"I'm Just Here So I Don't Get Fined"

[RiverDog]

That line should be familiar to every Seahawk fan. It was Marshawn Lynch when he appeared in a post-game press conference, a requirement for every player and coach that are asked to appear. Obviously, Beast didn't want to do the presser and was being completely honest when he appeared at the microphone. A lot of people don't feel comfortable going in front of a large audience with all eyes fixed on them. It's not at all unusual and a quite normal human emotion.

I was reminded of that incident with Beast when I saw this article about Justin Hebert's refusal to do a post-game interview with Laura Rutledge:

Despite the impressive display of toughness (playing while injured), fans were not pleased with how Herbert treated ESPN's Laura Rutledge after the game as she attempted to interview him. Hebert, who was well aware that he'd have to conduct an interview, continually walked away from Rutledge, while also uttering, "I'm trying to celebrate with my team."

MSN

I'm not one of those fans who are upset with Herbert. I didn't even see the attempted interview because I hardly ever watch them let alone pay any attention to them. Same with the halftime interviews with the head coach. There is seldom anything to be gained from those interviews because they're always canned responses. "We gotta get better on 3rd down" is a common statement. All they're going to do is say the obvious. All the networks want is the optics. I'd rather watch a commercial.

The other thing here, and my apologies in advance for my old fashioned, male chauvinist pig attitude, is that every one of the sideline reporters are female, and a (relatively) young, attractive female at that. You won't see a clone of Rosie O'Donnell working the sidelines. I often times think that they should designate the TV broadcast crew as the Play-By-Play announcer, the Color Commentator, and the Sideline Babe.

So much for my morning rant. Again, I sincerely apologize to anyone that I might have insulted.

 

[Mike MacDarnold]

I agree, just find someone else who’s willing to talk. There’s 52 other people on the team so you’re bound to find another.

 

[RiverDog]

I agree, just find someone else who’s willing to talk. There’s 52 other people on the team so you’re bound to find another.

Except they don't want to interview the backup offensive guard, they want to talk to the star quarterback.

 

[ivotuk]

Except they don't want to interview the backup offensive guard, they want to talk to the star quarterback.

Who might be going through extreme pain, and is maybe dealing with a full bladder or needs a major bowel movement. Fans are so prejudicial.

"Will you wait while I shit my pants? Then I'll answer your question."

Cracks me up that Schlereth would not only "soil his drawers," but then would give an interview and I'll be get really close to the interviewee, maybe put an arm around their shoulder.

 

[NoGain]

It went to a whole new level when they started interviewing baseball managers in the dugout during the game. I literally had to turn the other way and mute the sound during them they were so god awfully intrusive and yielded nothing worth listening to.

 

[RiverDog]

It went to a whole new level when they started interviewing baseball managers in the dugout during the game. I literally had to turn the other way and mute the sound during them they were so god awfully intrusive and yielded nothing worth listening to.

I hadn't given that much thought, but you're exactly right.

Over the years, I've had the tendency to mentally screen out a lot of that fluff, so I'm not always fully aware that crap like what you're talking about is happening. A lot of it is because I'll often times record both football and baseball games then fast forward 15 seconds between plays/pitches, which happens to be during the time that the color commentator/sideline babe is talking, so I've conditioned myself to ignore that particular voice pattern.

 

[Azvacar]

I agree, just find someone else who’s willing to talk. There’s 52 other people on the team so you’re bound to find another.

I mean.. they make tens of millions of dollars a year... its the damn job... period... This wasn't some like media day it was a basic arse post g ame interview... stfu and do what you are paid to do

Love Marshawn.. but still the same concept.. you make millions to play a kids game.. answer the stupid questions

 

[RiverDog]

I mean.. they make tens of millions of dollars a year... its the damn job... period... This wasn't some like media day it was a basic arse post g ame interview... stfu and do what you are paid to do

Love Marshawn.. but still the same concept.. you make millions to play a kids game.. answer the stupid questions

I completely disagree. Players are paid to play football. Everything else is incidental. No team on this planet is going to cut a player because he didn't answer questions posed at a press conference. I couldn't give a rusty f*** if Beast or any other player answered a single question.

 

[Azvacar]

I completely disagree. Players are paid to play football. Everything else is incidental. No team on this planet is going to cut a player because he didn't answer questions posed at a press conference. I couldn't give a rusty f*** if Beast or any other player answered a single question.

They make money because of media coverage and because they speak to the fans.. period.. Without it, they wouldnt have the 100 million dollar contracts..

 

[RiverDog]

They make money because of media coverage and because they speak to the fans.. period.. Without it, they wouldnt have the 100 million dollar contracts.

So what? If you make your living working in a Ford factory, does that mean that you're obligated to be an advocate for Fords? Does it mean that you have to stand in front of a microphone and answer questions from strangers about how you make F-150 pickups? Does your boss expect you to be a spokesperson?

Not all people are extroverts like Russell Wilson was/is. Some are shy, some are protective of their privacy, some don't like being the center of attention. When Ichiro Suzuki was with the Mariners, he'd take an interpreter with him to press conferences, not so much because he didn't understand English, but because he was afraid that he'd embarrass himself because he wasn't very fluent, or at least not to the point where he felt comfortable in front of a throng of reporters hanging on his every word. It can be very nerve racking. These people are athletes, not politicians or clergymen.

The only thing that obligates players and coaches to make themselves available to the press is a rule that the league has established. There is absolutely no moral or social obligation for them to appear. I have no problem whatsoever with a player or coach who is reluctant to answer questions from those maggots.

 

[Mike MacDarnold]

Sometimes I think those questions are bait to get inside their heads and question their processes or obtain team secrets. Marshawn probably felt like any of that would be a hindrance to his play so he didn’t answer.

I remember Steven Hauschka once saying something to the effect of if he’s lining up a kick and thinking about what could go wrong he wouldn’t be out there playing in the NFL.

I heard the questions about nerves when Jason Myers hit those 6 fgs earlier this year which included a game winner and couldn’t help but shake my head. All it is was just following his routine. Pro golfers putt with hundreds of thousands of dollars on the line, are they thinking about the money it could cost them if they miss or the actual putt?