February 2, 2005

Page 11

Missing Simpler Times in Sports

norts fans

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“Now when 33

turn on one of the Spe cialty channels to watch a game, we are inundated with images of men in suits growl- ing at each other; of overpaid, narrow- minded athletes telling us that they have to think of their families; or of players climbing into the stands to fight with fans.”

stolencarshow.ca —

SEE TRASHED AND STRIPPED CARS.

BY ZURICK SCHERGER THE PROJECTOR (RED RIVER COLLEGE)

WINNIPEG (CUP) -- Lately, I have found myself wondering why I contin- ue to be a sports fan.

Now when sports fans turn on one of the specialty channels to watch a game or highlights we are inundated with images of men in suits growling at each other; of overpaid, narrow- minded athletes telling us that they have to think of their families; or of players climbing into the stands to fight with fans.

Who is there left to cheer for?

Do you want to believe that Barry Bonds has doubled his weight in the

last 20 years without science? How can a guy like Kobe Bryant go trom pinna- cle to doghouse in such a short time? Haye Todd Bertuzzi and Dany Heatley learned from their mistakes? It's not as if sports haven't had their fill of controversy in the past. Kermit

Washington broke Rudy Tomjanovich's face in 1977. Bobby Clarke chopped down Valery

Kharlamov like a large Russian fir tree in '72. Both Wade Boggs and Steve Garvey had to own up to extramarital affairs during their illustrious baseball careers. And don't forget about OJ. When we used to hear the word court, we thought of basketball. Now

the word conjures up images oF Kobe, Ron .\rtest, Dany Heatley and Todd Bertuzzi standing in front of a judge.

It was easy to get excited about the games. Now we spend our time won- dering about collective bargaining agreements, rule changes, poor olfici- ating and contract holdouts.

Maybe it's too easy to transport ‘vourself back to a time when sports were simpler. Tune into TSN or Sportsnet most nights now and you can watch a vintage game, with the timeless jerseys, wacky hairstyles and good, hard-lought action.

With the media scrutiny and intense pressure applied to athletes toclay, it ts

‘S

easy to understand why some athletes feel they need to take extra measures to succeed.

We put them on a pedestal from the time they are very young, For most of them, it's all they know. How many times do you have to be told that you are great before vou start believing the hype, requiring more adulation?

Moments of violence are forgotten over time, at least until somebody else does something stupid. Mistakes often fade away. In the end, lite goes on. I'll keep watching,

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