The paradox of the professional athlete.

MGLICKER

Had this talk with a friend who spent many years in Wisconsin.

Green Bay fans (like many others) live and die with their team. They are now cooped up in -13 degree weather contemplating what the 2014 season may have in store.

On the other hand, the Packer players, many of them with multi million dollar contracts, are most likely far from Green Bay, soothing their wounds on the golf courses of Miami, Phoenix and Palm Springs. Though I have no doubt that they gave every effort to win and were deeply disappointed with the defeat, most grew up far from Wisconsin and are probably not nearly as affected as the frozen fans.

SanctionII

Today's professional athlete is primarily a commodity and is mercenary.

Staying with one team for an entire career is rapidly becoming an anachronism.

Its all about the athlete and what is best for the athlete. From the ownership side of sports, it is the same. It is all about the team and with respect to who will be on this year's team, the question for veterans is "What have you done for me lately and what can you do for me this year."

I would not hesitate to vamoose after a seaon is over and relocate to where my home is (instead of staying around in a city where I may not even have a job next year).

1985fan

These fans obssess over the players more and more, you can't really blame them for wanting to get as far away as possible. These 'fans' feel the players owe them something more than just playing the game, so of course the players run at the earliest convenience.

This entitled attitude is only getting worse. With the advent and rise of the internet, every word, every movement is documented and these fans feel it's their right to know everything. Throw in sports talk radio, where the same entitled dopes are given a voice, and it only escalates.

The money is no doubt a nice bonus, but the constant criticism and endless hate from mindless, mouth-breathing heathens who deem themselves 'superfans' has got to be an endless grind.

MGLICKER

Well said 1985fan.

AJ McCarron's mom got grief for a Tweet she posted. Now the friggin NCAA parents are getting heat.

perkdog

I feel zero sympathy for todays athlete. I feel that they are overpaid crybabys and chose to do what they do, if they dont like it then they can feel free to go ahead and do the 40 hour grind that most of us do for far less money. That being said, these guys owe us ( the fans ) absolutely nothing and should not be ridiculed for not taking the time to be a fans player, its a business nothing more nothing less.