Is "Prima Donna"'s attitude devastating professional football?

 

More and more in professional football, we see bizarre touch parties strutting and imprinting after a big game of some sort, and now Chad Johnson has legally changed his last name to his number. What is happening in football today?

The “it's just about me” attitude that seems to be popping up more and more in our society today is running rampant through the National Football League. And while some say it's just the stars that are expressing themselves, I personally dislike it and think it has the potential to ruin the sport.

How do you say? Well, the problem sometimes bleeds into the locker room and starts to mess with team chemistry. Take รอนัลดีนโย, for example. Everywhere he goes, in the end, he is in conflict with someone. And while a hugely talented wide receiver starts TO his pranks, usually when he is not getting the football as much as he thinks he should.

In two recent matches, football was kicked off as a player was about to enter the final zone and started his party early. These guys were so focused on getting the audience to focus on them that they screwed up in the play itself.

Now for a "contrary" view, look at the New England Patriots. Probably 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 this decade.

So what is the right way? I do not think you can say that there is a right or a wrong way. But the question for the NFL is, which way do ticket holders prefer? I do not have the answer to that, but I know most NFL fans I talk to are tired of the pranks and prefer their champions to be quiet and full of character and integrity.

Now in all this there is a glimmer of hope. I recently read that more and more of the younger players entering the league are not playing the “prima donna” game and are only focusing on improving their skills and helping their team win.

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

Maybe I'm naive, but I love the game of football and I do not want to see it ruined by a few.