Why are Professional Athletes so Commonly Referred to as Being Arrogant?

The beginning of the definition speaks on the person’s worth or importance. Isn’t the athlete’s worth and importance established by the fans, media, coaches, franchise owners, etc. that take part in some facet of the athlete performing and how they are viewed? People could go on and on about almost every athlete in every sport, on any level, for some varying reason but is arrogant the word that needs to be used?

One particular athlete that may be the epitome of what all athletes seek to become is Michael Jordan. During his playing career and even after his playing days were complete, Michael Jordan, has been loved and hated for many differing reasons. Throughout this time, the word “Arrogant” has been associated with him on multiple occasions. Why?

Is he arrogant because of how he carries himself in basketball? Michael Jordan is considered by many to be the G.O.A.T. (Greatest of All Time) in basketball. It seems as though he feels that way about himself as you can tell in his countless interviews, but his greatness is something that more people than not from many different aspects of the basketball and sporting world in general have stated time and time again. His senior year in high school he was selected to be McDonald’s All-American and recruited by several colleges to include University of North Carolina (UNC), Duke, University of Virginia, and others. He selected UNC where he went on to win ACC Freshmen of the Year, First team All-American honors in 1983 and 1984, and became the number 3 pick of the Chicago Bulls in the 1984 NBA Draft. While in the league he achieved NBA Rookie of the Year, 9 times 1st Team All Defense, 11 times All-NBA, 6 time NBA champion with 6 Finals MVP awards, selected to the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2009. I don’t want to seem as though I’m short changing him but his list of basketball accomplishments can go on for pages and for the most part we all know what they are. So with a resume like this is any player arrogant? Is it because it was once said that he supposedly didn’t hang out with all members of the team? Well does anyone “hang out” with everyone that they work with? Can it be noted that there are currently or has been several former team mates that are still currently his best friends and or employees. Is it because he once punched a teammate in practice? This isn’t necessarily a good thing but things like this happen on the basketball court with friends and family members playing the game. This can also go into the competiveness that he has been lauded for at any and everything.

Is he “Arrogant” because people feel that he didn’t/doesn’t “give back” to community? Is this said because he doesn’t do enough for blacks and the black community? Is it he doesn’t go out of his way to give political endorsements to whomever it is that wants to complain about lack of endorsements feels he should give an endorsement to? It should be noted that when he does do these things it seems as though it is not paid any attention to. When Michael Jordan became the General Manger for the Washington Wizards he attempted to hire Mike Jarvis as head coach and did hire Leonard Hamilton to the job; both of which were black coaches in the college ranks at the time. This shows him presenting an opportunity to blacks. Is this not what people want? Giving political endorsements is only good to the people that want an endorsement to be given to a certain person. No one should be forced to come out publicly with their support; endorsement; or otherwise for a candidate because for every person that they do come out for someone else will be upset for whom they are against. What’s the point in upsetting the masses? In America isn’t our vote supposed to be a secret that we don’t have to share with anyone?

Is it he doesn’t give to charities enough? Is it he doesn’t speak out enough on social issues? Everyone doesn’t speak out on social issues for many different reasons. Some people don’t feel comfortable speaking out due to ignorance of the subject, not knowing what to say and how to express it to the public clamoring for their views, or some people just don’t want to speak out. Just because you achieve some sort of fame for whatever reason does not mean that you should all of a sudden voice on all topics. If you didn’t grow up forming and voicing opinions on matters you’re not going to all of a sudden be ready to and have opinions on every topic. Another reason people don’t get involved is because once they do make a statement on one thing, the statement or actions that are made are scrutinized and comments are made like he should have done it this way_____________ instead. When Michael Jordan recently donated 1 Million dollars to the NAACP legal team and 1 Million dollars to the International Association of Chiefs of Police’s Institute for Community-Police Relations he was applauded by those that said he was finally taking action. Others met him with more questions on why now and as one reported stated why not donate the money to Black Lives Matter? It seems as though no matter what is or isn’t done by this man, it’s not good enough. The fact that he has done many charitable things that are just not broadcast to the world is a reason that he should be doted even more. Every positive thing a person does isn’t needed to be screamed from the mountain top. That shows that it is more genuine and truly meant from the heart.

Is it the price of his shoes? Since 1984 the price of the Air Jordan shoes has been complained about. Throughout the years it has been said that the shoes cost too much and the price should be lowered so that all children will have a chance to have them and take part in the dream of being Michael Jordan. While this sounds good, we are in the United States of America, which is a capitalistic society. Why is it as much money as possible be made off of the shoe? If the price was lowered, that takes away the exclusivity of the shoes and possibly even the demand to have them. There are big time athletes that have drastically lowered the price of their tennis shoes but they have also suffered in the amount of sales and money that they could have made from the shoe. Money isn’t everything but it is something. Although they sell their shoes for lowered cost, I don’t think that they are not still looking for some sort of profit. It’s not like they are only selling the shoes at cost to make sure that those that need shoes can afford them and are in a better position to get them. It’s not always said that the price of exclusive automobiles need to be lowered so that less fortunate can afford them. Why is Michael Jordan bothered for the price of his tennis shoes?

Is it the infamous Hall of Fame induction speech? There was complaint after complaint about what is now his infamous Hall of Fame speech in 2009. Was there anything in his speech that was not true? Was there anything in his speech that you haven’t heard in some form or fashion throughout his career? There was no reason to be mad at the speech. This was Michael Jordan giving you the Michael Jordan he has always given you. If the speech would have been anything else then there would’ve been complaints that it was not authentic and he did not show us the person that had always shown us. I enjoyed the Hall of Fame speech because it illustrated all that I seen in Michael Jordan growing up and admired. There was nothing exaggerated or any false sense of worth given in the speech. There is no reason to use this as an example of his supposed arrogance.

Although Michael Jeffrey Jordan is one of the largest athletes in the history of basketball and professional sports in general, I think that it can now be seen that a new word needs to be used to describe him. Just because you don’t like him or some of his actions for whatever reason it is that you have, I don’t think that “Arrogant” can be your automatic fall back word to describe him. This is only one athlete, and no matter how huge he is in the spectrum of professional sports, Jordan represents a microcosm of the entire sporting world. Michael Jordan as well as most other athletes should not be described as arrogant. Another word needs to be used to classify them.

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