The Open Letter

[tankjeep]

As far as calling it a "Captain Obvious" letter...well I guess Mike is just that dumb and doesn't get the obvious as this isn't his first screw up. So maybe this is just what he needs to hear.

i can see where you are coming from, but based on what has transpired in mike's life these past few months.....that is a "captain obvious" letter.

there's no way you can tell me that he hasn't been told the exact same things the letter spells out.

 

[GEORGIA DOMER]

WELL MY DADDY WILL KICK UR DADDYS ***!!!

 

[phgreek]

Comment all you want. Criticize the player all day and night here on the message board if it makes you feel good. I don't really care. It is totally inappropriate for a fan to send a player a letter, or write on his facebook wall, or tweet him with a critique of his behavior and accompanying advice. It isn't the fan's place.

A fan's relationship with a player should be assumed to be a one-way thing unless and until the player indicates otherwise.

I don't know Rhode...I mean I understand there is a reasonable limit. I'll be the first to join folks to discourage a facebook, or twitter anything...not a fan of the open letter either...none of that stuff is meant to help, and its 100% spectacle. As well I I don't encourage being a stalker, or threaten anyone...

...but I guess I have a hard time with the notion that it is never appropriate for fans to send a letter to a player dressing him down for poor conduct. When it comes to elite athletes, rather there is intent to do so or not, they live in an *** kiss bubble.

Whom in their lives can purely be viewed as having no alterior motive? If Mike got a few hundred fan grams in the mail...it mattered...especially if they came from Alum. How's that bad?

 

[Whiskeyjack]

I feel compelled reiterate this point.

The author of this "Open Letter" on BR stated in the comments section that he has no intention of bringing it to Floyd's attention. He simply chose the format for stylistic reasons.

 

[irishpat183]

Rhode, not trying to make an enemy here...just a discussion. So I hope you don't take offense.

My point is that these players are told all day and night how great they are. Sometimes, hearing from a fan or teacher or best friend that you're screwing up is just what they need. You saying that it shouldn't come from a fan is off. I think it can come from anybody as long as the message is received. Good advice can come from anywhere.

And I'm aware that this won't find it's way to Mike unless he reads it online. In which case, I hope he gets the message.

Sorry to be so critical of the great Mike floyd. As a fan, I dont' want him missing games. If he misbehaves again, he will. Therefore, I'm all for people trying to get that message too him, even if he's heard it 100000000000 times.

 

[NeuteredDoomer]

Whom in their lives

Who.

Goddamit.

Sorry Boss. I'm in a bad mood. I just watched my Rachel McAdams in Time Traveler's Wife. Anyone is inhuman if you don't fall totally in love with her. I am currently typing on a laptop outside her neighborhood with a camera. Because I care...

I tend to agree with Rhode in this entire discussion.

But bottom line, I am a huge Floyd fan. I hope he can work himself back into the good grace of Notre Dame.. I want to see him play every damn down this next season, and make his momma and sisters proud. I think he is total class.

 

[NDFan4Life]

Who.

Goddamit.

Sorry Boss. I'm in a bad mood. I just watched my Rachel McAdams in Time Traveler's Wife. Anyone is inhuman if you don't fall totally in love with her. I am currently typing on a laptop outside her neighborhood with a camera. Because I care...

I tend to agree with Rhode in this entire discussion.

But bottom line, I am a huge Floyd fan. I hope he can work himself back into the good grace of Notre Dame.. I want to see him play every damn down this next season, and make his momma and sisters proud. I think he is total class.

Good graces, Goddamit! grin:

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Dadgummit!

 

[NDFan4Life]

Dadgummit!

That too.

 

[NeuteredDoomer]

"Grace" stands alone. The plural is excessive.

Goddammit.

 

[Rhode Irish]

Rhode, not trying to make an enemy here...just a discussion. So I hope you don't take offense.

My point is that these players are told all day and night how great they are. Sometimes, hearing from a fan or teacher or best friend that you're screwing up is just what they need. You saying that it shouldn't come from a fan is off. I think it can come from anybody as long as the message is received. Good advice can come from anywhere.

And I'm aware that this won't find it's way to Mike unless he reads it online. In which case, I hope he gets the message.

Sorry to be so critical of the great Mike floyd. As a fan, I dont' want him missing games. If he misbehaves again, he will. Therefore, I'm all for people trying to get that message too him, even if he's heard it 100000000000 times.

Pat, I'm also not trying to make an enemy. We can disagree without thinking the other guy is a jerk. My point is that there are plenty of people in Michael's life to tell him what was said in the letter, and it will mean a lot more to him to hear it from one of those people. We have all seen Coach Kelly get into someone's face about things that happen on the football field, which at the end of the day are not nearly as serious as what has happened off the field with Michael. I trust that Coach Kelly is just as capable of getting his point across about something this serious as he is about clock management or blocking assignments. I think it is up to Michael's coaches, teammates, parents and trusted teachers and/or advisers to counsel him. That is not the role of the fan.

Just imagine that you do something really, really well. So well, in fact, that tons of people you don't know take an interest in you - but not just in the context of that thing you do really well, but also in your personal affairs. And lets say you made a mistake, which you acknowledge and are embarrassed by, and you are in the process of taking the right steps to atone for that mistake. Do you really want people who, as well as they might feel they know you are really just perfect strangers, giving you their opinion about how you are living your life what you need to do to improve it? I know I sure as hell wouldn't.

 

[phgreek]

Who.

Goddamit.

Sorry Boss. I'm in a bad mood. I just watched my Rachel McAdams in Time Traveler's Wife. Anyone is inhuman if you don't fall totally in love with her. I am currently typing on a laptop outside her neighborhood with a camera. Because I care...

I tend to agree with Rhode in this entire discussion.

But bottom line, I am a huge Floyd fan. I hope he can work himself back into the good grace of Notre Dame.. I want to see him play every damn down this next season, and make his momma and sisters proud. I think he is total class.

Whom say dat...you out dare deer? I got a apple! Com on in hea...hehehe

...legit ding, what can I say...fingers just go...oh well.

eh...I understand rhode's point, and it isn't without merrit, for sure...there is a weirdness that comes from people assuming they know a guy well enough to chastize him, or be his buddy...but on the flip side, I have taken advice from all manner of folks...and much of it has served me well...so..

pretty much with Irishpat on this one from the general perspective that the world elite athletes live in is unbalanced, and made so by spineless people keeping them in an *** kissing bubble. This often leads to the very public swan dive into an empty pool. If some common Joe views are tossed their way for perspective...maybe something resonates with them...can't hurt.

As relates specifically to Mike...ND is not the typical place, and Mike isn't the typical elite athlete (as you recognized). I don't think his life is all that lacking in grounded view points, nor consequences, for that matter. He has shown an Achilles heel...so along with the other things that he is doing to address it, predictably, I've no issues with folks sending him a letter. I’m guessing they did. He can ignore them, but maybe someone says something that resonates with him...who knows?

And hey, I did qualify stalkers as "not cool". Hope you aren't mad.

...Wait, apple...c'mere deer...oh yea, I'm stalkin’ you...never mind. Stalkers are cool.

 

[tommyIRISH23]

Eh. I dunno. Personally, I would never write a letter to a player I am a fan of, I pretty much live my life by the old saying "you make your bed, you sleep in it".

But letters can be pretty powerful, and can get the point across in a non-confrontational point of way. I don't know Mike, so I don't know how he takes criticism, but a lot of people can get defensive when they are confronted.

A letter give the opportunity for the words, and meaning to sink in without the feeling of being judged while at the same time allowing for some reflection of self.

If I received a letter from a fan I feel I'd be like "Wow what I do or don't do really matters. My decisions effect a lot of people, and a lot of people care about me".

My only issue with this whole things is why post it on the internet? Put it in a envelope, and mail it. I just screams "I need attention", and I am sure Mike will see it/hear about it and be fairly irritated, I'd be. The words in the letter wouldn't sink in, my first thought would be "what an arrogant jerk-off. You don't think I know this. Get a life you self righteous piece of ****"

 

[NeuteredDoomer]

Whom say dat...you out dare deer? I got a apple! Com on in hea...hehehe

...legit ding, what can I say...fingers just go...oh well.

eh...I understand rhode's point, and it isn't without merrit, for sure...there is a weirdness that comes from people assuming they know a guy well enough to chastize him, or be his buddy...but on the flip side, I have taken advice from all manner of folks...and much of it has served me well...so..

pretty much with Irishpat on this one from the general perspective that the world elite athletes live in is unbalanced, and made so by spineless people keeping them in an *** kissing bubble. This often leads to the very public swan dive into an empty pool. If some common Joe views are tossed their way for perspective...maybe something resonates with them...can't hurt.
Chuckle. Everyone has made good points. I just kinda lean toward what Rhode is saying. But again, seems most points from all angles in this thread make sense.
As relates specifically to Mike...ND is not the typical place, and Mike isn't the typical elite athlete (as you recognized). I don't think his life is all that lacking in grounded view points, nor consequences, for that matter. He has shown an Achilles heel...so along with the other things that he is doing to address it, predictably, I've no issues with folks sending him a letter. I’m guessing they did. He can ignore them, but maybe someone says something that resonates with him...who knows?

And hey, I did qualify stalkers as "not cool". Hope you aren't mad.

...Wait, apple...c'mere deer...oh yea, I'm stalkin’ you...never mind. Stalkers are cool.

Chuckle. All points made seem pretty good. I just kinda lean at the moment toward Rhode's point. Heck, I guess that just by writing about Floyd on this site, we are doing the same thing.

 

[phgreek]

Heck, I guess that just by writing about Floyd on this site, we are doing the same thing.

....Yea, I suppose we are...