Do Most Atheletes Care As Much As We Do?

[justinandimcool]

Just a random thought.

Pro athletes make millions of dollars- and if they're not, they're still more than financially stable. They are coached, they go through team routines, and perform using their natural (or unnatural) talents.

But isn't it just a job to them? I mean, of course I'm sure they love their sport- that's a given. And naturally they play to win, and make their best effort for the purpose of winning. When we open up a game of Solitaire or play a board game, I'm sure we'd rather win than lose. But when all is said and done, and all that money to fall back on, as well as the solace of "there's always next year", does losing devastate them as much as we think they do? I mean, I'm sure these guys have lives, moreso than most of us.

For example, this morning- Colin Cowherd reports that Derek Jeter was at a strip joint spending the night with two women. Regardless of whether or not this is true, it's an example of this lavish lifestyle professional athletes have that makes losing not seem like a big deal. Got knocked out of the playoffs the 7th straight year? Didn't perform well against Cleveland? Joe Torre's leaving? There's new people running the team? Mariano and Jorge considering leaving? ...I'm sure Derek is aware, and has his opinions on the subject matter, and I'm sure he'd rather still be playing, but does any of this really mean that much to Jeter?

Take college athletes. An overwhelming percentage won't make it to the pros. They have school and work to focus on- to many, I have to assume that deep inside (moreso in the smaller conferences) many feel their sport is just an extra curricular activity. College Football is one of the most popular markets in the country, and the College Basketball postseason one of the most celebrated times of year. I know there's a larger vibe of "passion" in college sports, in terms of performance and school rivalry. It just makes me wonder if these guys get caught up in the BCS standings, the rankings, the March Madness. It's a nice thought wondering if they're just as big as fans as we are.

We have us, hardcore sports fans, talking about it every day, coughing up stats, reading articles, watching every single game, analyzing everything. Personally I know it's in my nature- I love being a sports fan and it'll never change. But I find it quite amusing that many people including myself get so worked up over sports, when there are athletes out there that really don't think much of it. I'm not scrutinizing their passion for the game, but you would think they'd be just as or more obsessed about their game than fans are. When in reality, I assume some are not.

[BreakFree27]

this is the way i see it:

-anyone who plays sports before High School is playing for FUN
-during HS, they are playing for PRIDE (ie. their town/school)
-college they are playing for PASSION, they are willing to put in the time and effort into the sport because they love it so much and want to get to the next level
-once they hit the pros they are playing for MONEY.

granted there are times when those examples aren't true, but generally that is how i fell.

so to answer your question, no i don't think pro athletes give a rat's ass.

[crashintome202]

you think jeter's heard enough shit about losing again in the ALDS, joe torre, him hitting under .200 in the playoffs, possible loss of mo, posada, arod, and abreu...

[justinandimcool]

Originally Posted by crashintome202

you think jeter's heard enough shit about losing again in the ALDS, joe torre, him hitting under .200 in the playoffs, possible loss of mo, posada, arod, and abreu...

I didn't say he hasn't heard enough. I just wonder if he actually gives a shit. He's Derek Jeter. Every woman wants him. He's rich as fuck. I know his passion for baseball and winning, and no doubt he has his stances on every single one of those topics. But I just wonder if it keeps him up at night like it does for alot of fans.

Not like I'm gonna get a real answer from the man, just a thought.

[justinandimcool]

Originally Posted by BreakFree27

this is the way i see it:

-anyone who plays sports before High School is playing for FUN
-during HS, they are playing for PRIDE (ie. their town/school)
-college they are playing for PASSION, they are willing to put in the time and effort into the sport because they love it so much and want to get to the next level
-once they hit the pros they are playing for MONEY.

granted there are times when those examples aren't true, but generally that is how i fell.

so to answer your question, no i don't think pro athletes give a rat's ass.

Thanks for your input. I think I agree with most of it.

[crashintome202]

Originally Posted by justinandimcool

I didn't say he hasn't heard enough. I just wonder if he actually gives a shit. He's Derek Jeter. Every woman wants him. He's rich as fuck. I know his passion for baseball and winning, and no doubt he has his stances on every single one of those topics. But I just wonder if it keeps him up at night like it does for alot of fans.

Not like I'm gonna get a real answer from the man, just a thought.

haha i heard of someone who rejected him.

i see what you're saying, plus he's been through this so many times

[cruscott35]

While they are in between the lines, I think they care more than us...I don't think you can make it to that level without having the competitive juices to not care while they are playing.

After the games, or during the off season, they could give a fuck less so long as their checks keep coming in.

[VanHorneDog]

i know LT does, he whines as much as i do.

plus im sure it haunts certain players that they didnt win it all or made that big mistake.

but some im sure could care less, they just like playing win or loose, but the minority i dont know anyone who plays to loose.

[proudestmnky]

^ manny ramirez disproves that theory.

but i think mostly you're right. to make it to that level, you can't not care, if that makes sense. being in the pros doesn't automatically mean an athlete cares more than everyone else, but they have to care somewhat, at least about their own performance. might be more of a personal pride thing then a winning/losing thing for some, though.

[spoot388]

Jeff Kent was one of the best 2B in baseball and he hates the game. He never watched it on tv or anything. He's just good at it. Its his job. I agree with BreakFree about in high school and college you play for pride and passion, but pros its just money. Sure they want to win a championship, but if they don't, oh well, they still got $12 million this year. I love college football so much more than the NFL because the players aren't playing for anything else except to make their school the best in the nation. Being the best out of 32 teams, big whoop. These kids are playing their hearts out to be the best out of 120.

[Jillyfish924]

i swam from when i was 6 years old through four years of college. genetically, i just wasnt built to be an olympic swimmer, but i assure you that my swimming experience prior to, and especially during, college was the most important thing in my life. though i am not officially on a team now since i've graduated, i still want the sport to be a part of my everyday life. i've become an assistant coach of a swim team now in addition to going to graduate school because i love the sport and want to share my passion for it with younger kids, and hopefully influence their lives like my coaches positively influenced mine.

the thing that bothers me about professional sports is the lack of team unity. that's something that i, as a so-called "measly, division III collegiate athlete" prided myself upon - my team trusted each other, and we were a family, a unit. we were there for each other in good times and in bad, and that was the most rewarding aspect of the whole experience for me. i can't help but think, aside gaining all the money and the fame, that pro athletes just miss out on what makes sports really special: being a true teammate.

[SatelliteEyes]

Originally Posted by spoot388

Jeff Kent was one of the best 2B in baseball and he hates the game. He never watched it on tv or anything. He's just good at it. Its his job. I agree with BreakFree about in high school and college you play for pride and passion, but pros its just money. Sure they want to win a championship, but if they don't, oh well, they still got $12 million this year. I love college football so much more than the NFL because the players aren't playing for anything else except to make their school the best in the nation. Being the best out of 32 teams, big whoop. These kids are playing their hearts out to be the best out of 120.

Rollie Fingers was the same way. He didnt like baseball, he was just the best closer of his time.

But getting back to the question, the short answer is no.

I do not believe players care as much as we do. Its about money, at the end of the day they are rich and famous, and oh, did I mention rich? They want to perform well because it has a direct correlation to their paycheck.

Look, I HATE the Cubs. Fucking hate them, I played baseball in college, when I started playing in college it was clear that it was it for me, but if I had been drafted by the Cubs, and had to suit up for them and they were writing me a check, and a big one at that, I hate to say it, but they'd probably be my favorite team...until I was getting paid by another team. So, again, no, they do not care as much as we do.

We spend money to be fans, they are paid money to be there. That's where the difference starts.

[dmbmuskie]

Some do, and some don't.

[justinandimcool]

What a coincidence.

Manny Ramirezc

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/playof...ory?id=3068474

[BotheDMBFan]

You can tell which ones care, and which ones don't.

Brett Farve, as much as I hate the little fucker, has to love Football.

[dmbdreamingtree]

I played basketball all of my life... it is a family thing... my father was in his senior year of college looked at by several teams... the biggest interest were the pistons... hurt his ACL and couldn't play anymore... my mother was a swimmer, cyclist, and runner... my sister a college softball player... sports were all i knew, all i grew up with... when you grow up in a lifestyle like this (as most athletes do), all you know is competitiveness. It drives and controls your life. I am positive these professional athletes love the game and the atmosphere involved with the professional game once they make it pro... but they also love the things that they have earned with it after decades of dedication and limits.

[SmoothD41]

no chance in hell they do

[thom hudson]

we (the fans) want them (our respective teams) to win more than they actually care to win.

[malarks26]

Originally Posted by justinandimcool

What a coincidence.

Manny Ramirezc

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/playof...ory?id=3068474

Big time coincidence. This is all any of the sports media is talking about today. This and whether or not the Yanks will keep Joe Torre.

Anyways, athletes don't care nearly as much as fans do. Yeah, they might be down for a few days after losing a playoff series, but fans will be in the dumps the entire off-season. It's a job to them and while they want to do their best, they dont sit and dwell the entire off-season over last years playoffs...they go on with their lives.

[joshuatrees18]

The elite players in the league are usally the ones that are both gifted athletically and also the ones that care the most about their perfomance and their teams performance....They are also the biggest fans of the game....Tiger Woods, Wayne Gretzsky, Micheal Jordan, Roger Federer, and Tom Brady to name a few.

But some of the other mid levels players, just put in thier time and collect a check. Some talented Russian hockey players come to mind!

[GavMan33]

Originally Posted by malarks26

Big time coincidence. This is all any of the sports media is talking about today. This and whether or not the Yanks will keep Joe Torre.

Anyways, athletes don't care nearly as much as fans do. Yeah, they might be down for a few days after losing a playoff series, but fans will be in the dumps the entire off-season. It's a job to them and while they want to do their best, they dont sit and dwell the entire off-season over last years playoffs...they go on with their lives.

What else can you do? Not that I condone the Derek Jeter story at all (because I don't if it's true), but what's he supposed to do? Sit in his house from now until March and think about how awful he hit in the ALDS? Think about how the pitching just didn't come through?

No! If he did this, he'd drive himself crazy! You have to be able to let it go, not let bad losses eat at you.

[jiggajm18]

some do/did (tiger woods, jordan, ali).........the majority could care less (donovan mcnabb being a good example)