NFL Linebackers, John McEnroe, and the WSOP

[PDosterM]

In recent years I have grown weary of watching NFL linebackers go into these almost choreographed celebrations after they make a tackle. One tackle! Give me a break.

I see a similar trend in the World Series of Poker and other televised tournaments. Someone wins a hand, leaps up, makes whooping sounds, high fives his friends, and hugs his mother. One hand! Give me a break.

I understand that televising poker has been of tremendous benefit to the game, but there seems to be a downside as well. I would hate to see this behavior become accepted.

I just finished watching the WSOP Tournament of Champions. Phil Helmuth’s behavior when he took second place is exactly what one would expect if John McEnroe played cards instead of tennis. There is already a level of rudeness in cardrooms by a few players, and I worry that Helmuth adds respectability to this style.

With the exception of sunglass and the Oscar winning “let-me-agonize-about-whether-to-raise-with-the-nuts” acting, the cardroom in which I play hasn’t seen a great deal of WSOP antics emulation.

My question is: are any of you beginning to see some of the more egregious behaviors cropping up where you play?