By shelz.
Everything changes. I’m aware. but not everything changes for the good. Take the NFL for example. It’s always been my contention that really rich people who can afford to own sports franchises change the rules regularly because… well… they can. Do you remember when the owners sat around all summer just to determine players couldn’t wear rags on their heads? And that was their most productive break of the decade.Football in 2011 is much different than it was in 1999. Being able to push a guy who made a perfectly good sideline catch out of bounds before his feet hit the ground is just nonsense, but no one listens to me. Anyway, here’s some other stuff I miss. Don’t get me wrong, football is still great, but if they would just invite me to the owners’ meetings it could be a lot better.
No Challenges
There was no turning back after the ref made that call. Even though everyone and their momma could see on the jumbotron that the ref wasn’t even looking in the direction of the player that allegedly committed the penalty, he still wasn’t changing his mind. Now, in the age of the replay and challenge, coaches don’t have to curse and scream and kick, they can just throw out that lil red bag. Boooooooo to all the excitement we don’t get to see anymore because of it.
(writers afterthought.. after watching that Chiefs/Chargers game, maybe I have to admit we need replay. Officiating is total ass this year)
Gastineau-esque Celebrations
If you say yay too loud, you get fined. No touchdown dances? WTF? Did you catch that unsportsmanlike penalty on Ray Rice against the Cardinals? Bullskit. In the spirit of sportsmanship you can’t have any fun. Who knew the NFL was so concerned with their players’ feelings? Nuccas used to take bathroom breaks after a Gastineau sack and get back before the next play started. Now smiling gets you a fifteen yard penalty assessed after kick off. That sucks.
[pro-player width=’450′ height=’323′ type=’video’]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jH1k8iJ_DbQ[/pro-player]
Non-Sponsored Stadiums
Do you remember when no one had a dome because they couldn’t afford one? When the elements were the 3RD team on the field. When you had to be a brave sumanabish to be a season ticket holder above the Mason Dixon? Snow games, rain games, volcano games and not even an ounce of complaint from the teams. Well those days are over. Now these huge corporations have pumped so much money into the sport, the stadiums are like climate controlled bio domes. Set the central below 68 if you want to. The topless guys with the words painted on their chests start shivering. That takes the fun out of it for those of us who were always smart enough to watch from home.
Haircuts
Some of these players look like girls from the back. I’m just saying.
Aerosmith – Dude Looks Like A Lady
Coaches With Some Wardrobe Personality
Even Jack Del Rio has sidelined the suits for something a bit more athletic. Yeah, standing on the sideline in a pair of Stacey Adams couldn’t be great for your feet, but he always looked so nice. Glanville in his all black and Tom Landry in his three piece are iconic looks we just don’t get to see anymore. It could be worse I guess. At least its not like baseball where the coaches wear the uniform. I’m not sure I could manage three hours of either of the Ryan twins in spandex.
Stay tuned for part 2.
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