Athletes marrying celebrities

I was hesitant to post this thread, but at the end I decided to do it.

What's your general perception of athletes who use sports as a climb to fame? For example, Lamar Odom marrying Khloe Kardashian.

I'm talking about athletes (who aren't necessarily great in their sport) who have turned themselves into complete celebrities

 

I'm not really sure what you're getting at. Don't all pro athletes seek fame? Isn't that why every pro league has a Hall of Fame?

Is this about athletes using sports as a climb to fame, or athletes using relationships as a means to fame? The thread title doesn't seem consistent with the OP.

 

Re-reading your OP and thinking about this further, I think Odom is a poor example of what you're trying to get at.

If anything, Khloe (and, yes, her family) were probably the best thing to happen to Odom and not for financial or celebrity reasons. Having known the guy a (very) little bit off the court a long time ago, I don't get the impression he saw her as a way to become more famous.

Odom is a guy who has always sought family structure and love, and it seems like he found that with Khloe and her family. I understand any cynicism toward anything and everything the Kardashians are involved in, but I don't think it's fair to frame Odom's relationship with Khloe as a publicity stunt.

 

I'm still trying to figure out Dan Pastorini and June Wilkinson.

 

Who can forget Terry Bradshaw and Jo Jo Starbuck?

 

Terry Bradshaw was actually the only reason I had ever heard of Jo Jo Starbuck.

 

Gehrig, I knew you'd been thinking about this, and I've been trying to figure out how I feel about it in order to give you a decent response.

I know it's been going on for a while. Joe DiMaggio married Marilyn Monroe, though all signs are he truly and deeply loved her.

Some of them use it to climb to fame, I suppose. But I think that they probably see themselves as kindred spirits who face some of the same difficulties and challenges, from fame to constant travel to the relentless need to take care of their physiques.

Not that I spend my time judging other people's partnerships, but I have a more cynical outlook on the athletes who marry their groupies. And it happens all the time. A startling amount of time, the Barbie dolls you see them parading around with are former gold-diggers hanging outside the stadium gates or hotel stalking. The Kardashians excepted, at least a lot of the athletes and singers have a public talent. I can see why they relate.

 

I'd guess Kris Humphries is a way better example than Odom of what Gehrig meant to illustrate.

 

That's who I thought of, as well. Except after last season, I don't think about Humphries much any more.

On Christmas Day, my cousin - a dude - walked into the room and announced that, "Everyone was booing Kris! It was awesome!"

I had no idea who in the fuck Chris was until he explained it to me. I don't know that my cousin ever watched an NBA game before that.

 

Humphries is a great example...

I think it's funny when I see Nnamdi Asomugha on the red carpet because he's married to Kerry Washington. He used to be a bigger star than Humphries.

Where it's most interesting is when the athlete is clearly the less famous of the duo. It's sad that Kim Kardashian's ugly older sister is more famous than Lamar Odom, but the reality is that she is...

Kerry Washington is more famous than Asomugha.

There's Cutler and the girl from the Hills...

 

Maybe that's why the Brady-Bundchen marriage appears to be a success to date. Each is equally famous in their own very separate worlds.

 

They say her first and last name every time they mention her on broadcasts and talk radio. Like anybody should give a fuck.