Originally Posted by
guadzilla
I have a lot of respect for martial artist and boxers. One of the cleanest losses I've suffered in a sparring match has been a KO from a friend who was a boxer. And I am still in awe of guys like Wally Jay, who even in his late 70s, could toss me around like I was made of straw, or the Gracie brothers. But this is just respect for someone who is very good at what he does.
When you see hockey players sitting on the bench getting stitched up without missing a shift, or guys like JR playing with a broken jaw, etc. - these guys arent just drawing a paycheck, they are playing and putting their livelihoods at risk b/c they love the sport. That's some seriously epic stuff out there and warrants a completely different level of respect from me.
Part of the hockey dynamic is...its a team sport of course where individuals get more lost in the team dynamic. There will always be Reggie Jacksons of course. Even though Lance maybe on a team his individual performance has stood out like Tiger's which make them more of a target.
To Swingblade's excellent post about Hogan...yes Hogan was reviled because he would have little to do with other players but Hogan would intimidate through his play and steelie demeanor, not all the BS fist pumping and stalking around the green or cussing when he hit a bad shot like Tiger who basically did what he did to intimidate...not unlike what McEnroe did in tennis years back...or Connors. Regarding excellent points about Woods losing his mystique...which has happened to other stars trying to comeback...absolutely true. Not only is the guy not playing as well but others aren't afraid of him because he has been made a laughing stock for his over the top behavior. The thing that always bugged me about Woods is how everybody would fold on Sunday against the jacka$$. This didn't happen in the Nichlaus or Palmer era, other players stood up to them. Fortunately this now has changed and at the same time many great players from all over the world have emerged.
Bluevelo, thanks for sharing your story about testicular cancer...a tough read and a fear of many of us. Many including me have always wondered about the linkage because that form of cancer and doping. The thing that doesn't comport with drug use after Lance's bout with cancer is...if drugs did induce the cancer, then why on earth would he go back to the well and take performance enhancing drugs that could finish his life. As you say, his rare form of cancer wasn't probably drug induced or determined to be unrelated by what he has learned. This doesn't remove suspicion about his drug use of course to win his titles. What is remarkable if he did take dope in some capacity is why hasn't he ever tested positive being one if not thee most tested atheletes of our era? If he did dope which seems likely then his perhaps his talent of avoiding detection is even greater than his gift of riding a bicycle faster than others. Also excellent comments about drug use in Hollywood to stay young and about drug use in the bygone era of sports. What people will do to compete.