The Rules of the Game

Does anybody follow the rules any more? Can anyone participate in a competitive activity without trying to find an advantage that violates the rules? Is this even possible

Consider the following:

--NFL Spygate: Bill Belichik is fined a record amount by the NFL after it is discovered that he was illegally taping the NY Jets defense from the sidelines during a game. Like Bill, did you really need to do that to beat the Jets?

--Steroids: Every major sport is under scrutiny for its players using illegal substances, particularly of the anabolic variety. Almost makes you wish for the good old days when they would just a joint or two and then go play the games.

--NBA referee scandal: Whenever and whatever all the facts come to light, this is another black eye for the Nothing But Assclowns league. People for years have accused the NBA of manipulating games to get the "best", translated biggest TV markets, into the later stages of the playoffs and this isn't going to cause that argument to die anytime soon.

--The Tour de France: Yeah, they ride bikes and yes it's in France (two strikes) but the fact that an American, Floyd Landis, was stripped of the title for blood doping is just another example of the cheating boom.

--Remember a few years ago when the Little League coached phonied up a birth certificate so a 15 yr. old kid could pitch in the 12 yr. old championships? Is nothing sacred?

These are only a few examples. What the hell is going on? Yes the athletes involved ultimately are making the choice as to whether or not to cheat and must be held accountable thus. However, the problem runs much, much deeper.

We live in a "win at all cost" world. Watch TV and watch the advertising. If you don't drive this car, you're a loser, You get the chicks, the money, the glory. As I always liked to say, "Girls, guns and glory". Cheating is not only overlooked, but in many circles encouraged. The media and fans are huge participants in this plague. Win and win right now. No five year building program, no bringing guys up through the system. Go out, sign some big name free agents, pay them whatever it takes. Just win, baby. Oh, and if you have to cheat, just don't get caught. Because after all, if you don't get caught, it's really not cheating.......right? Right?

Coaches are perhaps the true victims of player cheating. On one hand, most of them don't want it on their team. On the other hand, they also don't want to know about it. In our society, coaches are not hired or keep their jobs because of their honestly and integrity, they are hired to win. Nick Saban at Alabama, perfect example. No loyalty, no integrity. He suspended a player from this past weekend's game but when Alabama was losing at halftime he suddenly inserted the player back into the lineup in the second half to "give a spark" to his offense. When asked about it after the game his comment was typical coach speak, "It was what it was". Yeah, well I know bull shit when I see it. Nick isn't interested in building character, rewarding those who follow the rules, building a team unit, Nick is interested in winning because he knows at $4 million dollars a year, he better win.

Guys like Lloyd Carr at Michigan, Joe Torre, now of the Dodgers, Jim Leyland, Tony LaRussa, Bill Cower, Joe Paterno..........The world of sports needs more people like these classy and extremely talented guys. Guys that know how to win and how to do it right. So media and fans, time to pick sides. Do you want to be right, or do you want to do it right?