What a Job - The Athletes We Love, and the Things They Owe Us.
Rumble young men rumble.
"Everybody Hates Chris" is one of my favorite shows ever. Although it dealt heavily in hyperbole, the message of family togetherness, surviving struggle, and the will to be understood were something we could all understand. The titular character's relationship with his Father was my favorite part of the show. Julius, portrayed by an ALWAYS IN LONG SLEEVES SO YOU DIDN'T SEE HOW BIG HE WAS Terry Crews was a hardworking, no nonsense character that stressed the value doing what you were paid to do to the very best of your ability. To Julius, there was no such thing as "on time". You were either early, or you were late. Great words to live by. In 1988, Chris Rock's actual father Julius died from ulcer surgery. I'm no doctor, but I know ulcers are typically brought on by stress, so there's that.
Yeah... those jumpsuits were necessary.
We live in a world where we have unparalleled access to our favorite actors, entertainers and athletes. I can send a tweet to hulk hogan RIGHT NOW (but I'm not gonna, brother) or tell Michael Jordan how great he is on Facebook (is Michael Jordan on Facebook?) if I so desire. But just because I have that ability doesn't change the relationship. I'm still a customer, and they are still trying to sell me something. We aren't friends, aren't pals, aren't all of a sudden part of the same UNIVERSE. The rules are a bit different, but the game is the same - These people are here to give me something, until they aren't. Then they aren't.
Some type of way...
People have the feels for LeBron James like no one else. He brings out REAL emotion in them. Best basketball player on earth, perhaps the very best athlete to ever bounce a ball. He's been famous since high school, commands more media attention that anyone else, and his every move is over analyzed and heavily criticized. We know the narrative - kid from northeast Ohio, gets drafted by his local team, gets that ass whooped year in and year out, holds a TV special saying he's out the door, fans burn jerseys. I'm not from Cleveland, and have never been there. I'm spoiled - I grew up supporting a storied football franchise as well as the picture of modern success basketball franchise. But I wasn't pissed when Champ Bailey was traded for Clinton Portis. I didn't lose my cool when Tim Duncan was looking into playing in Orlando. AND I DIDN'T FLIP OUT WHEN MY ALL TIME FAVORITE POINT GUARD WASN'T ACQUIRED! You know why? Because these are jobs. No one that I don't work for owes it to me to work at a certain place, especially if they have a better deal on the table someone. ESPECIALLY if working somewhere else will make them happier. Disappointment is one thing, but we would all leave our jobs if another job was more fulfilling. Or paid more money. It's the American way! Need proof of that? The same people that were out BURNING JERSEYS are writing letters, making videos, and doing everything they can to make the King's homecoming as royal as possible. Fandom is a series of temporary emotions, like a relationship with a jerk that buy lots of presents. Presents are the best "I'm sorry"s ever invented.
Stay woke.
The one thing that makes people more angry than there favorite athlete switching teams is their favorite athlete quitting. And that's a bit more tangible. If you're like me, you can't just up and quit your job. You have to show up, day after day, take shit, and then repeat the process time and time again. Even if you're great with your money, you haven't saved up enough to just walk away, unless you have something else waiting in the wings. I need to get my wings right. Anyway, when your favorite star walks off a show, or the field, or from the wrestling ring, it's difficult to understand how they could do such a thing. At least on the surface.
Yesterday, I wrote about Daniel Bryan, perennial underdog, his rise to the top of the WWE and his current fight to resume his career. In many ways, his ascension mirrored that of CM Punk, RETIRED professional wrestler. CM Punk was anti-superstar, a guy with a natural body, poor disposition, and the self confidence to voice his opinions when things weren't going the way he deemed appropriate. If Daniel Bryan's rise was meteoric, Punk's was that slow burn, a series of starts and stops that ultimately culminated with an Indian style sit down, a Steve Austin T Shirt, and a Pipe Bomb. From that day forth, Punk was a major player, engaging in feuds with the very top talents, and having the longest title reign basically since I've been a real boy. But things change, focus changes, and things you can't account for occur. Other people get popular. Not everyone is your biggest fan. Your body gets worn down. You see people around you struggle. These are all things that happen at our jobs, but typically on a much smaller scale.
Gotta love it.
So you have a guy that doesn't do drugs, doesn't drink, and doesn't buy gaudy gifts. But makes LOTS OF MONEY. When you only bad habit is women, and you find a way to get through that habit with no kids and all your body parts in tact, you've won at the game of life. WWE has maintained a hold on many a wrestler because of the money they needed to make up for the money they lost. Not this guy. He's set financially, and at the point where he knows his best physical days are behind him. Much like LeBron, Punk has legions of fans that just want him on their team. I've been a fan for years and years. I've seen the guy in person at two Wrestlemanias. But when I heard he wasn't going to be there, I didn't hold it against him. If our companies paid us on the scale they pay him, then the politics of that company didn't augur with what we desired, wouldn't we walk away too? I can't sacrifice my well being for anyone I'm not feeding IF I'm not happy doing it anymore. A smile and a thank you just isn't worth my body. Celebrity is a responsibility, but sacrificing oneself isn't a requirement if it isn't in you anymore.
So... y'all mad?
I can't fault a fan for cheering a guy on, and getting emotionally invested in them. But you have to take some things from a personal standpoint, and understand that same desire to be great at their crafts influences their willingness to do what's best for THEMSELVES. All we can really ask is for greatness WHILE WE HAVE THEM. Anything else would just be unrealistic.
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