Video: You’re an Athlete. Not a Warrior
There is an alarming trend in sports that has been going on for a long time. Now is time to set the record straight. If you’ve literally gone out and stalked your prey and defended your clan, tribe or family you are a warrior. If you are out fighting for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness you are a soldier. If you go out and play a sport, even injured, you are not. You, sir, are an athlete and that’s it. Quit disrespecting those who risk it all by pretending that a basketball arena in Ohio is treacherous and has any comparison to the deserts of Iraq or the jungles of Vietnam. Just stop.
Tuesday night, as the Cleveland Cavaliers were closing out the Chicago Bulls in game 5 of the opening round of playoffs, LeBron James shot his final free-throw with his left hand. Normally a boisterous righty, King James’ antics sparked some of the Chicago Bulls to confront him about it. Was this another opportunity to show-boat reminiscent of Michael Jordan closing his eyes from the foul line? Though I have my doubts, James said no and that it was his elbow. Honestly, all that is fine. But seven seconds later, during his normal courtside post-game interview James had this to say about the injured elbow:
“It’s been bothering me for the last three weeks.
But I’m a warrior, I play, and I’m happy we got the series over with.”
Really? You’re a warrior LeBron? Get out of here with that nonsense. You play basketball for a living. You’re not a warrior. You said “it was like when you hit your funny bone.” So, because you hit your “funny bone” and keep playing, you’re now a “warrior?”
And, he’s not the only one.
Remember a couple of years ago when Kellen Winslow Jr, then Miami Hurricanes Tight End, let off a semi-profanity laced tirade about how he is a “soldier” at “war.” C’mon man. You’re a prima-donna collegiate tight-end. Shut up.
Look, I know that this is as much about the media needing colorful words to describe a player so they resort to metaphorical statements. But, the media didn’t say either of these examples. They did. LeBron & Kellen: Have some respect for the people that serve this country so you can make millions of dollars to play a game.
