Yesterday, in a last ditch effort to make “Johnny Football” look both sane and humble, OU’s 22-year-old petulant quarterback, Baker Mayfield, grabbed his crotch and mouthed “f—k you” to the fans at Kansas University -— not once, but three times. No ‘sooner’ had the Heisman candidate humiliated himself and the university he represents, than a legion of sports apologists sprang into action.
Most notable among them was ESPN, which is best known for hiring the most intellectually inert ex-jocks to provide ‘expert’ analysis and commentary. They immediately deployed the tried and true “boys will be boys” and “everybody does it” defense of the indefensible by yammering on about his ‘competitive spirit;’ and unfortunate attraction of on-field cameras. It was a disgusting display from bone-headed, self-entitled ex-jocks, but not at all surprising.
Part of the criteria for the Heisman Trophy involves character and integrity, neither of which can be found in Baker Mayfield. The very first thing that came to my mind, by contrast, is that Mayfield is more than old enough to give his life for his country, and while this preening, narcissistic brat is making a spectacle of himself over a college sport, real heroes who are much younger are being killed overseas in defense of our country. But for them, there’s no fanfare; there’s no celebrity; and, there’s no Heisman Trophy.
Character and integrity. No hand shaking b4 the game. In front of 2 kids. OK so Mayfield more than one ups-them. Other Heisman winners? It gets really good when they go pro.