What’s in a name?
Updated: 06-25-2008
Adam “Pacman” Jones announced recently he would like to remove the “Pacman” moniker from his name and simply be known as Adam Jones. This sort of PR move is not without precedent. Image revamping like this is reminiscent of similar name changes such as Sean “Puff Daddy” Combs renaming himself “P-Diddy”, then “Diddy”, then “Sean Combs”, and most recently “Sean John” (it’s hard to keep up). Or, Prince renaming himself “an unpronounceable symbol”, and now just “The artist formerly known as Prince or TAFKAP for short”. There are plenty of other examples; I will let you do the research yourself.
Publicly changing a name has one goal, to ditch an image and start fresh with a new one, specifically to overhaul a tarnished or “bad boy” image (no this is not a plug for Sean Combs’ record label, it’s just an expression). Does changing your name work with regards to leaving your past behind? Is your past attached to your name or to yourself? These questions beg another question. What’s in a name?
As I see it…
The shady details of our pasts cannot be erased simply by erasing ones name. As is the case with “Puff Daddy”, no matter what he prefers to be called, I will always think of him as the rapper who was involved in a nightclub shooting. The same is true with “Pacman”; regardless of the number of team and name changes he undergoes, he will forever be linked with strip clubs at 3am. That is until he realizes that “Pacman” is not the one committing the infractions, Adam Jones is the one accountable, and Adam Jones is responsible for a lifestyle overhaul. As Shakespeare said, “that which we call a strip club at 3 in the morning by any other name would be as sleazy.”
Favre From Gone
Updated 05-29-2008
*After this article was written, The Packers decided (due to media pressure) to remove the name plate from Favre's locker.
The Green Bay Packers seem to be planning to turn Bret Farvre’s now vacant locker into a shrine to honor the memory of the greatest player in the history of the franchise. The beloved quarterback retired (for now at least) at the end of the 2007-2008 season, capping off an amazing 18 years in the league. Favre (pronounce Faavv-Ray-thanks Ben Stiller) was a great quarterback, probably in the top-ten all time, but in a sport focused around the “team” should one player be honored above all others? Should his locker forever bear his name? Is this good for the new guy?
As I see it…
Aaron Rogers has a difficult road ahead of him just replacing Favre on the field, he doesn’t need the distraction in the locker room. With Favre’s locker constantly reminding Rogers that the Packers have a “remember when” attitude, he doesn’t stand a chance. Unless he puts up Tom Brady like numbers next year, he will always be the guy who replaced “the guy”.
Listen, I’m a Favre fan, just like everyone else at ESPN I view his childlike love for the game as infectious. I too am going to miss the excitement he brought, whether watching him throw touchdown passes or snowballs during a cold day at Lambeau. He was always fun to watch, but it’s time to move on. Put yourself in Rogers’ shoes, would you want to come into work everyday to see the “employee of the month” plaques of the person you replaced? Rogers, just like everyone who dates someone who just ended a long relationship, does not want to be constantly reminded of the ex, especially when the ex is the all time touchdown leader.
If the Packers want to have a successful 2008-2009 season they are going to have to remove the pictures from their wallets, toss the old love letters, and get rid of everything that brings back nostalgic memories of their former love. They need to make a clean break and usher in the Rogers era; if they do that, the future is looking bright for the most promising young team in the NFL.
Updated 04-23-2008
Danica Patrick won the Firestone IndyCar 300 at Japan becoming the first female driver to ever win an IndyCar event. The Japan 300 was her 50th race since joining the IndyCar series, so she is not an unknown; we know she is a great driver. She is a great driver, but this win has spurred the argument “is Patrick’s win the most impressive accomplishment of a woman in professional sports?” Well is it? Is she “the man”?
As I see it…
Attaching the “best in sports” tag to her win is erroneous. Patrick’s win is the best for a female driver ever, but in racing there are too many factors to attribute the win to a single person; the pit crew and mechanics have just as much influence as the driver.
I don’t want to diminish how grueling a 300 mile race must be on a person, but as far as athletes go, there are several women’s performances I would put ahead of hers: Keri Strug landing the vault in the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games to secure the gold on an injured ankle, Britney Griner, the 6’8” high school junior from Huston dunking in games, Natalie Caughlins dominance of swimming in the 2004 Olympics, and the Williams sisters owning women’s tennis for the better part of a decade, just to name a few.
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Want to argue? Email me jason@espnsportsradio.com
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