Sports fans do not need a reminder that it is a business.
Jacob Christner wants you to believe “that there is this lifelong, and ridiculous, perception, that athletes once played ‘for the love of the game’, and they didn’t care about money.” It is an interesting theory, yet it does not hold much water since it is not really an argument a sports fan makes.
I believe the only time this even comes up is in regards college athletes getting paid, which is now a moot point.
Regardless of what professional sport and era it is easy to find those who held out for a better contract and more money. Christner points to the example of John Riggins and claims that he “never was the same again.” Then later adds “outside of the Super Bowl performance.”
What was not mentioned though was after Riggins sat out the 1980 season, he had his two highest yardage seasons in the National Football League with 1,347 and 1,239 yards respectfully, he also led the NFL in touchdowns in back-to-back seasons (24 and 14), and in one of those seasons he came in fourth in MVP voting and Offensive Player of the Year, and made one All-Pro team. So he did a lot more than only the Super Bowl performance.
Riggins also led the NFL in rushing attempts in 1982 before the season ended prematurely due to a strike.
Going further with the NFL, it is understandable that it is the sport with the most players that will holdout for a better contract. Why? Cause as we know, those contracts are not fully guaranteed. Yet it is also not a sport where going through the motions is going to cut it. For example running back Lawrence Phillips ended the career of Steve Young after missing a block.
You can easily go to Instagram and find players training and getting prepared for the next season.
Then there are highlights of George Kittle and how he plays. To say that he only cares about the money, is absurd. It is obvious his love for the game. Take a look at his pancake block of Ricardo Allen of the Atlanta Falcons.
George Kittle was laughing as he pancaked Ricardo Allen pic.twitter.com/hE8dsuCm4P
— Footballism™ (@FootbaIIism) May 26, 2020
Think about Tom Brady and how he re-signed with the New England Patriots to give the franchise cap flexibility.
The National Basketball Association got touched on by Christner. All you then have to do is look at what Gary Payton II and Juan Toscano Anderson have done while members of the Golden State Warriors. Heart, hustle, and determiniation to name a few attributes of these role players.
Payton II and Toscano Anderson earned their spot. Which has nothing to do with money. There are countless examples of examples from previous eras that are not big names, that did not get huge contracts, yet you can name because of what they contributed.
Going further what about Michael Jordan? Was he all about the huge contracts? Nope. In his prime he was never the highest paid player in the NBA. You can also look at the signing of Ron Harper when he joined Chicago Bulls, his career average was 19 points, five rebounds and five assists, while playing over 30 minutes per night.
With a career-year as a rookie in 1986-1987 as a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers. He averaged 22.9 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 2.5 steals. So what happens when he joins Chicago? His minutes are cut in half, he averages a career-low 6.9 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 2 assists.
Still what did he accomplish after signing with the Bulls? Being a member of five championship teams.
The best example of someone who loves the game and continues to put in the work is Stephen Curry. When players talk about the Golden State Warriors, you almost always hear the word “culture” being talked.
All you need to see are highlights when Curry is on the bench and one of his teammates makes a great play, he is their biggest cheerleader. He also does incredible things off the court and I believe the best example of this when he received a letter from a 9-year-old girl about Under Armour and his shoes.
This is how he responded.
Take a look at how far Joel Embiid has come. He did not start playing the sport of basketball until he was 15. Now he is a MVP candidate.
For Major League Baseball Reggie Jackson got mentioned by Christner. Yet how about Nolan Ryan pitching till he was 46? Randy Johnson pitching till he was 45? Rickey Henderson playing till he was 44? Julio Franco even made a comeback at age 48.
Even now there are players who leave MLB and go play internationally. The most recent highlight I saw was of Khris Davis homering while playing in Mexico.
Still when it comes to it we know what happens when a player who is looking for a bigger pay day and the ownership is not going to oblige. Latrell Sprewell and his infamous quote of “I told you I need to feed my family.”
Quarterback Deshaun Watson did not play in 2021 because he felt the Houston Texans were in rebuild mode, asked to get traded, and the franchise elected to not honor his request and not play him.
We have seen what happens if a team believes that the media attention on a certain player is too much with Colin Kaepernick. Still a bit hypocritical considering that the Jacksonville Jaguars last season attempted to try Tim Tebow out as a tight end.
Tebow who when he got drafted to the NFL, admitted that football was not his priority. Meanwhile, Kaepernick continues to train hoping for a second chance or even a backup role at this point.
Yes there are certain players regardless of sport who are in it only for the money. Still the vast majority of players in professional sports, play because they love the game they are playing. Saying otherwise is actually the ridiculous notion.