Everyone, it seems, is working to develop their theatre instead of working to perfect their game–except Victor Tucker.
Last weekend with 46 seconds remaining in the must-win game against Marshall, wide receiver Victor Tucker rose in the air, turned, caught a high pass, was tackled in the end zone, and lost his helmet when he hit the ground. He calmly stood holding the ball at his side. His catch iced the game for his University of North Carolina Charlotte team, making it bowl eligible for the first time in program history.
Later this week, a player in Mississippi caught a TD pass that gives his team the chance to tie the game with a PAT. Then he celebrated by posing as a dog urinating. The ensuring penalty pushed the PAT to the distance of a field goal, which the kicker then missed, his team losing the game by one.
I name the UNCC player because his conduct was extraordinary. I do not name the Mississippi player because his act is sadly too common–uncouth and unnecessary, beneath standards of athletic competition. And for me, that’s a problem.
The theatrics of professional sports have seeped to every level of competition. Youngsters mimic what they see their favorite pro doing. It seems that more players are competing for showboat laurels than performance on the field. When I see two teammates jive in the endzone, I wonder how much they practiced the new routine or dance or whatever. I wonder why grown men feel the need to entertain spectators with a new set of jive.
This type of bad theatre is now a sad part of football, baseball, basketball, and other sports–and it’s happening at all levels. I even saw showboating at a local wrestling meet. One boy felt it necessary to stand in the center of the mat with his hand extended while waiting for his defeated opponent. It was, I think, his way of showing superiority over his foe. I wish he had removed his anklet and waited with his hands at his side, much like Victor Tucker had done.
Everyone, it seems, is working hard to develop their theatre instead of working to perfect their game. I hope for more Victor Tuckers, but fear that he is outnumbered by the outlandish jiving that proves nothing about the player’s ability, but says a great deal about his character.
