The Way it Was
Pioneers
Enough is Enough
Monkey See, Monkey Do
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There used to be a time when the running back would squirt
through the hole in the line, shrug off three tackles by linebackers
twice his size, juke his way through the secondary and sprint
untouched to the 40...the 30...the 20...the 10...Touchdown! And then
he would hand the ball to the referee and head to the sidelines until
it was his turn to do his job again. Those days are quickly becoming
a thing of the distant past. Today, not only does an 80 yard scamper
illicit a three minute long choreographed dance in the end zone, but even
a simple 4-yard run for a first down in the middle of the 2nd quarter
prompts slamming the ball to the turf and emphatically signaling for
a first down. The team mentality of players like Johnny Unitas and
Barry Sanders has given way to the "Just Give Me the Damn Ball" tirades
of the Keyshawn Johnsons of the NFL. There have been many pioneers along
the way that have moved professional football from a team sport to an individual
showcase for national television. Where does the line exist between emotion
and disruption? On one hand, you have some of the greatest athletes on the
planet performing incredible feats on the field in front of thousands of fans
and millions of viewers at home. It would be naive to think there will not be
emotion involved in such an arena. Celebrations haven't always been like they
are today, however, and there are many who think there is no reason for them
to be. Flag wielding referees are not the only ones who fall into this category.
The impact of players' actions, especially after the play, is not only felt on
the field, but even in youth football leagues across the country made up of 12 year
olds wanting to emulate their heroes on TV. The sport has evolved, and emotion has
jumped to the forefront.
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