MikeGL Posted March 10, 2014 Share Posted March 10, 2014 What was more difficult for me to grasp was the way that the business of entertainment had really shifted the game and the sport of football in the NFL. The culture of football now is very different from the one I grew up with. When I came up, teammates fought together for wins and got respect for the fight. The player who gave the ball to the referee after a touchdown was commended; the one who played through injury was tough; the role of the blocking tight end was acknowledged; running backs who picked up blitzing linebackers showed heart; and the story of the game was told through the tape, and not the stats alone. That was my model of football. Today, game-day cameras follow the most popular players on teams; guys who dance after touchdowns are extolled on Dancing With the Starters; games are analyzed and brought to fans without any use of coaches tape; practice non-participants are reported throughout the week for predicted fantasy value; and success and failure for skill players is measured solely in stats and fantasy points. This is a very different model of football than the one I grew up with. My older brother coaches football at the high-school and youth level. One day he called me and said, "These kids don't want to work hard. All they wanna do is look cool, celebrate after plays, and get more followers on Instagram!" I told him that they might actually have it figured out. http://www.huffingto..._b_4931316.html So, Mendenhall retires and this is what he writes after retirement. Interesting fella, his writing is impressive. So, seems like he might agree with a lot of old-timers on how football is changing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeGL Posted March 10, 2014 Author Share Posted March 10, 2014 Sorry. If you'd like to merge this with Virginia's thread on Mendenhall retiring go ahead. I think it's more specific about the NFL changing though. Whatever you see fit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarence the Blue Puppet Posted March 10, 2014 Share Posted March 10, 2014 He makes some good points. Somebody once said, "You can judge a society on the way they choose to be entertained." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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