The 'Pussyfication' of Sports

Like 99.23456% of the males of the world, I enjoy watching sports...whether it be NBA, NFL, Volleyball and such like. My favourite sport is basketball, to play, to watch and lately even coach (although I think that last one will give me the most stress)


My first introduction to basketball 'hardcore' was during the '91 NBA Finals, Lakers vs Bulls, MJ vs MJ...apparently it was what they called 'Destiny Manifest'. I didn't quite get why they said that (again, this is my first serious watching of the game) but from what I was told, these two players were the best of the best at their respective positions and I soon saw why. Johnson a 6' 9" point guard with 'eyes all over his head' and Jordan...NUFF SAID.


After that first game I was hooked, over the years I followed the game...researching it's history to some extent, getting acquainted with the faces of the players and most importantly the rivalries...cause after all, what is sports without a good rivalry?? As many of the rivalries in the NBA, at this time the best was Chicago Bulls vs New York Knicks. Every game lived up to the hype (well as far as my memory goes...Derek where you at?) Hard fouls, good plays, tough defense and most importantly TRASH TALK. As a player there is no sweeter feeling than making an amazing play, whether it be a dunk on a defender or 2, hitting the game winning shoot, breaking someone ankles...you get where I going with this and then letting him know about it.


As we moved along the '90's and into the new millennium, I started to notice a trend...the 'art' of trash talking was on a decline. Was it due to the players not 'practicing' it. No. It was a conscious effort by the powers that be (damn you David Stern) to make the league more 'casual fan' friendly. Now I am all for making your product more marketable, but not at the expense of main clients/supporters. Along with this, I also noticed a more friendly NBA, no longer was there this 'dislike' for the opponent...that was out the window and replaced with fist bumps/high 5's/smiles. Even in the post game interviews, everything seemed so 'friendly'.


The other sport that I mainly watch is NFL. *puts on best Katt Williams voice* This shit right here nigga, this shit right here. *back to normal*
Now if there was one sport MADE for trash talk, this is it. You get big hits and big plays TD celebrations and again rivalries. I will admit that I'm not as 'up on it' with the NFL as with the NBA but I wouldn't say I am a slough either. Once again, the powers that be decided to make the league more 'friendly'. Gone are the really good/funny TD celebration dances. I will admit, the trash talk in this sport is arguably at its best now....take for example the upcoming Jets vs Patriots game. Already there has been enough back and forth between these two teams to keep the press going for a month, but yet on some sports shows I see the panel or 'experts' saying that this is wrong. Seriously??? How does this hurt the game? If you think the opposing team's QB is an a**hole...then that's what you think. Would it be a wise thing to poke the bear, especially after the last time you played him said QB pelt his foot so far up your ass, on national tv mind you, that you STILL get indigestion from his show spikes....not really but then again this may be how this player 'gets up' for games.


Is it so bad to play games with a 'chip on your shoulder' or have a 'dislike' for the team/person you are going against? Why must everything be so 'friendly'? Yes I get that the 'friendly' version gets you the casual fan vote, but do you risk offending your 'die hard fans' just to catch that vote? After all, they are just the casual fan, when they decide to stop watching what then? Hockey is probably one of the most violent games being played (they do have a rule that allows you to fight) but yet they don't 'water down' their product.


I say all of this to make one simple plea....


STOP THE PUSSYFICATION OF SPORTS. PLEASE!!!!!!!