Quote:
Originally Posted by flip
That is completely and intentionally missing the point.
The point is that some athletes can have their achievements, arguably no matter how significant, overshadowed by extra curricular activities.
What they did off the field is for the most part completely irrelevant. All that matters is whether or not those actions are so well known and focused on in the public/media that over time the sport actions become secondary.
In fact I think your point completely supports my post. Define "biggest". Most heinous? Sure Tyson wins but that is irrelevant. If by biggest you mean most concentrated on by media and fans then you are right my point is made.
Take Barry Bonds vs Tyson. By your logic Bonds on field activities are still bigger than his off field activities because he didn't rape anyone.
IMO that is totally false. Bonds, just like Tyson, has had his sporting accomplishments totally overshadowed by his steroid use off the field.
I'll say again, your argument that the severity of the action is important is irrelevant. All that matters is whether or not that action overshadows the accomplishment. More heinous actions do tend to receive more attention but are not necessary for accomplishments to be overshadowed by other activities.
Rerun has a reasonable point that it is possible that Tiger's extra curricular activities could overshadow his golfing achievements.
You may not agree that it will and I don't necessarily think that it will but using the argument that since Tiger didn't rape anyone it is impossible to have his achievements overshadowed is ######ed.
Is it conceivable that Tigers extra curricular activities could overshadow his golf career, much the same way Tyson's activities overshadowed his career? Yes.
Is it likely? I don't think so, but it is possible.
Do the severity and number of extra curricular activities matter? Sure, but that isn't the be all end all. What matters most is how much attention those actions get.
I think if Tiger comes back in a few months or even a year and plays lights out and breaks all the records and performs as if nothing happened these activities will fade.
If he comes back in a few months or a year, or even not at all, and never regains his champion form I definitely think that much like Tyson, he'll be known for his extra curricular activities more than his golfing achievements.
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Holy missing the point Batman.
Hoot's point was that you can't equate Tiger to Tyson as one involves affairs and one involves rape. Tyson's non-sports reputation is largely defined by 2 things, rape and spousal abuse. Tiger's is defined by cheating. There's no comparison there. The argument isn't about overshadowing sporting achievements, it's about referencing a convicted felon as if it's in the same ballpark.
BTW, it's hilarious that you refer to Bonds' steroid use as an "off the field" issue.