Who’s the Biggest Jerk in Sports?

WHO’S THE BIGGEST JERK IN SPORTS?
By: Guy T. Saperstein

It’s so easy to criticize Tiger Woods. Some of us even enjoy making fun of him. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/guy-t-saperstein/whats-bad-for-tiger-aint_b_390347.html. But the guy just gives us so many opportunities, criticism becomes almost irresistible.

Take the U.S. Open as the latest example. He finished tied for 4th, which is no disgrace for a guy with the personal problems he is carrying around. It would have been appropriate for him to say that he played well, but not well enough to win, and congratulate the winner, Graeme McDowell. Instead, he complained about the greens as being “awful,” criticized his caddy, Stevie Williams, for giving him the wrong club on the 6th tee and encouraging him to fire at the pin on the 10th green, as though it wasn’t his responsibility to make the final call on both shots. I mean, when Woods hit a great shot to the 18th green on Saturday, did he say afterwards, “I give Stevie all the credit for suggesting I hit that shot?” In fact, has he ever given Stevie credit for hitting a great shot? Well, actually, no—because the golfer hits the shot, not the caddy. And, instead of congratulating the winner, when asked about how the course was set-up, he complained about the USGA’s Mike Davis setting up the course to give “more guys the chance to win. It’s more open now, with the graduated rough and being firm and fast like this.” Maybe more players did have “the chance to win” but that is a good thing, not a bad thing, and rather than suggesting the set-up conditions were too egalitarian, it would have shown some grace to say that they all played under the same conditions and McDowell won—congratulations to him. But grace and Tiger are two words which apparently can’t be used in the same sentence.

This dreadful lack of minimal manners followed Tiger’s even more egregiously graceless comments following Phil Mickelson’s winning the Masters in April. The fans had welcomed Woods back with warmth and compassion after months of sordid revelations about his sexual escapades, and Woods had played well, also finishing 4th, but not only had Mickelson won the tournament, it was one of the most popular wins ever because Mickelson is perhaps the most popular player in golf today and Mickelson’s wife and mother were in the middle of battling cancer. But instead of acknowledging the fact that golf fans had welcomed him back with equanimity and congratulating Mickelson, when the TV reporter asked Woods what he thought of the tournament, Woods said, “I didn’t win. It’s as simple as that.” End of story. Apparently, for Woods winning is not just the most important thing, it is the only thing. The fans welcoming him back didn’t merit even a comment from him. Mickelson’s win didn’t merit even a perfunctory congratulation. And acknowledging the strain Mickelson has been under due to his wife and mother’s serious illnesses was beyond him.

Who’s the biggest jerk in sports? Let the bidding begin: I bid Tiger Woods.

This entry was posted in Uncategorized. Bookmark the permalink. Post a comment or leave a trackback: Trackback URL.

40 Comments

  1. Adam Lambert
    Posted June 23, 2010 at 2:03 pm | Permalink

    Woods has always been about Woods, but since his “return” he has been much worse than usual.

    I’d be hard pressed to find someone that I CURRENTLY dislike more, but there are a number of them in different sports who give him a run. Certainly none that are at the top of their sport, but guys like Claude Lemieux, Bill Romanowski and more recently Ben Roethlisberger make the list.

    Are we just talking about sports jerk or jerk that is an athlete? Tiger fits the former but maybe not the latter…..

  2. Russ Wellen
    Posted June 23, 2010 at 2:34 pm | Permalink

    1. Roethlisberger, 2. Woods, 3. Randy Moss, 4. Terrell Owens. I’m a little down on Tiki Barber these days, too. See my post above.

  3. Matt
    Posted June 23, 2010 at 2:47 pm | Permalink

    Chris Pronger. He’s arguably the cheapest player in the NHL, has no respect for his competitors, jumps from team to team, and always has that shit eating grin on his face. He’s also got the second biggest front tooth gap in sports, right behind all time great Michael Strahan.

    Coming in at a close #2 is Brett “The Waffle” Favre. He knows what he did.

  4. Adam Lambert
    Posted June 23, 2010 at 2:50 pm | Permalink

    Moss and Owens are all good picks and fall into the “cancer to the team when things aren’t going great” category, while Favre is a prima donna that gets way too much slack than his harder working teammates deserve to deal with.

  5. EZ Leban
    Posted June 23, 2010 at 6:26 pm | Permalink

    Picking a jerk in sports is like shooting fish in a barrel, nonetheless let me shoot away with some that were mentioned and a new one or two:

    Roethlisberger
    Albert Haynesworth
    I’m (NOT) Tiger Woods (2010 edition of old Nike ad)
    Gilbert Arenas

    A classic shout out to Bill Lamebeer

    And a dumb*ss award for Vince Young

  6. fikshun
    Posted June 24, 2010 at 7:58 pm | Permalink

    No votes for Sean Avery? I can’t think of anyone else offhand in major league sports who was suspended for being a jack*ss. He didn’t do anything illegal. Wasn’t accused of doing anything illegal. It wasn’t drugs or alcohol; nothing of the sort. It’s a shame his ban was ever lifted.

  7. Valatan
    Posted June 28, 2010 at 11:22 pm | Permalink

    No votes for José Canseco? Or while we’re on baseball, Bud Selig? I think I’d have to go for old Bud. No matter what an actual playing athlete does, it doesn’t undermine the fundamental basis of the game in the way that Selig has done for baseball. Similarly, I’d nominate Juan Antonio Samarranch if he were still alive. What that man did to the Olympics still infuriates me.

  8. Posted July 31, 2014 at 1:38 am | Permalink

    Thanks designed for sharing such a pleasant idea, post is nice, thats why i have
    read it completely

    Feel free to surf to my blog post :: How Do I Make HIm Fall In Love With Me

  9. Posted October 18, 2014 at 4:39 am | Permalink

    If you have an election related issue you’d like to see explored, please let me know.

    With all the dueling monologues, there is no dialogue.
    A team with 2 losses might have lost both games right before the upcoming game, and be on a losing
    streak.

  10. Posted January 15, 2015 at 5:21 am | Permalink

    There are many different types of games and many different interests.

    You might not be able to afford this, especially if
    you are not sure if you will like the game. If you pre-order a game before release, you can often get special bonuses with your purchase.

  11. Posted January 20, 2015 at 3:05 am | Permalink

    If you have children, be sure their video games are appropriate
    for their age. You may find settings that allow you to block certain
    types of content from your kids. The game might appear child-friendly, but then a
    whole new can of worms opens up once the game is played.

  12. Posted February 9, 2015 at 12:03 pm | Permalink

    Nice post. I was checking constantly this weblog and I
    am inspired! Very helpful information particularly the closing section :
    ) I handle such information a lot. I was seeking this certain info for a long time.
    Thank you and good luck.

  13. Posted August 21, 2017 at 3:41 am | Permalink

    I have noticed you don’t monetize your site, don’t waste your traffic, you can earn extra bucks every month because you’ve got hi
    quality content. If you want to know how to make extra $$$, search for: best adsense alternative Wrastain’s
    tools

  14. Posted October 18, 2019 at 12:31 am | Permalink

    Great items from you, man. I’ve keep in mind your stuff previous to and you’re just extremely magnificent.

    I really like what you have bought right here, certainly like what you are stating and
    the best way during which you are saying it. You’re making it enjoyable and
    you still take care of to stay it smart. I can not wait to learn far
    more from you. That is actually a great website.

  15. Posted August 9, 2020 at 10:40 am | Permalink

    You appear to be employing advert blocking application. As I consideration your right to accomplish this,
    be sure to remember that the minimal marketing and advertising here
    will help defray the price of delivering this facility, and
    I would for that reason request that you just turn off the
    blocker while surfing around the site.

  16. Posted October 5, 2020 at 7:15 pm | Permalink

    Do you have a spam problem on this blog; I also am a blogger, and
    I was wondering your situation; we have created some nice methods and
    we are looking to swap methods with other folks, be sure to shoot
    me an e-mail if interested.

  17. Posted November 9, 2020 at 3:58 am | Permalink

     2. The ICT and technology making sectors overlap. Advanced producing
    consists of ICT computer, business office and manufacturing plane, pharmaceuticals and equipment.
    ICT production is comprised of electrical ingredients, digital communications tools, and industrial devices for regulate and supervision additionally technological and professional medical
    equipment. The support element of ICT is made of telecom, plus pc-connected and RAndD products and services
    (which include the growing professions of biotech and cleantech).
    These days, ICT providers have grown additional fast than ICT developing.

  18. Posted November 25, 2020 at 9:55 am | Permalink

    There is not any concealed rates or charges at Max Funding.
    Truly the only price for start up enterprise personal loan may be the rate of
    interest which is regarded as one of the cheapest within australi

  19. Posted November 26, 2020 at 3:04 am | Permalink

    This period is often called the promising point.

  20. Posted October 21, 2022 at 5:55 am | Permalink
  21. Posted August 26, 2023 at 4:52 am | Permalink

    Really when someone doesn’t be aware of afterward its up to other
    users that they will assist, so here it happens.
    의정부교정

  22. Posted September 21, 2023 at 12:57 am | Permalink

    you are really a excellent webmaster. The site loading
    velocityy is amazing. It seems that you are doing any
    distinctive trick. Moreover, The contents are masterpiece.
    you have performed a great task on this matter!
    의정부 비발치 교정

  23. Posted October 26, 2023 at 8:03 am | Permalink

    I know this site provides quality based articles oor
    reviews and other material, is there any othedr website which presents these
    kinds of information inn quality?
    타다라필 직구

  24. Posted November 25, 2023 at 10:29 am | Permalink

    Thanks for sharing your thoughts about cctv할부. Regards
    Cctv렌탈

  25. Posted November 26, 2023 at 1:56 am | Permalink

    I’ve learn several excellent sttuff here. Certainly price bookmarking for revisiting.
    I wonder how much attempt you place to make the sort of wonderful informative site.

    온라인슬롯업체

  26. Posted November 29, 2023 at 4:20 pm | Permalink

    Very shortly this web page will be famous amid all blogging users, due to it’s
    good articles
    플래티넘카지노가입방법

  27. Posted November 30, 2023 at 4:39 pm | Permalink

    Incredible points. Sound arguments. Keep up tthe
    great spirit.
    Como Conseguir Seguidores En Tiktok

  28. Posted December 2, 2023 at 4:38 am | Permalink

    This is my first time visiut at here and i amm reallyy impressed to read all
    at onne place.
    acheter followers instagram français

  29. Posted December 2, 2023 at 6:01 am | Permalink

    That is a very ggood tip particularly to those
    new to the blogosphere. Brief butt very precise info… Thanks for sharing
    this one. A must read article!
    세븐토토 먹튀

  30. Posted December 2, 2023 at 6:15 pm | Permalink

    It’s an amazing post designed for all the internet users; they will take
    benefit from it I am sure.
    instagram views kaufen

  31. Posted December 13, 2023 at 10:28 pm | Permalink

    This info is worth everyone’s attention. When can I find oout more?

    레모나평생도메인

  32. Posted December 30, 2023 at 1:39 am | Permalink

    These are in fact enormous ideas in regarding blogging.
    You have touched some good factors here. Any way eep up wrinting.

    인스타 팔로워 늘리기

  33. Posted February 3, 2024 at 6:26 pm | Permalink

    magnificent issues altogether, you simply received a
    emblem new reader. What may you suggest in regards to your
    submit that you just made a few days in thee past? Anny sure?

    골드시티

  34. Posted March 9, 2024 at 7:42 pm | Permalink

    Wow, that’s what I was exploring for, what a information! present
    here at this blog, thanks admin of this website.

    インスタ リーチ

  35. Posted March 15, 2024 at 10:00 am | Permalink

    At this time I am ready to doo myy breakfast, after having my breakfast
    coming yet again tto read additional news.

    머니라인 사이트

  36. Posted March 18, 2024 at 1:34 pm | Permalink

    I taake pleasure in, cause I found exactly what I used to be taking a look for.
    You have ended my 4 day long hunt! God Bless you man. Have a nice day.
    Bye
    마카오 주소

  37. Posted March 22, 2024 at 4:17 pm | Permalink

    Can you teell us more about this? I’d want to find out some additional information.
    보스평생도메인

  38. Posted March 22, 2024 at 5:33 pm | Permalink

    I’m now not posirive where you’re gettiing yur information, however good topic.
    I needs to spend slme time finding out more or figuring oout more.
    Tanks for wonderful info I was searching for this info for my mission.
    이버멕틴 (Sean)

  39. Posted March 22, 2024 at 7:35 pm | Permalink

    Thaanks for sharing your thouughts on 마추자 가입코드.
    Regards
    마추자 꽁머니

  40. Posted March 23, 2024 at 12:34 pm | Permalink

    Hi, I would like to subscribe for this website too get hottest updates, therefore where can i do it please heop out.

    월클 주소

2 Trackbacks

  1. [...] substances to disease are coming fast and furious” … “Who’s the biggest jerk in sports?” … “Revolutions are made by rule-breakers” … “World [...]

  2. [...] substances to disease are coming fast and furious” … “Who’s the biggest jerk in sports?” … “Revolutions are made by rule-breakers” … “World [...]

Post a Reply to Russ Wellen

Your email is never published nor shared. Required fields are marked *

*
*

You may use these HTML tags and attributes: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <strike> <strong>