What is it about NFL players, coaches, and commentators who support Bush

[Blue_Roses]

According to this, many support Bush, but then go to tennis and the Democrats get the support...? :shrug: They must just hate the thought of losing that huge tax cut. It's really sickening...

http://www.newsmeat.com/fec/hof.php?#MEDIA

[stevebreeze]

1. testosterone poisoning

:kick:

[Sugarbleus]

32. LOL...that's what I was going to say... It's a toxic mix of that and

steroid overload, and a bellicose mentality from the git go.

A 'Blood and gore and guts and veins in my teeth' sort of thing....

[sandnsea]

42. Yes definitely

There's no other explanation that men are still supporting Bush while women are dumping him completely. Why can't men see that Bush is just a phony little peacock while women can?

[Borgnine]

47. Hey, I'm a man who detests Bush.

According to Ahnuld, I guess that makes me a GIRLIE MAN.

[Catch22Dem]

2. Goes all the way back

To dems being perceived as weak (nevermind FDR & Wilson were dems) and FOOBALL players and coaches wanna seem tough. So instead they seem like morons.

[SEpatriot]

3. Football people are basically conservative

I've been an NFL fan most of my life. The thing is, that the players, coaches, etc. realize that their fan base is pretty hawkish and (especially in these times) very patriotic and pro-war. Much more than tax cuts, they don't want to alienate their fan base... that is their real revenue. It's hard for them to be on the national stage and be critical of the government. I'm not defending them, just offering some explanation.

[Blue_Roses]

5. that makes perfect

sense and while my spouse is an avid football "whore" and would never speak out FOR Bush he doesn't rush to Kerry's defense either :mad: which makes me want to divorce him half the time;)

It is the "alpha-male" thing...yes, excellent point...

[SEpatriot]

10. Have patience with your husband

After all, the Kerry/Edwards ticket is the only ticket with real athletes on it. W the cheerleader is pretty silly:

[Blue_Roses]

11. LOL!

well said

[lanparty]

61. What ticks me off is ...

... that they try to make Bush out to be some macho athletic type. They show him on his mountain bike and report about his having the cardio profile of Lance Armstrong. They also like to attach him to the great American game. Bush is very fond of throwing out those first pitches and making himself out to be a real jock.

The problem is that Bush didn't even play on the Andover baseball team. Kerry is the REAL jock in this whole equation.

Now I'm not saying that their is any merit to being a jock when it comes to presidential qualifications. In fact, I would tend to support a braniac weakling over an athletic dummy. But our Republican friends are well aware of psychology and or in-built respect for athletic prowess. They have created a VERY false image of Bush as a macho, athletic cowboy. The picture above shows the real story (and there is nothing wrong with it).

The REALLY disturbing thing is that we tend to all go different ways in high school. Some of us are athletic, some are artistic. Some are intellectual, some go thug and specialize in destruction. What we see is that Bush seems to have been nothing more than a preppy thug. He wasn't athletic, he wasn't intellectual and he certainly wasn't artistic. He seems to have relied COMPLETELY on his family connections.

In George's life, we see the same pattern. Every business that Bush touched FAILED. Bush didn't BUY the Rangers, it was BOUGHT FOR HIM. Bush didn't run his governor campaign, it was RUN FOR HIM!!!! Likewise, Bush really doesn't seem to do ANY WORK as President of the United States beyond being a "front man".

George W Bush is nothing but a prissy, wimpy codled overpriveleged child of wealth and privelege. As low as I think it is. The Democrats need to get this photo on the air to counter-act the whole (cowboy) bush image. No cowboy would EVER consent to be a cheerleader when he could be on the field.


BTW, I played in the band. And I've NEVER pretended to be a jock.

[skygazer]

30. define patriotic

<The thing is, that the players, coaches, etc. realize that their fan base is pretty hawkish and (especially in these times) very patriotic and pro-war.>

Please don't perpetuate the myth that if you're against war you're not patriotic. Or that waving a flag and hollering loudly means you're patriotic. Patriotism is so much deeper than that.

[SEpatriot]

50. Not "perpetuating any myths" here

Please note the terminology, these are two separate phrases. What is patriotic is a certain jumble of subjective terms, yet is classically defined as being inspired by the love for one's country. Irregardless of policy options or opinions, you will be hard pressed to find a NFL (or other sports) fan who does not have a fervent love for the country. I was trying to help answer a question here - trying to shed some light. My point is about perceptions among a certain group of people (fairly narrowly defined); and perceptions DO matter, thus the entire tenor of last week's convention. Again, you will notice that I did not excuse or justify the behavior, but only tried to help explain some rationale for the same.

[spooky3]

4. As a tennis player and fan, I like to believe tennis pros are smarter than

the average athlete. Unlike athletes in many sports, because they travel constantly, they've also seen a lot more of the world than most athletes have, and they are around players from all over the world, which probably leads to some interesting conversations.

But then, I like football too...

[Blue_Roses]

6. I think tennis requires much more thought

and intelligence because it is a sport dependant on one against one and there is no room for mistakes, 'cause that will cost the game. However, tennis has always been looked at as a "sissy" sport to the "alpha-males" which proves their moronic thinking.:)

[George_Bonanza]

7. Isn't football one of the most cerebrally intense sports out there?

With all the plays that a coach has to come up with against the team, the prep, etc.

[Blue_Roses]

8. ...

:puke: It is one of the most arrogant sports...

[SEpatriot]

9. Most physically demanding

NFL is the most physically punishing and demanding sport on the planet, pretty much borne out by statistics and widely accepted. To QB in the NFL today requires a great deal of mental acuity, as does coaching the NFL, period. The offensive and defensive schemes are so elaborate, responsive and fluid it requires a keen and sharp mind. This is technical knowledge to a certain extent, but the myth of some dumb jock leading a football team is just that, a myth.

[Blue_Roses]

12. While I agree

that it is a physically and punishing sport,(for those that actually play and don't sit the bench) I do not agree that it is the MOST physically punishing and demanding sport. Hockey, soccer, boxing, basketball, surfing, skiing, basketball, etc., all demand different areas of strategy and strength--intellectually and physically. When the Dallas Stars hockey team won the Stanley cup, Nate Newton, an NFL player for the Dallas Cowboys, said,"now there are the real atheletes." To get on a pair of skates, get on the ice, and try to keep up with that puck speaks volumes.

I admire ALL atheletes, so this isn't a "which sport is better thread." My question is just WHY is it that NFL players and coaches prominently support Bush. Mike Ditka rings a bell--now that is one smart guy:eyes:

[George_Bonanza]

16. Just look at the longevity of the average football player

It's very short, compared to other sports like hockey, basketball, or baseball. The longest serving players tend to be QBs, the most protected player on the field. Take a glance at Ricky Williams, Barry Sanders, and Jim Brown... They're all world class RBs who retired in their late twenties/early thirites. Those are usually the prime years for other athletes. American football is definitely the most demanding team sport out there, and the damage incurred during one's career threatens to plague one into old age.

Mentally, it is also strenuous. This is more so for the coach and the QB. They have to factor in tons of information before a game, watches hours of film, and on the field, they (QBs) have to make split-second decisions while being hounded by 250-pound linebackers. The difficulty is further compounding by the fact that it is not a free-flowing game like basketball and hockey.

[Blue_Roses]

19. Give me a break

and you think they are the only atheletes to "watch a film," "factor in tons of information before their game and make split-second decisions with hoards of weight thrown on them," but sorry nice try.

By the way, I'm an avid Carolina Panther fan who watched that wonderful "split-second" "nail-biting" superbowl.

...singing to the choir...

[RummyTheDummy]

24. An avid and BITTER panther fan

And it warms my heart. :evilgrin:

[Blue_Roses]

44. lol

well actually it's my spouse, so I don't take it too seriously, but I will show him your response and then let him respond:evilgrin:

[spooky3]

20. Tennis is as demanding as any of these sports. It is far more difficult

than it looks on TV.

[RummyTheDummy]

21. I'd like to see some statistics supporting your theory

Other than the newsmeat site. I don't think Joe Paterno or Lou Holtz are representative of the NFL in any way since they don't coach in the league. Mike Ditka, Lynn Swann, Jerome Bettis and Troy Aikman are has beens.

I think something like 65-70 percent of NFL players are black, a demographic not exactly known for their support of repubs. What we have is a list of about 15 names on a website. There are 1,696 players on 32 teams with 53-man rosters, not to mention about 180 more on practice squads. On the newsmeat site, i count 1 player (Bettis) who is both active and supports Bush.

[Uzybone]

28. Thank you

A page with 15 names isnt exactly a fair section of the NFL demographic.

[aldian159]

29. And Bettis is well on his way out

he had a crap season, and will get even less touches this year.

For what its worth...

[DemocratSinceBirth]

58. I'm With You...

I suspect most African American football players are Democrats as are most African Americans...

[Lydia Leftcoast]

35. Physically demanding? Not necessarily

When I was in graduate school, I knew a woman who was a medal-winning Olympic rower, and she said that she could run farther and faster than the typical Yale football player and that the average male rower had better upper body strength and better cardio fitness than the average football player.

[George_Bonanza]

37. I meant that football players endure the harshest physical stress

Like the tackling, dogpiling, etc. Running backs are quickly used up, and a lot of football players experience head trauma after their careers are over.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

59. There's No Way In The World A Rower Takes The Physical Punishment A

Football Player Takes.....


I'll bet Lance Armstrong is more cardio fit than Emmit Smith but I doubt he takes a scintilla of the physical punishment that Emmit does....

[aldian159]

27. Yes

Jerry Rice is exhibit A for this. He wasn't (and isn't) the fastest receiver, but because he knew his routes and when to run fast, slow, etc, he is one of the top five players ever.

Football requires tons of thought, but so do many other sports.

[RummyTheDummy]

18. I don't think tennis is a sissy sport

But I don't think it requires more strategy than football, especially from a coaching standpoint.

[lanparty]

62. NFL Quarterbacks ...

These guys have to be SUPER-SMART. They are literally on field generals and have to understand rheems of offensive strategy and plays. At the same time, they have to know how to read defensive schemes.

If you want to see the importance of mental prowess for an NFL QB, you need only look at the colossal failure of Ryan Leaf at San Diego. The brainy but less athletic Payton Manning came into the league the same year and the two men were considered rivals for the #1 pick. The Colts WISELY chose Manning of the larger, quicker and stronger arm of Leaf. They weren't attached to a brain that could compete mentally at the NFL level.

Beyond that safety's and linebackers also have to display and exceptional amount of mental discipline in order to cut through offensive subterfuge and find the guy with the pigskin.

You can write the standard, unchanging wisdom of baseball on a single piece of paper. Though, the players with the REAL smarts in baseball are the catchers. Their job is to carefully analyze the batting habits of every other player in the league. They call the pitches. They also give the batter chatter to throw him off their game. They have to be good psychologists to accomplish this effectively. In addition, they're also the on-field manager of the pitcher and they have to know these guys well.

[Cats Against Frist]

13. XYY syndrome, steriods kill your brain n/t

[BlueStateGirl]

14. Troy Aikmam gave $6000 to Bush Cheny or Bush Cheney PACs

in March of 2004.

Thatnks for further justifying my hate of the Cowboys.

[Blue_Roses]

15. I saw that

:puke:

[leeman67]

52. hey, go easy on the Boys...

I believe Jerry Jones was a big supporter of Bill Clinton (it was an Arkansas thing). :)

[Doosh]

17. Ed Asner gave to Larouche

Though Drew Carey seems to be a repug, I've always hated his shows.

[Doosh]

22. no...no, NOT SEAVER!!!!

SEAVER, TOM
GREENWICH, CT 06830
CINCINNATI REDS INC BUSH, GEORGE (R)
President
GEORGE BUSH FOR PRESIDENT $1000 01/02/80

well it was back in 1980, and he hasn't donated since so maybe I can let it go.

[spooky3]

23. Why did the Dems play Sammy Hagar on Thursday?

http://www.newsmeat.com/fec/bystate_detail.php?st=CA&last=Hagar&first=Sammy

[RummyTheDummy]

26. Actually, that was a Van Halen song

But Sammy still sucks.

[ScreamingMeemie]

25. Interesting tidbit that Murdoch donated to John Kerry's last senate run.

Who have thunk it? :shrug: I wonder if he knows he did that. ;)

[George_Bonanza]

31. Football players tend to be from rural areas too, right?

And they focus mostly on athletics and training throughout high school and college. It doesn't leave much time to develop an interest in politics. And the general rule is that the ignorant favour Republicans, although there are some very intelligent (though wrong) Republicans.

[RummyTheDummy]

34. Not necessarily.

Go look at the rosters of teams like Notre Dame, Miami (Fla.), Oklahoma or USC.

Many players come from urban areas. I know from my own experience, the University of Oklahoma culls a number of its players from urban areas in and around Houston and Dallas. I could name specific high schools, but I'm not sure that's important.

Also, take Florida. That state produces the most college football players year in and year out. Many of them come from urban areas in and around Miami.

Of course some come from rural areas. But I don't think it's correct to say most.

[lanparty]

63. Simple numerical analysis will tell you this isn't true ...

The vast majority of people in the US live in urban areas. There are just WAY too many people in cities.

[Bullshot]

33. It's ironic that any major sports athlete can be such diehard Republicans

They owe their financial success to their respective unions. When has the Republican party respected unions?

There's an old saying that as soon as one becomes a millionaire, he/she becomes a Republican.

Classic case of forgetting where you came from.

[RamboLiberal]

36. One on the Dem side is Franco Harris

of Immaculate Reception fame. He's been appearing at Kerry/Edwards rallies in Pittsburgh area. Was at the announcement in Pittsburgh of Edwards as VP pick and was in Greensburg this past Saturday and earlier in year appeared with Kerry at Pitt during college tour.



This is from the college tour - look at the crowd even back then!

[savistocate]

49. and Joe Montana..

can NOT believe he is - would be for the "War President".
Many others come to mind..cannot put in that picture.

[Carolina]

38. too many blows to the head

[JohnLocke]

39. Those NFL players are strong. Let's have them all enlist.

[RummyTheDummy]

40. Even the ones who are against the war?

Or do all 1,700 players in the league have the same opinion?

[JohnLocke]

41. That wasn't my point.

[bo44]

43. Coach Dean Smith is a Democrat

Checkout his list on newsmeat. Strong fucking Democrat

[Blue_Roses]

45. who is he

?

[bo44]

46. former basketball coach of North Carolina Tar Heels

He is considered the all time greatest coach in any sport by the folks at ESPN. He is a legend. Coached Michael Jordan and many others.

[Hobarticus]

48. One too many hits to the head....

[GalleryGod]

51. Anybody See that Friggin' Lynn Swan sitting behind Dumbo yesterday?

What a dick!

One of the most OVER rated and undeserving members of the HOF.

Another...who forgot where he came from,I s'pose, here, in 'MURICA!:puke:

[leeman67]

53. I don't get it about Swann

that just mystifies me. Well, at least we have Franco. :)

Off the subject of football, Michael Jordan is a big Dem supporter!

[WI_DEM]

54. Football is considered a macho sport

and so they line up behind Bush becuz they think he is macho. Football is almost a religion in some southern states among males. The funny thing is if these young football players--pro or college who claim that Bush is the best thing to come along since sliced bread and support his policies--why don't they put their careers on hold and volunteer for the military and go to Iraq?

[RummyTheDummy]

56. Ummmm nothing like broad generalizations

On the newsmeat list, there is 1 active player and 1 active coach in the NFL supporting Bush. There are 1,696 players in the NFL and thousands more in the college ranks. Are they all pro-Bush? Are you aware that most of the NFL is black? Not exactly BushCo's core demographic.

[dolstein]

55. Doug Flutie was a big Hillary Clinton supporter

And people have already mentioned Franco Harris.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

60. Don't Forget The Big Diesel...

Shaq was a Gore man in 00 and I'd assume he's for Kerry in 04....

[leeman67]

57. Alex Karras!

Hey, they're not all idiots. Karras supported Dean and Boxer!

http://www.newsmeat.com/fec/bystate_detail.php?st=CA&last=Karras&first=Alex

[FightinNewDem]

64. Bob Tewksbury

Former major leaguer Bob Tewksbury (now an analyst on Red Sox pre and post game shows) is a Democrat and has contributed to Democratic candidates in New Hampshire.

Not a huge name, but he did have a pretty good career pitching for the Cardinals and Yankees.

[Sean Reynolds]

65. You'll also find more basketball players supporting Dems.

Dean Smith, one of the greatest NCAA BBall coaches ever, is a big Democrat....

http://www.newsmeat.com/fec/hof.php?#MEDIA