To keep the comments as fresh and outstanding as they've been up to this point, we've commissioned Commenting Guru Rob Iracane to write a bi-weekly Comment Ombudsman column. It runs every other week. This is that week.
Mr. Iracane is the guy who approves and deletes comments around here, and the fellow to whom you should address any comment account requests, and he will explore issues involved in commenting, what makes a great comment thread, what's working, what isn't, answer your questions, so on. We want the place to continue to be as much fun as it is every day, and it's not an execution thread like our friends at Gawker do. We like to be inclusive here, because if we're not, we'd be forced to rely on our own wit and knowledge, and that's a scary thought indeed.
So here's this week's column, about not liking certain sports ... after the jump. Of course, don't be afraid to let him have it in the comments.
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I must admit, I am not much of a fan of college football. The sport is rooted in stale tradition, is tarnished with recruiting scandals and features a championship system that rewards teams based partly on the opinions of idiotic sportswriters. Worst of all, compared to the NFL, the quality of play is amateurish and downright boring. Also, I went to a college where the two most important aspects of Saturday games were wearing ties and date rape. I hate college football, but I still respect your right to enjoy it.
As any of our weekend editors can tell you, college football is overwhelmingly popular on Deadspin, especially on Saturday game days. If I was a real dick, I could slink around the Hugh Johnson Project posts and type out angry comments decrying all that Darren McFadden bullshit or those Dan Shanoff missives about the Florida Gators. But I'm not a real dick, I just play one when I write these columns. Therefore, I will not post comments saying "College football sucks" or "I'm bored let's talk about Vanessa Hudgens." I defer to those of us who really enjoy the sport to make the funny and relevant comments.
So let's do ourselves a favor and expand that level of respect to cover all sports. Don't bust into the "Daily Closer" and talk shit about baseball. Don't mess with Hirshey's column and insinuate that soccer players are effeminate. And for the love of God, if the NHL ever ends their bitter three-year labor dispute and if Will ever live-glogs a Stanley Cup final, let's not use that awful 'hoc-key?' cliche. It is tired and it is not funny.
These commenters recognize the diversity of sports and also made the Comments of the Fortnight:
• Re: Stu Scott is the Moderator of Rap Wars
AlumniGonzo: Stuart will be there because they need someone who can see both sides of the argument.
• Re: The Ascension of Lorenzen
Jose Reyes The Roof: Byron Leftwich cut, Lorenzen starts... It's the circle of lipids.
• Re: Fatheads
Unsilent Majority: I don't have a Fathead but I did get a Will Leitch Wallbanger. It's added a whole new element of brooding emotion to my apartment.