memory of it was Reggie Bush sporting his area code back at USC — but eye black shout outs seem to have joined the ranks of scribble on sneakers and engraved arm bands as ways for college athletes to express themselves on the field.
I think the practice, in general, is obnoxious and against the purpose of amateur athletics, but that’s an issue for another column. While one could argue that Tebow’s message was much more constructive than an area code shout out, for him to put scripture under his eyes, Tebow’s reference was a profession of faith in a secular sporting event.
Philippians 3:14, one of the most commonly used Bible verses in sports, is generally translated as, “I can do all things through God who strengthens me.” For Tim Tebow to cite this when asked how he played so well is one thing, but a game-time reminder of his feelings is out of place. As the quarterback for the University of Florida, Tebow is representing a public university, and his fans certainly aren’t all Christians. Beyond this fact, it is again a case of an athlete bringing an agenda into sports. The patches draw attention to himself, and to his message, which distracts attention away from the other players and the team itself.
Why was Tebow wearing the patches in the first place? It certainly wasn’t to remind himself what Bible verse to think about — I’m guessing it’s pretty hard to see down there. He was proselytizing the verse to fans, plain and simple, and I don’t think a nationally televised college football game, especially between public universities, is the time or the place.
Ultimately, athletes, like actors, are entertainers. I’m not one to argue that athletes shouldn’t campaign or express religion in interviews, but when they are producing entertainment, they should stick to entertaining. As much as an Obama fan or evangelical may enjoy seeing his message on the big stage, a paying sports fan has every right to enjoy a game without sifting through the messages.
Jamie Leader is a senior in the College and can be reached at leader@thehoya.com. He hosts the sports radio show “Tournament Edition” on Georgetown Radio every Monday from noon to 2 p.m. FOLLOW THE LEADER appears in every other Friday issue of HOYA SPORTS.
Nov 07 2008 at 7:30 a.m.
The verse is actually Philippians 4:13. Tim Tebow has been wearing that writing on the eye black for a while now, it's not something he did just for a big game. He's an athlete with character and does nothing just for show. Even if you're not a person of faith, what he does with his eye black doesn't distract from the game. Even if you're not a Gator fan, it's still about football.
So many people want to take faith or God out of everything but it's the first thing anyone turns to in times of need. Let's praise or at the very least support these athletes for taking a stand on something positive and for being involved instead of turning it into a negative. Let's look toward the positive aspect of this situation as there are enough athletes out there that demonstrate bad choices and bad behavior!
Nov 07 2008 at 1:13 p.m.
I completely agree with LEXKAYE, I hate it when "actors" "stars" and "athletes" abuse their power, not everyone wants to hear what they have to say. Their opinions are any better than mine, except for the fact they can USE the media to project them (ex. see OPRAH's CAMPAIGN for OBAMA). However, if that message is for good (see TIM TEBOW), then I can agree. In the day and age of negative outlooks on college football (our own UF CB Rickerson, beating his girlfriend), and all the people getting arrested on teams, a TRUE positive influence is nice. No matter what his message, religious or not, you gotta agree, Tebow is the real deal, and they might have broke the mold when it comes to Superstar athletes with his faith and giving...To compare what KG and McGrady did to Tebow is like APPLES and ORANGES...
Nov 07 2008 at 1:22 p.m.
If you really believe in what you say about having to SIFT through all the messages at sporting events, then tell your University to drop all sponsors, give the money back, take down any advertisement on campus because when I go to any sporting event at a University I don't wanna have to SIFT through all the messages!!!
Nov 07 2008 at 2:09 p.m.
Wow !!! Someone hasn't had their tolerance pills this morning. As long as it doesn't interfere with the game, who cares.
Get a clue and a life! With so much going on in Sports and you felt the need to spout off about this?? Unnnnbelievable !!!!
Nov 07 2008 at 2:48 p.m.
Jamie, I am sorry to have to tell you this, but your lament is every bit as bad.
"The problem is that in between whistles, on the court or the field, it’s my time, not theirs."
What you said is FAR more arrogant than any "agenda pushing" an athlete can do.
Do you honestly believe that when these people start playing sports, they are playing for fans ?
Tim Tebow is not the only person of faith on the Florida Gators. He is the QB - in the huddle his team faces him. He's the leader.
The passage - I can do everything through him who gives me strength. - is as much for his teammates as it is for him.
Forgive me for telling you how to do your job, but since you apparently have an issue with people using the platforms of their vocation to promote a personal agenda, may I suggest you use YOUR platform to concentrate YOUR efforts on something a lot more meaningful than what a college athlete has painted under his eyes and stop pushing your OWN agenda through YOUR platform.
If you feel he is pushing an agenda, I cannot change that. He is not judging you, calling you out or putting you down. He is simply saying "this is who I am". It's not pushing an agenda as much as, say, using your platform to rail against it.
If you feel the need to blame anyone, blame your media brethren for their incessant need to manufacture stars - after all, if they didn't show closeup shots of Tebow's face, you wouldn't even see the passage.
If a person wears religious symbols his/her entire life, is he/she supposed to remove it the moment they become a public figure?
What about other religions, where wardrobe plays a part ? If a Sikh (or Muslim, in some cases)finds himself in a public forum, is he supposed to remove his Turban, thus abandoning part of his religion ?
Of all the problems in the world, what a 21 year old kid from Florida has written under his eyes is completely insignificant beyond the rest of the guys who wear the same jersey he does.
Nov 07 2008 at 3:16 p.m.
Chris R-
Your comments are a little biased here. You say: "However, if that message is for good (see TIM TEBOW), then I can agree." What is to say that Tim Tebo'w Christian message is "for good" and that Garnett/McGrady's message for Obama is not? Surely you you approve of Tebow's message because you share his Christian values and, thus, you see it as good? Could an Obama supporter not approve of Garnett/McGrady's message because he/share shares his values and, thus, see it as good?
Nov 07 2008 at 8:21 p.m.
"Jamie, I am sorry to have to tell you this, but your lament is every bit as bad.
"The problem is that in between whistles, on the court or the field, it’s my time, not theirs."
What you said is FAR more arrogant than any "agenda pushing" an athlete can do.
Do you honestly believe that when these people start playing sports, they are playing for fans ?"
In response, to your comment, Jamie pays for the seat, the ticket, and the game experience. If he does not want to see messages during his events, it is his right as the customer to demand such an action. If he feels there are too many messages, he can stop buying tickets- that's also his right.
Nov 08 2008 at 2:34 a.m.
Dude, get a clue... I don't care what you think - its only the opinion of someone who has nothing better to do than nit-pick at small little issues and write about them. I can't stand Obama or anyone else that backs him, but I won't waste my time and write about someone who wants to try and make a statement. I do like the Bible verse Phil 4:13. I do like Tim Tebow and think he should be able to wear under his eyes something that means more to him than anything else. And I don't think he worries about what some writer or a few people may think either. This is lame and I am actually sorry that I wasted 5 minutes reading it and another 2 minutes letting you know what some people think. Write about something that matters, Dude.
Nov 08 2008 at 8:42 a.m.
"In response, to your comment, Jamie pays for the seat, the ticket, and the game experience. If he does not want to see messages during his events, it is his right as the customer to demand such an action. If he feels there are too many messages, he can stop buying tickets- that's also his right."
Absolutely it's within his rights to complain. However, it's not within his rights to demand, and expect, that one's persons' beliefs should get pushed aside for his own.
And it doesn't change the fact that he is doing the very thing he is complaining about.
The Hoyas don't play in the SEC and never play the Gators. He is referring to something broadcast on network TV. I personally detest "reality tv" so you know what I do ? Turn the channel.
Again, my issue is with what he has chosen to write about. His media brethren from the big 3 networks were complicit in refusing to vet Obama. They were %100 unabashedly in the tank for him, with the peacock leading the way. It was only AFTER he got elected that anyone other than the right began to look into the man, and that was the folks from Newsweek. Why no write up about the complete loss of objectivity on the part of the media ? The media is supposed to keep the powers that be in check by reporting the facts. They are not supposed to outright cheerlead for one political party over the other. That's Soviet Union styled reporting. That is far more dangerous than Tim Tebow's eye black. And far more dangerous than pro athletes wearing Obama clothing. Why is he not concerned with that, and so concerned with a 21 year old kid's expression of faith ?
He is not subsidizing the Florida Gators in any way, so he loses much of his right to complain about their product.
Besides, I'm willing to bet he doesn't BUY tickets - he more than likely flashes his "media credentials" to get into games.
Nov 09 2008 at 11:51 p.m.
I think the issue with Brandon Marshall in last Thursday's Broncos game is a good example of what Jamie is talking about. Marshall wanted to show support for his personal agenda, but by doing so, he would have cost his team penalty yards.
Good thing his teammates stopped him. Perhaps it's a little different reason than what Jamie writes about, but I agree with the column that during play, players should not be trying to advance their agendas. And even if you disagree with that, Jamie certainly has a right to express that opinion so long as he backs it up (which he did).
Nov 10 2008 at 6:13 a.m.
"Absolutely it's within his rights to complain. However, it's not within his rights to demand, and expect, that one's persons' beliefs should get pushed aside for his own."
It certainly is his right. As the customer, he demands what he wants to see. If he is dissatisfied, he can leave.
And he is within his right to demand and expect athletes to have a neutral point of view or at the very least not inundate their personal beliefs into his game. Why? Because he holds the money. Professional and collegiate sports are a business designed to make MONEY. Don't kid yourself and think it's about the love of the game or anything else like that. It's about money. If it weren't, would games be shown on national television? Would CBS pay 1 BILLION to broadcast the NCAA Basketball tournament? Would ESPN pay 2.25 BILLION to the SEC to broadcast games? Would ticket prices reach astronomical levels?
"Again, my issue is with what he has chosen to write about. His media brethren from the big 3 networks were complicit in refusing to vet Obama. They were %100 unabashedly in the tank for him, with the peacock leading the way. It was only AFTER he got elected that anyone other than the right began to look into the man, and that was the folks from Newsweek. Why no write up about the complete loss of objectivity on the part of the media ? The media is supposed to keep the powers that be in check by reporting the facts. They are not supposed to outright cheerlead for one political party over the other. That's Soviet Union styled reporting. That is far more dangerous than Tim Tebow's eye black. And far more dangerous than pro athletes wearing Obama clothing. Why is he not concerned with that, and so concerned with a 21 year old kid's expression of faith ?"
Are you out of your mind? This is a sports column, it is not a political column. Furthermore, there's no way any college sports writer can equate himself with anyone from a major media network's Washington division.
Stop whining about the election. It makes you look petty and it's totally irrelevant to the situation. (Full disclosure: I didn't vote for Obama, but I still need to call out this guy's ridiculousness).
"He is not subsidizing the Florida Gators in any way, so he loses much of his right to complain about their product."
Any time he watches a game involving Florida, he is subsidizing them. If he and others turned off their TVs, ratings would go down, meaning that 2.25 billion deal I talked about earlier would hold less value for ESPN and the SEC.
"Besides, I'm willing to bet he doesn't BUY tickets - he more than likely flashes his "media credentials" to get into games."
Again, he is a college journalist. He is not going down to The Swamp and getting into a game. Let's be honest; a DC college newspaper isn't going to finance the airfare and accommodations for him to even get to the game.
Nov 11 2008 at 4:08 p.m.
"And he is within his right to demand and expect athletes to have a neutral point of view or at the very least not inundate their personal beliefs into his game. Why? Because he holds the money. Professional and collegiate sports are a business designed to make MONEY. Don't kid yourself and think it's about the love of the game or anything else like that. It's about money. If it weren't, would games be shown on national television? Would CBS pay 1 BILLION to broadcast the NCAA Basketball tournament? Would ESPN pay 2.25 BILLION to the SEC to broadcast games? Would ticket prices reach astronomical levels?"
Ok, then why watch college sports at all ? They are meant to subsidize the school, and the funds generated from sports teams help to finance other departments, buy supplies/equipment etc. That sends a message that academics alone aren't enough, that there HAS to be athletics. Why not protest that ? If Tim Tebow wearing a bible passage attracts some fans specifically because of that, the school benefits. What's the problem ?
"Are you out of your mind? This is a sports column, it is not a political column. Furthermore, there's no way any college sports writer can equate himself with anyone from a major media network's Washington division."
Then perhaps the writer of this column shouldn't have brought Obama into it, no ?
"Stop whining about the election. It makes you look petty and it's totally irrelevant to the situation. (Full disclosure: I didn't vote for Obama, but I still need to call out this guy's ridiculousness)."
I'm not from the U.S. I am Canadian. The election results have ZERO bearing on me, so how am I whining ? You should really think things through before assuming I am a Republican just because I commented on the U.S. media favoring one candidate over the other.
"Any time he watches a game involving Florida, he is subsidizing them. If he and others turned off their TVs, ratings would go down, meaning that 2.25 billion deal I talked about earlier would hold less value for ESPN and the SEC."
It's on network tv, not a paid cable channel. One viewer lost has ZERO impact. It's clear he's not a fan - if he was, he'd know that the SEC has many players with such a message. It seems pretty obvious he was watching only as part of his research, thus, he is not part of the ratings equation to begin with.
"Again, he is a college journalist. He is not going down to The Swamp and getting into a game. Let's be honest; a DC college newspaper isn't going to finance the airfare and accommodations for him to even get to the game."
Exactly. He saw it on network tv (truth be told, I'd be willing to bet he didn't even watch it, but saw still photos). He was doing research, thus is not a part of the ratings equation.
Also, perhaps he should take a greater interest in EA accepting Obama money to place Obama ads in their sports games. After all, why should a political message be in a video game - you're buying it for the gaming experience, NOT the agenda. Or, perhaps we can just be adults and not let such trivial things bother us.
Why wasn't he complaining about Obama and McCain appearing on Monday Night Football ? Do people watch the halftime show for updates, or for political campaigning ? ESPN fired Rush Limbaugh because the NFL said they don't want politics involved with football, yet there was McCain and Obama. And what about NBC last year with their "green night" during a football broadcast ? Far worse, since it was a direct broadcast, and not a guy wearing a black strip under each eye on the field.
P.S. In the interest of semantics, political climate DOES have an impact on the sporting world.
Nov 18 2008 at 7:24 p.m.
As if Tebow, or anyone, really cares what you secular commies think. If Tim finds strength and inspiration from his faith, more power to him. If this threatens you, the problem is yours alone.
Moreover: GO GATORS!!!