Well, I do not recall assigning "importance" to it, but I suppose that is what I did if you say so. I also do not remember discussing "reward". I said professional sport is about the business of winning. And, if you know anything about me at all, you will recall that I am a HUGE college sports fan. I love watching college football and basketball. In fact, I do not even watch the NBA, but that again is not the point.
You are right, trying to gain an edge and injecting drugs are far apart in the grand scheme but I merely pointed out that I understand. I do not "condone". Just trying to offer an alternative point of view on the subject. As for "real" sport, I said anyone that has played at a real level. That never insinuated that professional is the only level I admire. Perhaps I need to consider my audience before I speak? Clearly I will find myself explaining more than discussing.
[Show/Hide Quoted Message] (Quoting Message by Soylentgreen4u a.k.a. theWOLFMAN from Saturday, February 07, 2009 3:06:00 PM)| |  | Soylentgreen4u a.k.a. theWOLFMAN wrote: | | BLOODY REPUBLICAN!...I KNEW YOU WOULD CONDONE CHEATING!...  ...I GUESS THEN THAT'S WHAT MAKES US DIFFERENT...THE REAL REWARD IS TO DO THE BEST YOU CAN,THE 'WINNING' ASPECT OF IT IS THE ICING ON THE CAKE...TO GET AN ADVANTAGE ON AN OPPONENT IS ONE THING,TO HIDE IN HOTEL ROOMS AND BATHROOM STALLS TO INJECT ONESELF WITH PERFORMANCE ENHANCING DRUGS IS QUITE ANOTHER...AND THESE GUYS ARE NOT HEROES ,THEY ARE PAID TO PLAY A GAME,YOU WANT HEROES PEOPLE?...HERE'S A FEW:
THE DOCTOR THAT SAVES YOUR LOVED ONES LIFE ON THE OPERATING TABLE...THE FIREMAN THAT RISKS ALL TO ENTER A BLAZING BUILDING TO RESCUE SOMEONE...THE 'GOOD' PARENT(S) OUT THERE THAT GAVE THEIR ALL TO RAISE THEIR KIDS RIGHT...SURELY YOU GET THE IDEA...A TAD DISAPPOINTING ON YOUR PART HOWEVER, YOU ONLY SEEM TO CONSIDER PROFESSIONAL SPORTS REAL ,I AM QUOTING YOU BY THE WAY...JUST BECAUSE A SPORT ISN'T AT THE PROFESSIONAL LEVEL,DOESN'T MAKE IT UNIMPORTANT...ACTUALLY IT'S A LOT MORE ENJOYABLE AT TIMES TO WATCH THE KIDS PLAY WITHOUT ALL THIS BS ATTACHED TO IT.
| | | Deep Freeze wrote: | | Well Soy, political affiliations aside, I find that I am in a rather difficult position when it comes to steroid use in professional sports. I mean, I am not for it but I have difficulty condemning it as "cheating". Professional sport is a business. It is the business of winning and, as such, you do whatever you must to win. Terribly cynical I know, but true. The old adage, "If you aint cheatin', you aint tryin' " comes to mind.
Anyone that has ever played sports at any real level can certainly understand from whence I speak. I have mentioned my past life in baseball many times. I never doped but then again, I never got "paid" and needed to..My team was sponsored and we won in order to retain that sponsorship (along with using their equipment) but the point is, if we stopped winning, we lost our "ride". Did I try to take an extra step when I could? You bet! Did I try to exploit a weakness or sneak off the bag early or get a head start when I thought no umpire was looking? Absoluetly. I guess I "cheated".
Professional athletes are paid to win. There is no silly sentiment or "pureness" to it. Win or retire. Period. And fans love winning. Now, having said this, as a true fan, I also understand the sadness many feel when a "hero" is exposed as a fraud. But, if you consider that an athlete's body is nothing more than a piece of equipment, how can you blame him?? I mean, they use the best equipment technology can offer, right? Certainly they would consider "improving" their body in any way possible? A truly difficult situation. I know what you are saying, Soy. I just do not know what the "right" answer would be...
Edited at: Saturday, February 07, 2009 12:49:24 PM |
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