What's Your Image Angle?

I just read an article about what the author, a Ph.D. calls, the "7 Kinds of Smarts". And who says image doesn't matter? A person can't even be known as just plain smart anymore. Now someone has categorized the intelligent ones as "math smart", "people smart", "word smart", BODY SMART"... of course that's how people expect athletes to have the corner on smartness! Then there's "musical smarts", "visual smarts" and finally, "self smarts". Let's see, would Dennis Rodman fall into the "self smart" category or "visual smarts"? Self smart people know their own goals, strengths and weakness. Visually smart individuals are those who feel at ease with maps, charts and diagrams. NBA fans look at Rodman's head regularly to determine his mood and probably his level of street smart play that game.

Then I see a newspaper headline..."Nebraska image slips a notch with racing deal". Here the sports columnist clobbers two sports for the print of one. Charlotte Observer columnist, Ron Green takes umbrance with an institution of higher learning, the University of Nebraska, for in his opinion, belittling itself by promoting itself on some of NASCAR's sheet metal. "Far-fetched". "Undignified", "hucksterism", wrote Green. Well, if you ask most athletes, columnists have their own image problems because of comments just like that.

Then there's the recent hype surrounding college turned pro golfer, Tiger Woods. In one article a writer describes Woods as "displaying patience and the mettle of a more experienced player". He's golf's newest phenomenon and no one doubts he has brought charisma and diversity, hope and an awakening to the game. "Hello World"!

The NFL has one of NBC's and Norman Schwarzkopf's legitimate American Heroes in injured Chris Zorich. It's also represented by Dallas Cowboy, Michael Irvin. "Real Sports," on HBO quotes league Commissioner , Paul Tagliabue commenting on Dallas' highly publicized off- season drug problems. "I don't think it's damaging to the credibility of the program. I think it's damaging to the players involved and I think it's damaging to the National Football League." How many fans want Michael Irvin's autograph these days, and how many car sponsorship deals do you think he'll get in the coming years.

Image doesn't matter? Ask those looking for endorsements who have tarnished theirs and ask those who are so bland that as far as the public is concerned, their image is as defined as a ghost.