It’s an expression heard hundreds of times, in both the professional and non-professional ranks: “We don’t get any respect”. Whether it’s fans talking about their favorite teams, teams talking about themselves or even players feeling like they’ve been “dissed”, it’s heard often. And while I’m sure there are some instances where a lack of “respect” is actually the case, I’d bet 9 times out of 10 that simply is just not so. Now, I can’t personally relate to this feeling from the stand point of being a player, because I’m not one. But as a fan, I have felt that way many times. Most times it’s a case of not being able to see the forest for the trees, being so emotionally invested in one’s favorite team can lead to such biases. And being a fan of the smallest franchise in professional sports, I think we are born with the “no respect” gene.
Which brings me to the reason for this post. I belong to Facebook, and follow both the Green Bay Packers and the NFL. Recently there was a discussion and poll as to whom people thought was the best QB in the league last year. Invariably, the consensus was Tom Brady. Now, I can understand this as he did put up some very nice stats last year, and he’s still riding the coattails of having put his PK in position to win a couple of Superbowls. So, all in all I don’t have a problem with this, at least not from the lack-of-respect standpoint. What really bothered me was their follow up question, and I quote, “Besides Tom Brady and Peyton Manning, who’s the best quarterback in the NFL?”.
Really?? Who is the best QB other than the two who didn’t win a single playoff game last year? How about the one that carried his team to six must win victories in a row to end the season? How about the QB that won four playoff games in a row, three of which were held in hostile stadiums? I’m having a hard time believing that this is really a question. Brady may have been voted best by other players in the league, but are you really going to throw Manning in there over the guy who won the last game of the season, and took home the MVP trophy doing it?
Now I know the media loves to stir the pot, and admittedly, I am a die hard Packer fan. So is this a case of actual “no respect”, or simply another rabid, over reactionary fan. Let me know what you think.
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