Enough Already!
I don't watch much football, but even I know USC has a reputation for acting arrogant and spoiled on the football field. So I shouldn't have been surprised to see Desmond Reed flip into the end zone for a touchdown during the Rose Bowl Game against Illinois. I shouldn't have been surprised when his teammate Fred Davis pranced around waving his fingers to taunt the Illini after scoring a touchdown. The resulting 15 yard penalties were clearly no concern to the players. Why should they be? Coach Pete Carroll didn't seem upset. Maybe that's because his team has a history of such behavior. Clearly the NCAA and Pac 10 don't care enough to take any real action.
I coach youth soccer and we are constantly telling our players that winners are gracious. Winners don't need to taunt losers, especially after a crushing defeat. Let's show some respect for the sport and for ourselves. Celebrate--sure! But it can be done with dignity. There's no shortage of bad examples set by college and professional athletes today. These are the people our kids look up to. I'm disappointed to see USC taking the low road in a nationally televised bowl game and their behavior generating little, if any, outrage.
Comments from our readers
Well Linda, i partly agree with you. Flips into the end zone are outrageous along with excessive celebration. But, if you cant celebrate a touchdown in the Rose Bowl what can you celebrate? These are college kids having fun, in some cases its their last game at college, let them play and celebrate.
Posted by: Nick Renner | January 4, 2008 12:42 PM
It's also too bad the bowl system didn't give USC a real team to play, like Georgia. The fighting Illini were no match for USC and it's hard not to think the Trojans didn't feel dissed by the entire process.
I know these young adults can get caught up in the moment, but most all are very aware of the penalty for taunting. I agree with Nick, let them celebrate and flag them if they taunt.
Posted by: Rick Nenner | January 4, 2008 2:49 PM
I too have taught coached sports, and frankly I had no problem with my players doing a little celebration after a score. I did not allow taunting. Respecting the other team was for after the game after you beat them and you met tham at midfield and shook hands and said great game. I think part of the fun of sports IS celebrating after the ultimate challenge whether scoring a goal, a touchdown, a home run, if you can't celebrate and show some excitement why bother. I think the people who do and have complained about celebrating in sports do so because they have either never played, never scored, or never won
Posted by: brian | January 5, 2008 11:06 AM
@brian -
you're welcome to your opinion, however, you should also know that your last assertion is wrong and that you pretty much whiffed on the point of concern anyway.
For a second shot at it, I'll give you a clue - it was a lack of good sportsmanship. If you think that taunting falls into the category of good sportsmanship, then the point will be lost you regardless of what more is said.
Posted by: Foo | January 6, 2008 3:32 PM