R-E-S-P-E-C-T … where’s it gone?

I believe sports are a mirror into American society. What we see portrayed and expressed and verbalized on the sports landscape are often great indicators of where we are as a people and how we think about things.  Like it or not, sports are at the heart of what we are as a society. And as a sports culture junkie myself, I’m a part of that. Guilty as charged.

My wife and I (along with more than 20 awesome teammates from Journey Church) took part in a church-league co-ed slow-pitch softball tournament today. And even in the very small fishbowl of a church league in Podunk rural America of Troy, Missouri, the degradation of respect in our society was evident. Seriously, it’s church league, right? Nothing super out of line, but you could just sense it. The game and the competition and winning were sometimes more important than common decency … respecting each other … respecting the game … enjoying life. It’s so much different than when I was a kid. Stop chuckling; it wasn’t that long ago.

Another recent and frankly, rather shocking, example of this was our very own Yadier Molina, catcher for the beloved St. Louis Cardinals. During a critical series in Milwaukee against the Brewers about 10 days ago, Molina was called out on strikes. I love Yadi, but what happened then was a disgrace. He just LOST IT. (Link to the video.) He went ballistic on the home plate umpire, screaming and spitting and doing the Ump Bump. Very. Bad.

For his outburst, MLB gave Molina a five-game suspension. It could have been more. But the point of all this isn’t the outburst or the punishment. It’s the respect … or rather the lack of it. Whether it’s slow-pitch, the major leagues, the NBA (quickly becoming the worst) or other American sports, the respect for each other, for game officials, for other players, for the fans and for the game is vanishing. For crying out loud, just respect yourself enough to act like you have a brain in that noggin of yours.  It can be hard to do in the heat of battle, but when we step back and look at it, it’s the right thing to do.

So as I (we) look at sports and life, it’s clear that our respect – for competition, for each other, for ourselves – is waning. That’s not good. So the next time you are at at game, in a game, watching a game or maybe just hanging out with family or friends, think twice about how you treat life around you. How much respect are you giving? Let’s model the life we want others to lead.

I’d love to have you join the conversation. Comment on this post.

Until next time, thanks for reading.

 Steve

NFL Free Agency Grades for the Show-Me State

Wow, how time flies.  When I blogged “Top of the Brain” last Wednesday, I was sure I’d post again real soon.  It’s Monday night, and right now is the soonest I could get back to this … that is, at least, without staying up half the night. Anyway … let’s get to it.

NFL Free Agent Frenzy, as many of the national media types liked to call it, is just about over. There are a few signings still trickling in (like RB Ricky Williams to the Ravens today) as injuries and other roster shuffling goes on, but for the most part it’s history. I thought now would be a good time to take a quick look back at how the Show-Me State’s franchises faired overall.  We start with the Rams …

RAMS

Key losses – TE Daniel Fells (Broncos), WR Laurent Robinson (Chargers)

Key additions – OG Harvey Dahl (Falcons), LB Zac Diles (Texans), S Quintin Mikell (Eagles), DT Daniel Muir (Colts), RB Jerrious Norwood (Falcons), WR Mike Sims-Walker (Jaguars), RB Cadillac Williams (Buccaneers), LB Brady Popinga (Packers) LB Ben Leber (Vikings)

Coaching changes – Offensive Coordinator Josh McDaniels

Analysis: For the first few days of the free-agency period, Rams’ fans were screaming for GM Billy Devaney to do something. They made an early splash by signing Mikell away from Philly, but then it went quiet.  But when the dust settles and we can sit back and see what was done, the boys in the front office did a nice job of filling roster holes at wide receiver, back-up running back, offensive line and defensive line. Sam and the new Rams may just take the NFC West this year.  GRADE: A-

CHIEFS

Key losses – DT Ron Edwards (Panthers), DT Shaun Smith (Titans), C Rudy Niswanger (Lions), LB Mike Vrabel (retired)

Key additions – WR Steve Breaston (Cardinals), DT Kelly Gregg (Ravens), LB Brandon Siler (Chargers), FB Le’Ron McClain (Ravens), S Sabby Piscitelli (Buccaneers), OT Jared Gaither (Ravens), WR Keary Colbert (Panthers)

Coaching changes – Jim Zorn, QB coach; Bill Muir, offensive coordinator

Analysis:  Similar to their cross-state rival, the Chiefs had a number of key positions they were looking to strengthen through off-season acquisitions. GM Scott Pioli is as strategic and measured as they come in NFL general managers. But that patience and willingness to hand-pick the right kind of guys for the team paid off last year, and it looks like it will pay dividends again this time around. Pioli and Co. found nice complementary players that should solidify the KC roster and help the team make another playoff run. GRADE: B+

I’d love to hear your thoughts and rants, Rams and Chiefs fans, on how you think they did.

Until next time, thanks for reading.

Steve