Beckham Conquering America (Puke)

Off Topic
21

I’ll just be the voice of eastern germany here:
Nobody in my area knows about Tiger Woods, unless they used to be computer geeks and played a demo of his golf sim.

All die-hard soccer fans here have heard of David Beckham, but believe him to be your average soccer player, one name within a sea of names.

Absolutely NO ONE here has a clue what american football is.

All that people do for sports here is play soccer half-heartedly in their youth as well as ride a bicycle if necessary.

There’s some Ice Hockey (rare, mostly competitive) and Handball (even rarer, also mostly competitive), as well as skiing (for fun during the holidays)… That’s it.

At least you guys have some higher T sports going on in your countries.

Beginning trainees over here have totals of about 250 pounds… And I’m not joking.

22

[quote]blazindave wrote:
I find Tiger woods and Beckham to be not too impressive. Sure they are good at their sport but to consider them “elite athletes” is bullshit. People like Lance or Dean Karnazes or elite athletes. Fedor is an elite athlete, etc.
[/quote]

I think what you must mean is that you don’t respect their sports. However, I can’t understand you not appreciating soccer. Weren’t you the one training for a triathlon? The endurance you have to have for soccer is astounding. It’s 90 minutes of running. I’ve read that the average soccer midfielder runs 15 miles a game. If you are an endurance athlete, you have to respect that.

23

[quote]Polish Rifle wrote:
WhiteFlash wrote:
I honestly don’t give a shit about soccer or anything soccer related. I have no idea why this guy got as famous as he has. He’s a good looking guy, but no more so than any random good looking guy at the local club and he’s obviously not the best in his proffession. With that, I saw an interview with him and he came across as a pretty cool and humble guy.

That’s exactly why the lemmings of our country love him: He’s good looking, marketable, and filthy rich. Those of the People magazine ilk eat this shit up on a regular basis…

I live in Wisconsin and no one gives a rip about him here either.

Apologies to the Eurpoeans T-Nation members, but Soccer sucks. I’ll take 1 Carlos Zambrano over 500 David Beckhams.

Bend this Beck.
[/quote]

no no no…the MLS sucks…FOOTBALL or SOCCER as many call it here in the States is an awesome sport.

24

[quote]FlavaDave wrote:
Beckham is famous because he was great at arching the ball. Thus, when he takes a free kick he can get the ball over the heads of the wall and it will come back down so it doesn’t fly over the goal. His niche is the reason he is famous, not because he was supposed to be the best all around.

I can think of at least 2 players who had a better technique and aren’t recognized like Backham is.

This is Roberto Carlos against the French…he is short and not the best looking guy, see a pattern?

25

Really, Beckham does not get much press in the sports pages or on the sports shows here in the U.S. which is why it’s laughable that they say he’s taking the U.S. by storm. He is nothing more than just another Hollywood celebrity. He just happens to be a professional athlete, but he is clearly not dominating the sport or the sports scene over here.

DB

26

[quote]lixy wrote:
FightingScott wrote:
I give Tiger Woods the title of America’s most famous athlete and probably the world’s most famous. Seriously, golf is bigger than a lot of us would like to admit.

You don’t go out much, do you?[/quote]

Enlighten me. Whose the most famous athlete?

The simple fact is, American Culture is a pretty dominant force throughout the world for better or, many times, for worse.

And Americans are far more obsessed with spectator sports and entertainment than any other country. Don’t argue against that. I don’t think it’s a title we should wear proudly either. It’s just the facts.

Because of America’s relativly large population, where virtually everyone is glued to a TV set, whoever is the most famous in the United States is probably the most famous in the world. I’m not trying to express any narcissism here. I’m simply saying that us Americans are the ones glued to the Television. We’re the one’s obsessing over the stars. We’re the audience, and everyone else in the world for the most part is too smart to care or too busy trying to survive.

Ever notice that whatever musical artist is the most successful in America is usually the most successful in the entire world. Maybe it’s because other societies tastes are following suit. Wait, no. It’s because there are so many consumers of entertainment in the United States that we make up the majority of people who regularly watch sports, buy music, and go out to movies.

So just because someone isn’t famous in Sweeden doesn’t anything. Tiger is so famous in the eyes of so many Americans, and probably a bunch of golf lovers int he UK as well, that he manages to be the worlds most famous “athlete” even if entire countries don’t give a damn about him.

I seriously doubt whomever is a big deal in Sweeden or even all of Europe can match the name recognition that Tiger Woods has.

If China has some hot shot super-star that they focus all their attention on, then that athlete is probably THE MOST FAMOUS athlete in the world even if no one outside of China has heard of them. But since most of China’s population is Rural, and Nationalism and the communist party probably wouldn’t permit so much fame being focused on one person, I doubt that is the case.

I also doubt that Indians are paying that much attention to Sports, so despite their larger population they can’t provide an audience of entertainment consumers to match that of the United States because they don’t care enough. They’re probably too busy trying to stay alive.

So what’s the worlds 3rd Largest country? That’s right. THE UNITED STATES. And EVERYONE here knows that Tiger Woods is a huge deal whether their golf nuts who spend thousands on Club Memberships and Golf Bags or their Amateur Strongman Competitors who are flabbergasted that Golf is considered more of a sport than their own athletic pursuits.

27

Beckham? Is he still playing? I haven’t heard a peep about him since he was supposed to popularize soccer about a year ago.

I coach soccer and kids don’t even wear his jersey.

28

[quote]FightingScott wrote:
lixy wrote:
FightingScott wrote:
I give Tiger Woods the title of America’s most famous athlete and probably the world’s most famous. Seriously, golf is bigger than a lot of us would like to admit.

You don’t go out much, do you?

Enlighten me. Whose the most famous athlete?

The simple fact is, American Culture is a pretty dominant force throughout the world for better or, many times, for worse.

And Americans are far more obsessed with spectator sports and entertainment than any other country. Don’t argue against that. I don’t think it’s a title we should wear proudly either. It’s just the facts.

Because of America’s relativly large population, where virtually everyone is glued to a TV set, whoever is the most famous in the United States is probably the most famous in the world. I’m not trying to express any narcissism here. I’m simply saying that us Americans are the ones glued to the Television. We’re the one’s obsessing over the stars. We’re the audience, and everyone else in the world for the most part is too smart to care or too busy trying to survive.

Ever notice that whatever musical artist is the most successful in America is usually the most successful in the entire world. Maybe it’s because other societies tastes are following suit. Wait, no. It’s because there are so many consumers of entertainment in the United States that we make up the majority of people who regularly watch sports, buy music, and go out to movies.

So just because someone isn’t famous in Sweeden doesn’t anything. Tiger is so famous in the eyes of so many Americans, and probably a bunch of golf lovers int he UK as well, that he manages to be the worlds most famous “athlete” even if entire countries don’t give a damn about him.

I seriously doubt whomever is a big deal in Sweeden or even all of Europe can match the name recognition that Tiger Woods has.

If China has some hot shot super-star that they focus all their attention on, then that athlete is probably THE MOST FAMOUS athlete in the world even if no one outside of China has heard of them. But since most of China’s population is Rural, and Nationalism and the communist party probably wouldn’t permit so much fame being focused on one person, I doubt that is the case.

I also doubt that Indians are paying that much attention to Sports, so despite their larger population they can’t provide an audience of entertainment consumers to match that of the United States because they don’t care enough. They’re probably too busy trying to stay alive.

So what’s the worlds 3rd Largest country? That’s right. THE UNITED STATES. And EVERYONE here knows that Tiger Woods is a huge deal whether their golf nuts who spend thousands on Club Memberships and Golf Bags or their Amateur Strongman Competitors who are flabbergasted that Golf is considered more of a sport than their own athletic pursuits. [/quote]

I think I understand where you’re coming from, but your post actually proves his point. The U.S. is more influential on the world than non-Americans like to think, but we are not nearly as influential as most Americans think either.

DB

29

[quote]ronaldo7 wrote:
FlavaDave wrote:
Beckham is famous because he was great at arching the ball. Thus, when he takes a free kick he can get the ball over the heads of the wall and it will come back down so it doesn’t fly over the goal. His niche is the reason he is famous, not because he was supposed to be the best all around.

I can think of at least 2 players who had a better technique and aren’t recognized like Backham is.

This is Roberto Carlos against the French…he is short and not the best looking guy, see a pattern?

[/quote]

Yes. I see a pattern of conspiracy theorists.

30

[quote]dollarbill44 wrote:
FightingScott wrote:
lixy wrote:
FightingScott wrote:
I give Tiger Woods the title of America’s most famous athlete and probably the world’s most famous. Seriously, golf is bigger than a lot of us would like to admit.

You don’t go out much, do you?

Enlighten me. Whose the most famous athlete?

The simple fact is, American Culture is a pretty dominant force throughout the world for better or, many times, for worse.

And Americans are far more obsessed with spectator sports and entertainment than any other country. Don’t argue against that. I don’t think it’s a title we should wear proudly either. It’s just the facts.

Because of America’s relativly large population, where virtually everyone is glued to a TV set, whoever is the most famous in the United States is probably the most famous in the world. I’m not trying to express any narcissism here. I’m simply saying that us Americans are the ones glued to the Television. We’re the one’s obsessing over the stars. We’re the audience, and everyone else in the world for the most part is too smart to care or too busy trying to survive.

Ever notice that whatever musical artist is the most successful in America is usually the most successful in the entire world. Maybe it’s because other societies tastes are following suit. Wait, no. It’s because there are so many consumers of entertainment in the United States that we make up the majority of people who regularly watch sports, buy music, and go out to movies.

So just because someone isn’t famous in Sweeden doesn’t anything. Tiger is so famous in the eyes of so many Americans, and probably a bunch of golf lovers int he UK as well, that he manages to be the worlds most famous “athlete” even if entire countries don’t give a damn about him.

I seriously doubt whomever is a big deal in Sweeden or even all of Europe can match the name recognition that Tiger Woods has.

If China has some hot shot super-star that they focus all their attention on, then that athlete is probably THE MOST FAMOUS athlete in the world even if no one outside of China has heard of them. But since most of China’s population is Rural, and Nationalism and the communist party probably wouldn’t permit so much fame being focused on one person, I doubt that is the case.

I also doubt that Indians are paying that much attention to Sports, so despite their larger population they can’t provide an audience of entertainment consumers to match that of the United States because they don’t care enough. They’re probably too busy trying to stay alive.

So what’s the worlds 3rd Largest country? That’s right. THE UNITED STATES. And EVERYONE here knows that Tiger Woods is a huge deal whether their golf nuts who spend thousands on Club Memberships and Golf Bags or their Amateur Strongman Competitors who are flabbergasted that Golf is considered more of a sport than their own athletic pursuits.

I think I understand where you’re coming from, but your post actually proves his point. The U.S. is more influential on the world than non-Americans like to think, but we are not nearly as influential as most Americans think either.

DB[/quote]

I’m not trying to sound cocky. I’m just saying that America dictates whose the most popular.

I don’t get out much? What if I traveled the world and did a large scale survey of who was the most famous sports figure currently competing. I’d probably find that Americans care the most about sports and entertainment, and that Tiger would be the most popular even if entire nations didn’t know who he was or that golf is televised.

31

[quote]FightingScott wrote:
dollarbill44 wrote:
FightingScott wrote:
lixy wrote:
FightingScott wrote:
I give Tiger Woods the title of America’s most famous athlete and probably the world’s most famous. Seriously, golf is bigger than a lot of us would like to admit.

You don’t go out much, do you?

Enlighten me. Whose the most famous athlete?

The simple fact is, American Culture is a pretty dominant force throughout the world for better or, many times, for worse.

And Americans are far more obsessed with spectator sports and entertainment than any other country. Don’t argue against that. I don’t think it’s a title we should wear proudly either. It’s just the facts.

Because of America’s relativly large population, where virtually everyone is glued to a TV set, whoever is the most famous in the United States is probably the most famous in the world. I’m not trying to express any narcissism here. I’m simply saying that us Americans are the ones glued to the Television. We’re the one’s obsessing over the stars. We’re the audience, and everyone else in the world for the most part is too smart to care or too busy trying to survive.

Ever notice that whatever musical artist is the most successful in America is usually the most successful in the entire world. Maybe it’s because other societies tastes are following suit. Wait, no. It’s because there are so many consumers of entertainment in the United States that we make up the majority of people who regularly watch sports, buy music, and go out to movies.

So just because someone isn’t famous in Sweeden doesn’t anything. Tiger is so famous in the eyes of so many Americans, and probably a bunch of golf lovers int he UK as well, that he manages to be the worlds most famous “athlete” even if entire countries don’t give a damn about him.

I seriously doubt whomever is a big deal in Sweeden or even all of Europe can match the name recognition that Tiger Woods has.

If China has some hot shot super-star that they focus all their attention on, then that athlete is probably THE MOST FAMOUS athlete in the world even if no one outside of China has heard of them. But since most of China’s population is Rural, and Nationalism and the communist party probably wouldn’t permit so much fame being focused on one person, I doubt that is the case.

I also doubt that Indians are paying that much attention to Sports, so despite their larger population they can’t provide an audience of entertainment consumers to match that of the United States because they don’t care enough. They’re probably too busy trying to stay alive.

So what’s the worlds 3rd Largest country? That’s right. THE UNITED STATES. And EVERYONE here knows that Tiger Woods is a huge deal whether their golf nuts who spend thousands on Club Memberships and Golf Bags or their Amateur Strongman Competitors who are flabbergasted that Golf is considered more of a sport than their own athletic pursuits.

I think I understand where you’re coming from, but your post actually proves his point. The U.S. is more influential on the world than non-Americans like to think, but we are not nearly as influential as most Americans think either.

DB

I’m not trying to sound cocky. I’m just saying that America dictates whose the most popular.

I don’t get out much? What if I traveled the world and did a large scale survey of who was the most famous sports figure currently competing. I’d probably find that Americans care the most about sports and entertainment, and that Tiger would be the most popular even if entire nations didn’t know who he was or that golf is televised. [/quote]

I think you’d be surprised about what you would find if you traveled the world. And I highly recommend it.

DB

32

I asked a female friend once what was so great about Beckham. She said, “He’s SUCH a bad boy. Yum.”

Ok, seriously?

There are plenty of ‘bad boys’ out there. This guy is a tool and so are all the women that fall for the silly image he (or the media) is trying to project.

It’s like watching a chick that dresses slutty and thinking she’ll suck your dick if you say hello to her. Don’t all the women try to remind you that you can’t necessarily equate those two?

And then those same women wonder why guys try to lie to them and act a certain way; because there are plenty of women who’ll fall for it!

33

[quote]FightingScott wrote:
lixy wrote:
FightingScott wrote:
I give Tiger Woods the title of America’s most famous athlete and probably the world’s most famous. Seriously, golf is bigger than a lot of us would like to admit.

You don’t go out much, do you?

Enlighten me. Whose the most famous athlete?

The simple fact is, American Culture is a pretty dominant force throughout the world for better or, many times, for worse.

And Americans are far more obsessed with spectator sports and entertainment than any other country. Don’t argue against that. I don’t think it’s a title we should wear proudly either. It’s just the facts.

Because of America’s relativly large population, where virtually everyone is glued to a TV set, whoever is the most famous in the United States is probably the most famous in the world. I’m not trying to express any narcissism here. I’m simply saying that us Americans are the ones glued to the Television. We’re the one’s obsessing over the stars. We’re the audience, and everyone else in the world for the most part is too smart to care or too busy trying to survive.

Ever notice that whatever musical artist is the most successful in America is usually the most successful in the entire world. Maybe it’s because other societies tastes are following suit. Wait, no. It’s because there are so many consumers of entertainment in the United States that we make up the majority of people who regularly watch sports, buy music, and go out to movies.

So just because someone isn’t famous in Sweeden doesn’t anything. Tiger is so famous in the eyes of so many Americans, and probably a bunch of golf lovers int he UK as well, that he manages to be the worlds most famous “athlete” even if entire countries don’t give a damn about him.

I seriously doubt whomever is a big deal in Sweeden or even all of Europe can match the name recognition that Tiger Woods has.

If China has some hot shot super-star that they focus all their attention on, then that athlete is probably THE MOST FAMOUS athlete in the world even if no one outside of China has heard of them. But since most of China’s population is Rural, and Nationalism and the communist party probably wouldn’t permit so much fame being focused on one person, I doubt that is the case.

I also doubt that Indians are paying that much attention to Sports, so despite their larger population they can’t provide an audience of entertainment consumers to match that of the United States because they don’t care enough. They’re probably too busy trying to stay alive.

So what’s the worlds 3rd Largest country? That’s right. THE UNITED STATES. And EVERYONE here knows that Tiger Woods is a huge deal whether their golf nuts who spend thousands on Club Memberships and Golf Bags or their Amateur Strongman Competitors who are flabbergasted that Golf is considered more of a sport than their own athletic pursuits. [/quote]

Dude, I thought for sure that was going to start with “Four score and seven years ago” or something…helluva term paper you put together there.

But you have a few contradictory points, but I think your main message is one that I can spell out here:

America is obsessed with American sports.
The rest of the world is NOT obsessed with American sports.
There are people in the rest of the world that have no idea who alot of the BIG sports people are.
WHy?
Those other people have better things to do (stay alive, etc.)
This is also a percentages/statistics issue, since places like China and India have the numbers, and those numbers by and large do NOT give a damn/notice American sports.

That being said, to say that simply because I’ve heard of it (as an American) and you haven’t (as someone from another country) means that you’re sheltered and I’m ahead of the curve is some self-centered shit.

34

Wait, so thats not a misplaced picture of Justin Timberlake in the first post?

35

[quote]FightingScott wrote:
I’m not trying to sound cocky. I’m just saying that America dictates whose the most popular. [/quote]

In many areas, that is the case. But here, it’s definitely not.

Golf is not “big” by any standard, and Woods is not the most popular sportsman in the world.

Eh? This makes no sense whatsoever.

It’d be a different story if he was competing in something popular. Think football, boxing, etc.

Let me add that if not going out much gave you the wrong impression about the popularity of golf, it’s your lack of logical abilities that makes you conclude that Wood is “the most popular”.

36

[quote]lixy wrote:
FightingScott wrote:
I’m not trying to sound cocky. I’m just saying that America dictates whose the most popular.

In many areas, that is the case. But here, it’s definitely not.

Golf is not “big” by any standard, and Woods is not the most popular sportsman in the world.

I don’t get out much? What if I traveled the world and did a large scale survey of who was the most famous sports figure currently competing. I’d probably find that Americans care the most about sports and entertainment, and that Tiger would be the most popular even if entire nations didn’t know who he was or that golf is televised.

Eh? This makes no sense whatsoever.

It’d be a different story if he was competing in something popular. Think football, boxing, etc.

Let me add that if not going out much gave you the wrong impression about the popularity of golf, it’s your lack of logical abilities that makes you conclude that Wood is “the most popular”.[/quote]

I think his point was strictly based in percentages. 3 billion folks in China and India (not the real number - please for the sake of argument go with it) that are in rural areas PROBABLY don’t know who Tiger Woods is. So, his argument hold on a percentage basis.

But that’s why statistics SUCK…you can twist them however you want.

I could ask 1000 ‘people’ if they knew who Tiger Woods was in the US and get over 900 of them to say no, if I asked a bunch of 3 year olds. Hey look - 90% of Americans surveyed don’t know who Tiger Woods is! Apparently BARNEY is the best known athlete in the world!

37

[quote]LightsOutLuthor wrote:
lixy wrote:
FightingScott wrote:
I’m not trying to sound cocky. I’m just saying that America dictates whose the most popular.

In many areas, that is the case. But here, it’s definitely not.

Golf is not “big” by any standard, and Woods is not the most popular sportsman in the world.

I don’t get out much? What if I traveled the world and did a large scale survey of who was the most famous sports figure currently competing. I’d probably find that Americans care the most about sports and entertainment, and that Tiger would be the most popular even if entire nations didn’t know who he was or that golf is televised.

Eh? This makes no sense whatsoever.

It’d be a different story if he was competing in something popular. Think football, boxing, etc.

Let me add that if not going out much gave you the wrong impression about the popularity of golf, it’s your lack of logical abilities that makes you conclude that Wood is “the most popular”.

I think his point was strictly based in percentages. 3 billion folks in China and India (not the real number - please for the sake of argument go with it) that are in rural areas PROBABLY don’t know who Tiger Woods is. So, his argument hold on a percentage basis. [/quote]

FightingScott’s argument was that Woods is “PROBABLY” the most popular sports figure in the world. Which is false since, as you just said, lots of Indians and Chinese don’t know who he is.

Clear enough?

38

[quote]lixy wrote:
LightsOutLuthor wrote:
lixy wrote:
FightingScott wrote:
I’m not trying to sound cocky. I’m just saying that America dictates whose the most popular.

In many areas, that is the case. But here, it’s definitely not.

Golf is not “big” by any standard, and Woods is not the most popular sportsman in the world.

I don’t get out much? What if I traveled the world and did a large scale survey of who was the most famous sports figure currently competing. I’d probably find that Americans care the most about sports and entertainment, and that Tiger would be the most popular even if entire nations didn’t know who he was or that golf is televised.

Eh? This makes no sense whatsoever.

It’d be a different story if he was competing in something popular. Think football, boxing, etc.

Let me add that if not going out much gave you the wrong impression about the popularity of golf, it’s your lack of logical abilities that makes you conclude that Wood is “the most popular”.

I think his point was strictly based in percentages. 3 billion folks in China and India (not the real number - please for the sake of argument go with it) that are in rural areas PROBABLY don’t know who Tiger Woods is. So, his argument hold on a percentage basis.

FightingScott’s argument was that Woods is “PROBABLY” the most popular sports figure in the world. Which is false since, as you just said, lots of Indians and Chinese don’t know who he is.

Clear enough?[/quote]

Tiger Woods is one of the best known people on the planet.

39

[quote]FightingScott wrote:
blazindave wrote:
I find Tiger woods and Beckham to be not too impressive. Sure they are good at their sport but to consider them “elite athletes” is bullshit. People like Lance or Dean Karnazes or elite athletes. Fedor is an elite athlete, etc.

Tiger Woods dominates his sport like no one else dominates their sport right now. You can’t ignore what he’s achieved whether you believe golf is a sport or not. The guy isn’t famous for his good looks. He’s famous for being the point that the rest of his sport revolves around. [/quote]

I understand that. And yes, he is a golfing machine.
However if someone dominated bowling, would that make them the ZOMFG BEST ATHLETE EVAR??!!! How about curling?
That’s what i mean by the not impressive.
Excuse my biased mind, but i find golf to be more of a skill than a sport.

40

[quote]DoubleDuce wrote:
blazindave wrote:
I find Tiger woods and Beckham to be not too impressive. Sure they are good at their sport but to consider them “elite athletes” is bullshit. People like Lance or Dean Karnazes or elite athletes. Fedor is an elite athlete, etc.

I think what you must mean is that you don’t respect their sports. However, I can’t understand you not appreciating soccer. Weren’t you the one training for a triathlon? The endurance you have to have for soccer is astounding. It’s 90 minutes of running. I’ve read that the average soccer midfielder runs 15 miles a game. If you are an endurance athlete, you have to respect that.[/quote]

Hold on, my point is that they are not “ELITE” athletes. I respect Tiger Woods for the amazing golfer and athlete he is (even though imo i dont really find golf to be a sport but rather a skill, sorry) and Beckham and the like are very skilled too. I lived in Europe practically my whole life, i know how awesome soccer is.

The shit some people can do with a ball is incredible and the kicking power they have is also quite amazing.

However to label the most commercial athletes as the absolute elite is utter bullshit. If they were the ultimate athletes then ok, but they arent. And i’m not hating on them because of commercialisment (sp), just that i find they are not elite athletes. People who can power clean 400 pounds or run 500 miles non stop, those are the true ELITE athletes. But just acknowledging very famous athletes in very accessible sports as the best ever ZOMFG WORLD ASPLOSION!! is a bit ridiculous.
I’m sorry if i come off as retarded but that’s how i see it.