Bad Sportsmanship?

[MammaBear]

Jeez Louise! His team had just lost the biggest football game in the world . .. in part because of his one bad pass. I'm just guessing here, but I bet he felt as bad as he's ever felt... probably sick at his stomach... all he wanted to do was get away... the last thing he was thinking of, or wanted to do was go out on the field where people were celebrating.

Sorry...but...its part of the job for which he is paid a boat load of money.......again...grow up......its not like he is going to wind up on unemployment or risk loosing his home because he made a mistake - unlike many of us in our jobs - just to put things in perspective....

[HurricaneSeason]

Yeah, not very good move on Peyton's part.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/3422 ... hake-hands

[flipflopgirl]

Jeez Louise! His team had just lost the biggest football game in the world . .. in part because of his one bad pass. I'm just guessing here, but I bet he felt as bad as he's ever felt... probably sick at his stomach... all he wanted to do was get away... the last thing he was thinking of, or wanted to do was go out on the field where people were celebrating.

Sorry...but...its part of the job for which he is paid a boat load of money.......again...grow up......its not like he is going to wind up on unemployment or risk loosing his home because he made a mistake - unlike many of us in our jobs - just to put things in perspective....

very well said!

[sonofabeach]

It's okay to gyrate and shake your cods in someone's face on the field but if you walk off without shaking hands you're crucified. Much to do about nothing.

[Lightning Bolt]

PUH-LEEZE!!
Hey mommies out there...this isn't Little League!!
Stop coddling grown men who've just spent 3 1/2 hours trying to smash each other.
These are PRO athletes and this sport does NOT have any protocol regarding "niceties" following a game.
The only people who felt shafted were the leach-like sidelines reporters.
Peyton called Drew Brees later and talked with him about the game. He is a reliable, respected professional to his peers.

Where does anyone get the idea that football is a gentlemen's sport?

oh..that's right.. Little League

[nutmeg]

Being a gracious winner is easy.

Being a gracious loser is a lot harder.

None of us wins all the time...so it is a good life skill to know how to lose with class.

Peyton rallied later when he called, but I think he lost lot of respect from the public when we wasn't able to be gracious at the end of the game.

[chippewa]

It's okay to gyrate and shake your cods in someone's face on the field but if you walk off without shaking hands you're crucified. Much to do about nothing.

I gotta agree with this. It's the sportsmanship during the game that is so often lacking. It seems like every time there's a championship game lately, the media is looking for someone that doesn't shake hands to write about. It's nice to see someone show that kind of class and do it, but it's not something I expect.

Next time you're in a fight with your spouse, or boss, or kids, imagine someone snapping their fingers and telling you to shake hands now. It must be like that for a athlete, too. You just spent 3 hours trying to literally run over them (in football, at least), and then are expected to make nice a minute later.

[Bicycle Bill]

It's okay to gyrate and shake your cods in someone's face on the field but if you walk off without shaking hands you're crucified. Much to do about nothing.

I gotta agree with this. It's the sportsmanship during the game that is so often lacking. It seems like every time there's a championship game lately, the media is looking for someone that doesn't shake hands to write about. It's nice to see someone show that kind of class and do it, but it's not something I expect.

Next time you're in a fight with your spouse, or boss, or kids, imagine someone snapping their fingers and telling you to shake hands now. It must be like that for a athlete, too. You just spent 3 hours trying to literally run over them (in football, at least), and then are expected to make nice a minute later.

Remember, no matter what sport, these athletes are professionals — and as has been pointed out, they are pulling down some serious coin for playing what are basically kids' games. As far as turning the aggression and the emotion on and off with a snap of the fingers (or the tweet of a whistle), that's the way the game is supposed to be played. If you become a Berserker who *can't* control your emotions, then maybe you should give up football and take up tiddlywinks.

Not shaking hands with your opponent? Unless you have reason to fear for your safety from uncontrolled fans and have to flee the field to keep from getting mugged, it's poor sportsmanship, to my way of thinking. Same thing with dancing around after making a good play. A little celebration is OK, but some of the scripted and choreographed stuff that goes on these days should draw a flag for a personal foul for taunting.

I think I mentioned this once before. Back when I played football in high school, one of the questions was whether or not we could 'spike' the ball after a score. Our coach, who was from the same mold as Vince Lombardi, George Halas, or Tom Landry, told us that there was no need to make a display out of it. "It's only the end zone", he said. "Act like it's no big deal; you've been there before, and you're going to be coming back there again and again. Just get up and give the ball to the ref, and get lined up for the extra point."

-"BB"-

[SuperTrooper]

I think people forget that this is not just another football game. This is the freakin' Super Bowl! For many players on both sides this will be the pinnacle of their career. The result of work started back in July. For the past 2 weeks they have lived, breathed and thought about nothing else other than the details related to this game. Getting here and winning this game is why you spend the countless hours lifting weights, watching film, sitting in meetings, practicing, practicing, practicing. It is the sole focus of your life.

Now imagine the YOU have made the play that has made the difference in the game, and not in a good way.

The end of the SB is also a little different than a game on Week 3, when there is a lot of football to play and you have to manage your intensity in order to make it through the grind of the season. The celebrating by the winners amongst themselves is intense, and NFL security immediately starts taking control of the field. I'd rather leave the field and let the focus be on the winners. I thinks it's okay to be sad and not in the mood to try and put a happy face on to satisfy others who have no comprehension of the effort you have just expended, and in the aftermath will nitpick your post-game actions. He made a call to Brees and said all the right things in the post-game press conference. That is all I ask of anybody under the circumstances.

Boobies.

[PA PAR8 HED]

While I'm sure no one from any losing team wants to make the effort to be gracious, most do, especially those in the spotlight.

I coach youth soccer and I would be letting my kids down if I allowed them to show poor sportsmanship after a game simply because they lost. Regarless of the size of the stage, we teach our players that before, during and after the game they should respect the officials and competitors on both teams.

I'd expect nothing less of a Super Bowl quarterback, kicker, linebacker or coach.

[ragtopW]

Jeez Louise! His team had just lost the biggest football game in the world . .. in part because of his one bad pass. I'm just guessing here, but I bet he felt as bad as he's ever felt... probably sick at his stomach... all he wanted to do was get away... the last thing he was thinking of, or wanted to do was go out on the field where people were celebrating.

INT wasn't all Peyton's fault.. just ask Steve Young and Chris Carter..
Reggie should have stepped in front of the defender..

[citcat]

It's okay to gyrate and shake your cods in someone's face on the field but if you walk off without shaking hands you're crucified. Much to do about nothing.

I agree.



sonofabeach said cods.

[HurricaneSeason]

What Peyton said after the game makes sense - he wanted to get off the field. And what he said was certainly coming from a graceful loser. So yeah, it's much to do about something that is very little.

I dunno though -it still seems to not be what he'd do. But whatever. It's the Supe.