'Feels amazing': Sask. Olympians, Paralympians celebrated at Legislature
8h ago
Saskatchewan sent 38 athletes, coaches and mission staff to Paris.
The reaction to Andrew Luck’s shocking decision to retire from the NFL demonstrates the age-old disconnect that there can be between fans and athletes.
Intense fans of pro sports teams can sometimes consider themselves shareholders of the clubs that they cheer for.
Wage-earners have bought their tickets, purchased their jerseys, paid way too much for food and drinks and set aside their valuable time to lend their support to highly paid athletes. Some players can’t relate to that sacrifice.
In turn, many members of the paying public only see athletes as those on “easy street.” Money can buy happiness, right?
Not always. Some fans can’t relate to sacrifices that athletes make to their teammates, their cities, and their fans to give everything they can.
Player pride isn’t always considered.
Andrew Luck was fully within his right to walk away from the game of football. Not all fans can understand the decision, and not all athletes can understand the frustration.