Stop Saying Old School

September 14, 2017

When "old school" or "throwback" is used, I want to wince and projectile vomit. When I hear those terms, it is usually said by somebody who didn't live in the era they are referring to. Suppose they notice a player wearing their socks high or baggy that is called old school. This moniker is often placed on an individual who isn't flashy and not trashy. Old school and throwbacks might be thought of as boring because they use the tired clichés during interviews. They are considered team players. Throwback athletes are rigid and don't reveal their injuries. Throwback guys and gals can play multiple positions and don't wear gloves for every task on the field. Old school is playing with an injury and diving for a ball near the end of a game. Old school is running every play out, even a dribbler to the pitcher.

Do you understand my point? Why are there such terms, and why do we need to label somebody something not required? Why not call them hard workers, no-nonsense types, team players, and respectful. Since when are traditional values old school? What is new school, not hard workers, shortcuts, boastful, lazy, slackers, followers, and crybabies and thick in the head?

I watched the Forty Niners play the Carolina Panthers on Sunday. The first-round draft pick for the Panthers is Christian McCaffrey, a multipurpose player. At Stanford, he was a running back, punt, and kickoff returner. Now he is in the pros, so he gets called old school. Projectile vomit. He is unique and multi-talented. I agree that few players can play all of those positions, but not for qualified athletes. You don't find coaches who use their players for multiple duties because of injury risk. McCaffrey is talented, not just a throwback. The All-American USC running back, Reggie Bush, could play the same positions and did in the pros. Sadly, Bush was besieged by injuries.

Not all things were so great in the old days of sports so when the terms start getting thrown around, listen if the announcer clarifies his position. "Look at Joe Blow. He hustles on every play, and he is old school." I want to reach through the television screen and strangle the moron. The reason people want to use the label because they see a player who is not a carbon copy of every other.

What I do know is that the floods of money in professional sports make almost every athlete a slave to the dollar. They cannot be as risk-averse, so everybody starts to act and look the same. I am not sure when the stupid terms will go away, probably never. It's a shame we have to use labels to recognize what is not unique at all.