Bush Hog on sport
Regarding America's sports culture -- the youth side of which was discussed on yesterday's Midday show -- our old friend Bush Hog comments:
"Viewers of sport at all levels have become inured, upon the slightest achievement on field or floor, to exhibitions of fist-pumping, chest-pounding, ball-spiking, endzone-dancing and in-your-face howling. The simple dictum uttered by former Steelers coach Chuck Noll ("Son, if you happen to get into the endzone, act like you've been there before") is old hat. Self-adulation is the rule of the day and league officials count angels on the heads of pins in an effort to determine when the conduct has spilled over into 'taunting.'
"Thus, it was striking on Sunday to see Trevor Immelman, as he walked up the fairway toward the 17th green to the cheers of the gallery, unobtrusively motion to his playing partner of the day to join him in the walk. Mr. Immelman's parents were waiting for him at the 18th green and, no doubt, they were quite proud of his victory. They could be equally proud, however, of their son's simple act of grace on the 17th--an act so slight and quiet that it did not even rate a notice or a mention from the jabberwockies broadcasting the event. His parents, or somebody-sometime, had taught this kid graciousness. It was a lovely moment from a bygone time when sportsmanship and sport appeared together."
Comments
It also should be noted that many players want to walk by themselves. He had the opportunity to win the Masters. Many players would rather be concentrating on the task at hand. I don't mean to take anything away from Immelman, as it was a great feat, but just make a point that all players play the game differently and aren't ungracious.
Posted by: Jason | April 17, 2008 11:18 AM