Soccer Club Tartan Dispute

[bubba]

The money is obscene, but I don't mind that as much as the "Hero" status that some afford to them. That is just disturbing. I like sport, but they are just people paid to play a game, not role models.

Slainte,

Tobie

Absolutely. Having the physical talent and ability to throw or kick with precision certainly doesn't make their opinions more valid than anyone elses. As for being heros, what do they really risk? Heros risk all with no thought of themselves. Sports figures just don't qualify as a rule. Before I get jumped on, yes, there are exceptions, such as an American ball player that walked away from a multi-million dollar contract to enlist.

[Plastic Paddy]

"American ball player that walked away from a multi-million dollar contract to enlist."

Bubba,

Was that the pot stirring???

Slainte,

Tobie

[GMan]

I certainly hope so!

Life is complicated enough. When you give someone, a multimillion dollar contract, who is just out of college and has no knowledge of financial responsibility, nothing but trouble arises.

[phil h]

Every day is a day of controversy in sports. My own philosophy is if you like a sport, get out and play it. For me sitting on the couch watching overpaid kids play a game while sponsors try to con me into buying crap I don't want just ain't fun.

One could argue that everyone at the top of their profession, whether it be sport or otherwise, brings home the big bucks. It's basic economics. Supply and demand.

I don't just sit on a couch all day. I am as active as I want to be. But I'm also marginally patriotic and support English/British individuals or teams who are representing their country. Anything wrong in that? :x

nothing wrong with that.I am here in Canada, and have been watching euro 2004,I'm proud to be born in England , and enjoyed watching the games.but that's it for me till 2006 world cup, I'm not a big fan, I just watch the big games.

[bubba]

"American ball player that walked away from a multi-million dollar contract to enlist."

Bubba,

Was that the pot stirring???

Slainte,

Tobie

Not at all. I'm saying it took something special for him to do that and, imo, puts him in the hero class.

[bubba]

Here's a bit more on Pat Tilman, a real hero.
WASHINGTON — Arizona Cardinal strong safety Pat Tillman, who left the NFL and a seven-figure salary to enlist in the Army after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, has been killed in the Middle East, according to the office of an Arizona congressman. He was 27.
Elaine Dalbo, a spokeswoman for Rep. Trent Franks, R-Ariz., a member of the House Armed Services Committee, said that committee was able to confirm Tillman's death this morning.

"Pat Tillman was an inspiration on and off the football field. As with all who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the war on terror, his family is in the thoughts and prayers of President and Mrs. Bush," said White House spokesman Taylor Gross.

When Tillman enlisted in the Army he walked away from a three-year, $3.6 million contract extension with the Cardinals. The decision drew nationwide headlines, although he did not seek the headlines, refusing to grant interviews.

Tillman made the decision after returning from his honeymoon with wife, Marie, in 2002, joining the elite Army rangers with his brother Kevin.

Tillman was assigned to the second battalion of the 75th Ranger Regiment in Fort Lewis, Washington.

This, imo, is a real hero and far more worthy of admiration than anybody on the playing field.

[Plastic Paddy]

Bubba,

Here's a different opinion.... I don't agree with it, just didn't know if you'd seen the cartoon...

http://www.ucomics.com/rallcom/2004/05/03/

Slainte,

Tobie

[bubba]

Tobie, I saw that awhile back. I don't mind people taking shots at the administration, I do that myself and I'm one of very many that don't agree with what is being done. However, taking shots at the troops is not only bad taste, it's disgusting. Those of us that fought in Nam took plenty of that garbage. I had some hope that people had learned that it isn't the soldiers that start and propogate these wars, but, apparently not.

[macwilkin]

Since Pat Tillman has been brought up, we should also mention the 16th Battalion (MacRae's Battalion) of the Royal Scots Regiment, which was composed of a number of football players from the Heart of Midlothian Football Club (the Hearts) in Edinburgh during the First World War.

See this site:

http://www.geocities.com/athens/pantheon/3828/

For more information about footballers from all the Scottish teams that fought in WWI.

And here is a story from the Scotsman about the Hearts & the 16th Battalion:

http://news.scotsman.com/index.cfm?id=687642004

Lest we forget,

Todd

(a Hearts supporter -- Up the Jambos!)

[bubba]

Since Pat Tillman has been brought up, we should also mention the 16th Battalion (MacRae's Battalion) of the Royal Scots Regiment, which was composed of a number of football players from the Heart of Midlothian Football Club (the Hearts) in Edinburgh during the First World War.

Todd, what I was getting at is none of these men are heros for what they did on the playing field where there is really nothing of importance at risk, they're heros for their services and sacrifices for their country and putting everything, including their lives, on the line. I don't believe that playing a game well deserves hero status, it just cheapens the word.