Separating the Player from the Person

Separating the Player from the Person

Topic Author: Dale Ryman

Posted: 4:44 PM Jul 10, 2009

Replies Posted: 6 comments

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With the recent deaths of former NFL MVP Steve McNair and Michael Jackson, it got me thinking. Can you separate their personal life from their professional life, professional life being what most of us are privvy to.

For sports reasons, let's keep it on Steve McNair.

Since he was murdered last weekend, it's come out that it was his girlfriend, his mistress if you will, that committed the crimes. The fact McNair was openly seeing another woman while still married, and reportedly a few women, does it change your view on him???

The way I see it, we can be disappointed in how his life ended and the curcumstances, but who are we to judge? We only have/and had the right to view him as a player, occasionally as a philanthropist. Really, the only ones who can be upset are those who were closest to him, the one's who thought they knew him. Because we never knew him, we knew the player, and sometimes those lines get blurred.

I'd like to know your thoughts if you learned some disheartening things about your favorite player.

Until next time...

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Posted by: Anonymous Dale, Of course McNair's cheating ways with a 20 yr. old affect one's thoughts of a person as a whole. Look how we feel about Michael Vick and Pete Rose and how dramatically it affected their lives and careers , and I might add justifiably so. If you only partially judge a person by only their strengths and not also their weaknesses, you are only fooling yourself.

Posted by: Bill Location: Wausau
Paula, How do you feel about " OJ " Simpson ? I'm sorry, but a person has to be judged as a whole, not just by their best qualities. Some people do a good job of disguising their poor side and mis-leading us to thinking they are something they are not. Obviously, that can be a dangerous game.

Posted by: Judy Location: Wausau
I am well aware of who Steve McNair is, I was in fact listening to the Sports. My point is wouldn't it be wonderful if we all could be judged only on our best qualities !

Posted by: Debbie Location: Tomahawk
I can't let this one go Dale because of your quote "But who are we to judge?" Remember that the next time you want to start your foolish commentary about Brett Favre coming out of retirement to play football. Who are we to judge? The man loves football and will go down as one of the greatest players of all times. You Packer fans need to move on and concern yourselves with your own quarterback. Steve McNair was a great quarterback, but yes his infidelity does tarnish my image of him. You come across as a true family man, so I'm surprised at your comments.

Thanks, Debbie. I like to think I'm a pretty good family man, and it thrills me you're able to perceive that about me through the screen. You answered my question, though, you think less of McNair and his football achievements b/c of his actions. Thanks for the response.

Posted by: Paula Location: Stevens Point WI
The death of Steve McNair was very unfortunate for all who knew him personally and professioinally. His leadership on the field and his involvement in the community will be remembered by his fans and the sports world for years to come. I feel sad for his wife and children who now have to live with others judging their spouse/father for the way he died. Remember,we no one is perfect and we control are own destiny. Although a lapse in judgement caused his death we should not let that take away the happiness he gave us while on the football field.

Bingo! Paula, you said it better than I did. If I could re-write this blog, this is the emphasis I wanted to make. Does the circumstances affect one's thoughts on him as a "player."

Posted by: Judy Location: Wausau
You reported on his death and the circumstances surrounding it, yet you asked us only to judge him on his football career. Last night on the news you asked for comments and please watch your language. Who are you to judge if I should swear? Isn't that a double standard? You don't know me either.

I guess I only assumed that most knew of McNair the football player. I was only trying to be funny about keeping it clean, not being judgemental at all. My thought was about...does his actions, circumstances, change your thoughts on his football achievements.