The Notepad Vol. 4 — Dissociation from the Sports Teams I Love
We’re back. It’s Notepad Volume 4. My thoughts in an unedited and unfiltered manner. I’m not going to delay, let’s talk. I will be speaking on DeShaun Watson and Miles Bridges — so if you don’t care for my thoughts on those people — leave.
I don’t think I’ve ever felt as disconnected from the sports teams I love as I do at this moment. I’ll start talking about the Panthers first, since what happened with them was several months back.
I don’t care what the court said about DeShaun Watson — I do know that there’s no chance that 24 women are collectively lying, especially given the circumstances that several of those women had legally, as well as the graphic details that arose throughout the prior months.
I don’t care.
And when the Panthers were actively pursuing him via trade, I don’t know how to describe how I felt. But it was so many negative thoughts. Anger, sadness, disinterest.
I was to the point where I would have stopped following the team I’d spent most of my life following, cheering on, etc — had Watson actually ended up in Charlotte.
And honestly, I still feel guilty in a way. Like — what does it say about me that I still willingly support a team that tried so desperately to bring in a person like DeShaun Watson?
And I feel horrible for Browns fans. Like, what are you supposed to do in that situation? You spend years following a shit franchise only for them to semi-turn things around, only to bring in a serial predator (legally, this is my opinion) a year later.
I feel disconnected from the Panthers since that happened — I’m not sure I’ll ever have the same level of support for that team as I once did. I carry guilt for that.
Moving towards the Hornets. One of their best players, Miles Bridges, was accused of assaulting his girlfriend in front of his two kids. I’ve seen the hospital report and I’ve seen the woman’s Instagram post.
That situation is a bit more unclear, in terms of whether the Hornets will actually sever ties.
The only thing I know is that I have incredibly strong feelings against Miles Bridges ever wearing a Charlotte jersey again.
And yet, I’m still convinced that the team isn’t going to do anything about it. And if that’s the case — if the Hornets refuse to distance themselves from Miles Bridges — I will never have the same interest or passion for the Hornets again.
I don’t give a fuck about the basketball aspect. I’d rather watch a lovable winless team than one that wins the wrong way.
If Bridges suits up for Charlotte again, I won’t riot. I won’t be angry. I’ll be disappointed. And I for damn sure won’t be in the Spectrum Center.
I think it’s important to hold people to a high standard — to always be the best person possible. And doing the wrongs things purely for the sake of winning more games is not something I’ll get behind.
Since I’ve been a sports fan, this moment in time is the most uninterested I’ve ever been in watching or consuming any NFL or NBA product. I just can’t bring myself to have the same investment that I’ve always had.