11 hours ago
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Independence, Integrity, Intelligence
My sister-in-law is entering a contest through her work where she has to write an essay identifying the NFL player or coach (current or former) that best exemplifies the above three qualities. When she first asked me about who she should write about for the contest, I naturally thought Bret Favre was the best choice. I initially responded to her citing his accomplishments, admission and treatment for pain killer addiction, and his continued consecutive start streak through numerous injuries. However, thinking about the question more, Favre's accomplishments don't really reflect the three values cited as the criteria. Who would be other NFL figures that do embody these qualities? I think that part of the problem (with the question), is that these qualities don't necessarily translate into success or popularity in the NFL. Are there any figures in sports (NFL or otherwise) that would embody these qualities?
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11 comments:
I'm trying, but I'm stumped.
Pacman!!
Doug Flutie!
Martin Gramatica?
Chad Ocho Cinco.
He's independent because he doesn't need to have a last name like everyone else, not subscribe to the standard convention used when expressing two digit numbers in Spanish.
He has integrity because he honored his huge contract with Nike or whatever company that was that told him not to change the name on his jersey until they sold all the ones that said "Johnson."
And he is intelligent because.... well, I guess she'll have to fill that last one in on her own.
btw, why those three qualities? None of them seem like the top three qualities a football player should have, especially the first one.
She does market research for a socially conscious investment fund, so I'm guessing the characteristics may relate to something else at her job.
I guess as good of a case can be made for Favre as anyone else, since you wouldn't even necessarily know that a player has any of them.
I like the Flutie idea. Fran Tarkenton, I recall, has a good story as well. If you want to go really old school, Don Hutson.
Or Clinton Portis and his wacky cast of characters. He's definitely intelligent and independent, and his antics tend to be the fun kind and not the drunk driving kind.
Portis would be good.
I hope this doesn't end up like that Addidas commercial where we learn that there are two kinds of players: thrillers and destroyers. What the hell is that? What about punters?
You're not thrilled by punts?
Bart Starr for all of his charity efforts.
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