Now thats sportsmanship

**Tre4ISU** · 06-01-2010, 07:54 AM

Originally Posted by cyclones500

I don't mind a little sportsmanship at the big-biz levels. But using those pro sports examples as a lead-in to an otherwise feel-good story was apples-and-oranges. Manning not shaking hands sort of fits the competitive continuum; there aren't too many JV players are at head-kicking status.

He could have found some flip-side examples at a high-school level and led with that. Or found an alternate leade. Or just dived right into the story.

Right. I wasn't saying it should absolutely not be involved, I just don't think it should be expected.

**jdoggivjc** · 06-01-2010, 08:01 AM

Originally Posted by Cloner97

To be fair to Manning, the second after the Super Bowl ends is chaos on the field. The guy is just looking at what tunnel he needs to head to before gtting mobbed. And it's not like any of the winners are seeking out the losers either.

This. I"m not defending Peyton Manning as a beacon of integrity, but people make WAAAAAAY too much about him not sticking around to shake hands with the winners and how because of it he's such a d-bag. I actually thought he showed more class in getting off the field as quickly as possible instead of being the so-called "good sport" by making sure he shook every single player's hand and nosing in on the Saints' celebration in the process. He has/had about 6 months to congratulate the Saints, and I'm sure he's congratulated a good number of them personally. Why does it HAVE to be immediately after the game when the Saints are more focused on celebrating?

**CyFever** · 06-01-2010, 08:28 AM

Good story, especially in light of the comparisons Reilly (had to) put up front. But the thing that really struck me is how in the world this team shows up to a game without ever having practiced? They didn't know how to hold a bat or play catch?

I much prefer the softball story (I think Reilly wrote about it too) where the girl hit the home run (her first ever?) in the bottom of the ninth to win the game. Only she tore up her knee at first base and was unable to round the bases. Since she would have been out if she received help from her own team, the other team carried her around the bases, stopping so she could stop to touch each base, even though that caused them to lose the game (and the championship?)!

**mkcrawford** · 06-01-2010, 08:49 AM

Originally Posted by CyFever

I much prefer the softball story (I think Reilly wrote about it too) where the girl hit the home run (her first ever?) in the bottom of the ninth to win the game. Only she tore up her knee at first base and was unable to round the bases. Since she would have been out if she received help from her own team, the other team carried her around the bases, stopping so she could stop to touch each base, even though that caused them to lose the game (and the championship?)!

I love hearing about these kind of stories. Reinforces my belief that there are good people all over this world who put other first before themselves. Whether it's the softball story in this thread, the softball player story CyFever talked about above, or the story of the mentally handicapped boys basketball team manager that got a chance to play, I tend to believe these things happen more often than is reported but I'm glad someone like Reilly and ESPN put them on the national spot light.