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More athletes should be like A-Rod? It’s true. That and more in the latest edition of THE ARMCHAIR ASSASSIN. 

FIRST OF ALL… More athletes should follow the lead of Alex Rodriguez.  I bet you never thought you would hear that.  A-Rod?  The man who is less popular than gingivitis?  Yes.  Recently Rodriguez surpassed the great Willie Mays for fourth on the all-time home run list.  After the game he was asked if he was surprised that the Yankees’ fans stood and cheered until he stepped out of the dugout for a curtain call.  Here’s how the much maligned slugger answered the question. “I certainly thought the days of curtain calls for me were long gone, I was a little embarrassed and it was a little awkward. I’ve said all along that the league, the Yankees, the fans — nobody owes me anything.”

Speculate all you want about the sincerity of A-Rod’s statements.  Some believe he’s attempting to rehabilitate his image in the twilight of a drug tainted career.  That may well be the case, however it’s not the sincerity of the comments that I’m interested in.  It’s what was actually said.  I wish more athletes could summon the same courage and humility.  Especially the ones who have found their way into hot water.  Take for example… Adrian Peterson.  The superstar running back for the Minnesota Vikings missed almost all of last season after he was charged with “reckless injury to a child” for beating his 4-year-old son with a switch.  It’s unclear if Peterson will ever play for the Vikings again.  In recent days reports have surfaced indicating that AP is unhappy with the Vikings for not properly supporting him through his ordeal.  WTF?  Not supporting you?  This is one of those situations where Peterson should just say, “Nobody owes me anything.”  Admit that you messed up and beg the Vikings and their fans to have you back.  Peterson isn’t the only professional athlete to display an entitled, delusional attitude.  Too many millionaire jocks run around being jerks and forget who is filling their bank accounts.  Fans are simple people.  You can win us back.  Just show some humility.  Show a human side.  Act like you get it.  Talk about your son.   Talk about how you failed him.  Talk about how much you missed the sport last year.  Honestly, every athlete who ever gets in trouble should watch A-Rod’s press conference and take notes.  Because his words struck a chord with me.  I’ve never been a fan of A-Rod — but when he said “I will always be grateful to Yankee fans for letting me play baseball again” — he won my forgiveness.  He thanked THE FANS for letting him play again.  It took a long time, but it appears A-Rod gets it.  It’s a shame more athletes don’t.

RANDOM MUSINGS… There must always be hockey on Saturday night during the NHL playoffs. NFL football is played on Sunday afternoons, hockey is played on Saturday nights. Non-negotiable… The NHL conference finals have been dynamite. Response after response. All four teams don’t know the meaning of the word quit… Stop comparing Lebron James to Michael Jordan. MJ on the court was like Ali in the ring — an incomparable presence… I’ve decided I can’t watch TV week-to-week anymore. It  feels like nothing ever happens. From now on I’ll be PVRing entire seasons of my favourite shows and watching once the season is done… I’m actually kind of excited about the Blue Bombers. I love the moves they’ve made on the offensive and defensive lines… Have I mentioned that Mike Babcock is dead to me?