Written by Robby Carriger
One of the greatest quotes in sports movie history comes from Tom Hanks’ character Jimmy Dugan in “A League of Their Own.” As Dugan berates a female outfielder for missing her cut-off man, she begins to cry, to which Dugan quips, “Are you crying?Are you crying?There’s no crying in baseball!”
This quote has been repeated and refined throughout the annals of sports, but is it so true today? As professional athletics continue to become more and more mainstream, we learn more about athletes than we ever thought possible. ESPN is no longer just for highlights and score updates, but we now know the goings-on in virtually every locker room from NFL to MLS. What we have learned from all this is that sometimes, the gladiators we watch on the gridiron each Sunday can often be downright spoiled, whiny brats.Some get their way, some don’t, but all get heard, which may have been their only intention in the first place. Let’s take a look at some of the most recent tantrum throwers and how they fared.
Jay Cutler vs. Denver Broncos
As a Bears fan, this is an obvious place to start. Our franchise quarterback is the product of a he-said, she-said affair in Denver that led to trade demands and hurt feelings.
In the end Cutler got his wish and was shipped to Chicago for Kyle Orton and a few draft picks. Since the feud began, Cutler has been maligned in the media as a spoiled brat and a cancer, while Denver coach Josh McDaniels was labeled as incapable of handling players and a failure as a coach. Fast-forward to late October, and McDaniels may be getting the last laugh. He has taken the quarterback the Bears didn’t want and has the Broncos undefeated with wins over Dallas and New England. The Bronco fans who threatened mutiny in August now applaud McDaniels each time he leaves the field. As for Cutler? He has the Bears sitting at 3-2, but in two nationally televised Sunday night games he looked less than stellar and has done little to repair his reputation. Winner: Broncos
Brandon Marshall vs. Denver Broncos
Former Bronco offensive lineman Mark Schlereth found his football afterlife in a recurring role on “Guiding Light.” Schlereth’s acting career may have been filled with less drama, however, than the soap the Denver Broncos had. Almost immediately after the Cutler drama subsided, pro-bowl wide receiver Brandon Marshall began throwing fits in practice and demanding trades. In this case, however, the Broncos did not cave and told Marshall either play for us or don’t play at all. Well, Marshall is playing, and although he is not putting up similar numbers to 2008, he is a catalyst for the undefeated Broncos offense including a huge touchdown to ice the Dallas game. Also, we haven’t really heard much about his unhappiness. Winner: Broncos
Braylon Edwards vs. Cleveland Browns
Two years ago the Cleveland Browns were a team on the rise. Derek Anderson had a pro-bowl season, they made the playoffs and had numerous up-and-coming offensive threats. Sadly that was two years ago. Now it’s 2009, the Browns have a new coach, no quarterback and no chance of seeing the playoffs this season and maybe for a few more to come.
Their biggest issue came with star wide receiver Braylon Edwards. Despite his reputation for dropping passes, Edwards remains a stand-out receiver with playmaking ability. Unfortunately for the Browns, he’s in New York now. After expressing discontent with every facet of the organization and alienating much of Cleveland by getting in a fight with a friend of LeBron James (the unofficial mayor of the city), Edwards was moved to the Jets, where he went from a terrible team to a contender, and made an impact immediately. Meanwhile, the Browns still stink. Winner: Edwards
Brett Favre vs. The World
Yeah, everyone was tired of hearing about Brett Favre and whether or not he was coming back. His indecision made the 2000 presidential election look cut and dry. Even Sears jumped on the bandwagon and made a commercial with Favre mocking his inability to decide. When we finally got our answer, people were not sure whether to be excited Favre was coming back, upset he was coming back or just happy the saga was over.
Whether he came back for love of the game or just to stick it to the Packers, Favre donned a purple number four jersey on opening day and hasn’t looked back. Highlighted by a game-winning strike with four seconds left against the 49ers, Favre’s comeback has been the thing of fairy tales, and has almost been enjoyable … unless you live in Wisconsin. The Vikings are undefeated, the Packers are floundering, and Favre is running around like he’s in a new pair of Wranglers. Winner: Favre
We have just started scratching the surface of whining. We haven’t even looked at T.O., Michael Crabtree or Chad OchoCinco, but we have analyzed enough cases to come to one conclusion … and it’s the same one we came to when we were five years old. Whining is a tool. Sometimes when we whine we get our way. Sometimes we get in trouble and scolded and sent to our room to pout. And sometimes we get spanked and made to do exactly what we don’t want to. No matter the outcome. though, whining always gets us attention, which leads me to this … That may be what NFL superstars are now realizing. Whether they are upset over playing time, an extra million in their contract or not being able to wear their fictional name on their back, players notice that if they grab an ESPN microphone or go on Jim Rome and voice their displeasure, they may get their way, or they may not, but they will be heard, which above all seems to be the goal.
