Robservations: Stewart’s temper will backfire
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I mean, the average 6-foot-5, 300-pound defensive tackle makes his living stomping the life out of his opponent, not sitting around jawing about it.
That’s one of the toughest things about this job, actually — having to coax athletes, people who use their bodies to accomplish their goals, to use their minds to summon the verbal ability needed to coherently comment on how they did, or didn’t accomplish them.
From time to time, it’s a more difficult task than you’d like. And, from time to time, it’s often best to leave well enough alone.
Let’s say, for example, you’re on the Tennessee Titans beat. The Titans have just been beaten on a last-second touchdown run, because some huge linebacker missed a tackle.
If you’re ever in that situation, here’s a helpful hint: Don’t approach that linebacker as he’s storming off the field, throw a recorder in his face and ask, “What happened?” Chances are, he’ll try to show the tackling technique he should of used, and will use you as an example.
In short, you’ve got to pick your moments, and sometimes it’s not wise to take stabs at an already-angered giant.
On the other hand, sometimes the angry athlete isn’t so gigantic.
For the second time in as many seasons, NASCAR driver Tony Stewart has drawn a hefty fine for running roughshod over a person who shares the vocation of your friendly neighborhood sports editor.
This time, it was at the Brickyard 400, where Stewart punched photographer Gary Mook after finishing 12th in Sunday’s race.
Last year, Stewart drew an identical fine for slapping away a reporter’s tape recorder, then kicking it under a truck.
Well, I don’t know Mr. Mook, although I can say he’s a better man than I because he is apparently letting this whole thing slide after receiving an apology. And I don’t know who the reporter was from last year’s incident, or how he or she reacted.
But I do know this.
Stewart, who as Bernard has said on many Sundays, is prone to speak his mind, and doesn’t care what people think about him. And now, he’s saying he’ll seek anger-management counseling to learn how to control his temper.
A bit of advice, Tony: Speak your mind all you want. And by all means, try to control that fiery little temper of yours. Because if you’re going to keep up these yearly attacks against the press, you might consider keeping your helmet on.
You’re a racecar driver, Tony. Not a heavyweight title contender or 300-pound lineman. And one day, you’ll get out of that car in the wrong mood, and run into the wrong member of the media.
When that day comes, I’ll bet there will be one more greasy spot on pit row.
• And, on a lighter, less violent note…
I know I like to babble on and on about my mediocre golf game, and some of you gentle readers might find that a tad annoying.
If that’s the case, move on to another story now.
A good friend and golfing buddy sent me a great e-mail Thursday, with the “real, true, un-exaggerated rules of golf,” and I thought to close out this little cavalcade of fun we call Robservations, I’d share a couple with you. See if any of them apply.
— Since bad shots come in groups of three, a fourth bad shot is actually the beginning of the next group of three.
— When you look up and cause an awful shot, you will always look down again at exactly the moment when you ought to start watching the ball if you ever want to see it again.
— No matter how bad you are playing, it is always possible to play worse.