June 21, 2012

LeBron James has finally won a championship and his critics will finally shut up. One only has to look at the example of Alex Rodriguez. Before Arod won his World Series ring in 2009, everyone was badgering him, second guessing him, and doubting his credibility after he admitted he took steroids. Now, no one even mentions the steroids anymore. Even when A- rod goes cold in the post season, like he has done since 2009, no one seems to bother or care. Part of it might have to do with that he plays a stellar third base these days, unlike the poor play he has had at that position in the past. Another example would be Eli Manning. When Eli won his first ring, many of his critics faded away. While they came back when he had a down year (I doubt this will happen to LeBron so this second bit might not apply to him), the critics left after Eli won another Super Bowl. However, LeBron's case might be slightly different. After all, he is oft compared to Michael Jordan, who won 6 NBA finals. But at least LeBron is over the hump and has shown he is clutch, having a triple double in the final game of the season. That should get the monkey off his shoulder.

Thinking of LeBron got me thinking of the best NFL player to not have a ring. I decided it would have to be a quarterback, and the best quarterback, in my opinion, who does not have a championship is Tony Romo. This somehow seems to fit because Romo is also the NFL player who is criticized the most for his lack of a championship, and now that LeBron has one, Romo and the Cowboys might be the most criticized player and team left in sports. However, I do not think this criticism is deserved. Tony Romo, in my opinion, is a franchise quarterback and a very good player. He also has guts, as observed in the game against the 49ers this season when he broke a rib and still stood in to make plays against one of the leagues most ferocious defenses. In the end, Tony Romo is a player who receives criticism he does not deserve.