"You're So Vain": When Celebration Exceeds Itself

(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

I cringed when Phil Jackson put on the “X” hat after his Los Angeles Lakers helped him hoist his record 10th trophy.

I sighed in disbelief as Roger Federer adorned his specially designed “15” sweater, adorned with golden numbering, as he held his gold plate at Wimbledon.

These acts of celebration take the very word to a whole new level and create a parade of pomp and circumstance, the center of which is a personal landmark.

In my mind, it has gone too far. Just minutes after Federer’s defeat of Andy Roddick, he put on the sweater. The second place finisher was right there watching. It’s one thing to be all about yourself; it’s something totally different when you throw it in your opponent’s face like a pie.

The same can be said for Jackson and his post-game antic. Not only was he wearing the hat, but it was a different color than the championship hats that the Lakers wore, which were dark gray.

Jackson stuck out like a pile of dog crap in a rose garden.

As ESPN Magazine's Rick Reilly said in his article on the same subject, “For a Zenmaster, it was very un-Zen.”

The fact that these garments were made before the games were even played perturbs me the most. It’s as if they were so certain that they would win, the very idea of them losing never even crossed their mind.

That, my friends, is pushing some dangerous territory. That’s when you’ve begun to underestimate your opponent.

I cringe at the thought, but you could ask Tom Brady for his thoughts on that.

The thought of these two specific moments makes me mad because both are better human beings than that. Both of these accomplishments were monumental for their respective sports, and for these men to show it off to the world.

It’s not as if no one knew that these events were close to fruition, but to anticipate it beforehand screams 19-0: The Historic Championship Season of the Unbeatable Patriots.

If that thought alone isn’t enough to make any Patriots’ fan vomit, then either Phil Jackson’s or Roger Federer’s acts of egotism should at least be enough to at least make you cringe, if not nauseous.

Sources:

Reilly, Rick. "Life of Reilly". ESPN The Magazine. Aug 10 2009: 76.*

*It should also be noted that I gained inspiration from this article, and wanted to express my thoughts on the matter as well.

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