By Christian Roy
Many shows run 22 episodes per season, and of late, quite a few shows on networks such as AMC, FX and HBO, among others, only air 13 episodes in a given year. It seems surprising how famous the stars of those shows become, when one considers how little time they spend on the screen.
Then, being a Montreal Canadiens fan, I think of the players, twenty-some men who travel all over Canada and the US to perform in front of huge crowds not 13 times year, and not 22 times a year, but a whooping 82 nights and afternoons throughout every season.
Only soap operas and newscasts boast similar numbers in a year, but then again, soap opera stars and news anchors don't perform in front of some twenty thousand screaming fans on a regular basis.
Then, being a Montreal Canadiens fan, I think of the players, twenty-some men who travel all over Canada and the US to perform in front of huge crowds not 13 times year, and not 22 times a year, but a whooping 82 nights and afternoons throughout every season.
Only soap operas and newscasts boast similar numbers in a year, but then again, soap opera stars and news anchors don't perform in front of some twenty thousand screaming fans on a regular basis.
Musicians can spend years on tour, playing five gigs a week, playing hundreds of shows in the span of twelve months, and sometimes in some pretty massive venues. However, their concerts aren't all filmed and televised, to be seen my millions of folks.
This puts professional sports in a category all its own, and in my heart, hockey in particular, and even deeper than that, my Montreal Canadiens.
They have to contend with a truly staggering level of fame. If they played well, half the world wants to shake their hands and get their picture taken with them. If they had a lousy game, then the fans will communicate their rage with just as much enthusiasm.
In Montreal, a player must always have a good day. With Twitter, Facebook and other such social media, a player's bad attitude toward the hundredth fan to line up for a picture can turn the crowd against him come game time.
Sure, they have publicists and psychologists to help them cope with the never-ending circus of fans on the street, media before, during and after the game, and the omnipresent public eye upon them twenty-four-seven, but on some days, especially on the bad days, it must weigh down upon them like a mountain.
Now the next time you run into an athlete you like, just be nice to him. Forgive him if he's not in the best of moods. Remember he's got his own life and problems, and offer a kind word. He might be in a hurry, so it doesn't mean he doesn't appreciate your support. If you base your opinion of him based on that short meeting, you'll probably
This puts professional sports in a category all its own, and in my heart, hockey in particular, and even deeper than that, my Montreal Canadiens.
They have to contend with a truly staggering level of fame. If they played well, half the world wants to shake their hands and get their picture taken with them. If they had a lousy game, then the fans will communicate their rage with just as much enthusiasm.
In Montreal, a player must always have a good day. With Twitter, Facebook and other such social media, a player's bad attitude toward the hundredth fan to line up for a picture can turn the crowd against him come game time.
Sure, they have publicists and psychologists to help them cope with the never-ending circus of fans on the street, media before, during and after the game, and the omnipresent public eye upon them twenty-four-seven, but on some days, especially on the bad days, it must weigh down upon them like a mountain.
Now the next time you run into an athlete you like, just be nice to him. Forgive him if he's not in the best of moods. Remember he's got his own life and problems, and offer a kind word. He might be in a hurry, so it doesn't mean he doesn't appreciate your support. If you base your opinion of him based on that short meeting, you'll probably
In Montreal, a player must always have a good day. With Twitter, Facebook and other such social media, a player's bad attitude toward the hundredth fan to line up for a picture can turn the crowd against him come game time.
Sure, they have publicists and psychologists to help them cope with the never-ending circus of fans on the street, media before, during and after the game, and the omnipresent public eye upon them twenty-four-seven, but on some days, especially on the bad days, it must weigh down upon them like a mountain.
Now the next time you run into an athlete you like, just be nice to him. Forgive him if he's not in the best of moods. Remember he's got his own life and problems, and offer a kind word. He might be in a hurry, so it doesn't mean he doesn't appreciate your support. If you base your opinion of him based on that short meeting, you'll probably be way off target.
The players on our favorite team, no matter what sport we're talking about, are important for a reason: they inspire us, and they do their best to be model citizens. Most of the time, they're pretty amazing at it, too.
About the Author:
Sure, they have publicists and psychologists to help them cope with the never-ending circus of fans on the street, media before, during and after the game, and the omnipresent public eye upon them twenty-four-seven, but on some days, especially on the bad days, it must weigh down upon them like a mountain.
Now the next time you run into an athlete you like, just be nice to him. Forgive him if he's not in the best of moods. Remember he's got his own life and problems, and offer a kind word. He might be in a hurry, so it doesn't mean he doesn't appreciate your support. If you base your opinion of him based on that short meeting, you'll probably be way off target.
The players on our favorite team, no matter what sport we're talking about, are important for a reason: they inspire us, and they do their best to be model citizens. Most of the time, they're pretty amazing at it, too.
About the Author:
Click here to know more about being afan of the Habs, or here to know more about why the Habs are so great.