Hey Shaun White… You’re not Robert Plant

 

There is no arguing that Shaun White to most of america is the face of snowboarding.  And I can’t take anything away from the skills that kid has on shred stick…. But… I have to say I think I’m getting a Shaun’d out.

It seems everywhere I turn these days I’m being bombarded with his red-haired face… Amex commercials, HP commercials, Men’s Journal double cover, Target clothing line, Oakley ads…  At first I thought all this exposure could do nothing but benefit the sport and I was more than happy for Shaun.  Something changed though with this weekend’s X games in Aspen, CO.  Shaun was everywhere and I have to say, I didn’t like what I had to see. 

What’s with the “front-man” posturing, the tantrums and pouting when things and scores didn’t go his way, the bonus runs???  Is Shaun starting to buy into his own press?  Shaun… here’s a news flash… You’re not Robert Plant.  At the end of the day you get paid to ride a snowboard.  Let’s keep things in perspective, snowboarding is all about fun.  Take it down a notch and try to stay a little humble, it will do you well.

~ by hrocker on January 28, 2008.