Posted on 09/24/2016 1:44:17 PM PDT by Kaslin
Originally it was fear of the “Race Card” being played.
Then over time came the overall societal loss of a sense of sportsmanship, self-discipline and propriety through all segments of society. (Remember it looks good on TV!). If I had to put my finger on when it started look at Ali’s antics. It spread to other sports even tennis, look at McEnroe. Their behavior wasn’t condemned it was celebrated. Back to football, there are no Lombardi’s, Halas’s etc. left in the coaching ranks. Anyone who tried to impose such discipline on star players would have no front office or league support, would quickly be fired and find himself professionally isolated.
I think that explains why the coaches don’t do anything, but what about the players themselves? Replay and the modern penalty system might make self policing too risky as far as wins? There’s only 16 regular season games, so each win is huge, that’s one of the draws to pro football. But that also means really teaching someone a lesson for being a jerk is harder as in it might really cost a win or a win for the next game if there is a suspension. The self policing aspect works much better in baseball where you have 162 games to stick a jerk with 90+ mph or a jerk’s teammate until he stops his jerkitude.
Freegards
I agree! However players are just an extension of society, the team and the league. If the behavior was universally frowned upon and there were consequences it would stop.
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