transcending popular culture
August 12, 2008
In order for an athlete to transcend the boundary between being famous for their athletic achievements and just being famous, they have to become larger than the game they play. Michael Jordan, LeBron James, and Kobe Bryant are able to do this based off of sheer athletic ability. Because they are so marketable, Nike is able to promote them even if they are retired or an accused rapist. However, not many athletes are able to cross this threshold. Chris Paul right now is the best point guard in the NBA but I would be willing to bet a majority of Americans would not be able to point him out in a police line-up.
There is one easy way to gain prominence but it may lead to a lack of endorsements: become a sports revolutionary. The 10 people listed are more well known for their off the field actions, yet some might claim that they are more important than a Jordan or a James.
During the height of the Vietnam War, St. Louis Cardinals linebacker Dave Meggyesy, weary of conservatives using football to boost pro-war patriotism, circulated a petition amongst his teammates asking their Congressman to bring the troops home. Ownership, incensed, became even more furious when Meggyesy, inspired by the Mexico City Olympic fist-raisers, refused to obey Commissioner Pete Rozelle’s order for players to salute the flag during the national anthem. Benched for “political reasons” midway through the 1969 season, Meggyesy quit football in the prime of his career and subsequently authored a book, Out of Their League, which aired out the NFL for exploitation, racism and drug abuse.
Using your fame to become an activist is a double-edge sword; many people will love you for it while a majority of people will shun you. Before someone takes a stand against an injustice, they must ask themselves are they willing to forgo millions of dollars to try and support a cause. Tyrone Lue famously attempted to have all of his Cavalier teammates sign a petition condemning China’s inaction against the genocide in Darfu, which LeBron James did not sign (although I read that he didn’t sign because he felt he hadn’t researched the topic enough to offer his John Hancock, I maintain that he does not want to alienate a billion potential shoe buyers.) While Lue is certainly not a household name, a mid-level exception player at best, the fact that he is willing to stand up for his believes is an admirable quality.
As long as athletes are treated as larger-than-life figures people will continually want them to use their name recognition to power their causes. No one should be forced to do this, and using this technique to gain fame is certainly despicable, but it is the fastest way to become culturally relevant. With regards to Robert Greene’s 48 Laws of Power, this most resembles the fifth (So Much Depends on Reputation – Guard it with your Life) and the sixth (Court Attention at all Cost). Power can be gained and lost with brash outspokenness or with silence. It is up to the player in question to decide what they value most.
August 19, 2008 at 11:12 pm
I think for most athletes, it comes down to their personalities. For some like MJ or Lebron, all they want to do is make themselves a lot of money while creating a powerful brand. Jordan was never able or willing to step outside of basketball and be willing to forge a legacy for himself apart from the sport. Jordan will most likely be remembered as the greatest basketball player of all time and the greatest shoe salesman of all time.
It is rare for the athlete to be able and willing to step outside of the sport and make a statement. This sort of thing takes a level of authenticity and connection that most athletes simply don’t have. It also takes a willingness to lose your reputation or even money. Not necessarily a revolutionary, but I think Charles Barkley is a great example of this. He’s a fat, gambling, smoking over-eater who runs his mouth all the time on controversial issues yet still manages to keep his celebrity and renown. I think the major reason for this is because people know that Barkley’s authentic and he speaks the truth, whatever truth it may be.