Joey Johns

I'd like to discuss Andrew (Joey) Johns and his outburst during a recent Rugby League match (and that's League, not football. League, Union, Aussie rules, Gridiron, Lord help me! and football - so called because the feet are the primary method of moving the ball. It's not hard. Not complicated. Football. No such thing as bloody 'soccer'. Soccer - what the hell does that mean? Tch!). But that's a whole other post; stay tuned for that!
For my international visitors, let me briefly explain who he his. In a word - the Messiah of international League, virtually, if the adoration of the Australian League supporters is anything to go by. For me, he seems like a rather decent chap and is touted as arguably the best League player there is, period.
Okay, got that, good. I'll continue:

In a recent game of said league, he was so annoyed at a bad call made by a linesman, that he called him a - and I quote - effin' cee. Remember, this is a verbatim report - these are his words, not mine. I'm merely a non-partisan reporter and this is an analysis of events - in no way for shock value. If you can't or don't want to accept this then...go away and play with your dollies, frankly, and let the adults talk. In the name of accuracy, the offending words (and entire reason for this post, and Johns tribunal) have been recorded.

Opinion on the matter has been wide and varied; one side maintains that, as a public figure, with the associated influence he has on young people, he should be more aware of what he says. The other side, argues that the punishment (4 match ban) is way to extreme and that he's being singled out because he's a high profile player.

Let me just say this; If you as a parent can't teach (yeah, teach. Stop making it everyone elses job) your child the difference between appropriate and inappropriate language at any given time, then you've failed. As my dear old mother used to say - 'if he stuck his hand in the fire, would you do it too?' And it's a fair point. When I was a youngster, football stars swore all the time, actually, they spat a lot too. That's illegal now isn't it? - didn't make me want to copy them. Sure, I wanted to be like them as far as their skills were concerned, but I knew and was taught by my parents that the cursing wasn't to what I should aspire.

Another thing; this is top competition rugby. In which tempers get frayed, players get hurt and things get said. They are tough men, slamming their bodies into one another in a desperate attempt to be victorious. Words uttered in 'the heat of battle' mean nothing, and how many times have we seen brawls involving 4,5,6 or more players? It's a way of venting to a certain degree and widely accepted by all involved, officials included. This isn't lawn bowls or table tennis; these games are promoted as titanic struggles between two powerhouse teams and as such, moments of...questionable language should be expected. Moreover, the language wasn't even actually heard - it was lip-read. Talk about a storm in a teacup!

Bottom line, it was only two swearwords. SETTLE DOWN PEOPLE, IT'S ONLY A WORD.
If I was he, and held in such high esteem, and after 13 years at the top of his game I'd tell then to stop being so ridiculous and get stuffed. He's close to retirement anyway.

This is the bloody namby-pamby's again. Ooh! We've got to protect our kids from such bad influence. If your kid is so easily led that he or she will imitate everything they see, then that's your fault - no-one elses. Kids have influences from all quarters; a parents job is to filter them and steer the kid the right direction. Not kick up so much fuss that the offender gets charged. What do you suggest - that we eradicate all cursing. 'S not gonna happen, I tell ye. Cursewords are as much a part of the language as anythin else. Get over it, teach your kids that sometimes people swear and STOP YOUR BLOODY WHINING!
These games are so intense with the players so determined to succeed that when a bad call unfairly halts your efforts in their tracks, the frustration is almost palpaple. The people most complaining about this don't understand the pressure at times in top-class, physical sport. When, as a player, you're giving it all to cross that line (think any sports drink ad), a call (right or wrong) can push you over the edge. A bit of foul language is to be expected. Has anyone even asked the linesmans opinion on the matter. I'll wager he couldn't care less.

Anyway, it's all nonsense. Everyone take a step back and wind your necks in! Oh, update; turns out, I've just seen on TV, his charge was downgraded. Two weeks instead of four. Whoopy-bloody-doo! The pro-Joey crowd must've made much noise.

He still got reprimanded though. Naughty Joey; bad Joey; go stand in the corner until you learn the error of your ways. Heh-heh