Frank Deford doesn't bash soccer and you guys ignore him.

What did he say? I didn't hear him.

 

So what did he say (or not say)?

 

He promoting a telathon for former Miss America Pageant contestants fallen on hard times (wrinkles, sagging breasts, etc).

 

Deford has a long anti-soccer history. Don't know what he's said lately, but this guy is as establishment sports as it gets.

To his credit, "The National", the sports daily that was out in 1989-90, before it folded, was like a dream come true for sports fans. Unfortunately, it was a dream that didn't last long.

Frank is a very bright and knowledgeable guy, but doesn't seem to appreciate soccer for whatever reason (at least club soccer in the U.S.). A great guy who unfortunately will wind up on the "ash heap" of history

Major Probations:

OU 3
UT O

Sooner Domination!

 

Is that what you've had to resort to as a Texas fan? The # of times we've been on probation? You guys get more and more pathetic every year. Come see us when you've got something good other than your recruiting national championships.

Simms for Heisman!

 

Deford 10/23

?? I listened to the Deford piece this morning - it had nothing to do with umpires etc, and little with baseball (unless you heard another story?). Today's topic was how to sound like a knowledgable sports fan when you go abroad. Poked fun at us by advocating telling foreigners that soccer in the USA is only held back by snobbish American pig media types. Also said it was unwise to bring up WC98 and our q-f run - that no one anywhere else sees us as a cinderella, and that the ultimate insult to the world would be us winning the World Cup (said it better, and balanced). More to it than that, and an enjoyable piece.

 

Aside from being ignorant and dismissive of soccer -- which is annoying enough -- Frank Deford is one of the worst radio commentators I've ever heard.

He ranks right up there on with Susan Stanberg(sp) for cloying, over-inflected, arch, thudding, condescending, cheese-ball smarm.

My hands can't reach for the dial fast enough when either of their hell-spawned voices hit the air.

 

Frank DeFord

Frank did give a very good commentary on soccer this morning. Basically it was from the perspective of a European and what to say to them about sports. Many nice soccer plugs including the fact that we made it to the quarterfinals of the WC and that we should tell foreigners we are certain soccer will be as big over here as it is over there very soon.

He gave props to Schumacker and stated don't even mention NASCAR to Europeans. He also stated how they perceive 'American' football, tennis, and baseball.

Needless to say I was very surprised to hear the writer was Frank.

Basically this commentary shows that Europeans are as elitist about their sports as we Americans are about ours.

 

I posted my displeasure at his comments on www.bigmissamericapageant.com

 

Anyone who wants to hear what was said can go to http://www.npr.org and then click on the link for Morning Edition. Deford's piece is segment 15.

George

 

I heard him this morning and it was actually pretty funny. I have to say his line about how having the US succed in soccer would tick the rest of the world off since - in his view- we care so little about the sport.

But, good or bad, why post about Deford (or Jim Rome) everytime single time they make a comment about soccer? I swear all these guys have to say is "Soc" and twenty thread show up on BS.

Maybe we should just have a monthly "soccer hating columnist" recap thread so that we can keep need to praise or bash these two to a minmum.

 

Here is a link to a print version of the above :

http://sports.yahoo.com/top/news/cnnsi/20021023/traveltips.html

 

I think there should be a special wing in the US Soccer Hall of Fame for guys like Rome, Kornheiser and DeFord. They are part of the history of soccer in US unfortunately. To not explain the obstacles to soccer growth in the US would not be fair to future generations that might want to know the whole story.

 

It is pleadge drive time here in Austin, so I skip NPR for a couple weeks till its over.

(I already gave)

Sounds like I didn't miss much.

 

I like DeFord. Even though he's not a fan, he's not a mindless ignoramous. I think he's actually tried to like Soccer, but just couldn't get there. Ok. I can't for the life of me see how car racing is anything like a sport, or the least bit interesting. That doesn't make me a bad person even though millions of people the world over disagree with me.

 

He's not an ignoramus, really, but he tries hard to play one when he does his anti-soccer schtick. Last time he was on PTI he went into this whole bit about how human evolution allows us to use our hands, which makes soccer something of the non-human animal kingdom.

 

That segment was good.

Here is the direct link:
http://www.npr.org/ramfiles/me/20021023.me.15.ram

 

Frank Deford

I think he was trying to be funny: "Now remember everyone, when you travel abroad, humor the foreigners and pretend like you actually care about sports outside the US that don't involve US athletes. The joke's on them!"

 

I love soccer bashing threads. Keep up the good work. Deford and Rome should be the Galaxy's guests for their stadium opener next year. Make them sit through every second of the championship ceremony and game. Then see what they say Monday on the radio.

 

Now there's an idea. You could memorialize the event by creating special "Romey" and "Deford" supporter's sections.

 

Seems like often the thread is started or egged on by someone who just wants to complain about people complaining about sportwriters who complain about soccer.

 

So in posting this, you're complaining about complaining about complaining about complaining?

Trippy.

 

Exactly. Are you complaining about that?