Forget college basketball. Forget Roger “I didn’t take no freaking steroids” Clemens, forget the NBA, forget it all. This week we’re tackling romance, but not in that kind of awkward “son, we need to talk” type of way, no, I’m sick of celebrity sports dating. This needs to end.
Honestly, since when has a sports icon’s career been defined by People Magazine or Tiger Beat (is that still around?) covers as opposed to their on field performance. Important figures like completion percentage and assist-to-turnover ratio are being replaced by daily taglines of “what they did on their magical week in Mexico.”
The madness needs to stop. The sports world needs to keep from becoming a mock version of E!
Case 1: Tony Romo
This guy has all the makings and moxy of a future Hall of Fame quarterback. One problem, he can’t keep himself from tossing to famous Texas blondes. This man’s career is going to be destroyed by the media and their scrutiny over his very public romantic life. Troy Aikman was succesful in Dallas because he kept his ventures private.
Romo is displaying that when it comes down to crunch time in late season games, the media pressure gets to him.
Football aside, I’m worn out of the daily news focus being on where he is with Jessica Simpson. What did they do? Are they getting engaged? Honestly, who cares? Save that stuff for US Weekly. My girlfriend only knows of Tony Romo because “he’s the hottie that dumped Carrie for Jessica.” I can’t even get her to remember that Eli Manning won the Super Bowl, yet Tony Romo’s supposed wedding is the topic of at least one weekly discussion. Bottom line: this is a great football player who is getting over exposed and ruined solely by who he is chossing to date. And my life is getting ruined by questions of what curtain patterns they’re choosing for their new home.
Case 2: Tony Parker
Parker is a monster point guard. He is the one driving the Spurs these days. My issue: Eva Longoria. Can I please watch a basketball game on a Sunday without at least 35 shots to the sideline for Longoria in a oversized collared shirt and Spurs hat. News flash to NBA broadcasters: None of the people watching the game cares if there is a slight bump on her stomach. I’ve worked with four women who have gotten pregnant in the past year (SeriouslyGuys not included, those Rick Snee preganancy rumors are surfacing again, though), and we did not need photographic evidence daily to either know or be excited about it. Secondly, it’s the NBA, not the Daily 10, spare us.
Case 3: Tom Brady
Wouldn’t be an Eat My Sports without at least one attempt to tear down Brady, right? Can we please get over the fact that he got one model pregnant, broke up with her and then left her for another one? See, this is at least half of my problem with Brady, the man gets a taste of stardom, has a cleft in his chin, then runs it into the freaking ground. The main issue around training camp last year was what will he do about the baby? Not how are we going to keep this team from choking in the Super Bowl?
Brady, unlike Romo thus far, has been able to shed off the media spotlight to lead a very succesful pro career to this point. However, since winning their third Super Bowl title, talks have been more about where his place on the sexiest people of (insert year here) list in contrast to how the Pats can string together another championship run.
Real football fans don’t need this, and quite frankly I think celebrity dating amongst professional athletes should be banned.
Top five things that annoy me in sports this week:
5. Roger Clemens
Just retire already.
4. Boston Celtics
Live up to the hype or stop teasing everyone.
3. Tiger Woods
Not his play, or overall demeanor. I’m just tired of the commercials.
2. NFL Combine
It doesn’t matter, some of the best players have been Combine busts.
1. Barry Bonds
I do find it fitting that he might end up in Tampa Bay, just think of the Tropicana Field/Jose Canseco/”Juiced” cross promotions. This could be a media field day.