Being a Realist vs. "whining and complaining"

Lately, it seems numerous people on here have been calling out the "realists" of this board, so I decided to shed a little bit of light on the matter, to see if maybe I can make the light bulb finally go off in your heads as to why myself am a realist about the state of this team, as well as professional sports in general, and why frankly, you should be too...

First, I just find it mind boggling that people on this board, or anyone else who pulls for a team for that matter, lets themselves get so worked up on Sunday afternoon that it ruins their Sunday evening with their family, and/or their Monday morning when they have to go to work. Being in education, watch how long I'd last walking into my classroom and performing the way a lot of these players have lately. Let the coach/GM, my principal, walk in and perform like Tomlin has, letting their asst principals and curriculum coordinators continue to make bad decisions for the team. The school district would be cleaning house and firing everyone pretty damn quickly!

On top of all that, these guys are paid MILLIONS of dollars a year, regardless of how well they perform. You see them get their asses kicked like they did this past weekend, and they're on the field smiling after the game, shaking hands while laughing with other players, exchanging jerseys. It's because too many professional athletes truly do not give two $**** whether they win or not. Years ago when players made $30,000-40,000, it wasn't about the money, it was for the TRUE love of the game. Players now still have their millions waiting on them to "feed their kids" regardless of performance. Meanwhile, fans are supposed to care so much that they get worked up and let it ruin their weekend, and go back and stew over it all week at work?? Pissing off your wife and kids? Mmmmmmmmm...not me!

I'm a die-hard, but I learned a good lesson from my dad in my early 20's when I was entering the real world after college and saw the true value of a dollar. I was one of those fans who would constantly go through the roof and let it continue ruin my day/week when the Steelers played like garbage. He always said and still says, "regardless of if they win or lose, you still have to go to work tomorrow." Then I related what he said to the fact that I get paid jack$*** compared to what these guys make. Then as I referenced above, they have looks on their faces after games like they couldn't care less about their performance, because they aren't truly held accountable with incentive bonuses based on production. In the "real world," (or should I say "realists' world"), my incentive is keeping my job by doing the best I can day after day. And that's in a profession that touches more lives than any other, yet we get paid $40,000-60,000 a year while dealing with more political BS than you could ever imagine. My first year of teaching, it was at a low-income district. I drove 46 miles one-way to work each day to get a year of experience and try to get closer to home. I MADE $26,000 THAT YEAR!!!!!

So with all due respect, forgive me if me being a "realist" offends anyone on this board. What I've said above is a summary of why I have the stance I have with the state of this team. It's not whining or complaining, it's being fed up with their PATHETIC performance as of late! I don't understand unless any of you guys are millionaires and don't have to work, or won Powerball or something, don't have a similar stance, but that's your prerogative. I absolutely LOVE my Steelers, I have ink on my arm to show it forever, but I'm sick and tired of the lackadaisical performance that is continuing to get worse and worse on that team. I was not a believe of Tomlin from day one. He seemed too chummy from the beginning, had too many cliche's for every damn thing he said, and just did not seem like an NFL caliber coach. He has no discipline and no control of this team. As for my references above, the "principal" of the Steelers needs to start being held more accountable for poor decisions for this team! My being a realist is NOT going to change, good or bad!

 

At the risk of sidestepping the rest of what you posted (as that's all worth discussion too), I was just intrigued at how you started off here - I see the link you're making between how we work and how the team perform, but do you really find it mind-boggling that people's Mondays are ruined by the team's performance? The following sentence seems to change the point a bit. Did I misread you?

 

10 years ago, I wouldn't have found it mind-boggling...because I was one of those irate fans. As far as your last sentence, I have no idea what you mean.

Again, driving 46 miles one way to work for a year making $26,000 made me reassess what's THAT important to me. Getting pissed off over a bunch of millionaire athletes not giving a crap if they win or lose is not something I find important anymore. If they don't care, why should the average joe who works their ass off for peanuts compared to their salaries?!

 

I was confused as well.

 

I guess I need help then. Sunday's game ruined my day and definitely put me in a mood that I truly did not want to be around anyone else...at least for a while anyway. I think you will find that that is more common than not.

 

Ok, I am so confused now. What exactly are we referring to when we say "realists"? Maybe I am a bit slow today?

 

I might. Its not out of the question to snap at my daughters after a game. I just need to out side and take a walk or have a drink. After the Cleveland game, my head literally hurt for hours. I'm sure my BP was sky high and that is when I realized I need to take a step back. I am going to DVR the game and watch it, say, Tuesday.

 

Maybe this is the approach I need to take...

 

Ok cool. I'm just not going to worry about what kind of fan I am then.

 

You know, I SAY that is what I am going to do, but I have yet to not watch the game live in 30 years. It will be REALLY hard to know that they are on TV and not watch it. The saving grace here, is that it is MNF and I am an early to bed kind of girl

 

I am one of those guys who does get irritated when the Steelers don't win, not to the point of ruining relationships but if you were ever in a PA. town when Pittsburgh loses, you notice the whole damn place is a mess on Monday. It doesn't take until Wednesday for the "fog" to lift.

So yes, Pittsburgh losing has a real affect on its fans.

But that's because we are passionate (just like you are SC) and that doesn't mean that we aren't realists either. If you weren't passionate you wouldn't have spent time posting your comments.

I agree wholeheartedly that the players of today are not the players of yesteryear but they are who our FO has chosen and so good or bad, those are the players we choose to support with our love of the team.

The players may not look like they care but have ever seen them praying together at the end of a game? Have you ever not seen one of them cry over a win or a loss?

It's easy to attack them in that manner but if we are being real about it... you aren't on the sidelines so to speculate that the don't care wouldn't be fair.

 

Yup.. It use to be worse but I still get very angry and it ruins that day. It use to ruin a number of days but now it seems more like just Sunday or whatever day of the week they are playing.

Sign me up if you running classes FTB lol:darkness:

Count me in as needing help lol:darkness:

 

Under doctor's orders, I've just bought a home BP kit. Taking it after Sunday's game was NOT a pretty thing...

 

Seems relatistic to me we would have high expectations for professional players and your absolutely right. I work hard for a living and I am self employed in the IT field. If I drop the ball ( pun intended) it costs me dearly. Some of these jack asses are more interested in getting game jerseys signed from other players, the very same opponent they just spent 60 minutes trying to kick the snot out of if. I will never get it but as you say they still get paid. Perhaps this is where the problem lies. As someone who is critical and very cynical there has to be a better way. I swear to god if I see another steeler player smiling and shaking hands after an embarassing loss I am going to lose it.

But hey that's just me and I am crazy as bat shiat lol

 

Now that's funny, not seeing your head blow off, but struck me in the funny bone. I would never take my blood pressure after a game Even when they win!

I used to as well have a loss ruin the rest of my day. It does tap me out. I mean when they win i'm tapped out! Now a loss just effects me the next day. It's depressing. Being a Steeler fan is in my Blood! It's an emotion I can not explain.

 

This.