An Outside View

I’m Sick and Tired By Terry Smith news@theheraldnewspapers.com Do you ever get sick of some of the things happening in the world today? I mean sick and tired? If you’re like me, you’re sick of seeing Harold Ford, Jr. and Bob Corker campaign ads. I don’t know about you but I’m also sick and tired of Congressman Mark Foley stories, the war in Iraq, and TV reality shows. But this is a sports column so I will leave the political commentary to others. There are lots if things in sports that make me sick too. I’m sick and tired of the circus act known as Terrell Owens and the media that hangs on every word out of T.O.’s mouth. Frankly, I don’t care what the guy has to say. He won’t be confused with one of the great thinkers of our day, so who cares? I am sick and tired of people saying Alex Rodriguez is “arguably” the best player in baseball. The best player in baseball doesn’t bat eighth and go 1 for 14 in the playoffs when it counts the most. Give me Prince Albert. I’m sick and tired of Titans management’s holier than thou attitude toward Albert Haynesworth, going so far as to say they don’t know if they want him back. The guy did something despicable and has been punished. That should be the end of story. The alternative is to pay him off, cut him, and let him come back and beat them like other former Titans. Pretending to take the high road on this one won’t disguise the fact the team is in shambles and not going anywhere anytime soon thanks primarily to management’s ineptness. I’m sick and tired of bad officiating in college football. It’s been said officials do not affect the outcome of a game. There’s never been a bigger lie. Just ask Oklahoma. The instant replay has helped but technology can only do so much to correct what I see as an epidemic of horrendous calls. I’m sick and tired of hearing what a hot coaching commodity UT offensive coordinator David Cutcliff will be next year. Fired Ole Miss coaches do not suddenly become hot commodities – at least not at a potential Division 1 power. I’m sick and tired of Barry Bonds’ personal trainer being portrayed as a hero for refusing to testify against Barry before the grand jury and going to jail for his friend. Only in the sports world do we make heroes out of criminals. I’m sick and tired of the growing criminal element in sports. Too many athletes are getting arrested with there being very little in the way of real consequences. Is it too much to expect athletes to be good citizens too? I’m sick and tired of college football polls. They should be outlawed in sports altogether. Football is not interpretive dancing or ice skating. We don’t need to put on-field performances up for a vote. Is it really too much to ask that we crown a champion on the field? I’m sick and tired of seeing that little green lizard doing insurance commercials every time I turn on the TV to watch a game. It’s almost as bad as all of the Peyton Manning commercials. I’m tired of seeing bad baseball being played at the Major League level. What happened to the sacrifice bunt, hitting behind the runner, and taking a few pitches late in the game when your team trails and needs base runners? I’m sick and tired of hearing NASCAR drivers whine after being wrecked. Fans watch the races just to see the crashes. Eliminate them and you have a sport as exciting as hockey without the fighting. I’m sick and tired of scantily dressed cheerleaders at professional sporting events. Scratch that. I’m actually not so tired of that. Man, I didn’t realize I was so sick and tired. Maybe I need to see good old Doc Payne to see if he has a pill that will cure me.