Foot in Mouth Disease

     Trash talking has its place in sports, no question about it.  I find, though, that trash talking, bragging and the like are all more acceptable when the one doing the talking can actually back it up.  When they don't, well, they're just plain irritating or infuriating.  Check out some of the sports figures who talked the trash talk, but couldn't or wouldn't walk the proverbial walk.

Lebron James (NBA) - The King, who was confident enough to actually make and wear horrible-looking " LBJ-MVP" shirts, proclaimed last year that he was finally giving the fans what they want by joining the Slam Dunk Contest in the 2010 All Star Game in Dallas.  Recently, though, James revealed to reporters that he was now "50-50"  about joining, despite guaranteeing to Cheryl Miller in last year's All Star Weekend that he would.  His explanation for waffling? "I don't know if you can get it back to the 80s and like in '98 when Vince (Carter) was in it. It was more about the dunks and less about what was going on around the dunks. We'll see what happens." (quote courtesy of Ball Don't Lie)  Yeah, that gives a clear reason why he is thinking of backing out?  Btw, Lebron, you better read up because Vince Carter won the dunk contest in 2000.


Olivia "Bong" Coo (Bowling) - The former world champion made bold proclamations as she ran for the Secretary General position in the 2007 PBC Elections.  Promising a transparent administration and better way of running the national team, Coo was able to hoodwink the PBC into electing her.  Shortly after that and continuing until the present, PBC has been rocked by numerous allegations of missing or misused funds, a total of 5 coaches have been signed and then replaced, two coaches have resigned and 4 national team players have retired because of national team favoritism and mismanagement.  It was like her "extra curricular" activities during her wild past effectively killed her short term memory and prevented her from fulfilling any of her campaign promises.

Quinton "Rampage" Jackson (Mixed Martial Arts) - The former light heavyweight champion was quite eloquent with his pre and post fight trash talking, trading barbs with Rashad Evans and also declaring he was not afraid of current champ Lyoto Machida.  Against rival coach Evans in The Ultimate Fighter Season 9,  kept up the arrogance and gave every indication that he couldn't wait to fight.  Then, he suddenly signs up to star as B.A Barracus int he A-Team revival, effectively delaying his already scheduled fight with Evans.  When UFC President Dana White displayed his displeasure at having to move the fight, Jackson then claimed he was pissed at White disrespecting him so he retired.  Not exactly the tough guy move his movie character would make.  I pity the fool.


     There really is nothing wrong with trash talk and arrogance, but I really recommend backing it up.  Otherwise, one would end up just like these three, who are all suffering from Foot in Mouth Disease.




photos courtesy of sportsnet.ca and mmatko.com