Be Nice (or Don’t Be a Jerk)
Phil Mickelson is one of most admired golfers on the PGA Tour. Fans have always loved him for his continual acknowledgement of the gallery, exhibited by his thumbs-up gestures for all who shout out his name during tournaments.
Even fellow players appreciate and acknowledge him for the positive impact he’s had on the game, which was displayed perhaps most prominently after Mickelson won the PGA Championship this year. Dozens of players waited around long after their own final rounds were over, to shake hands and hug the legend who had become the oldest golfer to ever win a major.
Given that “Lefty,” as he is nicknamed, is such a favorite within the golf world, I was both surprised and disappointed by the “reception” he received during the recent Rocket Mortgage Classic in Detroit, where I live.
The tournament is the first PGA event to be played within the city limits of Detroit, and has been a great showcase for the beautiful Detroit Golf Club.
The mood leading up to the tournament changed quickly when, two days before the opening round, The Detroit News published a story reporting that Mickelson was cheated out of $500,000 more than 20 years ago by a mob-connected bookie from the Detroit area.
The paper defended the timing of the story, indicating that, although the deposition transcripts documenting the ties were unsealed three years ago, they were discovered by a reporter just a month ago.
Suddenly, the perennial fan favorite, who often stays long after his rounds are completed to pose for photos and sign autographs, was dragged through the media mud – even though he was never accused by authorities of any wrongdoing.
I’ll never understand the desire to “knock people off a pedestal” that exists in our society. Rather than celebrate Mickelson for his success in the sport (he is a six-time major winner and 45-time PGA Tour champion), acknowledge the positive impact he had on spectator attendance because of his decision to play in the tournament in Detroit, or maybe even write a story with a “feel good” angle (such as Mickelson handing a ball or a glove to a young fan after finishing his round), the local paper decided to publish a sensational story painting Mickelson in a negative light because of something that happened 23 years ago!
I often wish the media would adhere to a print version of “Three questions to ask before you open your mouth”:
1. Is it true?
2. Is it kind?
3. Is it necessary?
The world would be a better place – a kinder place – if more people (and the media) used these questions as a filter for expressing thoughts, opinions, or information.
The answer to all three questions should be “Yes” before the information is shared, or before the story is published. I realize filtering out sensational articles would contribute (at least in the short run) to the already declining newspaper readership, but perhaps it could eventually shift the focus of the media to a more positive experience.
If it isn’t true and kind and necessary, then keep it to yourself. Be kind, or – to make it even easier to understand – don’t be a jerk.
Think about how you share, or how you filter, words that come out of your mouth, or that you write about.
If everyone did this, then the world would be a better place.
