Trash Talking: Yes Please

Brandon Jacobs, running back for the hated New York football Giants, made a comment this week on a New York radio talk show that got him in the news, especially around Dallas. (Read HERE) "I'm not a fan of Tony Romo. Keep him in the pocket, he's not that good. . . . His luck will be gone sooner or later. If you were to keep Tony Romo in the pocket he's not that effective." And that statement, an some what bland opinion about the QB for his rival team, is getting a reaction from commentators and fans as if he had made a truly offensive statement or off color remark. IT'S CALLED TRASH TALK AND IT IS A GOOD THING. What happened to the days of true battles and hype leading up to games? Where have all the personalities in sports gone? Why are there no longer any truly hated players and rough and tumble characters that are booed by more than just the hardcore fans of the rival team?
Why? Because we live in a passionless and polite society that has been taught to be good little boys and girls and ruffle any ones feathers for fear of being ostracized for making others uncomfortable. (more on this rant HERE) If in fact we are truly different people and the idea of our differences is celebrated, then why is the majority opinion to have personalities with as much flavor and zest as meal of celery and tap water? If in fact you are your true self, you are going to rub someone the wrong way, and that is okay.
As someone who for the longest time cared so much about being liked by everyone and let other's opinion of me drive what I said, how I said it, and if I said anything at all; I can vouch for the freedom and the wonderful feeling of knowing that there are people that are uncomfortable with my true self. This isn't a call to be offensive for the sake of distruption, but to be yourself and get over the fact that your authenticity will be upsetting to others who have yet to embrace the truth that it is our differences that make life interesting.
But back to the point, Brandon Jacobs can say whatever he wants about Tony Romo, and in fact, in my opinion he should say more. It doesn't matter, they are just words. But if Tony Romo, and the Dallas Cowboys, really expect to be better this season they need to internalize the taunt and use it as fuel to come out on September 20th and crush the hated New York football Giants in the first game at the new Cowboys Stadium.