Colorado coach and Hall of Famer Deion Sanders had spent a lot of time lately challenging and criticizing journalists who dared to criticize him. Now, Deion is turning his attention to media members who criticize players.
“The panorama has changed in football“Sanders said Tuesday at a news conference. “There was a time when you guys never attacked college players. Now, they make more money than you do, and some of you are envious and jealous about that. So you guys are on the attack. It was touching a college player because he's an amateur. Remember? Remember that, guys? Now, it's touching them. Attack them any way you want. They're making more money than me, and I'm mad about that. When you attack them, attack them, attack them, these guys are sensitive. They've never been attacked. They haven't been through what a grown man — what I've been going through with you for years. You haven't done that. So it is what it is. I know you're going to do your job and what you need to do. But your job doesn't say, 'Attack.' Because if we flip the script on all of you, none of you would like it.”
It's all too easy to attribute and dismiss any form of criticism to jealousy. Moreover, Sanders pointed out that players are now paid; some would argue that the long-overdue receipt of real compensation makes them professional players, justifying criticism that was previously rare. (But no, if you recall Mike Gundy's criticism, I am a man I am 40 rant, unprecedented.)
Furthermore, these children are, in many ways, public figures, especially those who receive significant compensation for appearing in national commercials.
And they are all adults, over 18 years old. Old enough to join the military. Grown men. Not adults, but definitely not children.
Furthermore, journalists who overstep their boundaries are subject to accountability that was previously non-existent. Entire media outlets are dedicated to covering sports. If a journalist gets too personal or says something unfair, inaccurate or just plain stupid, some other journalist who covers journalists will call him out.
Deion said players are sensitive, having not had to deal with criticism for years. For some, years of criticism toughens the skin. For others, no amount of experience being criticized will suddenly make them desensitized to scrutiny.
It's something that comes with time. It's part of the price you pay for being paid well and being in the public eye. In the end, the best approach is to adopt the Charles Barkley mindset.
As long as the mailman shows up with the check on the 1st and 15th of the month, I don't care what they say about me.
