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Players have radically changed.
Players WANT to be noticed. Then, when interviewed, they will say it is all about team.
Uh huh.
Leading up to the 70's, players for the previous 100 years were satisfied with handshakes for accomplishments.
Now, we have finger pointing, pointing to the heavens, looking to the heavens, high fives, low fives, fist bumps, raising the roof, dances, shuffles, ice water baths, Gatorade baths, pie in the face, walkoff celebrations, chasing the walkoff hitter, choreographed handshakes, butt bumping outfielders, chest bumps, arrows slings, shirt flaps being pulled out of the pants.
All of these things happen because players want to be noticed and know a camera is around.
You may say it is because they are truly happy.
It really is not that anymore.
Now, they feel as if a walkoff celebration is obligatory.
They have done the pie in the face so much that it is not a surprise, nor funny.

I was score keeping a Rockies rookie game last month when a player came to bat and wrote 'GOD' in front of the batters box.
I watched him do this and thought that he never did it during batting practice.
Now, folks are watching.
He was a visiting hitter. Visiting hitters don't get walk up music. I asked the PA guy, that if he came up again and did the same thing, that he should play 'Unanswered Prayers'. He did, and it got a good laugh.
After striking out, I was rooting for him to write 'dammit' after his 'GOD'. He didn't.... dammit.
When it comes to religion, we give everybody a pass. It's the politically correct thing to do.
I saw this blurb from roto news today...

'The NFL admitted Tuesday the unsportsmanlike conduct flag thrown on Chiefs S Husain Abdullah Monday night was incorrect.

The NFL (no fun league) has a rule that says players are prohibited from engaging in any celebrations or demonstrations while on the ground. However, Abdullah is Muslim and dropped to his knees in prayer after a pick-6 on Tom Brady Monday night. "The officiating mechanic in this situation is not to flag a player who goes to the ground as part of religious expression," said league spokesman Michael Signora. Many players go to one knee for religious reasons in the end zone, a move recently made famous by Tim Tebow.

Dropped to his knees in prayer?
Over a pick-6?
WHAT THE HELL?
Does he do the same thing after getting two Big Macs from McDonalds after ordering one?
I can paraphrase for Bill Parcells here..."Go pray on your own time!"
I don't want a waiter writing 'GOD' on my receipt.
And I sure as Hell don't want him to drop to his knees in prayer after I give him a $20 dollar tip for a $10 dollar meal.
Then again, most 'regular' people don't act that way, do they?

Dan. I happen to be a man of faith. Obviously you are not and that is your choice. For me, I pray before I eat. I pray before I go to bed. I pray when I am driving in my car. Mostly thanking God for the blessings he has given me. Does this make me normal? I don't know, I guess not. Does it make me a better person. No. Does a player who prays after a TD deserve an "unsportsmanlike conduct" penalty? No. I don't agree with the beliefs of his religion but it is a freedom in this country. He didnt do it to Show up his opponent. That was the point that the NFL was trying correct from the original call on the field.

Ah, but Alan, you are wrong my friend. I am a man of faith. I also believe that spelling 'GOD' in a public place or praying after an interception has ZERO to do with religion. Maybe even belittling it a bit.
It is a 'LOOK AT ME' via religion.
Your reply is why so many folks are edgy when approaching the subject of religion.
It is politically correct to not deal with religion at all. I get it.
When doing our praying or talking to the man upstairs we do not make a 'scene' about it.
We can be devout and devoted silently. That is one of the wonders of religion.
Your post was a concern about religion. I get that. It wasn't a 'look at me' post.
Praying for a pick-6 and writing GOD in the dirt is a 'look at me' post via religion.

DOUGHBOYS wrote:Ah, but Alan, you are wrong my friend. I am a man of faith. I also believe that spelling 'GOD' in a public place or praying after an interception has ZERO to do with religion. Maybe even belittling it a bit.
It is a 'LOOK AT ME' via religion.
Your reply is why so many folks are edgy when approaching the subject of religion.
It is politically correct to not deal with religion at all. I get it.
When doing our praying or talking to the man upstairs we do not make a 'scene' about it.
We can be devout and devoted silently. That is one of the wonders of religion.
Your post was a concern about religion. I get that. It wasn't a 'look at me' post.
Praying for a pick-6 and writing GOD in the dirt is a 'look at me' post via religion.

Ok well I'm happy you are a man of faith. There are some who display their beliefs for all to see, not for "look at me" reasons. In both the Christian and jewish religions, public displays of faith are a good thing not a bad thing, if done for the purpose of displaying outward love. Just like a guy might display love for a girl in public as proof of his love for her. God knows our hearts. If we are doing things for selfish reasons, he knows. My point wasn't to debate religion. The guy probably is a faithful man who was thanking God or Allah for his good fortune. Love or hate his reasoning, it doesn't deserve a penalty. Thats all I am trying to say.