I want to take this opportunity to inform our newest readers that not only can this site be blunt at times, but there may be sparse usage of profanity as well.
I’m certain some people find this outrageous – or just off-putting – and that’s ok. This is simply my way of saying this blog is probably not for you, and it might be best to unsubscribe.
But please try to consider my point of view.
If you’ve ever played a competitive sport at an appreciable level, there is an unquenchable fire that burns within your bowels. It’s there immediately before and during a match. And the embers remain long after a game or your playing days are over. They remain docile until the topic of the sport resurfaces, and depending on the context, can grow into an inferno.
There’s a cauldron of profanity within Kobe Bryant, Tiger Woods, Xavi Hernandez, Rafael Nadal, Hope Solo, et al. And sometimes they can’t contain it. Coaches are no exception. Sometimes the passion comes through, and what you know or believe to be the truth escapes!
But society demands we place a lid on it.
I’m not saying that’s wrong. In fact, I agree we should all try to be proper. For the most part, I think that veneer can show your level of education and upbringing.
However, it is within that inferno that the raw truth resides. And in many cases when we filter it, a lot of the deep lying meaning and sentiment gets lost in translation. Critically important points can come out innocuous with little impact, and hence no learning or motivation happens.
For years I’ve worked as an engineer and scientist, and never have I used profanity in my writings or presentations. It’s just not needed in any way, shape, or form. It’s a place of business, I’m a professional, and that’s that.
But here we’re talking soccer.
And unless I become employed as a coach where I must represent someone’s brand, I will take the opportunity to show you some of the raw unvarnished truth. The stuff most everyone in the know is not allowed to say.
I want to do my best to move you, to connect with you at that level. Not at the superficial daisy-picking one. You can only get so far there.
So again, if this is not your cup of tea or you can’t handle the drop of an f-bomb a couple times a year, then it’s time to move on.
I laughed at the idea of an f-bomb in an engineering presentation.
“… and this is the what the f***ing dynamic load will be…”
I’m not a new reader, but I’d still f***ing read this blog if you swore constantly, because I want to hear somebody speak intelligently about the game.
Gary, I too am a working scientist. I don’t use profanity in public speaking, although there is a good amount in my workplace among people who know each other well. Its used among those who know the audience won’t mind. I think the soccer field operates on the same principle.
Despite my penchant for salty language, I must admit the shock of hearing a professional presentation sprinkled with four letter words. No f-bombs, but a lot of “shit” was used to describe aspects of the traditional approach of doing an engineering analysis. It was a bit out of the ordinary. It did get your attention and fortunately for the speaker, he was really good.
On the soccer field, cursing is common even among kids. It is OK as long as its not personal. I’m not going to say anything to a kid who misses a shot and unleashes a f-bomb or a shit. On the other hand, if he says something to me or another player like “you are a shit head” its a different matter. Coaches at the youth level are on a different scale. A little bit of “quiet” cursing is OK and human. Load vitriolic cursing is not. As the kids get younger the tolerance decreases.
The level of cursing tolerated in public is increasing every year. Things that were forbidden 10 years ago are now, common. So, keep writing from the heart.
Oh for f**ks sake!
Keep injecting common sense into the ever-troubling and nonsensical world of club soccer in So Cal (and the USSF for that matter). And should you punctuate your commentary with the occasional bout of profanity, I say, that sounds like a person who gives a f**k.
Well played Sir.
As everyone else here has said, whether there’s 0 profanity’s or a profanity every word, I would still read this blog every day. Finally we have someone who is not afraid to have a go at all the clowns/robots all over the country involved in the highest levels of the game unfortunately. It’s so cult like it’s really incredible the good old boys club mentality that has been created, we need people like you to reach out to people so they really know what’s going on instead of blindly going through the motions as fans, players, coaches, etc.
I think profanity needs to be injected into our soccer mentality. Soccer is too prudish in this country.
Gary, I support your thesis as well as your right to express yourself in your own way on your own blog. But I must say, I am more intrigued by your “soccer class” graphic, above. Classy people can suck, and they can be hypocritical, if they don’t look in the mirror real hard before taking umbrage with your occasionally earthy tones. Hell, even a quality Malbec needs some earthy tones to be successful, no?
Nevertheless– did you mean “soccer class” as an oxymoron?
“class” and “getting wasted” is the oxymoron.
I meant it as a jab to the self-righteous …
HMMMM, is there is no law against public profanity?
If yes, maybe you should litigate 343 for using profanity against your darling team or your beloved coach, If NO, I assume you should get the F**K out of this blog or go (don’t want to go that far …. But to complete that avowal it’s) yourself.
There is utterly nothing wrong to articulate your belief. Sometimes people need unique words to convey sentiment, which is, by nature, ineffable. For those who use them, swear words are linked to emotion in a visceral way.
Someone like me that verbalize in more than one lingo occasionally curses in my native tongue and then smile with enormous contentment, especially to some referees and players. Funny enough, uttering a taboo word in public is a great hierarchy-buster. It gives you extra in becoming ever more competitive.
It’s very inopportune to see US Football (Soccer go down) -30th Position as at this morning in FIFA ranking and someone is saying no sacrilege, What the F**K, it’s about time to double the intensity of the vulgarity, if you need one in foreign language, hit me up. LOL
Thanks to everyone for the support!
The truth, as you can imagine, is there are many reasons why I wrote this piece. Some of which are:
* Since launching 3four3, I’ve gotten quite a few emails about it.
* Our subscriber count has really accelerated the past several months, and I don’t think I’ve cursed in that time.
* You know how it can tarnish perceived authority or reputation. So a feeble attempt at a disclaimer / damage control really.
* I was about to publish something with an f-bomb or two, then I thought about the points above and just decided to put this out there.
I’m trying to slowly build a brand with eventual products … and I don’t really know where to draw the line. You don’t see Steve Jobs dropping a f**k here, or a s**t there, or do you?
But fuck it, you know?
I figure; ultimately I don’t want that kind of prudish customer anyways. They’re not what 3four3 represents. We want to stand for the cream of the crop, those who support the relentless pursuit of excellence! Not those who make excuses for mediocrity. Those are my people! They have balls!