Classy question?

I tend to shy away from the God questions, but I can specifically remember one. It was about a coach deciding to come back for another season or something along those lines, and he was talking about his faith. It was a one-on-one, and I asked him if he generally used his faith in Christ to make decisions like that.

I think it took me longer to preface the question than it did for him to answer it, just because I wanted to make sure he understood I wasn't being cynical or sarcastic, just trying to get an angle on it.

 

If players are going to base their answers on the principle of religion, why can't we as reporters, ask about it?

 

As a fellow smirking jackass, I could see how a guy could hear one too many religious answers and say something like that.

 

yup.

 

I don't take issue with that line of thinking, with one caveat. You ask a question hoping to get an answer that's going to lend something to the story. But this question comes off more as a person trying to be snarky rather than seeking a legit answer to a legit question. Seriously, from a value-added perspective, what was the purpose.

 

I thought it came off smarmy, just because I knew he asked the question.

 

It's condescending.

 

Condescending, probably. But knowing Mike, it's not a shocker. He used to ask some questions that came out of left field, but then you'd read his stories and realize the angle / lead he was getting after.

 

yeah, god forbid a sports guy being snarky for god's sake. we all know how athletes are the perfect picture of professionalism during interviews.

 

At a state championship game couple years ago with two private schools playing -- one being an all-boys school.

Two student sections began chants back and forth...

School A starts saying "We've got girls... We've got girls..."

Moments later the opposing crowd counters... "Those aren't girls... Those aren't girls..."

 

If I found out one of my reporters asked a question like that, I'd have a little talk with junior.

If it were a kid, it'd be one of those "don't do it again or else" convos. If it were a veteran who knows better, someone would be cleaning out his desk.

 

We can.

But I think all questions should be politely phrased.