04/24/24
September 17, 2014
SportsFilter: The Wednesday Huddle:
A place to discuss the sports stories that aren't making news, share links that aren't quite front-page material, and diagram plays on your hand. Remember to count to five Mississippi before commenting in anger.
Jameis Winston has been suspended for the first half of Saturday's game against Clemson. Am I the only one who sees a half game suspension (to anyone, for anything) as both a ridiculous and transparent non-punishment? I'm not sure that simply stating that the team would be handling disciplining him for this incident would not have sufficed, but a half suspension to me says, "They think we should suspend you, but we can't afford to play without you, so this is the minimum we're willing to punish you." That may well even be the case, but if so, then what difference does it make? I think I'd rather hear the coach say, "Winston did something completely inappropriate. The team is addressing this issue, and it won't happen again."
posted by bender at 01:10 PM on September 17, 2014
Yeah, a second-half suspension would be more interesting, at least.
posted by Etrigan at 02:09 PM on September 17, 2014
Arguably, the stupidest thing about the Winston situation is that he was participating in an artificially created meme. I mean, they're all artificially created, but this one is an attempt at creating a meme and forcing it to spread despite the fact that its totally stupid and nobody but idiots want to spread it.
posted by Joey Michaels at 03:26 PM on September 17, 2014
Oh gee, Jameis Winston said some bad words, so we have to sit him for a half. Oh the humanity. Jameis Winston is such a sterling character. He is implicated in what might or might not be a rape, has shoplifted from a grocery store, and now he does an obscene performance. I guess a half on the bench is far too draconian a punishment for such an upstanding citizen. Oh well, Winston will soon go on to the NFL, where he will be free to abuse his girlfriend or spouse, take whatever he needs without paying for it, and be generally obnoxious in his conduct. Does anyone wonder where the Ray Rices and Adrian Petersons on the league come from?
posted by Howard_T at 05:39 PM on September 17, 2014
The lack of true high profile role models in sports over the last few decades is alarming. Amen for athletes like Russell Wilson who realize how fortunate they are and understand the importance of being a role model to our youth.
Winston, Peterson, Rice, and all the rest feel their only responsibility is on the field and perhaps sporting nice tattoos and "bigger than you" diamond jewelry. Just like young stars before them did.
posted by cixelsyd at 10:09 PM on September 17, 2014
The lack of true high profile role models in sports over the last few decades is alarming.
MLB:
Mike Trout
Bryce Harper
Cal Ripken Jr
Derek Jeter
Tony Gwynn
Todd Helton
Doc Halladay
Mariano Rivera
Ken Griffey Jr.
NFL:
Drew Brees
Nnamdi Asomugha
Tim Tebow
Kurt Warner
Peanut Tillman
NHL:
Wayne Gretzky
Steve Yzerman
Teemu Selanne
Daniel Alfredsson
Jarome Iginla
Jonathan Toews
Nicklas Lidstrom
NBA:
Chris Bosh
Chris Paul
Kevin Durant
Tim Duncan
Steve Nash
posted by grum@work at 11:48 PM on September 17, 2014
I don't see a sports world without positive role models. I see an environment that gives far more attention to negative stories about athletes than positive ones.
Adam Wainwright builds orphanages and clean-water projects in Haiti. Cool story, and he runs a cool charity, but it's reported locally and forgotten.
Any random story about athlete misbehavior, including Jameis Winston standing on a table at college and yelling a profane Internet meme, is going to spread wider than that.
posted by rcade at 06:33 AM on September 18, 2014
October is going to be an interesting month for the NFL. That's when the Susan B. Komen Foundation BCA gloves, shoes, and other accessories usually appear. Will the foundation want to continue having a comprehensive relationship with the league under the present circumstances?
Ironically, two and half years ago, the pink shoe was on the other foot.
If the NFL had half a brain, they would have an office that did nothing but overpump any positive league or player related story they could get their hands on. With at least half as much effort as they put into money counting, merchandising, and game day presentation.
posted by beaverboard at 08:08 AM on September 18, 2014
If the NFL had half a brain, they would have an office that did nothing but overpump any positive league or player related story they could get their hands on.
The Edifice of Selfless Player News?
posted by Etrigan at 10:06 AM on September 18, 2014
If the NFL had half a brain, they would have an office that did nothing but overpump any positive league or player related story they could get their hands on.
The FOX pre-game show?
posted by grum@work at 10:42 AM on September 18, 2014
I see an environment that gives far more attention to negative stories about athletes than positive ones
Dead on.
posted by cixelsyd at 11:18 AM on September 18, 2014
If the NFL had half a brain, they would have an office that did nothing but overpump any positive league or player related story they could get their hands on.
I wonder if sports fans would visit a site that was about athletes doing good works. Read a little Deadspin to work up a nice rage, then visit Goodspin to even out.
posted by rcade at 11:58 AM on September 18, 2014
Read a little Deadspin to work up a nice rage, then visit Goodspin to even out.
Or how about "Midspin" which contains stories about bad people doing good things?
I think this would qualify as the first article:
Player Suspended for Drug Use Helps Rescue Man Trapped Under Truck
posted by grum@work at 01:56 PM on September 18, 2014
Winston suspended for entire Clemson game
Oh look, another Firm Moral Stance from an institution that realized how craven their Previous Firm Moral Stance was.
posted by Etrigan at 11:45 PM on September 19, 2014
It would be refreshing if a team/school/league formalized the policy of "making a punishment more severe when the media won't shut their pieholes."
posted by rcade at 12:49 PM on September 20, 2014
Vikings U-Turn on Peterson after numerous sponsors and politicians give the high sign.