In those days, I did too, the thought was for not give your opposition "bulletin board material" which motivated your opponents. No, we did not want that to happen. Lull them into complacency was the thinking. Haha. Instead, the opposition was "heaped with praise" about how good they were, and all the "bad" thoughts were internalized. The thoughts were really about kicking their asses all over the field, which has not changed from yesteryear.
Today, the culture of the NFL has changed to be '"a little bit more" in your face.
That’s true with regard to culture. The NFL’s culture reflects the popular culture, or perhaps vice versa.
Every football player, and every athlete, wants to dominate. That’s the real motivation. I just long for some sportsmanship. People can still have their ‘blood up’ after a game and still act like sportsmen. Or at least, some can.
Like when they asked Walter Peyton why he does not celebrate a TD. He said something to the effect, I want to act like I have been there before and will be again.