SI Sportsman of the Year

Saying Chris Benoit should be Sportsman of the Year is like voting him for Father of the Year. Doesn't make sense.

 

No different from some of the controversial Men of the Year for Time Magazine. Man/Sportsman of the Year doesn't always have to be a "good/nice" person. Sometimes it's someone who makes a great impact, positive or negative, and sometimes it's a Vicodin addict. (Hi buckdubs and Zeke!)

 

It's a little different, because I don't remember many SI Sportsmen of the Year who were chosen for "the most impact" without that impact being in most ways viewed as positive.

I could be wrong, as I don't have a list in front of me, but I really doubt Bonds or Benoit were ever in the running, for instance.

 

Well, Hitler and Osama actually had a major impact on the world and on this nation. Benoit's impact wasn't even Top 5 in this year alone.

 

I'm not saying it has been a criteria for SOY, but I think it should be. Grow some balls, SI, and take a chance once in a while.

 

So let's name Michael Vick SOY then, while we're at it.

 

Why? Has there been a major dogfighting ring busted among NFL players? What impact has he had, besides on the Falcons and canines in eastern Virginia?

 

I was going along the same logic that Chris Benoit should be named SOY. Both did horrible, malicious things, but they go hand-in-hand with the impact they had.

 

Wlat [/bym]

 

Excellent.

 

Dude, canine-Americans. Please.
Thank you.

 

It's called "Sportsman" of the Year, as in, someone who exemplifies good sportsmanship. There is no way that Bonds or Benoit fits that description. There's a reason they don't call it Man of the Year or Athlete of the Year or the Most Influential Person in Sports. Just being a major newsmaker doesn't cut it.