I’m always searching for lists of some sort to present to the fine readers of this paper and this column, in particular.
I think lists are a great way of opening up debates between fans of all sports. Should that person be on the list or not? Should this person be ranked higher than another? Do you agree with the list being presented? And so on and so on.
For those of you who thought I was getting tired of “lists” columns, think again. After a one week hiatus, I’m back at it again today with a list that I found very interesting.
Today’s list, as you can see from the title, is The Top Ten Most Disliked People in Sports.
First of all, being “disliked” is a matter of personal perspective. What makes me “dislike” someone in sport may be from a totally different basis of rationale than yours. Again, that’s what makes “lists” great.
I will present the list as it was originally configured and then, as always, I’ll add a little input of my own. There are a couple of people that I don’t think belong on the original list as well as a couple of people that I would include. And, of course, the ranking is another topic of disagreement. So, here is the original list in reverse ranking. What do you think?
10. Randy Moss
9. Bob Knight
8. Mark McGwire
7. Albert Haynesworth
6. Terrell Owens
5. Manny Ramirez
4. Tiger Woods
3. Jerry Jones
2. Michael Vick
1. Al Davis
All right, let’s start with who doesn’t belong. There are many things in life that you either love or hate — liver and Celine Dion immediately come to mind. Love liver, can’t stand her.
Bob Knight is one of those commodities. I happen to be one of those who admire and respect the former Indiana coaching great. I’ve always said that if my son was talented enough to play college basketball, I’d want him to play for Coach Knight. More players today need the type of discipline that he dispensed. Knight doesn’t belong on the list.
And Al Davis, especially at No. 1? No way! Ten Most Senile in the World of Sports for sure, but not disliked. Maybe he goes on the list but way down at 9 or 10. It would be interesting to see where this poll was taken.
And McGwire doesn’t belong either. At least he has admitted his error. He’s getting his punishment by being excluded from the Hall and you readers know how I feel about those cheaters.
Albert Haynesworth belongs on the top 10 most misguided idiots list, but I don’t dislike him — I just pity and feel sorry for him.
So, who goes on to take these four slots.
Well, let’s start with LeBron. How can he NOT make this list? It’s obvious this poll wasn’t taken in Cleveland or he’d be number one. I think what he did last year was despicable. I know the season’s not over and the Heat could still win it all, but, man, did I enjoy watching them flounder in their recent losing streak.
And just to show that I am non-gender biased, the list needs to have a woman so, why not Serena Williams.
This spoiled, pampered wanna-be diva is easy for me to dislike. She complains about everything; pulls out of tournaments if she fractures her eyelash; and if she thinks she is attractive in those get-ups she wears on a tennis court, she’s mistaken. I’m sorry about her recent illness and hope she fully recovers. I just don’t want to see her on a tennis court again.
Funny, I don’t find her sister, Venus, nearly as dislikeable as Serena but then, that just proves the sibling dynamic that is so common that no two siblings are similar.
Maybe the reason one athlete didn’t make this current list is because he’s been out of the limelight for a few years but I will never take Barry Bonds off my personal list. Of course, he’s about to be back in that limelight again in a courtroom and when the truth comes out, we’ll know him to be the cheater he truly is. If only baseball would strip him and all these other cheaters of their so-called “records.”
And, finally, how can any loyal Georgia Bulldog fan (and you know I am) not have the Evil One, Steve Spurrier on their list? Well, he’s on mine. I might not rank him quite as high as I once would because he does seem to have mellowed a little, but he’s still on it. I don’t care if he’s not coaching at Florida anymore, I still loathe the guy. I will admit and I’m sorry Gamecock fans, but as long as he’s coaching your team, I’ll pull against you.
I strongly considered Mike Tyson but he just missed the cut so, here’s my list:
10. Tiger Woods
9. Serena Williams
8. Randy Moss
7. Jerry Jones
6. Steve Spurrier
5. Barry Bonds
4. Michael Vick
3. Terrell Owens
2. LeBron James
1. Manny Ramirez
Just wanted to mention that there are still good guys left in the world and this one’s right in our own town. One of my favorite local restaurants is Casey’s run by Chris Humble.
I was in there the other day and as I was enjoying my food, a young man walked up to the counter asking for a job. The young man had a backpack on and looked pretty beat down and bedraggled. It was obvious he had not bathed in a few days.
Chris told him he, unfortunately, didn’t have any openings but then, he asked him if he was hungry. The man mumbled something I couldn’t hear but Chris said, “You either are or you’re not” meaning if he was hungry just say so. Receiving a nod from the man, Chris told him to sit down and a few minutes later he brought out some of his great food — all, of course, on the house. I said it then and I’ll say it now: “you’re a good man, Chris Humble.”
Randy Blalock is a columnist for The Barrow Journal. Send comments about this column to rblalock@mindspring.com.
