University of Oklahoma Athletics
Mossman: Impact of Message Boards
July 19, 2008 | Athletics
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Mossman Prophecies | Archive |
It has been a few days now since James Conradt made internet history, in these parts anyway, for earning himself a lawsuit through the sub-culture we know as the internet, and more specifically, message boards.
As I sit here, alone in my office with this computer, wondering if I should pop in my ear buds, I am reminded how these fantastic implements of technology also include such a tremendous down side. It occurs to me that in trying to make machines do and think like we do, that instead we have become a lot more like the machines.
I try to be cognizant of others when I walk across campus. I like to make eye contact, smile and offer some sort of greeting. In this part of the country, we're supposed to be known for our friendliness, and there seems to be a heightened sense of that when you work on a campus that also carries the state's name.
Sometimes the greetings are returned. Often times, with the ear buds in and the eyes fixed on the sidewalk, they're not.
What does any of that have to do with James Conradt? Plenty as I see it.
James Conradt thought nothing of slurring Sam Bradford, Landry Jones, Manuel Johnson, Alan Davis and Cory Bennett. Why? Because those names represent nothing more than names to him, and those of his ilk. Public figures are less than human and no more than objects for debate and dissection.
I get asked all the time what it is I like most about my job. There was a time when the travel and bright lights would have been my answer. Then I crossed over 40 and began to appreciate what I had heard elder coaches and instructors say for years - the young people.
Want to feel young? Can the hair dye and cosmetic surgery and spend some time around our student-athletes. They're bright, funny, sensitive, strong and emotional. They're also sometimes sad, discouraged, bored, misguided in their decision-making processes and weak. In other words, they're human.
High or low, though, they're always young with that spark of enthusiasm that we know only in our youth. This job is awesome because of them.
Sam Bradford led the nation in passing efficiency last season. He finished ahead of Heisman winner Tim Tebow. Sam also broke the record for most touchdown passes by a freshman.
But please, don't think for a second that any of those accomplishments, as impressive as they might be, define Oklahoma's quarterback as a human being.
Here's what defines Sam. I asked him last year what he did during his off-week. He went up to the Oklahoma City to play catch with a child that he once mentored in a reading program. The little boy read for Sam while they were together, and Sam was obviously proud to explain how much improvement the youngster had made.
About a year ago, Kent Bowles, the local Fellowship of Christian Athletes representative, told me that Sam approached him about something he wanted to do in the future. He wanted Kent to consider organizing a group of junior kids that he could mentor
Now let me be clear, this is not a Sam Bradford promotional piece. Rather, this is to use Sam to illustrate what these young people are like. Sam is hardly alone. There are many others who do as much or more in the way of considering real-life issues.
Are they human? My gosh, yes.
That's why this whole internet hoax deal is so truly pathetic. It means nothing to anonymous, or so they thought, posters to demean and intentionally discredit, even in a joking sense, figures who, to them, are no more human than a keyboard or monitor.
I use the internet daily. It is an invaluable tool. But for all of the good it does, it enables enough bad that I'd say the whole invention is no better than a 50-50 proposition.
Let me suggest that we push away from the keyboards, yank out the ear buds and remember that each and every one of us benefit from a smile, a greeting and the respect of our fellow man.
Funny how when we remember to do those things there
seem to be fewer hurt feelings, bad days and lawsuits.
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Mossman Prophecies | Archive
Read an inside perspective from the OU Athletics Department
on the latest Sooner sports topics. Associate Athletics
Director for Communications Kenny Mossman provides
his thoughts in his online column at SoonerSports.com.
