Downey SPMT Blog

I was thinking about the element of sport communication when it comes to press conferences for players and coaches. Everything they say is magnified and put under a microscope. It takes a concerted effort to make sure that each answer cannot be misconstrued or create drama or controversy. Some players and coaches are really good at managing the questions from reporters, even in very tense or hostile situations. On the radio, a show host mentioned a point that I found to be very interesting. He mentioned that Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts has NEVER added fuel to the fire in such a high-drama football city.  He is ALWAYS cool, calm, and collected. He understands his role in being a leader, weathering the storm, and tuning out the outside noise. In such a volatile environment, it is very impressive for a player to be so well-spoken, calculated, and composed to be able to keep the focus on the main thing: getting better and winning games. We have discussed sport fan cultu...

In class, we discussed the ritual-like experience of the NBA Draft. We discussed the question, "Would you want the commissioner to mix it up a little bit?" For me, it is a vehement NO!!! Back as a kid, I attended the NFL Draft in person because I was a bit tired and fed up with all of the extracurriculars that come with draft coverage. That's how passionate I am about the draft process. During the second and third rounds of the NFL Draft, it bothers me when guests announce the pick and decide to indulge themselves first. Just announce the pick! The rituals are what makes the draft special. "The NFL Draft is officially open" is an iconic line. Commissioner Goodell getting booed every year is a part of the ritual. Seeing "The Pick is In" is a part of the ritual when watching on TV. The bearhug that players give to Goodell is all a part of it. I had never really thought about how ritualistic the whole draft was, but that's what makes it so special! Ov...

 After reading Chapter 4 of the Brown & O'Rourke text, regarding the Cleveland Browns, it got me wondering how I would truly react if my favorite team (Philadelphia Eagles) announced they were relocating to somewhere like St. Louis. My fandom is not tied to the location of the team, but I do not think the Eagles would ever be the same if they were not in Philadelphia.  As the text mentioned, the Cleveland Browns have an extremely loyal and passionate fanbase. I feel that the Eagles may be one of the few other teams in the league that could rival Cleveland's level of passion and loyalty. The text notes that there were protests around the nation due to the relocation. I can only imagine the protests if the Eagles left Philadelphia. Perhaps they would rise to a full-on riot. We have learned that sports teams help people with their self-esteem and are a part of their identities. I feel that way about the Eagles, regardless of where they are located. With that said, I do not th...

In our textbook, we learned about the concept of "framing." Essentially, framing is shaping how people see events, other people, or ideas. In this case, I am very interested in how a particular person is framed. His name is Nick Sirianni and he is the Head Coach of the Philadelphia Eagles. Nick Sirianni has led his team to two Super Bowls in five years, winning one. However, he is not the offensive or defensive playcaller. He also has a bit of a strong, eccentric personality on the field. He is very disliked to the outside world, and is even disliked by the Eagles fanbase. With that said, Nick Sirianni has been framed as someone who "does not do anything." The media has fed into this perception, and it has only gotten worse over the years. Yesterday, legendary Eagles Offensive Line Coach, Jeff Stoutland, announced he was stepping away from the team. This has, once again, caused the media and fans alike to call for Nick Sirianni's job. How can Sirianni keep his j...