If our nation's most visible sports media members won't set the standard for others to follow, who will?
You can see nearly the entire spectrum of human emotion at an airport the day after a major sporting event: joy and contentment from fans of the winning team, sorrow and resignation from those who support the runner-up, compassion at times when the two interact, resentment during others. Then there are the media members, weary at the end of a long season. As the most visible representative of the sport at our nation's transportation hubs, they have a responsibility to set a standard others can follow. To lead by example.
And Stephen A. Smith, who was on my flight from Dallas-Ft. Worth to LaGuardia yesterday, failed us.
1. Stephen A. has a literal "me first" attitude.
There's an order to boarding an airplane. Each passenger has to know and understand his zone, and the true greats step up when theirs is called -- not before. But apparently the rules don't apply to Stephen A. Smith, who crowded the front of the boarding area. That kind of showy disregard for authority sends a message, and that message is this: I am a lone wolf, not a part of my selected boarding group.
For what? Stephen A. has to know that elbowing his way to the front won't get him a better seat. It won't get this plane off the ground faster. And it damn sure didn't earn him any respect in this reporter's eyes.
2. Stephen A. puts his personal comfort above safety, part one.
Stephen A. Smith flew in first class, which is his right; whether he paid for that privilege or ESPN did, I'm not about to question the capitalism that forms the foundation of this great nation. If Stephen A. Smith chooses to fly in a better section than coach, who am I to question that?
But.
First class also isn't the exit row, where the real heroes of air travel sit. The row for people who selflessly say yes. Yes, I will take on the responsibility of helping my fellow passengers to safety in the event of a water landing. Yes, I will accept that my seat may not recline because we need to keep that passageway clear. Yes, I am over 15 years old.
What did Stephen A. say yes to? Leg room? Complimentary drinks? Call me old fashioned -- and not like the cocktail, Stephen -- but I want our kids to know that helping others is more important than kicking your feet up.
3. Stephen A. doesn't dress the part.
Suit jacket, dress shirt, neck tie ... and jeans. That's what Stephen A. Smith chose to wear in his first class seat. What an affront to the hardworking businessmen and women surrounding him. What's next, Stephen? Cargo shorts at the Vatican?
4. Stephen A. puts his personal comfort above safety, part two.
There is no airplane ritual more sacred than the safety demonstration. Not only does it instruct us what to do in a variety of emergency situations, it reminds us that life itself is a fleeting moment to be cherished. The haters will tell you it's routine and unlikely to improve your survival odds. Poppycock. What the national anthem is to the Super Bowl, the safety demonstration is to air travel.
So when I see someone as high-profile as Stephen A. badgering the flight attendant for more snacks or pampering immediately after the conclusion of that demonstration, well, I just have to shake my head. The man doesn't get it. This is a time when experienced fliers are supposed to be reflecting on safety protocols. And, more importantly, it's when those new to flying may have important questions. Our flight to New York was uneventful, but what if it hadn't been? What if a child -- an innocent, mind you -- had been put in harm's way because her mother had unanswered doubts about how to tighten the oxygen mask?
That theoretical blood is on your hands, Stephen A. I hope the extra cran-grape juice was worth it.
5. Stephen A. doesn't respect the law.
It's not hard. The seat belt sign goes on, you sit down and buckle up. Rules like these are so simple children can understand them. I don't think Stephen A. Smith is dumber than a child, so why, when he was standing in the aisle and the seat belt sign came on, did he ignore it? Was he busy discussing matters of important national security with another passenger, who was actually a deep cover CIA operative?
Or did he think he was too important to follow directions? The plane already has a trained pilot, Stephen. We don't need you questioning his authority for no good reason.
6. Stephen A. won't clean up his own mess.
I deplaned after Stephen A. Smith did, and as I walked by the spot he'd occupied, I couldn't help but notice something sticking out of the seat back pocket: a napkin. Friends, let me tell you something. Our flight attendants didn't come through once to collect garbage. They didn't come through twice. They came through THREE times. And, like some egocentric Peter, Stephen A. denied them on all three.
Turns out you can judge a man by whether or not he leaves a place better than the way he found it.
from SBNation.com - All Posts http://ift.tt/1B2TQ6L
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