I listened to one of my first sports casts, well I guess it is referred to as a pod cast being as it is online. This interesting little talk show is entitled "Slate's Hang Up and Listen". They were discussing the players in the NFL and teams such as the Patriots and Steelers. This show features Josh Levin and sports reporter Mike Pesca.
Stefan Fatsis is also featured as a writer and commentates on occasion.
They begin to give their opinion on Jay Cutler for the Bears. They talk about this because an ESPN reporter, Rick Riley, did a story previously on the player and attempted to get Cutler to open up and give a good story. Riley said he was stand-offish and simply had a bad attitude. He said we form opinions on athletes in the way they hold themselves on the field, but not just that, also off the field. And the sports commentators on the show had also taken on the opinion that this player is rude off the field.
Of course, no player is expected to like a sports journalist, but he should be able to respect a journalist enough to give them a few minutes of their time to get a story done. It seems like a player would want their name in the paper with encouraging, positive words behind their name.
They also discuss the opinion on the reasons behind players wanting the work with other athletes. "I think leadership matters, but I ask the question, do we deem a person a leader just because they are good." This part of the sports cast was not only creative, but a great point to hit! Just because a player might be the best on the field or court does not make him or her the team leader, you become a leader through your example, and whether or not you can lead your team by make tough game decisions and deal with game pressure. I say game pressure because you are able to keep composed-and that is for the team, not just the player's good name. Because often, people relate a team to a player- and when one player messes up or makes a poor decision it is related to that team as a whole. So I ask....
What do you think makes a great leader? Their skills or their leadership?
God Bless,
Lauren
Good blog entry, lauren. I think that most players do get that title of being a leader by the plays they make in the game and not by the examples they set for their teammates and for the people in society. For instance, a LeBron James or Kobe Bryant. People assume that these two athletes are good leaders because they score all the points but what examples have they set for their teammates and society. Not saying they are not leaders but it's just an example. Good blog post though, this is a very interesting topic. Keep up the good work.
ReplyDeleteIt is difficult to be a great leader,and there is no absolute judgement about how to be a great leader. you give us a deep thinking about it.Your article is very interesting. I will continue follow your blog.
ReplyDeleteThis is a good post. I do agree with what you are saying about how players should be respectful of journalists. They are just doing their job and sometimes they have to ask questions that needed to be answered. I have always said that athletes should carry themselves on the field the way they do off the field. That should go hand in hand. Now there are some instances where this does happen, for example; Terrel Owens, Chad OchoCinco. This is a good post though Lauren.
ReplyDeleteGreat post girl! I like how at the end you challenged the reader with questions. I think its leadership skills that matter the most as long as you have a good leader skills and talent can multiply and bloom. I think everyone needs to keep in mind that to be a leader you cant make everyone happy this can apply to sports and life in general!
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