[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by Sociofan

True. But even in the 80s, the stories were Art Monk's unparalleled work ethic, Darrell Green's philanthropic activities, The Hogs' bonding after practice. Even when Dexter was having his problems, we still thought of him as the guy overcoming illiteracy and speaking before Congress. And Riggo--he was just a colorful character.


Perhaps you are right. Maybe the media have changed direction and act more like sensationalist tabloids now. It just makes it harder for kids to have sports heroes anymore when the good things that Noble, Wynn and others are doing is constantly overshadowed in the press by the players more obsessed with guns, drugs, and money than with being a good teammate. Still, I wonder if the football mills have lowered their standards over the years (giving in to the pressures of making money at the college level) and are now churning out very talented players who would not have found a seat in the classroom 20 years ago. The UNLV-ization of football.

Well it's a good point about Notre Dame that monk81 brings up. But on the professional level I think we're essentially saying the same thing, Sociofan. It's not necessarily that are fewer upstanding player/citizens it's just that it's not reported as much. And it's a shame.