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Published March 14, 2009 Lessons to be Learned in a Sports Divorce
The NHL trade deadline came and went recently with the Jackets finally being buyers this year, by acquiring young up and coming all around player Antoine Vermette. Congratulations to the flag bearers! Hopefully for the sake of the franchise and the city, a playoff berth is in the cards. Last year's big deadline news was the trade of captain Adam Foote back to the Colorado Avalanche. If you don’t know the whole situation by now, give Columbus Dispatch sports reporter Michael Arace a call, he’ll be more then pleased to give you the rundown, over and over and over again. Obviously the situation ruffled some feathers at the time and the hatred for #52 continues to this day. As I reflected back to that time, it struck me that we are in the midst of another sports divorce and the correlation between the two situations are staggering. I am referencing the ongoing separation between free kicking extraordinaire David Beckham and the MLS’s wanna be super club, the Los Angeles Galaxy. Granted this divorce is certainly more high profile then the case of Foote vs. Stinger & Company, but both share eerily similar circumstances. Foote: When he signed with the CBJ, he looked to embark on a new journey in the post lockout era of NHL hockey. He had won multiple championships in both league and international play, been on teams littered with hall of famers (his domestic teammates consisted of legendary names that included: Sakic, Forsberg, Blake, Bourque, Roy, Hejduk, Karyia, Selanne, Claude Lemieux) and he set the tone for the entire league, as he was the first marquee name to sign a free agent deal in the new NHL. And let’s not forget, the exorbitant amount of money the Jackets threw his way was just as important as any other factor. In stark contrast to his Avalanche teammates, the Blue Jackets had only one bona fide star. Number 61 in your programs, but number 1 in your hearts, Rick Nash. Becks: Like Foote, Becks also looked to embark on a new journey in his career and conquer a fresh challenge. Being the face of an entire league is certainly a challenge, as was the attempt to gain a foothold in America with the Beckham brand. The Beckham brand had already conquered every other sector of the globe, America and I’d assume Antarctica were the only pieces missing from the puzzle. Also parallel to Foote, Sir David had won numerous titles in both league and international competition, and had played on teams loaded with world class caliber players (Rooney, Scholes, Owen, Zidane, Carlos, Giggs, Raul, Ronaldo, just to name a few). The Galaxy now had a dynamic duo of their own, Becks and 25 year old American star Landon Donovan. Foote: After giving it his all for some time, it was clear Foote realized he made a mistake. He was on a last place team and kicking himself for leaving the only city and organization he and his family had ever known. In the Summer of 2007, Foote was quoted by several Denver news outlet as saying "I'd be lying to you, and I think you all are aware, we love Colorado. ... We wish we'd never left, but we did, it's unfortunate, but, it's a business - and one day, you never know ..." Needless to say that was the beginning of the end of his time in Columbus. His heart was in Colorado, his head was in Colorado, but unfortunately for Foote, he was not physically in Colorado. At the deadline the Avs were on a real playoff run, had acquired veterans Scott Hannan and Ryan Smyth before the season and re-signed Peter Forsberg on deadline day. Foote ended up orchestrating a maneuver that was ultimately best for him, his family and in my humble opinion, the two teams as well. You don’t want a player on your team who isn’t 100% committed to your plight. It’s obvious that was the case for Mr. Foote and the Jackets. Becks: Played hurt, came back too early from injury and tried too much in his first season with the Galaxy. He wanted to prove that his game and brand were still as polarizing as ever. He wanted to show America what the Beckham hype was all about. Ultimately, that would be his demise. His injuries never fully healed throughout the duration of his first MLS season, while his second season in La La land was anti-climactic to say the least. The G’s finished first in goals scored, but also first in goals against and ended the season well out of the playoff race. The latter part of the season, it was evident Becks was going through the motions and his head was no longer in Los Angeles. In fact, Beckham’s top priority was breaking the English National Team’s all-time appearance record for field players. He skipped important league games with the Galaxy, in order to play in meaningless exhibition matches with England. In my humble opinion he longed to be surrounded by other superstars and desperately wanted to get the hell out of tinsel town. Earlier this week, Beckham successfully orchestrated a move to stay with AC Milan for the remainder of the Serie A season. Much like Foote, I believe this is a win-win for all parties. Becks is again playing for world powerhouse, AC Milan get to keep their man and the Galaxy are rumored to be getting upwards of $10 million in return. More importantly the Beckham circus is almost over for MLS and the Galaxy.
Due to these messy divorces, fans of both the Galaxy and the Blue Jackets now view the aforementioned individuals as enemy numero uno. Various sectors of supporters from both teams seemed to have taken the stars departures quite personally. As if either should show some blind allegiance to the club they fanatically support. The aforementioned athletes have been vilified and harshly criticized by fans for their hast and seemingly forced departures. I on the other hand completely understand all points of view. As a long time fan of both, it is disappointing for me to see them both be kicked in the face like they have been. Though it is clear both could/should have handled their situations more professionally. Foote was under the impression if he stated his case once, that would be enough to smother the situation. Thus now he refuses to even acknowledge the trade deadline events ever occurred, which in turn only fuels the fire. Becks acted as if his AC Milan move was a simple loan, but it was pretty clear this was to see if he could still hack it with the world’s best. If it was proven that he still could, a permanent move would be the next logical step. Now that the dust has settled, it is now more evident then ever what his intentions really were.
In the end I hope Jacket and Galaxy fans alike will realize that athletes do not owe them anything. Ultimately like us all they’re going to do what is best for themselves and their families, not what is best for the fans. If any of us were in similar predicaments, it is plausible to say that most of our own actions would parallel that of Becks and Foote. Now don't get me wrong, I am not saying I agree with the way either individual dealt with their situation. No, I am simply saying that I do fully understand the reasoning behind their ultimate decision and I wish both of these men nothing but the best as the twilight of their careers rapidly approaches. Unfortunately the proverbial Hollywood ending wasn’t in the script for Becks and the Galaxy. As for Bruce Arena’s new look Tinsel Town Futboler‘s, only the future will tell if the Home Depot Center faithful are better with or without the golden one. And take solace CBJ fans, that Foote and the Avs couldn’t touch the playoffs with a ten foot hockey stick. While the Nationwide Arena faithful are heavily entrenched in all of the post season shenanigans. Sometimes the best moves for the franchises we adore, are the ones we wished wouldn’t have happened in the first place. Hindsight is 20/20 and only the future results will tell us who was correct and who dropped the ball. Go Jackets! Go Galaxy! Go Foote! And Go Becks!
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