Today's question is "who benefits?" This question is often asked when it comes to discussions of transparency. While parents in the past would have insisted on their children telling the truth, the concept of "transparency" has become more prevalent. Politicians now call for "more transparency" without fully addressing the issue of truthfulness.
As an example of the lack of transparency, I tuned into SiriusXM's NFL "Sunday Drive" and was disappointed with the state of football broadcasting. The show quickly jumps from game to game, but fails to provide useful information or insights. The constant focus on reaching the "Red Zone" detracts from the actual details of the game. Important statistics are misrepresented or misunderstood, such as yards after contact and third down conversions. The simplicity and accuracy of broadcasts have been lost, and it's doubtful that broadcasting legends like Marty Glickman and Al DeRogatis would approve.
Similar issues can be found on ESPN's 98.7 FM where the Jets were playing the Patriots. The announcer, Bob Wischusen, goes over the top with his enthusiasm, failing to impress or inform the audience. TV broadcasts also suffer from unclear language, as demonstrated during a game between Ohio State and Notre Dame. The announcer, Noah Eagle, used terms like "third-and-manageable" and "third-and-intermediate" without considering the audience's ability to understand basic football terminology.
These excesses in broadcasting were lamented by the late NBC newsman Edwin Newman, who noticed the decline of simple and understandable English. Similarly, current broadcasters like Jesse Palmer on ABC/ESPN continue to talk nonstop, overwhelming the audience with unnecessary commentary. It seems that broadcasters no longer trust their audience to make judgments for themselves.
On Fox's Bears-Chiefs game, analyst Greg Olsen took ridiculousness to new levels with his commentary. He described a run by Isiah Pacheco as "sticking a foot in the ground then getting vertical." The use of outdated terms like "cut" no longer applies.
During a Monday night game between the Eagles and Bucs, Troy Aikman made an obvious statement about the Eagles' investment in their offense and defense. This type of commentary is unnecessary and adds nothing to the viewer's understanding of the game.
In the Buffalo area, two high school football games were forfeited due to a bench-clearing incident. Incivility between teams led to the game officials ending the game prematurely. This highlights the need for better sportsmanship and respect in high school sports.
Giancarlo Stanton, the Yankees' $218 million superstar, has been struggling with a batting average of .190 and numerous strikeouts. This raises questions about his performance and contribution to the team.
The tragic story of Phil Sellers, a star player on Rutgers' 1976 Final Four basketball team, demonstrates the struggles that many athletes face after their playing careers end. Sellers left Rutgers without a solid education and struggled to find employment. He passed away with financial burdens, relying on donations to cover medical expenses. Despite his hardships, Rutgers basketball coach Steve Pikiell referred to Sellers as "Rutgers royalty."
In conclusion, the concept of transparency has become increasingly vague and is often used as a way to avoid the truth. Football broadcasts have lost their simplicity and accuracy, opting for excessive enthusiasm and irrelevant statistics. Sportsmanship issues continue to plague high school sports, and the struggles of former athletes highlight the need for better support systems.
