Another Viewpoint Archives
Debbi Willis, Daw613@bigfoot.com
WAVE OF THE FUTURE?
Invariably the subject of Jeff Gordon comes up in most racing discussions among fans and nascar "experts" alike. Not that everyone wants to talk about him, but he's there and often needs to be addressed within the discussion, depending on if you are talking to a Jeffy fan or not. Discussions involving the topic of Jeff Gordon also seem to often be prefaced with "Now, I'm not a Gordon fan you know, but....", funny how so many want to talk about him but not be an admitted "fan"!! Recently, in one such conversation with a friend of mine, (who likewise prefaced his comments the same way), he insisted that today's athletes and stars in sports are being bred and raised to be the
superstars they are. When I pressed him further for clarity of that comment, he explained a "natural" is one who is focused at an early age and kept on track to success. He said Gordon is a perfect example of that kind of athlete/sports star.
HMMMPH. Don't think I agree with that comment nor am I sure I like that kind of success. My last column said what I think of that kind of person too. It's too much like programming the superstar. So, naturally, I disagreed and said I would rather have a child grow up normally with a regular life til such time
that when he/she is of the age of reason (somewhere in the late teens) they choose for themselves their lifelong ambition. "Growing" superstar athletes today seems to be a trend today in our society of instant everything and the scientific approach to life in general. From Little League to the NFL, NBA or AL, its so planned and calculated. A "natural" is more like one who discovers he/she has a gift for the sport or activity they choose.
"Naturals" aren't raised (or reared in regards to children), they are discovered and cultivated. What happened to the fun of it all? What happened to developing natural talent on a child's own? Maybe we have the impression that Jeff Gordon is plastic, made up, unreal, just a show and image star because HE IS. Because he is not allowed to be human, allowed to fail, allowed to be less than a constant winner, by his own drive as well as those around him who manage him. I, for one, would like Jeff more if he broke down once in a while, if he made minor mistakes (besides running out of gas!), and appeared as if he didn't look like he was always watching to see what camera was on him!
Just like the 90's and our instant gratification and want-it-all-now society, Jeff Gordon is the epitome of that! The image consultant, the limelight never far from him, now moving to an exclusive florida neighborhood where the stars live and can be protected from the fans, all spells unreal. Oh, I'm sure many more will follow him now, too. Many youngsters today are growing up with the notion that to be successful, follow Jeff Gordon's footsteps. I surely hope they have other heroes in their lives.
As for me, give me the southern roots and family ties of the nascar stars and the short trackers who made it big like Dick Trickle, Dave Marcis and the late Alan Kulwicki to the families like Petty, Earnhardt, Allison, and too many more to mention. You don't have to be a redneck to truly appreciate their humble roots, struggles and the genuine nature of the families that helped build nascar. Admittedly, like fast food and fads, Jeff Gordon has increased the popularity of nascar to what it is today. Thank goodness the roots run deep and nascar doesn't have to depend on the fickled nature of instant stardom.
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WAVE OF THE FUTURE?
Invariably the subject of Jeff Gordon comes up in most racing discussions among fans and nascar "experts" alike. Not that everyone wants to talk about him, but he's there and often needs to be addressed within the discussion, depending on if you are talking to a Jeffy fan or not. Discussions involving the topic of Jeff Gordon also seem to often be prefaced with "Now, I'm not a Gordon fan you know, but....", funny how so many want to talk about him but not be an admitted "fan"!! Recently, in one such conversation with a friend of mine, (who likewise prefaced his comments the same way), he insisted that today's athletes and stars in sports are being bred and raised to be the superstars they are. When I pressed him further for clarity of that comment, he explained a "natural" is one who is focused at an early age and kept on track to success. He said Gordon is a perfect example of that kind of athlete/sports star.
HMMMPH. Don't think I agree with that comment nor am I sure I like that kind of success. My last column said what I think of that kind of person too. It's too much like programming the superstar. So, naturally, I disagreed and said I would rather have a child grow up normally with a regular life til such time that when he/she is of the age of reason (somewhere in the late teens) they choose for themselves their lifelong ambition. "Growing" superstar athletes today seems to be a trend today in our society of instant everything and the scientific approach to life in general. From Little League to the NFL, NBA or AL, its so planned and calculated. A "natural" is more like one who discovers he/she has a gift for the sport or activity they choose.
"Naturals" aren't raised (or reared in regards to children), they are discovered and cultivated. What happened to the fun of it all? What happened to developing natural talent on a child's own? Maybe we have the impression that Jeff Gordon is plastic, made up, unreal, just a show and image star because HE IS. Because he is not allowed to be human, allowed to fail, allowed to be less than a constant winner, by his own drive as well as those around him who manage him. I, for one, would like Jeff more if he broke down once in a while, if he made minor mistakes (besides running out of gas!), and appeared as if he didn't look like he was always watching to see what camera was on him!
Just like the 90's and our instant gratification and want-it-all-now society, Jeff Gordon is the epitome of that! The image consultant, the limelight never far from him, now moving to an exclusive florida neighborhood where the stars live and can be protected from the fans, all spells unreal. Oh, I'm sure many more will follow him now, too. Many youngsters today are growing up with the notion that to be successful, follow Jeff Gordon's footsteps. I surely hope they have other heroes in their lives.
As for me, give me the southern roots and family ties of the nascar stars and the short trackers who made it big like Dick Trickle, Dave Marcis and the late Alan Kulwicki to the families like Petty, Earnhardt, Allison, and too many more to mention. You don't have to be a redneck to truly appreciate their humble roots, struggles and the genuine nature of the families that helped build nascar. Admittedly, like fast food and fads, Jeff Gordon has increased the popularity of nascar to what it is today. Thank goodness the roots run deep and nascar doesn't have to depend on the fickled nature of instant stardom.
Another Viewpoint Home