Trash Talking In Sports.

If you’re a competitive person, there’s no doubt you’ve talked trash. Not always in a vulgar or demonstrative way, but just that little something to let you’re opponent know “I’m better than you, and there’s nothing you can do stop me.”

 

But where do you draw the line, if there is even a line to draw at all.

 

Last night, as I watched the Chicago Bulls go toe-to-toe with the defending Champs, the Boston Celtics, I saw Kevin Garnett jawing at the Bulls bench.

 

While I wasn’t able to hear Garnett’s comments, probably due to FCC regulations, I wondered: Is there a place for trash talking to pro sports, collegiate sports, amateur sports or recreational sports?

 

Did this perennial all-star, who is sidelined by an injury, who left the bench early in game one because his team was down by nine at half, even have right to be talking trash? Short answer for this one, NO! You’re not even helping your team on the court and like a coward you abandoned them when they were down. But this article is about something more.

 

Arguably, I consider myself one of the best trash talkers, in just about anything. From hockey to checkers, I’m pretty sure my competitive spirit has led to some comments I chuckle about later to some that make me think twice about what I really said.

 

The difference is where and when it’s said. If you’ve ever been on the sideline of an NFL game, you’ll hear some of the crudest trash talking around. Some have even been considered masters of the art. That knack for getting in your opponent’s ear and head to give you and your team that edge.  

 

While at time it’s certainly entertaining and I think it works when you see a player retaliate and costs his team because he’s upset, it has to be curtailed for the event.

 

Obviously, it sets a bad precedence for children and their athletics when they see pros, and I think there has been an effort to let children know there’s no room for it at younger ages, at least at disrespected levels.

 

From then out, and by then I’d say High School and up, it’s pretty much a free-for-all. Justifiably so or not, it’s the truth. While it’s always been tamed by conversations with officials; on the courts, fields and rinks, we’re conditioned to using our jaws for that edge.

 

Now some may say, you need to back it up. But what if you can back it up? Does that make it right? If I tell you “I’m better than you.” And I back it up, was I trash talking or just telling you the truth?

 

There’s not doubt in the competitive world we live in, with sports, employment and just about anything, trash talking has become common place. Like it not, most of us in some form do it. Personally I don’t have a problem with it, as long as you know the time and place and who can ultimately be affected by it. But buyer beware, if you are going to talk, be ready to back it up. Because while in some instances it can be used as a tool, it can also backfire and give your opponent that little something more when it counts.

 

What's your opinion? Does it give the talker an edge and what should its role in sports be? Click Here to meet me in the forum.