Thanks to Luis Arroyave’s Red Card blog, I took the time to read Jamie Trecker’s update/interview with Freddy Adu. Apart from being generally impressed with the little scamp’s maturity (here, I’m thinking his decision to “go Benfica” before “going big”), one passage caught my eye…and also prompted a “say what now?” moment:
“Some will have little sympathy for a kid who made more in four years than many MLS players will make in a career. Others will correctly point out that Adu contributed to the hype himself when he signed a $1 million contract with Nike, and appeared in a series of Pepsi product ads.”
While my ability to blow right past considering the implications of the salary Adu made in Major League Soccer (MLS) may seem a little weird in light of recent entries, but I’m talking, here, about something subtly different – e.g. human behavior. To be blunt about it, the thinking Trecker attributes to “some” and “others” is nucking futs. Adu didn’t “contribute” to anything. He only did what any sensible person would do in his position – e.g. take…the…fucking…money. I mean, shit, he’s supposed to say no?
I know I could be bought for a hell of a lot less. And I’d do a hell of a lot more than just wear a pair of shoes – and that at only $50K. I don’t have Adu’s talent, of course (nor his speed, his youth, his polished social abilities), so I’ll obviously have to come up with something a little different…maybe changing the way I sit on the couch?
Suggestions welcome…(and don’t worry about keeping ‘em clean).
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tagged: Freddy Adu
Agreed, the “some” and “others” is just typical sportswriter BS. It’s a column – not sure why he couldn’t just put the words in his own mouth.
That said, it was good to read about Freddy. He’s a terrific talent, really seems to have his act together and if good things are to come for us at 2010 and 2014, he will be at the center of it.
Agree wholeheartedly. People have this double standard when it comes to athletes, as if they’re sullied if they get a big payday. But no one says that about Brad Pitt making $20 million for a film, or George Clooney or Hilary Swank. Good for Freddy. It’s nice to see that he apparently survived hype in his teens. That in itself is a huge accomplishment and tribute to him as a person and to those who were caring for him. And good for the US National team. If our 2010 roster has a starting core of Howard/Guzan, Donovan, Bradley, Dempsey and grown-up Adu and Altidore, that is going to be pretty stout.
Why does Freddy sound surprised the U.S. doesn’t know how to nurture young players? He’s definitely turning it around and his Benfica experience is invaluable, but he can’t slag on his American experience–like he expected better???
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