There was a time where athleticism was displayed by hand to hand combat. There was a time where the heroes of the time used swords and other weapons. There was a time that these heroes fought lions, tigers, and even each other. Not only did they fight for fame and fortune, but they fought for their lives. They were gladiators. One has to wonder though, how many times do you think a gladiator said something like, “I want to fight a tiger, no, a lion, no a tiger… Give me the sword I want or I will quit!”

 
In civilized society, our gladiators are our athletes. The guys who put on the uniforms of our home town teams and compete against other cities. They are far and away more physically gifted than 99% of the population of the planet, and are revered and idolized for those gifts. But damn, they are becoming a bunch of sissies.This week Kobe Bryant said that he wanted to be traded from the Los Angeles Lakers. He was asked by Steven A. Smith on two separate occasions if there was anything the Lakers could do to change his mind. On both occasions, he said no. The next day, Kobe said he wasn’t going anywhere and that he was going to retire a Laker?

What?

 
Brian Donovan accepted a 5 year $27.5 million deal with the Orlando Magic on Friday. A deal that would obligate him for 5 years, force him to leave the University of Florida where he had won 2 strait national titles, while making a shit load of cash. After careful consideration, he accepted. Then two days later, changed his mind.

What?

Because of Donovan, two press conferences were organized, one in Orlando, and one in Gainesville. Ton’s of reporters spent their day reporting a story that this goofball hadn’t even truly thought out. Donovan’s job as a coach is to lead and manage a roster of players. Call me crazy, but if this guy flip flops like this over a $27.5 million personal decision that will effect his life the next 5 years, why would you want him to coach your team. I’m sorry, but despite his two national titles, one has to think that a guy who treats career choices like a blonde does shorts or a skirt has a limited run of success in his future.

 
Kobe destroyed the Lakers by forcing Shaq out the door. He had a pivotal role in the formation of the players around him, but when it all fell apart? He wants to run. Kobe is lying in a bed that he made. So fine, he wants to run…ok. So he says it, then backs off 24 hours later? “I don’t want to go anywhere, this is my team.” Oh, so the team if “yours” but you are prepared to leave it every time things don’t go your way despite that fact that the Lakers have catered to you in everyway. Very nice. That’s the guy I want leading my team for sure.

 
Both of these men are in positions of leadership, and both have the decision making ability of 3 year olds. Then you have guys like Tank Johnson throwing thousands of dollars up in there air at a strip club and then beating up strippers for going after the cash. Why can’t these grown men make decisions and hold their ground? Why can’t they understand the gravity about what they say or do before they say or do it?

 
It’s sad, but these are out modern day gladiators. Over paid, over glorified, babies who are bi polar.