They say as reporters, we’re supposed to report the
truth.
And we try to, really. Unfortunately, all too often we’re
presented modified, watered-down versions of what’s really
going on.
Athletes and coaches do not always yield the answers we search
for. It seems that in today’s politically correct,
PR-frenzied world, straight answers are often hard to come by.
The sports world has become bogged down with dull blanket
statements and saturated with clichés. Finding players or
coaches that actually speak their mind about their respective team
has become an exception, when it should be the norm.
Too many times, players and coaches respond with meaningless
statements like, “We have to take it one game at a
time,” and “We really gave it our all.” But what
do those even mean?
If a team loses, I want to know why, what happened, where did
they go wrong and how do they feel about it. I don’t want to
hear some lame excuse like “We just didn’t have it
today.”
It’s so hard to find coaches, and players especially, that
are honest about situations; if you’re upset about not
playing, say something!
As hard as this is to say, maybe Terrell Owens had the right
idea. For those of you who don’t remember, during a loss last
month against the Cleveland Browns, Owens threw a sideline tirade.
Emotional and frustrated with the 49ers’ poor performance,
Owens blasted quarterback Jeff Garcia, in front the cameras, and
was later highly criticized for his outburst.
While the tantrum may have been slightly inappropriate coming
from one of the most notoriously selfish players in the league,
Owens’ emotional honesty was refreshing. Even coming from a
fan’s standpoint, if my team is losing badly, I want to know
that they’re as upset about it as I am.
Athletes have every right to, and should, show their true
feelings regarding their team, but instead, the fear of public
perception hangs over them like a dark cloud.
Since when has it become a crime to speak your mind?
In a quest to bleach the stains of agitation, media departments
in both collegiate and professional ranks drain their players from
personality, preferring the safe cliché to anything
interesting but possibly controversial.
Whenever a player dares to question his team publicly,
there’s an outroar: what a prima donna! egotistical! how dare
he?
But why not? Why can’t these athletes speak up? And more
importantly, why don’t they?
Some want to remain supportive of their teams, but some fear the
repercussion from both their coaches and the public.
Ironically, the players that are more vocal are the ones that
become the most famed.
Would Charles Barkley ““ one of basketball’s greatest
mouths even after retirement ““ garner even half the intrigue
he does now if he wasn’t so outspoken? Probably not; he would
be just another retired player with a rapidly increasing
waistline.
Honesty is what draws fan support. People love the earnest
athlete: We can relate to them, even if it’s a matter of just
understanding their actions.
Yes, you could say as reporters we’re just looking for
that sensational story and want to incite some controversy. But our
job is to not only report the truth for our readers but also to
entertain them with our stories, so that’s why we’re
always looking for that elusive great quote.
But you tell me what you can do with “We gave it our
all.”
Bach is ranting and raving, probably because of too many
Diet Cokes. Consider that when you e-mail her at
jbach@media.ucla.edu.