COMMENTARY: THE DEVIL SAYS
(Listen daily for the RP Commentary on Cat Country 98, Rock 98.5 FM & LTD Radio)
I’ve long struggled with this one.
It’s like, the only time where sports really doesn’t mimmick life, and people should get a pass for their feelings on this matter.
The other day I was listening to Miami all-sports radio and the co-host Channing Crowder – a former Dolphins linebacker – said he openly cheered when Aaron Rodgers went down with injury on Monday Night Football.
The next day the New York Jets announced Rodgers is out for the season with an Achilles tendon injury and Crowder said he cheered for that too.
The Dolphins and Jets of course reside in the same AFC East Division and not having Aaron Rodgers to deal with is a big bonus for the Fins.
The devil on my shoulder – the one who’s wont to judge – said, “What a horrible thing for him to say! You’re not supposed to cheer injuries nor derive pleasure from other peoples’ misfortune!”
And then, just as quickly, the angel on my other shoulder advised, “You’re no better. You cheered when Blue Bomber quarterback Kevin Glenn broke his arm in the 2007 CFL East Final.”
He got me there.
It was moments before the 2007 CFL West Final and we were watching the game in the BC Place press box ahead of the Lions and Riders playoff.
When I saw Kevin go down on TV, I actually pumped my fist knowing that it was a serious injury and pretty much cinched a Grey Cup win for the Riders the next week against Winnipeg at Skydome.
It did.
And honestly I’ve felt bad ever since for feeling that way at the time, even though we all know these things aren’t personal and Kevin remains a very good friend.
(Please also tell me that I’m not the only one who gets these voices in my head).
I’m not too sure what the moral of the story is other than I’ve been advised that karma gods frown on wishing illwill on others and say not only will it not happen, but it’ll come back on you.
But we never wished these quarterbacks would get hurt. It just happened.
And besides, it’s just sports.
That’s today’s Rod Pedersen Commentary
(The Rod Pedersen Show airs daily at 12 pm ET on Game+TV, WQEE Radio, Podcast & YouTube Live)
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