Thought-provoking and great article. I admit that I haven't learned much about Greek mythology. I learned a bit here and there, but not much. Your article got me to look up Icarus's story. I can see why moderation is the common theme, but I also like how you tie it (and Ja Morant's story) to being human - and the challenges that have come along with that.
Two paragraphs really struck me.
"“All those kids that look up to you, they’re watching everything,” Crawford said, noting that without kids an athlete can’t become a superstar. “Body language, how you handle situations — this could be a moment where he could teach a whole new generation how to handle things when it’s not comfortable.”
"It was such a light linking, the confirmation that actions by athletes slip the strict context of the game they’re playing in. The hope that this might be a moment to teach without being heavy-handed or chastising about it, without forcing Morant to bow his head into the moniker of role model. That he didn’t have to fall, or be made an example of, to be one."
This reminds me of how I had looked up to athletes as a kid and a teen. But, they are human too, and, like the rest of us, have flaws and setbacks. And all of this, as you indicated, reverberates well beyond the game, especially given heavy public scrutiny and judgment.
And, some of the toughest moments we face do come when things aren't comfortable. When we're out of our comfort zones. It's so easy to judge, to condemn. I've been guilty of that myself, especially in my younger years (and it's still easy for me at times to do this). But, as I've gotten older, I'm seeing more and more of the nuance and complexity that comes with life, with being human. I'm speaking in more general terms (and, to be clear, I definitely believe that when atrocities occur, they should be unequivocally condemned), but your article got me thinking a lot about the complexities and difficulties that come with life. I also love how you tied it to Icarus story.
Sorry for this ramble being a bit long - it was longer than I expected lol.
Last, but not least, I want to read more Greek Mythology. I don't think I appreciated it as much growing up, but your article and insights and other things I've heard from friends (and the impact on modern pop culture too) have opened my mind up much more.
I appreciate how your articles are thought-provoking and get me to reflect a lot about life :). Have a nice week, Katie!
Great - and one of the few pieces I’ve read that show Morant to be human rather than something to be torn apart. But I think this sense of athletes having to just listen and be polite is ridiculous too. There is something kids can learn from someone willing to actually put problems in an organisation out in the open rather than just soak it in and who is willing to say that decisions that are affecting how they play are not theirs. Being honest as he was isn’t something to be criticised as it has been done in general. It’s a way of doing the right thing too.
Excellent work! However, I do wonder with Ja, how many times do we do this? He had the chance to reflect and understand how his fans, especially the kids, see him due to the gun stuff, and we are here now, when he's lost that joy. When will we be here again and will it be with him, or another? At what point do we start thinking of the young men in the league as young men, and not kids or teens, or what-have-you? As a Sixers and Pistons fan, I've been blessed a bit of late, to see Tyrese Maxey and Cade Cunningham, two young men both rising up, accepting the mantle put on them - Cade as a #1 pick and needed savior for Detroit, Maxey raced into it, blew past Joel as he got his hands on it and is still running, a blur in the distance. But he will still stop and say, "yes, ma'am" and "no ma'am" to Kate Scott during post game interviews.
As always, fantastic, but now all I can think about is “Fast and Furious XII: Mediterranean Drift”
Well shoot, I'd buy a ticket for that one!
Thought-provoking and great article. I admit that I haven't learned much about Greek mythology. I learned a bit here and there, but not much. Your article got me to look up Icarus's story. I can see why moderation is the common theme, but I also like how you tie it (and Ja Morant's story) to being human - and the challenges that have come along with that.
Two paragraphs really struck me.
"“All those kids that look up to you, they’re watching everything,” Crawford said, noting that without kids an athlete can’t become a superstar. “Body language, how you handle situations — this could be a moment where he could teach a whole new generation how to handle things when it’s not comfortable.”
"It was such a light linking, the confirmation that actions by athletes slip the strict context of the game they’re playing in. The hope that this might be a moment to teach without being heavy-handed or chastising about it, without forcing Morant to bow his head into the moniker of role model. That he didn’t have to fall, or be made an example of, to be one."
This reminds me of how I had looked up to athletes as a kid and a teen. But, they are human too, and, like the rest of us, have flaws and setbacks. And all of this, as you indicated, reverberates well beyond the game, especially given heavy public scrutiny and judgment.
And, some of the toughest moments we face do come when things aren't comfortable. When we're out of our comfort zones. It's so easy to judge, to condemn. I've been guilty of that myself, especially in my younger years (and it's still easy for me at times to do this). But, as I've gotten older, I'm seeing more and more of the nuance and complexity that comes with life, with being human. I'm speaking in more general terms (and, to be clear, I definitely believe that when atrocities occur, they should be unequivocally condemned), but your article got me thinking a lot about the complexities and difficulties that come with life. I also love how you tied it to Icarus story.
Sorry for this ramble being a bit long - it was longer than I expected lol.
Last, but not least, I want to read more Greek Mythology. I don't think I appreciated it as much growing up, but your article and insights and other things I've heard from friends (and the impact on modern pop culture too) have opened my mind up much more.
I appreciate how your articles are thought-provoking and get me to reflect a lot about life :). Have a nice week, Katie!
Kinda surprised the Sacramento Kings didn’t make the Google results list. My old classics major self really enjoyed this one!
As a Kings fan, I think that they should've made the list. Lol
Great - and one of the few pieces I’ve read that show Morant to be human rather than something to be torn apart. But I think this sense of athletes having to just listen and be polite is ridiculous too. There is something kids can learn from someone willing to actually put problems in an organisation out in the open rather than just soak it in and who is willing to say that decisions that are affecting how they play are not theirs. Being honest as he was isn’t something to be criticised as it has been done in general. It’s a way of doing the right thing too.
this is one of the best articles I’ve ever read
Thanks so much Collin.
Excellent work! However, I do wonder with Ja, how many times do we do this? He had the chance to reflect and understand how his fans, especially the kids, see him due to the gun stuff, and we are here now, when he's lost that joy. When will we be here again and will it be with him, or another? At what point do we start thinking of the young men in the league as young men, and not kids or teens, or what-have-you? As a Sixers and Pistons fan, I've been blessed a bit of late, to see Tyrese Maxey and Cade Cunningham, two young men both rising up, accepting the mantle put on them - Cade as a #1 pick and needed savior for Detroit, Maxey raced into it, blew past Joel as he got his hands on it and is still running, a blur in the distance. But he will still stop and say, "yes, ma'am" and "no ma'am" to Kate Scott during post game interviews.