Monday, January 10, 2005
1.10.05 - Everybody talk about Randy Moss
You've gotta have a little rhythm when you read the subject line outloud. Like, "Everybody Talk About Pop Music, Pop, Pop, Pop, Pop Music." Just a little VH-1 back to the '80s.
Today, it's all about Randy Moss. I feel I need to address it, since I'm a sports fan and an NFL guy.
Don't get me wrong. I don't want to defend Randy Moss. But, I'm a little puzzled by the reaction of so many pundits around the National Football League. They're quick to condemn, probably hoping to score some points with Paul Tagliabue and others.
The pundits - from Bradshaw to Berman - have referred to Moss as "classless" and missing "character."
They're right.
He's not somebody that's going to win the Rotary's Man of the Year Award in Edina, Minnesota.
And, yes, I agree with them.
It was a junior high move. Something I found funny in high school and college. It was probably funny to Moss because he's at a seventh grade reading level, although, Notre Dame accepted him (standards, those Irish). It was the kind of move that got laughs at summer camp and was not appropriate for the national television audience.
But, is Randy really a villain?
How was his act any worse than the Aspen Edge commercial that aired during both games on Sunday. You know the commercial I'm talking about ... the one where the men at the grill are arguing about who's college degree carries more weight and then the burger is thrown on the ground. That commercial then ends with the griller remarking "Wanna see where your corn is?"
How is this any worse than Moss' move?
For a league that tightly controls its product and their sponsors' use of logos, it's amazing the product creative that airs during their broadcasts and Aspen Edge isn't the worst of it. You can't turn around without seeing ads for an erectile dysfunction drug or a beer commercial featuring twins.
It seems to be a double standard on the part of the league - and it's not the first time.
From Janet Jackson to the Desperate Housewives skit during Monday Night Football, the league is quick to condemn when it involves their players, but almost quick to condone when it involves paid advertising.
If the league decides to fine Randy Moss for this move, then great. Don't stop with Randy. Don't accept ads where the copy mentions something about four hour erections and calling a doctor. Don't accept beer ads featuring twins or other women shaking their breasts over a cooler of beer. Don't let your cheerleaders pose for a calendar in lingerie (Philadelphia Eagles). Don't be ruled by the outdated "Sex Sells" mantra. Take action and not just a gesture towards a misguided player.
And, don't mistake my feelings as some kind of red state rambling. I'm far from it. I'm just asking for a little consistency across the marketing of the league. Often, we hold the NFL up as a model for other leagues and other businesses. But, if the messages of the product are not consistent, then message gets lost. Ask K-Mart if a mixed message is good for business.
While the NFL isn't going to perish because of Randy's South Park antics, it's another time for the NFL to call the cut man to their corner and stop the bleeding. At least their players aren't playing in the AHL, oh, wait, Gary Bettman went to the David Stern school, not the Tagliabue school of league operations.
Coming up next, the season premiere of The Bachelorette ... for one last time before we run out of off-balanced, narcissistic women to feature on television ...
-30-
Today, it's all about Randy Moss. I feel I need to address it, since I'm a sports fan and an NFL guy.
Don't get me wrong. I don't want to defend Randy Moss. But, I'm a little puzzled by the reaction of so many pundits around the National Football League. They're quick to condemn, probably hoping to score some points with Paul Tagliabue and others.
The pundits - from Bradshaw to Berman - have referred to Moss as "classless" and missing "character."
They're right.
He's not somebody that's going to win the Rotary's Man of the Year Award in Edina, Minnesota.
And, yes, I agree with them.
It was a junior high move. Something I found funny in high school and college. It was probably funny to Moss because he's at a seventh grade reading level, although, Notre Dame accepted him (standards, those Irish). It was the kind of move that got laughs at summer camp and was not appropriate for the national television audience.
But, is Randy really a villain?
How was his act any worse than the Aspen Edge commercial that aired during both games on Sunday. You know the commercial I'm talking about ... the one where the men at the grill are arguing about who's college degree carries more weight and then the burger is thrown on the ground. That commercial then ends with the griller remarking "Wanna see where your corn is?"
How is this any worse than Moss' move?
For a league that tightly controls its product and their sponsors' use of logos, it's amazing the product creative that airs during their broadcasts and Aspen Edge isn't the worst of it. You can't turn around without seeing ads for an erectile dysfunction drug or a beer commercial featuring twins.
It seems to be a double standard on the part of the league - and it's not the first time.
From Janet Jackson to the Desperate Housewives skit during Monday Night Football, the league is quick to condemn when it involves their players, but almost quick to condone when it involves paid advertising.
If the league decides to fine Randy Moss for this move, then great. Don't stop with Randy. Don't accept ads where the copy mentions something about four hour erections and calling a doctor. Don't accept beer ads featuring twins or other women shaking their breasts over a cooler of beer. Don't let your cheerleaders pose for a calendar in lingerie (Philadelphia Eagles). Don't be ruled by the outdated "Sex Sells" mantra. Take action and not just a gesture towards a misguided player.
And, don't mistake my feelings as some kind of red state rambling. I'm far from it. I'm just asking for a little consistency across the marketing of the league. Often, we hold the NFL up as a model for other leagues and other businesses. But, if the messages of the product are not consistent, then message gets lost. Ask K-Mart if a mixed message is good for business.
While the NFL isn't going to perish because of Randy's South Park antics, it's another time for the NFL to call the cut man to their corner and stop the bleeding. At least their players aren't playing in the AHL, oh, wait, Gary Bettman went to the David Stern school, not the Tagliabue school of league operations.
Coming up next, the season premiere of The Bachelorette ... for one last time before we run out of off-balanced, narcissistic women to feature on television ...
-30-
