Dr. Michael J. O’Connell, PainCare, New Hampshire recently noted how interesting it is how professional sports has come under very sudden intense scrutiny this past six months first with the exposure of white NBA owners making derogatory remarks about their own black players, and then the brewing scandal over NFL/NBA/collegiate black players beating their wives and kids and then all lying about it. Now it appears the Commissioner of the NFL is wilting under growing pressure to resign over the chaos. What outside observers are hoping is that these bad actions are not representative of the vast majority of those who participate in “big showtime” sports. But why would anyone, except those with a personal financial interest in success of the “big showtime” games, believe or want to believe this to be true? What evidence would suggest that most owners, commissioners, and players behave well, in public and private? I would opine there is precious little. Let’s face it, the glory bestowed those participants and owners who are successful in the game, should be reserved for gallant heroic soldiers on the battlefield in defense of our nation and its values. Instead of talking heads on TV and radio, “big showtime” marketers, and much of the gullible audience, willingly bow to the superstars as though this “game” were something more than that. It’s not of course. It is simply a “game.” The homage paid in the form of TV viewing, gate receipts and purchase of memorabilia creates a playing field full of narcissists - self adoring, arrogant and totally out of touch with the audience that has eagerly created them. Is it realistic to think that such narcissists behave well in their personal lives? With no sense of the welfare of others, with grotesquely magnified self-importance and wildly inflated notions of power...is it any wonder that these individuals behave badly? My prediction is that there will be more deactivated players, more ousted owners and very possibly the downfall of a Commissioner or two as this story unfolds. As Fran Tarkington recently pointed out, football (and a host of other sports) has not only succeeded in birthing a mega business, but also succeeded in a massive cover up. From steroids and other performance enhancing drugs to concussions and traumatic brain injuries to shortened life spans to racist and violent behavior...big showtime sports has protected itself with a heretofore impenetrable shield and the resilience of an old Timex watch. Eventually this shield will be broken, it’s only a matter of when. But Tarkington's call for a boycott of the games until its act is cleaned up, is a non starter. Fan's trip over themselves to ignore the fracas and just enjoy the games. Shortsightedness certainly abounds.

1. Professional sports…
Dr. Michael J. O’Connell, PainCare, New Hampshire recently noted how interesting it is how
professional sports has come under very sudden intense scrutiny this past six months first with the
exposure of white NBA owners making derogatory remarks about their own black players, and then
the brewing scandal over NFL/NBA/collegiate black players beating their wives and kids and then all
lying about it. Now it appears the Commissioner of the NFL is wilting under growing pressure to
resign over the chaos.
What outside observers are hoping is that these bad actions are not representative of the vast majority
of those who participate in “big showtime” sports. But why would anyone, except those with a
personal financial interest in success of the “big showtime” games, believe or want to believe this to be
true? What evidence would suggest that most owners, commissioners, and players behave well, in
public and private? I would opine there is precious little.
Let’s face it, the glory bestowed those participants and owners who are successful in the game, should
be reserved for gallant heroic soldiers on the battlefield in defense of our nation and its values. Instead
of talking heads on TV and radio, “big showtime” marketers, and much of the gullible audience,
willingly bow to the superstars as though this “game” were something more than that. It’s not of
course. It is simply a “game.” The homage paid in the form of TV viewing, gate receipts and
purchase of memorabilia creates a playing field full of narcissists - self adoring, arrogant and totally
out of touch with the audience that has eagerly created them. Is it realistic to think that such narcissists
behave well in their personal lives? With no sense of the welfare of others, with grotesquely magnified
self-importance and wildly inflated notions of power...is it any wonder that these individuals behave
badly?
My prediction is that there will be more deactivated players, more ousted owners and very possibly the
downfall of a Commissioner or two as this story unfolds. As Fran Tarkington recently pointed out,
football (and a host of other sports) has not only succeeded in birthing a mega business, but also
succeeded in a massive cover up. From steroids and other performance enhancing drugs to
concussions and traumatic brain injuries to shortened life spans to racist and violent behavior...big
showtime sports has protected itself with a heretofore impenetrable shield and the resilience of an old
Timex watch. Eventually this shield will be broken, it’s only a matter of when. But Tarkington's call
for a boycott of the games until its act is cleaned up, is a non starter. Fan's trip over themselves to
ignore the fracas and just enjoy the games. Shortsightedness certainly abounds.