Thursday Commentary: The Finger Of Blame

(Listen daily for the RP Commentary on the All New Hits 98 CKHD & LTD Radio)

There are just way, way too many things going on in sports right now – both good and bad – to limit today’s Commentary to just one topic. Let’s try to get them all:

#1 – In the span of a week, Raptors player Jontay Porter was banned for life and CFL star Shawn Lemon was suspended indefinitely, both for betting violations.

What a time to be alive.

Used to be athletes’ parents would warn them of the dangers of alcohol, drugs and “being out after midnight” but now they need to warn them of the ins and outs of gambling too.

The leagues are getting tarred and feather for their role in this but that’s misguided.

The rules are pretty clear what you can and can’t do around betting.

Now it’s on the players.

#2 – Round 1 of the NFL Draft goes tonight and for me, it’s time to finally get excited.

While the pre-Draft hype was just too much to take, the main event has finally arrived and there’s as much intrigue in Round 1 as ever.

Enjoy!

And #3 – Leafs broadcaster Joe Bowen is the topic of some discussion today following Wednesday night’s 4-2 Toronto loss to Boston at Scotiabank Centre, giving the Bruins a 2-1 series lead.

Bowen Tweeted that the Leafs home crowd was “disappointing” and apparently said on the radio that in the waning moments, they gave Toronto no “home-ice” advantage.

Largely no one’s criticizing Joe, as it goes without saying that he’s been doing the games long enough that he can say what he wants.

My initial thought? Meh, sour grapes. And when the home team loses and the fit hits the shan, everybody gets sprayed.

Oh, and it’s easier for the broadcaster to blame the fans or the refs than pointing the finger of blame where it belongs:

At the team.

That’s today’s Rod Pedersen Commentary

(The Rod Pedersen Show airs daily at 12 pm & 5 pm on Game+TV, WQEE Radio, Podcast & YouTube Live)