Sign of the Apocalypse
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by Tyduffy
The "Sign of the Apocalypse" is a popular feature in Sports Illustrated that often points out an unbelievably absurd incident or quotation from the previous week in sports. This week's discusses Roy Keane's comments about the Wives and Girlfriends of players having too much influence and keeping them away from Sunderland. > > "The manager of English soccer team Sunderland says stars won't sign with the club because the town's shopping is subpar."
To begin, why not just say Roy Keane? One would think that being one of the most famous footballers in the world for Manchester United the last two decades would have warranted at least a mention for him by name. It's not like Sunderland is going to ring a lot of bells among the casual American sports fan. Are they going to start referring to Larry Bird simply as "President of Basketball Operations for the Indiana Pacers?"
Also, they fail to mention the integral part that was under discussion, the WAGs. Keano was discussing the players' significant others. With the exception of Cristiano Ronaldo, one would doubt that the quality of the shopping and waxing facilities in Sunderland has any affect personally on the players. The misrepresentation of the quotation is either purposefully misleading or woefully ignorant, which is wrong in either case.
Last, why is this a Sign of the Apocalypse? Was anyone truly shocked at Keane's comments? Was there something startling about the notion that a player may not choose to go somewhere because it isn't a place where his wife would feel comfortable? What is funny or odd about this?
Originally posted here.
