Acquiring Players with Questionable Character Becomes an Issue Among Sports Commentators
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by Kayos
Many people have their thoughts or opinions about hiring questionable characters. Today's business world is nothing but appearances. You're taught at an early age that you need to look clean, tidy, and presentable. In other words, regardless of who you are, wear a 3-piece suit. In sports, play on the field, court, etc gets you the interview with the slick-talking agent being your negotiator. It doesn't matter who you are or where you've been.
Last Wednesday, DT Tank Johnson was signed to a 2-year deal with the Dallas Cowboys. Mind you, he won't be making an impact just yet because of the 8 game suspension handed to him from Commissioner Roger Goddell for off-field antics. Now that's being lucky because his case will be reviewed again in order to determine if he's allowed to play or sit out the rest of his suspension.
This has really caused a stir among some of our commentators. Troy Aikman recently said on PTI that he didn't think it was a great idea because winning is about character and he was fortunate to play on a team with "high character". Shannon Sharpe responded to a question put to him by James Brown on his thoughts about Johnson being acquired by the Dallas Cowboys. To which, Sharpe replied, "I don't like hypocrites." Hearing this, I knew there would be backlash. It came in the form of discussion during the Mike and Mike in the Morning morning show. Both felt both parties were wrong. Troy Aikman in saying he was a member of team with nothing but "high character" when the team was anything but and Shannon Sharpe being overzealous and overlooking the fact Troy probably couldn't speak out of turn while being a member of the team when all these so-called antics were occurring.
I have to disagree with both Mikes. Shannon Sharpe is well within his rights to call out whomever he wants. If you feel Tiki Barber is in a position to say what he experienced being a member of the New York Giants and his opinion is degrading another person, then why can't Shannon express his opinion of thinking Troy Aikman is being hypocritical? Aikman overlooked the glaring truth that his wide receiver had been arrested a couple of times. Erik Williams wasn't upstanding by any means. Charles Haley was given to the Cowboys because he was a disruptive force among the 49ers. Do we really need to mention Nate Newton? Very strong evidence proving your team was anything but "high character". Sharpe was basically saying he doesn't agree with him not saying a word when his team was winning Super Bowls but to come back and say it's all about character to win is hypocritical.
I agree with Shannon Sharpe. What's good for the goose isn't always good for the gander. How can you part your lips to say it's all about character? Look at the Miami Hurricanes, Florida State Seminoles, Nebraska Cornhuskers, and now the Chicago Bears, Cincinatti Bengals, Tennessee Titans. Questionable characters start in college but because these men put up awesome numbers they are still revered as a member that would benefit the team in a positive way. You find questionable characters everywhere in sports. Yet as a member of Sports Nation, we overlook these antics when they become a member of our team roster. Why? We want our team to win. That's what it's all about. Winning. When the questionable character is on another team, we as fans sit in judgement. Want the player's head on a platter. Root for Goddell to apply the stiffest punishment allowed. Hypocritical, people.
Do I agree with Tank being acquired for the Cowboys? I don't care either way but I will say this: why acquire a player that won't be able to make a major impact until the middle of the season if then? If Dallas was in a position of where they needed him now, then it would be a waste. If Dallas happens to get in a position where they need him then, then good move but I firmly believe that if you acquire a player during the season then do it for immediate changes and not for down the road because they may not need him then and they can't use him now.
You make some good points about hypocrisy, and why teams sign "so-so" citizens. But the fact is, none of the new age miscreants are doing their teams any favors.
Will teams continue to sign "questionable" player? Yes. Will they be worth more than the trouble they cause? More and more often, probably not.