Sports Photos Remembered

I think one of the slickest photos of a sports figure taken in recent years is this one of Jamarcus Russell. It screams of success and style. If you didn't know the "Jamarcus Story" you'd think he were a young prince of an African nation taking a leisurely stroll before attending some kind of international summit in Germany. Or he could be the richest and most powerful leader of a drug cartel on his way to court after being indicted on petty smuggling charges. The picture says everything except the truth, and that is what makes it so powerful.

The power of illusion in pictures and advertising is very real and something to be aware of at all times my friends. Sooner or later the truth comes leaking out from under the cover and the viewing public gets to be shocked back into reality.

The truth in this picture is that Jamarcus had lost his focus on football the moment his zillion-dollar first round draft contract was inked. Someone put a fur coat on him and told him he was "On Top Of The World, and he believed it. We fans wanted to believe it too, but then the illusion began to leak and we were left with a horrible sight on the field and off.

But the picture still lives and will always remain as a reminder of what could have been. The questions the picture always aroused in me are; was he coming or going, is the plane his and what kind of sneakers go with a maxi-fur coat?

Happy New Year Jamarcus Wherever you Are!