There are definitely things worth getting more outraged and upset by than a player disgracing a football team with bad attitude. Most people here will be more likely to protest march at Red Hill than they would for actual injustices in the world. We are all pretty ridiculous on that score.
Having said that, if you're a public role model, which goes with the job, should you not care about how you perform? I once captained a B grade warehouse cricket team, and we stank, but I'm sure I cared more about how we played and about the guys giving their best than Boyd appears to. (And we paid for the privilege of playing, we weren't paid a million a season to reluctantly turn up and phone it in at bare minimum of effort).
It's not just the 2019 campaign Boyd is crapping on. It's the legacy of what the Broncos used to stand for (even if they lost, they played with heart and you could be proud to call them your team. You could be inspired by their heart in other areas of life). What lessons are being projected by this side's manner of play? "Gets tough, give up. Do the bare minimum. When you're called on it make excuses, shrug in indifference and say it's not life or death."
A well-written post, mate.
Agreed 100% with the first section.
I'd say Darius Boyd is a public figure. Personally, I wouldn't call him a role model. The thing about role models is that you get to choose them. People aren't born with role models intact.
That's adult wisdom though. I understand plenty of young people and children look up to these guys.
Here's an interesting thought: What if there is a Broncos supporter, young or old, that has Boyd as their best player?
It reminds of the poster here (I forget who) who once wrote that before they signed up here Andrew McCullough was his favourite player.
Do we know, for sure, that Boyd isn't trying his best?
Players have been in and out of form since 1908 but the dog piling on Boyd from the media and the fan base is kinda disturbing.
As for the Broncos legacy, well it's been stagnant for a while now.
A couple of factors I believe have contributed to this. Not many to do with Boyd.
Gorden Tallis lamented years ago, while still playing for us, that rivals no longer fear the Broncos' forward pack.
The earliest source I can find that Wayne Bennett was too old, out of touch, doesn't understand the modern game etc was from 2003. Whether it's true or not and whether it's hurt the club long term, I'm not sure.
The Melbourne Storm have precision engineered the approach the Broncos have taken to perfection. It's understandable considering John Ribot, Chris Johns, Craig Bellamy, Glenn Lazarus etc all have strong ties to the Broncos.
They all headed south determined to make the Storm a 'super' club by doing what the Broncos did and avoiding some of the problems we encountered.
It's a bitter pill to swallow but the Melbourne Storm are the modern version of the Broncos.