What's the most annoying sports cliche?
By: LOREN NELSON - Sports Editor | ∞
By: MARC FIGUEROA - Staff Writer
One game at a time
People always tell me I have the greatest job in the world.
"You attend all the best sporting events and you get to interview all the great athletes," they say.
I remind them of the free food, too, and they interject with an enthusiastic, "See, you got it made!"
While I agree it's better than being a coal miner or one of those guys who cleans the Port-o-Potties after a Chargers' game, but it's not all fun and games, especially when many of the subjects you are reporting on are about as dull as bread and water.
We see them make diving catches, throw 60-yard bombs while eluding a tenacious pass rush, save ball games night after night, and shoot 65 with their eyes closed. Then we ask them to comment on their greatness and, voila, the cliche machine is turned on full blast. Maybe we expect too much from our sports heroes.
Reasons for a win are plentiful: They gave 110 percent. They played within themselves. They were the better team today. They overcame adversity. They were sending a message. God was on their side.
The most annoying canned response has to be, "We're taking it one game at a time." The thing I hate about this cliche is that it can be used by winners and losers, and for so many different scenarios: a blowout win, a blowout loss, a close game, a winning streak, a losing streak or even when a key player goes down with an injury.
And it can be used when games aren't even being played, like in golf. Ask any golfer who has the first-round lead and they'll all say the same thing: "There are still three more rounds to go, so I just need to take it one day at a time."
Wake me when he's done.
Taking it one game at a time implies that there's another way to play the game. Can you take it two at a time or even 10 at a time? And if you can, what qualifies you to do so? Talent? Confidence? Cockiness? Arrogance? Ignorance? Stupidity?
All of these statements say something, but mean nothing. Now you know why reporters use microphones and tape recorders. Interviews have become so predictable and boring, we usually set aside the postgame interview for a little postgame nap and rely on our electronic devices to help piece the story together later.
I guess I shouldn't complain so much. I do get paid to print these sound bites, as humdrum as they are. So it's back to writing I go, one word at a time.
Contact staff writer Marc Figueroa at marcfig@aol.com.
Give them credit
I'm giving 110 percent as I write this column. I'm focusing on taking it one word at a time as I think outside the box.
At the end of the day, when I look at the big picture, I can only hope I bring a high energy level as I give credit to Marc, whose mastery in using sports cliches is akin to Chef Boyardee's dominance of the canned ravioli market.
All of which reminds me of a high school football coach I dealt with many years ago who, not unlike Marc, used clichespeak as his primary language.
After every game, win or lose and no matter what question I asked, his response would go like this:
"I give all the credit to the assistant coaches for the job they did this week preparing the players. They did a great job getting the team ready for this game."
Ahhhhhhhhh, yeah, that's great coach, but you lost by five touchdowns to a 1-7 team. How do you explain what just happened?
"I give all the credit to the assistant coaches for the job they did this week preparing the players. They did a great job getting the team ready for this game."
It took me awhile, three or four games probably, to figure out that this guy was so afraid of saying the wrong thing that he wasn't going to say anything. He had his script, and he wasn't going to veer from it. Sort of like Mark McGwire's infamous "I'm not here to talk about the past" appearance at a congressional hearing on steroids.
Whether I win or lose this debate (and, to borrow a mangled Chris Berman cliche, "I can smell the jugular") all that matters is I bring my A-game while giving a workmanlike effort.
Clichemaster Marc is a tough competitor, a class act and a fantastic lag putter from 3-feet and in. This debate is no cakewalk. But Marc, the best writer never to have won a Choosing Sides debate (our Sergio Garcia), most certainly is wrong on this one.
"Give them credit" is the most versatile, overused cliche out there. Coaches use it after wins, after losses and after an especially good meal at the local Sizzler.
After needlessly running up the score: "I know we won by 60, but give credit to the other team. They never quit."
After another pathetic performance: "We had a great gameplan and our guys were totally prepared. But give credit to the other team. Their guys just wanted it more than ours tonight."
After a night out at Sizzler: "Waiter, give credit to the chef. The garlic toast was especially superb tonight."
Marc, I give you credit for another great debate. You gave a solid effort. I just wanted it more.
Contact sports editor Loren Nelson at (760) 740-3551 or lnelson@nctimes.com.
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Paul wrote on Nov 24, 2007 11:58 AM:The most annoying sports cliche is Brent Musburger's "You are looking live" opening statement. Why is he still on the air? This is not as much a cliche as it is annoying, but why does ESPN have a guy on the air with a speech inpediment. Rece Davis says his "L's" like "W's." He'll say "Wittle Wock Arkansas," or something similar. Is ESPN trying to prove it is the politically correct, caring network?
What? wrote on Nov 24, 2007 2:17 PM:I have to give this one to Marc. He actually picks a cliche as the worst. Loren just emphasizes how annoying cliches are by throwing a bunch of them around. Sadly I have to point out that most of this is our own fault. Why? Part of it is because the reporters ask the same silly questions over and over. How's it feel to win your first, second, third championship? Or how's it feel to lose your first, second, third championship game? Another part of it is the reactions of reporters to some honest answers. If the athlete says we won because we are better they are arrogant self centered and unsportsmanlike. Conversly if the athlete says we lost because we suck they are called quiters or that they aren't team players. They can't win either way. So they spout cliches to keep their names out of the headlines. On top of all that they are athletes not poet laureates. Enjoy the game and leave these guys to their victory celebration or wound licking and draw your own conclusions from what you saw during the game.
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