HockeyRhetoric

I’ve been paying close attention to how Ted Black, specifically, has managed the perception of the Sabres since they began descending in the standings. My respect for him has never been higher. I’m convinced everything Ted Black does that trickles down to the public — from glad-handing or drinking beer in front of a camera, to watching a game from the 300 level, to everything he says in front of a microphone —  is calculated.

I remember how exaggerated the praise directed at Ted Black felt last spring. I’ve always liked Black but I decided at the time that T. Pegula was the one and only star — the reason to hope the Sabres would reach greatness. Black, meanwhile, with his Gordon Gekko hairstyle, was filed away in my mind as the deputy director of day-to-day operations, first, and a financial consultant for Pegula, second; a behind-the-scenes type, I presumed. My attitude has changed. » Read the rest of this entry «

Suppose Johns Hopkins were to release a study tomorrow claiming that blue-eyed motorists have a comparatively high rate of involvement in automobile accidents. Suppose it gets mainstream attention and gains traction on all the major social media platforms. Whether or not an individual agrees with the data is less consequential than their awareness of the finding and the authority it comes from. » Read the rest of this entry «

Last Monday, Crosby played his fist hockey game in about 10 months — two goals and two assists in 15:54 of ice-time for 87. Not that a single regular season game against the New York Islanders settles anything, but Crosby is the best player in the NHL. I think a lot of people, like for instance the completely insufferable Pierre McGuire, get a little too hyperbolic when talking about Crosby’s talent and greatness. I’m always impressed with Crosby and I appreciate what he can do with the puck but I don’t think the difference between he and some of the other elite forwards in the game is as great as many believe. Crosby is the best, but not by very much. » Read the rest of this entry «

I can’t remember there ever being this much tension in the sports world as there has been in the last couple of years. There’s an incredible amount of strain on the relationship teams and schools have with their loyalists. What is the source of all this stress? What is the cause of all this restlessness?

First and foremost, representatives of sports organizations and academic institutions are regularly challenging the ethical tolerance of their audience. The defining question of the present day sports culture is how one resolves a situation in which their loyalty is betrayed by a condemnable action. Any experience an individual or group has answering this specific question is secondary to the pronounced effect it has on the general sports world and how it is being followed by people like you and I. » Read the rest of this entry «

By now, everyone has surely read about the Penn State scandal involving long time football defensive coordinator, Jerry Sandusky. If not, cautiously familiarize yourself through the lens of Yahoo! Sports’ Dan Wetzel. I should warn — the details are chilling.

Joe Posnanski, a sports writer for SI who frankly requires no introduction, has also released a commentary piece of his own that addresses the story. Posnanski’s reputation certainly precedes him. When Posnanski gives his opinion on a developing sports story, I’ve learned to pay close attention. In this particular case, his perspective is even more valuable as he’s presently in the middle of writing a book on the coaching career of Penn State’s Joe Paterno.

The fallout from Penn State should be, and I expect will be, quite extensive. Everyone even remotely connected to Jerry Sandusky should be removed from their position and that includes Paterno. Sandusky was part of Paterno’s staff for over thirty years! The allegations against Sandusky are severe enough to indict Paterno in the court of public opinion. Shouldn’t Paterno be a better judge of character than what the allegations suggest? Shouldn’t Paterno be the driving force behind exposing a violation or crime committed by someone associated with his program? » Read the rest of this entry «