Is “Prima Donna” Attitude Ruining Pro Soccer?

More and more in pro football we see weird touchdown celebrations, swaggering and strutting after some kind of big play, and now Chad Johnson has legally changed his last name to his number. What is happening today in football?

The “it’s all about me” attitude that seems to be appearing more and more in our society today is spreading throughout the National Football League. And while some people say it’s just the stars expressing themselves, I personally don’t like it and think it has the potential to ruin the sport.

As you say? Well, the problem sometimes fades in the locker room and starts to mess with the team’s chemistry. Look at Terrell Owens, for example. Wherever he goes, he eventually disagrees with someone. And, while he’s a tremendously talented wide receiver, TO usually starts his antics when he’s not getting the ball as much as he thinks he should.

In two recent games, the ball got loose when a player was about to enter the end zone and started his celebration early. These guys were so focused on getting the crowd to focus on them that they ruined the play itself.

Now for a “totally opposite” view, take a look at the New England Patriots. Possibly the most successful NFL franchise in recent times. And they focus on finding and keeping players who are team-oriented and willing to fit into their “system.” And that system works. Hence three Super Bowl championships in this decade.

So what is the right way? Well, I don’t think you can say there is a right way or a wrong way. But the question for the NFL is which path do ticket holders prefer? I don’t have the answer to that, but I know most of the NFL fans I talk to are tired of the antics and prefer their champions to be low-key and full of character and integrity.

Now, in all of this, there is a ray of hope. I recently read that more and more young players entering the league are not playing the “prima donna” game and are just focused on improving their skills and helping their team win.

I hope this is the real trend. I would like my grandchildren to see these soccer players and see the character, not just the characters. If they choose to play the game at any level, I want the players they try to be to be someone they can look up to.

Maybe I’m naive, but I love football and I don’t want a few to ruin it.