Beyond the arc
I laughed out loud Saturday afternoon after hearing Miami University tight end Kellen Winslow rip apart referees and players from Tennessee's Volunteer team.
The Miami Hurricanes fell to Tennessee University Saturday 10-6, handing Miami their second-straight loss.
The next day, the son of the former NFL great apologized for his comments made about the officials. And I was left to wonder if the player truly was sorry for what he said, or wanted to elude a possible game suspension.
Winslow lashed out at Southeastern Conference officials after the game in a locker room interview. The soon-to-be NFL player said he thought the officiating crew was targeting him throughout the game. I tend to agree.
Winslow meant exactly what he said Saturday after the game, and only recanted his statements after his coach (and I'm sure NCAA officials) pressured him to do so in lieu of a suspension.
"It's war," Winslow said Saturday according to ESPN. "They're out there to kill you, so I'm out there to kill them. We don't care about anybody but this U. They're going after my legs. I'm going to come right back at them. I'm a
Winslow, like many athletes, is stuck in the reality of football, rather than the reality of life after the final horn sounds. I think he said what he felt. I think he showed poor sportsmanship, and I think he's a fairly typical athlete in today's college atmosphere.
He's arrogant, cocky, careless, and wants something for nothing, and frankly I'm not surprised by his comments, but I'm sure sick of them.
I laugh at athletes who "fly off the handle" during a game or after losing a game, mainly for two reasons.
No. 1: It shows how wrapped up the athlete is in himself or herself in his or her particular sports. And No. 2: It tells me that the team that won actually won twice, because they've not only defeated you on the field, they've also succeeded in defeating you mentally.
So to Mr. Winslow I say, "ha, ha, send your congratulations to Tennessee, twice."
