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September 3, 2010

Media helps feed egos of pro athletes

By Chad Courrier Free Press Staff Writer

MANKATO — It was nearly 90 minutes after Saturday’s preseason game at the Metrodome, and Minnesota Vikings quarterback Brett Favre was walking out of the building.

Not alone, of course. That would have been too risky.

No, there were five security folks flanking the veteran quarterback, calling ahead on their radios to make sure the doors were open when Favre got there. Keep in mind that there were two security workers perched by those doors all night, opening them for those who had business in that area and keeping it closed off from those who didn’t.

But calling ahead did ensure that Favre didn’t have to break stride at either set of doors.

Outside the building, 15 to 20 police officers were waiting, forming a human tunnel for Favre as another minion called for the person in the light-colored pickup to pull forward. At least a couple hundred fans had waited, lining the railings around the exit to yell their love for old No. 4.

As Favre got into the passenger side of the pickup, more security officials and police officers lined both sides of the driveway, making sure the driver could see the way out of the parking lot. A bit of panic set in when someone started driving up the ramp, presumably with a job to do at the Metrodome, but officials scurried that truck driver to the side so that Favre’s driver, with obviously a more valuable cargo, could make a clean escape.

It is unknown if security people lined the streets the entire way to Favre’s destination, but it’s possible.

Ever wonder why professional athletes get such a grandiose opinion of themselves?

Perhaps, it’s the people around those “superstars” who enable the athletes to believe they’re more important than the folks who support their wages.

It was the same last weekend with Tiger Woods. He was leading after the first round of the week’s PGA event, which obviously made news. But on Friday and Saturday, he was a non-factor.

However, every written and televised report on the event led with Woods’ performance, then sometime later mentioned who was leading or chasing.

Wednesday morning news trumpeted the fact that a late home run kept Manny Ramirez from playing in a game for his new team, the Chicago White Sox. No mention of who won, just letting everyone know who almost played.

Make sense?

Who cares what Ramirez does, good or bad? Nobody in professional sports has sabotaged his team more often in self-promotion than Ramirez, yet the media deems his non-action more important than which team won. And the White Sox fans will glorify this guy if he hits a couple of key home runs.

Is it Woods’ fault that the media portrayed the golf event in such a manner? No.

Is it Favre’s fault that some 50 folks stayed up late Saturday night to make sure his departure from Metrodome went smoothly? Probably not, though who would be surprised if he arranged that whole spectacle?

It’s embarrassing how the media and fans treat professional athletes. President Obama wouldn’t have had a much larger security contingent leaving Minneapolis than did a 40-something quarterback who throws footballs for a living.

And it’s not certain if Favre’s security team is instructed to take a bullet, if necessary, though even after a mediocre preseason performance, it’s hard to imagine this captivated fan base turning on the beloved Favre.



Chad Courrier is a Free Press staff writer. To contact him, call 507-344-6353 or e-mail at ccourrier@mankatofreepress.com or check out his local sports blog at www.mankatofreepress.com

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