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StumblePublished Sunday, Jan. 6, 2008 | 7:35 p.m.
Updated Thursday, Oct. 30, 2008 | 2:14 p.m.
Is Nextel Cup Champion Jimmie Johnson too boring? Some fans seem to think so. They think he’s boring because he’s too “packaged” and, get this, too “nice.” Too nice?! What’s wrong with having a sports figure that minds his manners and doesn’t speak like he’s auditioning for the “Jerry Springer Show”? I’ve had it with trash-talking athletes, the dog-abusing athletes, the steroid-using athletes and the I-am-not-a-role-model athletes. One of the things that sets NASCAR apart from other sports is the clean–cut image of its athletes, an image other sports could benefit from trying to emulate.
Of course there are some mouthy characters in Sprint Cup, but overall I think the level of behavior is several notches above some of the behavior we see in the stick and ball sports. NASCAR has also had its share of rough, edgy and colorful characters throughout its history and the critics of Johnson probably wish he had a little bit of that edginess. But even the rough-and-tumble stars of the sport conducted themselves with class when the circumstances demanded it.
I find Jimmie Johnson to be refreshing, quite frankly. I understand that part of his public persona is dictated by the pressure to represent his sponsors and team owners in the best possible light, but in this day and age of athlete behavior that knows no shame, isn’t acting “nice” a welcome form of behavior that we don’t always see in professional sports?
Dang it Mike, now that you mention it, you do remind me a little of JJ! I don't find Jimmy 'refreshing', but I do find him honest. Your other point is well taken. NASCAR hasn't had any murderers, dog-abusers (I like that), steroid freaks, and random other hedonistic, pathetic, self-righteous goofs like other sports. This is good! Now and then an ego gets away, ie Kurt Busch, but it is not that big of a deal. Someone once said, 'there are only 2 sports in the world, mountain climbing and auto racing, all the rest are just games!' And mountain climbing is really boring to watch ... so ...!!
Hey Mike.
I say thumbs up to Jimmie for not acting like the majority of the other drivers. Just because Jimmie doesn't cus out other drivers/crew etc., just because he does not act like a jerk on the track (ie Stewart, Montoya ), and just because he is well mannered and respectful makes him "boring" and "too nice"? Please America give me a brake. Statistics show that NICENESS = CHAMPIONSHIPS. So Jimmie stands out a little, at least he's standing out for the right reasons. Martin Luther King said," Never succumnb to the temptation of bitterness."