LeBron James to DeAngelo Hall: The Augmentation of the Videogame Athlete

Remember when video games were simple? When you would play "Super Tecmo Bowl" and the only way you could tell which team and player you were playing with was by number and team color?

Then came new projects like "Primetime NFL featuring Deion Sanders" and "Charles Barkley Shut-up and Jam." Back when, these games seemed harmless and only served as entertainment for kids and adults to live out their big league dreams through the Sega Genesis and Super Nintendo.

But things have changed. Now we have athletes that grace the covers of various video games like John Madden football and EA Sports basketball staple, "NBA Live."

Being awarded the cover of a video game can prove to be very lucrative. Many athletes see their earning potential raise because of the exposure afforded to them by appearing on the cover of "Madden" or "NBA Live."

Not only are sports figures concerned with how they are perceived on the field, but off the field as well, video game wise.

A few days ago LeBron James and his Cleveland Cavaliers lost Game Six of the Eastern Conference Finals to the Orlando Magic.

Once the final buzzer sounded, James casually walked off the court without shaking hands or giving congratulations to his Olympic buddy and teammate, Dwight Howard. Let alone the players of the Orlando Magic.

LeBron seemed to be so upset that he skipped out on the media after the game, choosing to sit on the team bus with his headphones on. Left to ponder the what if’s of the season that just ended.  

James has since been chided by the media for his actions, some calling him a "spoiled athlete."

Well, Washington Redskins cornerback DeAngelo Hall may fall into that same category as James.

At a recent Washington Redskins minicamp, Hall stated that his recent bump in play was due to his current “Madden rating.” So in essence, DeAngelo isn’t playing well because he feels that he has something to prove or he just wants to get better.

His rating on the new “Madden 10” has dropped from 93 last season to a paltry 68 this year. That’s his main reasoning for the recent up tick in his performance.

While I’m sure the Washington Redskins are OK with Hall’s upgrade in play, should he really have that much concern over his skill rating in a video game?

Way back when the media was only regulated to interview players after the game and John Madden was still a football coach for the Raiders, players were more concerned about their play on the field and how their improvement would contribute to the team.

LeBron James' reasoning for walking off of the court was that he hates to lose and that he’s a winner. That’s still no reason to take your ball and go home because you lost a game.

Plus at last check, LeBron has yet to win anything in the NBA. So should he really label himself as a winning basketball player yet?

I understand that James had a mission to win his first NBA Championship. Yet there was no mention of how he let the city, his team, and himself down. James talked about how great he felt about his team and how he can’t wait to get back at it next season.

Hall, on the other hand, has displayed a "John Madden complex" since his debut in the league. He has fought with opposing players, teammates, and declared himself the best cornerback in the league, having logged 22 career interceptions.

So is there a problem with athletes sulking on superficial issues?

In the case of LeBron James, he has no excuse not to shake the hand of his opponent. Most boys who have participated in little league sports are taught about the art and nature of good sportsmanship.

Seems as if LeBron either missed that part or is too wrapped up in himself to participate.

In regards to DeAngelo Hall, I’m afraid that we are seeing the arrival of sports individuals who are more concerned with their video game score or how they are perceived and viewed on radio, sports talk shows, and ESPN than if they perform well on the field and with their teammates.

But is it bad that so many athletes are in the business of self promotion? After all, isn’t that a thread within the fabric of American society?

LeBron James had his basketball games televised on ESPN and a brand new hummer before he graduated high school.

Do you think he had a sense of entitlement before the Cavs made him their No. 1 pick six years ago?

From our athletes, I’m just looking for a little more accountability and substance involved in their decisions. You lost a game, OK, so what. Go and shake your opponents hand to show a little respect to the team.

For DeAngelo Hall, really? You sign a lucrative contract after you were noting short of a bust in Oakland, and your play improves because you are disappointed in your Madden rating? What about being embarrassed because you were burned by Eddie Royal, a rookie wide receiver for the Broncos, last season.

Then again, with video games becoming a billion-dollar industry and so many people becoming professional gamers, isn’t this road we are headed down anyway?

-JH