Tashard Choice, autographs and the state of sports

Last night, Dallas Cowboys running back Tashard Choice ruffled many feathers by getting Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick to sign a glove.

It was allegedly for his 2-year-old nephew. Poor excuse. Two-year-olds don't know their ass from their elbows more or less the concept of gloves, autographs, sports or Michael Vick.

It's brought up a ton of debate about sports, bygone days, Jason Garrett, Choice, etiquette and all that jazz.

Here are some truths and thoughts:

We Get It: It's Not 1975 Anymore
You don't have to tell us twice, blowhards and know-it-alls. Sports and gamesmanship have changed. Rivalries are all but dead. Much of the violence and hatred have been taken out, mostly thanks to free agency. We're not ignorant. We see it. You don't need a talk radio show to figure this out. But what the fuck does that have to do with sending an intern to get an autograph in the visitor's lockerroom.

It Has Everything To Do With Context
Yes, if the Cowboys beat the Eagles, this is a non-story. Rearrange that. Let's say the Cowboys beat the Eagles and Vick signs the autograph. What's the reaction in Philadelphia. Vick would get fucking crucified for giving the autograph. If it happens in the tunnel or back room, it's a non-story because no one would know the difference. Generally, people don't care about the autograph, just when and where it happened.

The Dallas Cowboys Have Shit For Brains Regarding Public Relations
First it's Tony Romo downplaying an essentially 44-6 "playoff" loss to Philadelphia two years ago. Now it's Choice doing some early Christmas shopping after another home loss, then tripping over himself for an excuse. Jerry Jones hemming and hawing in the media about Wade Phillips, firing him four weeks too late after defending him tooth and nail. It's Jason Garrett mishandling the Marion Barber fine earlier and even today dancing around the subject of Choice's autograph seeking. Look, Dallas sports fans are like the woman that's been cheated on by the same man over and over. We're tired of the bullshit. All we want to be shot straight. We've put up with Bill Parcells' gruffness and then Wade Phillips' assholery for too long.

Fans Can Get Mad
I attended Sunday night's game. Those fans there have paid a shitload of money to buy those stupid seating rights and season tickets to sit through these games and root for this team. They're 1-6 now at home. If I'm paying that much for a ticket, I'm going to get pissed. If the coach smiles wrong, if Choice is eBaying memorabilia, if the team doesn't try, blows up a coverage, drops a pass or just ding-dongs around, they are allowed to get mad. Media, players, owners and general managers must realize that this sports stuff (the colors, the wins, the losses) means a lot more to us because while you might play for the other team in two years, we won't be rooting for that other team with you.

WWTBD?
Think of any champion in any sport. Tim Duncan. Peyton Manning. Michael Jordan. Kobe Bryant. Albert Pujols. Kevin Youkilis. Think of the championship coaches. Bill Belichick. Phil Jackson. Jimmy Johnson. Scotty Bowman. Tony Dungy. Pat Riley. Tony LaRussa. Bruce Bochy. Or, for my purposes, Tom Brady. Would any of those guys ever dare to get something autographed, on or off the field, ice or court? OK, so you consider the superstars won't ask for an autograph. However, think of the lesser guys. Is Kevin Faulk seeking an autograph? Robert Horry? Kirk Maltby? Steve Kerr? Derek Fisher?

Hell no. Those guys would just as soon sock you in the gut than ask for an autograph. Maybe they go for a drink afterwards. It's just something that championship-calibre players, coaches and personnel not only won't do, but probably wouldn't stand if a teammate did it. Choice and others must ask themselves: What Would Tom Brady Do?