Tell the Truth. . . Most of the Time

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This thirty second sportsmanship commercial produced by the Foundation for a Better Life got me thinking about how in sports an “ends justify the means” mentality often dominates. Why is that?

We’re used to seeing wide receivers trap balls and pop up as if they caught them before they hit the ground. Similarly, we’re using to seeing outfielders pop up after trapping line drives as if they were legit catches. And as the commercial highlights, in bball players routinely deny having tipped a ball.

One definition of morality is doing the right thing when no one’s looking, in some sports though, we seemingly accept whatever it takes to win.

Can’t athletes be both passionate about winning and ethical?

I take a car crash approach to YouTube comments, try not to look, but in the case of this commercial, I couldn’t help myself. One commenter made an interesting point by saying it’s important to defer to the third, impartial party to maintain control and that the refs wouldn’t have liked having their call questioned. Is that a legit explanation for the status quo or is it a weak rationalization for lying? Most people ripped the player for admitting to touching the ball before it went out of bounds.

Again, why do we expect people to tell the truth when completing their taxes, but take an “anything goes” approach to winning? If you’re over thirty five you might remember the fifth down game. Gotta love Bill McCartney‘s (of Promise Keepers fame) stirring response.

Maybe it’s just the major sports. Golf is well known for requiring honesty and as Rosie Ruiz found out, generally you have to run the whole 26.2 miles of a marathon.

What am I going to do all about this? The next time I race my daughter in the 500 free, I’m going to get my counter to flip from 13 to 17 and hope no one notices. If they do, I’m sure everyone will cut me some slack.

Thanks

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I joined the blogosphere in January 2008 and took a hiatus during the spring of 2009. Absent much feedback, I’ve been somewhat fickle with occasional name, formatting, and post schedule changes. And now I’m doing it again by reneging on my recent M-W-F plan. Instead of adhering to a set schedule in twenty ten, I’m going to an inspiration-based schedule.

The top three posts to this point and time: 1) Student-Centered Education Reform; 2) Two Types of Self Esteem; and 3) Why Merit-based Teacher Pay is Not a Good Idea. That suggests Lance is wrong not just about the University of Washington football team’s prospects next fall, but people’s interest in my swimming, cycling, and running as well.

Jeez, could my sista be right, it’s not all about me? Shudder the thought.

Thanks for continuing to read, and in some cases, comment. I appreciate it. I hope you’ll consider passing the link to others and jumping in with a comment sometime in twenty ten in order to generate more positive momentum. Also, I’m curious if there are specific questions, topics, or issues you’d like me to write about in the year ahead.

I hope the new year  starts out especially well for you and yours.

Ron

Andre Agassi

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Thoroughly, thoroughly enjoyed Agassi’s autobio on a lot of different levels. Here’s my blurb Double A didn’t ask for. “As riveting and provocative a parenting/psychology/media studies/sports studies case study as you’ll read for a long, long time.”

Got into one of those grooves where it was very hard to put down. I like tennis and could have been decent if I was quicker, had a better backhand, could get my first serve in, and had a second serve.

I followed it more closely when Agassi, Courier, Chang, and Sampras were kicking ass nearly every weekend. Now I get excited about Federer and Nadal a few times a year.

It was fascinating to “relive” the era from Agassi’s perspective and reflect on how easy it is to misinterpret things through media lenses. Agassi was greatly misunderstood by everyone outside his inner circle.

That realization was a reminder that people’s questionable actions often make sense when we truly understand the context of their lives. The media loved to rip Agassi for not always playing up to his potential and symbolizing style over substance, but his erratic play and behavior made sense in the context of his two decade long identity crisis. And his identity crisis made sense in the context of his dad’s and Nick Bollettieri’s oppressive parenting and coaching.

My daughter didn’t understand how he ended up being thoughtful and intelligent when he left school in the eighth grade which led to a nice talk about the difference between schooling and education.

People who are not tennis fans will still find it a worthwhile read, but they may end up skimming the 10% or so where Agassi does color commentary on his own most consequential matches.

In the end, Agassi was imminently likable which only added to the overall enjoyment. Here’s hoping Stefanie, his children and him live happily ever after.

Week that Was—12/21-12/27

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12/21 M T W R F SA SU Total
S 2,000

16:31 1k

 2,000

16:28 1k

 700

famrelays

 4,700
C 16 14

fam

 30
R 6 6

mid 4-:29

 6

marathon

pace

5-38:49

 18

S: Outdoors in Flo-rida. SCM. Busted a knuckle up pretty good during family relays. It was all worth it though because I smoked 17 during that 50 back/breast race segment. My sissy shared an interesting thought last week, “It’s not all about me.” Oh, I beg to differ. As I pulled away with 14 cheering wildly, it was all about me. Seventeen never should have said “YOUR doing breaststroke?” Although, fourteen and forty seven were victorious, everyone smoked me in the back/butter/breast.

C: W indoors, Su outdoors. Sunday’s ride was done at 10mph with my better half on a hybrid way too small for me. Our mission, find Derek Jeter’s new house. We were unsuccessful. I should have done the research beforehand. We actually saw it near the end of our ride from across the (Tampa) Bay. Once built it will be 30,000 square feet. Seems kinda silly for a single dude. Actually seems kinda silly for a polygamist with double digit children. Had a thought during the ride Lance. If I rode an Ironperson at that pace, I probably could tag on a marathon. 1:05 swim, 11:40 bike, 4:00 run, :14 transitions. Oh wait, they have a cut off after the bike, nevermind.

R: I was running T and the temp was in the high 60’s. Yes, I took my shirt off and yes runners going the opposite direction were shielding their eyes. Call me the Solar Eclipse. A cyclist passed me wearing arm and leg warmers. So nice to run in warm sunlight. Which brings us to Christmas eve service. The offertory? “In the Bleak Mid-Winter”. I’d like to trade mid-winters for just one more week to help the people of TB truly understand the meaning of “bleak.”

Avatar versus Invictus

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Invictus because I’m not a sci fi guy. Friends were raving about the new Star Trek on a run recently. I don’t think I’ve ever sat through a whole episode. I’m definitely a non-fiction guy. That being said, I enjoyed Avatar, I just have a hard time giving into the notion of aliens. Of course the special effects were on a whole new level and even I followed the storyline. My take away, don’t mix business and pleasure.

I followed South Africa closely in the mid/late 80’s and really enjoyed Invictus because it mixed three of my interests, Africa, politics, and sports. I was left wondering how true to actual events it was. Afterwards, I did a little internet research and found an article from a British periodical that suggested not very. However, when I read that piece I had to chuckle. In my opinion, the journalist was quibbling with minutiae. It’s amazing Mandela, 91, has lived as long as he has, especially given conditions on Robben Island.

My suggestion, go crazy and see both.

What Decade is Drawing to a Close?

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What will we call it? I propose the “double zeroes” or maybe that’s redundant and it will just be the “zeroes”, yeah, I prefer that. I suspect the next one will be referred to as the teens even though that’s not entirely accurate. And while I’m on the topic of dates, strangely, I was the only Avatar viewer in our foursome to pick up on the 2154 date on the videoblog screen. And don’t forget to train for the Victoria, BC marathon on 10/10/10.

Eastward Ho

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Conventional wisdom suggests we should be planning for the year ahead writing down specific, measurable personal finance, family, health, intellectual, work, service, spiritual goals. Fools don’t plan to fail, they fail to plan.

I’m just not feelin’ it.

Instead, I’m at a point in my life where positive processes hold more allure than specific, measurable goals. Rather than focus on tangible products, I want to tweak my already healthy daily routines that create positive momentum in my life.

If I remember to whom much is given much is required, spend an hour or two a day moving, save more than I spend, read and write regularly, pay attention to my wife and daughters, and do right by my friends, students, and co-workers, 2010 will turn out well.

The Cheetah

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Recently, on ESPN’s website, Bob Ryan asked how high will Tiger rise again. His answer in essence, “Never all the way.” Wrong. See Kobe Bryant. One could argue that Kobe, on trial for rape, was in a deeper hole than Tiger. What are people saying about Tiger? His image was manufactured, he’s stupid, he should change his name to the Cheetah.

I have a hard time believing that the same people who now love Kobe (mom) are going to think any less of Tiger after he wins his 19th major in six, seven years. If anything, he’ll be a bit more accessible to the average golf fan, and if he pieces some semblance of a personal life together, he’ll probably end up more popular than ever. In this debate, Gillette and Accenture are siding with Ryan, Phil Knight and Nike, with me.

You and I are foolish for thinking we knew Tiger even a little bit and for believing there’s a positive correlation between athletic talent and character. Fool me once, shame on me. Fool me a hundred and one times. . .

Onward Blixen to Francis’s previous question about whether monogamy is even realistic. Read recently that 1 in 4.6 married people are cheetahs. Ergo, if that’s correct, three or four of every five are faithful.

Here are some of my secrets for remaining among the three or four of every five.

First, I think positively of myself, not because I’m perfect, but partly because I’m a good husband. Were I to go even a little Eldrick, I’d have to reconstruct my self-image. What a hassle that.

Second, I’ve never hung out with Jordan and Barkley in Vegas. Were I to TDUB, my homeboys would freeze me out (correction: one recently said not true if I videotaped it for them) and who wants to run by themself all the time. What’s the saying, “You are the company you keep.”

Third, impossible to find someone half as hot as the gal pal.

Fourth, who am I kiddin’, those three are more than sufficient to keep me in the center of the fairway.