Correction: A previous version of this article said Memphis Tigers instead of Memphis Grizzlies.
Relentless hate toward underperforming stars and a lack of coverage for lesser-known, but highly skilled, niche players have tainted the landscape of sports media. Although I always advocate for full, honest opinions, criticism too often veered into utter disrespect rather than true performance analysis. Respect is lost in sports media.
One example that sticks out like a sore thumb is Stephen A. Smith’s infamous beatdown on former NBA center Kwame Brown in a personal rather than professional manner. The topic of conversation in Smith’s segment was whether or not the Los Angeles Lakers gave up too much in their trade of Brown and other assets for Pau Gasol, but Smith flipped that into a character assassination of Brown.
Brown was not even essential to this debate, as he was only one of many players traded from the Lakers to the Memphis Grizzlies in exchange for Gasol, but Smith still fired at him.
“This man was a bona fide scrub,“ Smith said about Brown on an ESPN broadcast. "He can’t play. No disrespect whatsoever, but I’m sorry to tell everybody the truth. The man cannot play the game of basketball.”
The statements by Smith are clearly disrespectful, going far past analyzing a player’s performance and discussing the trade. My gripe is not with just one clip or one journalist, though. Across major sports outlets such as ESPN, First Take, NFL Network and other podcasts or social media platforms, too many journalists take advantage of their platforms.
Tearing down players has become the new normal, instead of uplifting the game or shifting media attention to a lesser-known player whose performance deserves the shoutout. Sports are beautiful connections for people, and the way the media bashes players causes a disappointing divide.
I am against the media prioritizing negativity, highlighting mistakes and shortcomings over effort, growth and underrated players. Star players, top teams and coaches deserve criticism in areas where they are lacking or not performing up to standard, but the way in which criticism is delivered is far from respectful.
On Monday Night Football in the NFL this week, running back Derrick Henry’s costly fourth-quarter fumble drew all the headlines, rather than Detroit Lion’s impressive win over Baltimore Ravens. Although Henry’s current fumbling issues, need to be addressed, the Lions deserve praise above anything else for such an impressive win.
The first headline I saw post-game read, “NFL Monday Night: Derrick Henry upset again over lost fumble, lost game.” This disappoints me. The media should instead be focused on how Detroit’s offense was unbelievable in a huge primetime win. I hate how normalized it has become for mistakes to be highlighted far more than bright spots and wins.
With so much of sports media centered on tearing down players for underperforming, little attention remains for under-the-radar players or teams who are impressing. Whether it be college sports, the NBA or the NFL, lesser-known athletes who may be late developers in the game are dealt a tough hand when trying to make names for themselves.
I love seeing analysis on players who turned their careers around, niche athletes who play their roles perfectly and players who impact winning in ways beyond the stat sheet. However, journalists are stuck on overanalyzing star players who have already earned the spotlight time and time again. This constant strain on established stars, whether positively or negatively, gives lesser-covered players a difficult path to national media attention.
One outlet that gives players of all backgrounds and resumes the attention they deserve is GreenLight Media. Their college basketball coverage has given players opportunities they could have never imagined, including NBA and WNBA draft attention. Using their platform and connections, GreenLight markets lesser-known players and their specialty skillsets with highlight tapes and social media attention.
We need more journalists and media outlets that have a true passion for the sports they cover. They need to understand how taxing these professional sports are on athletes.
Respect should be a focal point of sports journalism, given how sports unite us and foster true passion. Players at all levels deserve recognition for impressive performances, and criticism should always be delivered with professionalism and respect.
Jack Muldowney is a freshman studying journalism at Ohio University. Please note the opinions expressed in this column do not represent those of The Post. Want to talk to Jack Muldowney about their column? Email them at jm760224@ohio.edu.
