legations surrounding former professional running back, and USC star, O.J. Simpson (pictured here). The second entry, "Should Belichick be Asked to Resign" alludes to the videotaping scandal associated with the New England Patriots, and what the best course of action would be for the game of football. I have left comments on these blog entries addressing both with my own viewpoints and why the face of the game is more important than any one face that makes up that game.The actions taken by Bill Belichich, on behalf of the New England Patriots, is by no means commendable. What he has done deserves the penalty that has been placed by Commissioner Goodell. I actually think that a suspension from the league for the coach should have been included as well. However, I do not think that Belichick should resign from his current position. What he has partaken in is in fact cheating, and does reflect on the league negatively in the media, but is not means for self-expulsion. That, we can leave to those who have really scared the game, such as Pacman Jones. Belichick's actions should not
give the NFL or any other players in the game a bad name but himself ( I believe these actions were only his idea), and the only way I think he should be made to resign, is if he did give others a bad name through his actions or helped to label the NFL, and all of its players and coaches, as a "cheaters league" much as Pacman Jones gave some evidence, quite unfortunately, for the stereotype that the NFL is a "criminals league". Goodell (to the left) has done a great job trying to protect the image of the NFL, and in doing so, has kept Belichick from becoming the type of sports figure that would warrant such a severe penalty such as being made to resign. The bottom line is what is the best for the "sake of the game". The game is for the fans. Without them there is no game, and no money to support it. It is best for the game to keep Belichick in, not because he necessarily deserves it, but because if he is made to resign you "cast a long and hideous shadow" over the game of football as well. In this age of steroids, its one of the last remaining popular sports that we don't have looming suspicions about. Baseball achievements and records have the shadow due to steroids, relieving Belichick from his duties will cast the shadow over football for cheating. Our national pastime has been tarnished, lets not do the same to the game of football, and do what is right for the game.The recent allegations against O.J. Simpson are almost beyond belief. One would think he would have learned by now. Its strange to think that this one time childhood hero, and pro-bowler has become a serial criminal, but this does not take away the fact that he was a hero for many children and one of the best on the field. I have always been a supporter of what was achieved as a player matters most when it comes to Hall of Fame induction, but I agree we must draw the line somewhere.
I had an opportunity to meet Pete Rose this summer and he signed a baseball for me, pictured to the right, that says the words, "I'm sorry I bet on baseball". Some might say it is just a money ploy to inscribe something like this on a ball, but in talking with him, anyone could tell that if he could take one thing back in his life, the gambling would be it. He is the all-time hit leader, and one of the best baseball players ever. What he did was wrong, but he has apologized and does regret what he has done. Pete Rose, in my estimation belongs in the Hall at this point.
O.J., on the other hand, will never apologize for any of his actions, and we now see that he has no qualms about compounding his mistakes. Although I am not sold on destroying the bust and removing O.J. from the hall yet, I do think there has to be some action taken. Once again, we see that something has to be done to protect the image of the league and its fans. There is something to be learned from Pete Rose's regret, but nothing from O.J.'s continual court visits. This is the perfect opportunity to separate those who have become great people from those who were just good athletes, and we can all agree, O.J. was only, and will always only be the later.
2 comments:
I want to start off by saying I found your blog to very interesting. I enjoyed reading about your opinion about the current events about OJ Simpson and the New England Patriots. Specifically, you have many strengths. First I think you clearly introduce your sources so it was easy to have a short background about the writer and the links took me exactly to the website. I also think you had very good word choice such as "bottom line is what is the best for the "sake of the game," "Our national pastime has been tarnished, lets not do the same to the game of football, and do what is right for the game" and one time childhood hero, and pro-bowler has become a serial criminal. These are very simple phrases, yet, they convey so much emotion. I, also, think your pictures were very helpful because they aided as a visual for the individuals you mentioned. I think the baseball picture was perfect for your post.
As for places for improvement, there were not too many. I would first say that it is important to start your post with a general argument and then jump into the blogs you responded to. As well, I am not too familiar with the Pacman Jones situation so it would be helpful if you put a link that explained the story or gave a brief description. On a technical note, make sure not to use contractions such as "don't." Lastly, put a title that distinguishes your comments to the external blogs because I was confused as to where to find them. Overall, I think you have a very strong argument and I cannot wait to read more!
First and foremost, I enjoyed reading your post; I found your topic choice intellectually stimulating given the recent off-field developments in the world of professional football (past and present), and thought your choice of blog entries was excellent. The author clearly (as a published author in Psychology) has some professional legitimacy in discussing each topic, and his arguments are well stated, fluid, and entertaining. Because of the well-written nature of his articles, in reading your blog, I would have liked a more direct response to his general arguments and more specific individual points made, if for no other reason than to provide some sort of intellectual discourse with the author that a reader of your blog would read and be inclined to join. In addition, while I thoroughly enjoyed exploring the links to the two blogs, I was disappointed when I found that I was unable to do the same with the imagery. As a reader, I am interested in learning where each respective image derives from, so that I can explore related links and perhaps other articles and images relating to the topics. In the future, links on the images to the sites of their origin would be much appreciated.
Regarding your comments, I appreciated the discourse you provide and, in general, agreed with your opinions on these issues. I would, however, be careful of using phrasing like, “O.J., on the other hand, will never apologize for any of his actions, and we now see that he has no qualms about compounding his mistakes” and “pro-bowler has become a serial criminal” simply because you refer to allegations as if they are fact, thereby inserting your opinion in a forceful manner which might make a reader with a differing opinion unlikely to finish reading the article, let alone comment on it. Also, making controversial assertions without factual basis tends to weaken any writer’s overall argument, so in the future you may want to refrain from such comments.
Overall, I appreciated and thoroughly enjoyed reading your post. With the exception of these few details, the blog was well-done.
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