GAMES – Sports Lessons in Doing the Right Thing

Last weekend’s news included the passing of former NBA big man Manute Bol, a native of Sudan who packed very few pounds on his seven-foot, seven-inch frame.
As a professional player people who had never met him criticized him. His appearance made him a target for cynics. I recall a newspaper headline when the Sixers acquired Bol. “Height of Stupidity?” was sprawled across the top of the page.
Only 47, Bol succumbed to kidney and skin problems. His height made him a shot-blocking presence but his calling was to aid his impoverished homeland.
His 10 NBA years with Washington, Golden State, Philadelphia and Miami were nothing compared to his tireless efforts to improve living conditions in Africa. His career stats included 2.6 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.3 blocks per contest. He earned a paycheck for his ability to guard the basket area.
Bol played in Philly during the raucous era of pranksters Charles Barkley and Rick Mahorn, who played countless practical jokes on their unsuspecting teammate.
While his awkward appearance made him the butt of ill-founded humor, Bol will be remembered as a giant among his countrymen.
Last Friday in South Africa the Americans appeared to connect on a go-ahead goal in World Cup action versus Slovenia, but the score was nullified by referee Koman Coulibaly of Mali. FIFA, soccer’s governing body, does not require officials to explain. We are left to speculate about what Coulibaly was contemplating.
Most reasonable observers consider America to be a humanitarian as well as wealthy nation. Uncle Sam is always willing to provide relief to less fortunate countries.
So are we paranoid or does the international sports community give the United States the short end of officiating?
With the Sixers having named Doug Collins as head coach, it’s appropriate to call on Sherman and Mr. Peabody’s “Wayback Machine” for a trip to Munich in 1972.
The U.S. had never lost a basketball game in international competition, taking a 63-0 Olympic record into the gold medal game against the Soviet Union.
Aided by a sub par American performance and the ejection of 6-8 Dwight Jones, the U.S.’s leading scorer and rebounder, the Soviets had the ball and a 49-48 lead as the clock wound down. But with 10 seconds remaining, Collins intercepted a pass and raced to the basket, where he was undercut with three seconds remaining. The talented Illinois State guard hit both free throws, giving the United States a 50-49 lead.
The Soviets tried unsuccessfully to score, but an official had blown a whistle with one second remaining. The USSR was granted a time out and had all three seconds returned to the clock. The ref gave the ball to the Soviets, who subsequently threw it away as the clock was being reset. The U.S., which had already celebrated victory, had to refocus as the Soviets were given one more chance by the Secretary General of FIBA (the International Basketball Federation), who had no authority during a game.
This time, the USSR’s Aleksander Belov caught the long pass and made a lay-up, giving the Soviets a 51-50 victory. The United States’ appeal was rejected by three Soviet bloc nations, and the Americans did not accept their silver medals.
Fast forward to the 2010 World Cup and this quote from U.S. soccer coach Bob Bradley. “We’re all accustomed to the fact that if it’s an NFL playoff game and there’s a call that’s in question, there will be a statement by the league from the referees, but FIFA operates differently,” he said.
“There are some aspects of it that are not 100 percent clear. That seems to add to the discussion about the game. So from our end, we get used to that. And we all have friends and family who ask us the same questions that most of you ask, and you end up saying that’s just how it is sometimes, and then you move on and you get ready for the next game.”
All of this makes the situation involving baseball umpire Jim Joyce and would-be perfect game tosser Armando Galaragga more fascinating. Joyce came clean after televised replays indicated he ruled incorrectly on a close play at first base which cost the young Tiger pitcher a chance at baseball immortality.
Galaragga graciously deflected blame from Joyce. The umpire then made a tearful apology for his incorrect decision. The country rallied around both men. Even those howling for instant replay were stymied by the human element of contrition.
There is a connection between the humanitarian who endured ridicule, a nation which feels the apparent jealousy of the international community and the rewards honesty can bring in the face of crisis.How do you handle such moments? What is the best route to follow? It’s so easy to allow emotions to rule. For most, criticism comes as naturally as shaving.
But you won’t need Mapquest or GPS to find the answer. There are examples every day whether you’re in the ball park, the school yard or corporate headquarters.
Reach Rossi at joerossi61@comcast.net
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