Sports Idols

[JSMOOTH]

Who are yours? Who do you really idolize?
I have a few, but the 2 that come mind very easily are Mike Tyson and Chris Webber.
Tyson yeah, he's a nut, but damn! The man had a 28-0 record w/ 16 KO's and won the title as a 20 year old!!
I am one of the few who believe that he was innocent of the rape charges that got him jailed. I'm sorry, but you have to admit this man's a STUD! (and a lunatic)
Webber OK, let's hear all the "time out" jokes. If you don't already know, I live and die Michigan athletics. I still pop in the tapes of the Fab 5 era and get goosebumps.
when someone asks me who my favorite NBA team is, I say....
Chris Webber

 

[Investment Executive]

after extensive research and reading....

this man always had a place in my heart...
http://www.cricketcornerfarm.com/ShoelessJoe.htm

 

[MadJack]

Growing up I idolized Johnny Unitas. He was my MAIN MAN until I finally met his 'smart ass' and the shitty attitude that he carries around with him.

All during High School I was the 'starter' at the local golf club, "Hobbits Glen", in Columbia, Maryland. One weekend they held a pro-am-celebrity tournament.

I would greet the players, in my golf cart, as they showed up, and ride them to their car to get their clubs and take them back to get their cart ready. I must have made $400 in tips that day and we're talking 1972. A lot of money back then.

I met a few of the local celebs like Jack Marin (Bullets), Willie Richardson (Colts), Carol Mann (LPGA), Lee Elder (PGA), Skip Feldman (Bullets trainer), a few others' and THEN, there was my man(!), Johnny Unitas!! I 'rushed' over to greet him, introduced myself, and offered to shake his hand. The prick didn't even shake my hand! I tried talking to him on the way to his car......no response!? The F'er ignored me and then stiffed me on the tip. Johnny Unitas, you can kiss my ass! You stuckup SOB.

I don't guess I really have any heros in the sports world. Babe Ruth? Mickey Mantle? Lou Gehrig? Maybe Cal Ripken..... they don't make them like Cal anymore.

enough rambling

F U, Johnny U.

 

[scrubbo]

I hope you're just pulling our middle legs, Smooth. An idol should be someone you respect on and off the field. As for Tyson "I'll eat Lenox lewis's kids" whats that about? I have no problem with Webber because he's shown nothing but class on and off the court. He's a bit of a whiner but thats ok. I hope you really don't idolize Tyson.
Personally, I Idolize any athelete that want to stay with one organization for his entire career regardless of the $$.

 

[JSMOOTH]

I hope you're just pulling our middle legs, Smooth. An idol should be someone you respect on and off the field.

Sorry Scrubbo, but the "baddest man on the planet" is ok in my book.

Personally, I Idolize any athelete that want to stay with one organization for his entire career regardless of the $$.

I used to think that too...then I put myself in their shoes.
Lets see...100 million here or 180 million there...hmmmm
Hats off to you, though, If you'd stay with a losing franchise for less money.

 

[Skinar]

Tyson is nothing more than a thug. Buster who? Ali would have whipped this boys ass easily in his prime. So give me the 'Louisville Lip'.

Chris Webber? Are you kidding?

How about:

Larry Bird
Michael Jordan
Pee Wee Reese
Joe Frazier
John Elway
Jack Nicklaus

... and did I mention Muhammed Ali? I met him once and shook hands with him. Biggest friggin' hands I've ever seen ... and one of the nicest gentlemen ... and he's still 'pretty'.

Skinar

 

[Its Gravy]

I am 21
back when i was alot younger...around age 9-12 Magic johnson was my man...as i journeyed to Jr High and High School it was Shaq and C Webber...today i dont idolize anyone. although i do admire and follow some players...oh yeah... in baseball it was Eddie Murray

 

[Bonovox]

We're discussing idols here?

Tyson - admitted striking his wife, convicted of rape, no contest plea in assault during road rage, lost it and bit Holyfied...

Webber - convicted DUI, arrested of marijuana charge, fought with Bullet teammates and coaches, leaves winning franchise because he's bored at night

Shoeless Joe - banned (rightfully so) from baseball for throwing World Series. Despite the fact that he played well and claimed he didn't take money from the fixers, Joe wasn't banned from baseball for fixing. He was banned for not telling the team or the league that the fix was on. They were all acquitted from the trial because the evidence mysteriously disappeared. But Comissioner Judge Landis did the correct thing by banning these players. Pete Rose should be banned and the Black Sox were 1000x worse than Rose - Jackson included.

So these are our idols? Say it ain't so, Joe...

 

[Nolan Dalla]

Everyone seems to have a different idea of of what a sports idol means.

I'll slice this into two separate categories -- sports stars of the PAST and PRESENT. I'll also limit my choices to athletes that have played in my lifetime:

Listed in no particular order:

NFL PAST:
Jim Brown -- best RB of all-time and arguably the best athlete of all-time
Roger Staubach -- a hero on and off the football field, a born leader, as mentally and physically tough as anyone who ever played in the NFL
Joe Montana -- best QB of all-time, charismatic, made everything look easy
John Elway -- single-handedly won many games and always kept the Broncos respectable
Ken Stabler -- colorful personality and a great team player

NFL PRESENT:
Emmitt Smith -- gives it everything he's got on every down

NBA PAST:
Larry Bird -- best clutch player in NBA history
Michael Jordan -- the best basketball ever, bar none
Julius Erving -- most entertaining athlete to watch in perhaps any sport (other than Ali)

NBA PRESENT:
John Stockton -- the consumate team player, unselfish, what team sports should be all about
Allen Iverson -- preamture to put him here this early in career, but he's on track to be the next all-world superstar

NHL PAST:
Bobby Orr -- greatest hockey player of all time, bar none
Wayne Gretzky -- with Edmonton the best 10 year run in sports history, but I was never impressed with Gretzky after he went to LA/STL/NYR

NHL PRESENT:
Mario Lemieux -- in a class by himself, two comebacks, proven stats and a champion on and off the ice

MLB PAST:
Al Kaline -- great team player, strong lifetime stats, under-rated by most historians
Reggie Jackson -- great hitter under pressure, most dramatic player in baseball history
Mickey Mantle -- Aside from personal troubles (so what, he loved to drink), he's the hero to more people of the 50s generation than any other athlete
Bob Gibson -- an absolutely dominating pitcher during his time, great team player who never sought the limelight
Nolan Ryan -- Every time he took the mound, you thought he might pitch a no-hitter. No athlete was ever as good in his 40s.

MLB PRESENT:
Ivan Rodriguez -- If he played in New York or LA, he'd be the most popular player in baseball. Stunning lifetime record of consistency, both offensively and defensively.
Roger Clemens -- What Bob Gibson was in the 1960s, Clemens has been in his generation

OTHER SPORTS PAST:
Jack Nicklaus -- no brainer, revolutionized the game of golf and won consistently for 25 years
Arnold Palmer -- always played to win in every match, took chances, developed a cult following...he defines what an idol should aspire to
Jesse Owens -- Perhaps the Olympics most interesting story (1936) and greatest inspiration (even if it's partially a myth)
Muhammed Ali -- Dominated sports and mainstream news for a generation, and had the talent to back up every word he spoke
Billie Jean King -- Tough gritty competitor, consistent winner, and the first female athlete to gain respect from a predominantly male viewing audience

OTHER SPORTS PRESENT:
Tiger Woods -- No athlete has ever accomplished so much at such a young age.

-- Nolan Dalla

 

[redsfann]

I'm with Bonovox on this one. The idea that anyone would chose as an idol or a role model or whatever term you wish to apply to some freak that has a lot more athletic talent than you or I blows my mind.
Yes, there are numerous examples of athletes who are decent human beings-- but since I don't know any of them personally-- I'm not going to call them "my role model" or my "idol".
Now that doesn't mean that I don't respect many athletes for being the kind of person one can and should aspire to become in their own lives.
Arthur Ashe is one name that comes to mind. Here was a black man playing a white, elitist game, and playing it at a top level. Just like Jackie Robinson before him, I'm sure he experienced his share of racism and prejudice while competing.
He didn't let that stop him from being a the best player he could be, and it also allowed him the forum in which he was able to show the world what type of man he was away from the court.
There are many others that I consider worthy of my respect- but idols? No way.....

 

[Nolan Dalla]

Redsfann:

I don't think any of us are putting sports idols in the same class with Jesus Christ, Mohammed, or Moses. Idolatry, according to my definition means "something people to aspire to."

I think most of us are comfortable with who we are. Nevertheless, we all have role models -- past and present -- who have made impressions on us and taught us about character, courage, and other virtues. It's why we cheer for certain teams and players (aside from the gambling interest).

When these types of polls are taken in mainstream society, I always am stunned that some people think John F. Kennedy was an "idol" -- when the fact was that he never had to work a day in his life, was a child of priviledge, and was ascribed martardom simply because he was good looking and charismatic. But, he wasn't much of a President. Nevertheless, I recognize that who am *I* to question that Kennedy was an inspiration to people? If he had a positive impact on people's lives and gave people something they lacked in their own lives (namely hero worship and idolatry), then so be it.

I think it's the same way with athletes, as well. The real sports champions have overcome diversity (Jesse Owens), made sacrifices (Roger Staubach), pushed themselves to the limit when they were already at the top of the game (Michael Jordan), and inspired others to play the game with a similar state of grace (Jack Nicklaus). That's the mark of an idol. It is not, however, to be confused with the mark of a true "hero" (Audey Murphy, Patton, etc.).

-- Nolan Dalla

 

[djv]

I can't get into calling them idols. I can say some are very good at what they do. But I won't give-em that idol tag. Many want us to say or do that. Im dam good at what I do. You guys just have no idea. You don't see me on T V. You don't read about me through some one elses eyes. And you don't work with me. I don't know the same about you folks. But I bet many many of you are very good at what you do. So I say some were the best at one time. At What Ever. They come, They go, Just like us. But I don't idolize any of them. Hey that's me.

 

[JSMOOTH]

WOW I guess the term Idol was not the best to use....
Anyways, I guess what I was gettin at is, who are your "favorites?" (past or present)

Chris Webber? Are you kidding?

No, I'm not!
Lets see...
Golden State went from mediocre to eliminating Barkley and the Suns in the playoffs...Washington went from basement to playoffs...Sacramento, hmmmmm I see a trend here!
AHHHHHH...NEVERMIND!

 

[Bonovox]

JSmooth, I think you're proving Skinar's argument. Everything you talk about points to the fact that Webber is a helluva player, but not an idol. You should respect his game, but not his person. Two completely different things.

Charles Barkley was only half right when he said that athletes shouldn't be role models. They shouldn't be. But right or wrong, they are. At least to kids.

So who should an idol be? An idol is someone you want your child to emulate in every aspect. As close as you are to your son (or daughter) they will idolize someone other than you. So who should that be?

Nolan is absolutely correct. We're not talking about Jesus or Abe Lincoln or someone like that. Then again, idolizing those two is another story... But who do you want your children to emulate?

That's why it's so disturbing to read about Webber or Tyson being idolized. Right there, that is the biggest problem with American sports. We have placed these thugs, the bottom of society, on such a high level that not only do we pay these people ludicrous amounts of money, we forigive them for all their wrongs - AND IDOLIZE THEM!

Tyson? Are you kidding me? Yeah, he was a helluva boxer, but he is a MISERABLE human being. You want you son to grow up to be Tyson?

Redsfann had the best observation - Ashe should be everyone's idol. Nolan was right on the nose with Staubach. And what about Ted Williams? Gave up several years in his prime to serve his country in the war!

Players like Iverson, Bonds, Jason Williams and the like are tremendous athletes. They are phenomenal talents. But they are in no way idols.

Our society is so freakin' screwed up. You want an idol? Try your second grade teacher or the doctor that saved your life or your first football coach or your parents. But if you're going to idolize a sports star, pick someone you would want your child to grow up imitating. Think about it. You sure you want to idolize Tyson or Webber or even Shoeless Joe?

 

[redsfann]

Nolan--

Your point is well taken, and I think we are both on the same wavelink here. You just did a better job of explaining the difference
between an "idol" or a role model.
I have role models, however, my role models are people I know or have known personally. Certain teachers, clergymen, coaches, etc, are the type of people I would consider to be my role models.
For me, the idea that I would wish to aspire to be like someone I see on TV performing as an athlete or even serving as President just doesn't wash. Again, I do not know these people personally, so I have no idea what kind or people they really are. Therefore, its impossible for me to do anything more than be entertained by an athlete.

 

[rrc]

Walter Payton--best all around running back of all time. No rb of his caliber was ever willing to block like him. Total class, endless charity work, great family man, a true contributor (sp?) to society.

 

[JSMOOTH]

As stated in an earlier post...the term "idol" might not have been the best to use. But still, Tyson, on a scale of 1-10, I'd give a 7.
Whatever the definition, Chris Webber is certainly an "idol" of mine! People have stated his marijuana use, his DUI and his boredom in Sacramento. BIG DEAL! Athletes are under the biggest microscope of all. You mean to tell me that you never got high as a twenty year old? Or you never had a few drinks and drove home? Didn't you want to be at the "hot spots" in your early twenties single life? ( OK, the "bored in Sacramento" is pushing the envelope)
Point is...everyone regrets things about their past, be it, not going to college or smoking a little grass.
I would love for my son to grow up to be the man that Webber is. That doesn't mean that I endorse getting high or drinking and driving, but I could forgive him for those things. Especially after some of the other things that CWEBB has done. (Webbers "TIMEOUT" organization has put Millions of dollars into fundings for Detroit area youths) But that doesn't get the national attention that a roach in the ashtray does.
I GOT YOUR BACK CWEBB

 

[bmc]

Buck O'Neal

Even though I never saw him play.

 

[bear]

Well,
Like many my age there was only "The Mick" I knew more about him than he knew about himself.When he hurt, I suffered. Loved the Yanks and there was only one hero. BUT...Later on, after he retired I found out about the real"Mick" the sob was a stiff. Got his ass beat in golf by a friend of mine at a celeb outing where he was sure to make some healthy wagers. Long story short, there was no offer to pay and when asked about it later at the dinner the Mick just smirked as if to say you're lucky I'm here. No $ changed hands but that was the real "Mick" a complete egomaniacal a''hole.
bear

 

[beantownjim]

jssmooth i dont want to bring up the race issue but all your idols are black and thats fine with me but if my idols are all white im a racist how come we have a double standard in this country.my idols larry bird,roger clemens,big mac,and i have to throw in pedro.do you look up to any white guys smooth.