A media report recently noted that a high-profile NFL linebacker, well-known for his ‘leadership' and also for his willingness to engage with the media, pulled a no-show after a loss.
That is, he refused to speak with the press after the game.
How many times have we seen it: the athlete who has a great day and quite understandably laps up the subsequent, often deserved media attention that follows.
The player often provides the standard comments about how tough the opposition is, how he owes it all to his teammates or line mates, that he just tries to give 110% every game, etc.
It may not be controversial, but the athlete has at least lived up to the public expectation that he will not only perform to the best of his ability on the ice/field/court, but will take the time afterwards to accommodate the public -- through the media.
Fair enough.
The problem is, some athletes are more than willing to engage in conversations with the media when things are going well – and then see their name in print, often in glowing terms, the following day.
What happens when the same player has a ‘bad' day on the field/ice/court?
Many players fight the urge to disappear, to leave their cubicle empty at the end of the game, or to send the club's public relations people out to explain the player's unwillingness to talk.
Those players know they have a responsibility, whenever possible, to face the media, and through the media the public that helps pays the way for them to earn their significant incomes.
But some players want to take advantage of the media exposure on those good days, and then ignore their responsibility when things are difficult.
Making themselves “unavailable” after a loss, or a bad game, is a little like saying “No comment”.
And what impression are we left with by a “No comment”?
In many corporate situations, it tends to give the impression that the company spokesperson is holding back information, or is fearful of divulging information, which harms the credibility of the spokesperson and the organization they represent.
By saying “nothing”, the spokesperson is often actually implying quite a bit.
Similarly, in the sports world, an actual “No comment” is in fact a very strong comment. If a player is asked about their relationship with their coach and replies “No comment”, what is the media person, or the fan reading those comments, apt to think?
And when a player “ducks” the media, what message does that send? That the athlete can handle the good times and the accolades, but is not willing or able to stand there and explain their performance – and that of their team -- on a tough day?
Clearly, there will be times during a player's career, or a coach's, when they are simply, for a variety of legitimate reasons, not “up” to facing intensive media scrutiny. It may well be best -- and wisest -- in such circumstances to say nothing, rather than speak and say things the person may later regret.
But if this happens at all regularly, that player may well end up with the reputation as someone who is not a “stand up” guy, at least from a media and public perspective.
Being accountable -- and accepting and taking responsibility -- in tough times is perhaps even more important than it is in good times.
