Keeping up with the Jenners (Why sports networks should not be covering Caitlyn)

   Ted's Take is a sports blog that covers sporting news across the world. I started this in an effort to reach fans and communicate sports in a light-hearted and fun manner that privies information from the brain of a sports fanatic. This blog is centered around sports and always will be. That is why even though I have opinions on the new Caitlyn Jenner, I would never write about them. People are free to do what they want with their lives. It is their choice to do or not do whatever they see as being in their best interest. I am a big believer in if it doesn't involve you, don't be involved. Well I'm involved in sports, and it just so happens that ESPN is the worldwide leader in sports.

A quick factoid for the viewing population if not already known, ESPN is an acronym for Entertainment Sports and Programming Network. While most of the followers from the companies' inception in 1979 have tuned in to view the sports part of the program, the company has shifted focus over the last couple of years. ESPN has moved to include more of the entertainment and less of the sports in the programming. This is evidenced by daily shows First Take, Mike and Mike, and others bringing entertainment stars on the network. Rappers, actors, and comedians alike have hit the stage with sports analysts to debate current issues and rivalries in sports. I'll be honest, does anyone know who Lil B the base god is, because I don't? I'm not even sure if that's how you spell the guy's name but I refuse to waste ten seconds of my life looking it up. The rapper has claimed to put a "curse" on NBA players Kevin Durant and James Harden. Most recently Harden for "stealing" his cooking or stirring the pot motion after making a basket. Lil B or whatever the hell his name is has been all over ESPN and Twitter. Does he play sports? No. As a sports fan do I want to see him on my sports programming or being tweeted about on my twitter line by sports anchors? No. Point being, let's stick to sports here ESPN. Let's let E! cover the entertainment industry. Speaking of which...

There's a fine line between sports and entertainment. Sports are entertaining, but entertainment is not necessarily sporty. Right? Ok follow me down this road for a minute...a 65 year-old has-been athlete, who is only relevant because he (now she)  married the mom of the biggest trio of egotistical whore daughters in the world, having a later-life crisis and sex change is not sports related. Bruce Jenner was an Olympic gold medal winning decathlon athlete in the 1970's. Caitlyn Jenner is not. While this news is certainly relevant to the LGBT community, it is not relevant in the sports industry.

Apparently ESPN does not see it that way. ESPN has an annual awards show called the ESPY's where they recognize the best plays and players in sports from the past year. During the ceremony, they give away awards for categories like top play, top team, best male and female athlete, as well as the Jimmy V perseverance award and Arthur Ashe courage award. The courage award is presented to a team or individual who transcends the sports world, and does not necessarily have to be an athlete. Why is that? It's a sports awards program. I don't remember seeing the Grammy's giving out an award for best buzzer-beater.

Nevertheless, ESPN has presented the award to individuals like Muhammad Ali, Dean Smith, Pat Tillman, Nelson Mandela, and Michael Sam. What defines courage? Giving up a multi-million dollar contract in the NFL to join the Army and serve your country? Yes, thank you Pat Tillman for paying the ultimate sacrifice. Becoming the first openly-gay athlete to enter the NFL draft knowing that teams will pass on you in the draft in fear of you being a distraction to the organization? Kudos for being you, Michael Sam. Having an identity crisis and deciding to change genders? Nope.

While Bruce has known, apparently for a while that he has wanted to be a she and finally having the balls (pun intended) to go through with the process, it is not an action that needs to be recognized by a sports network. It is an action that needs to be recognized by the LGBT world, and rightfully so. The world is evolving into a place where people are starting to feel like they can be themselves and voicing their opinions on the situation. That's what we call advancement in society. Every person has the right to be happy, Caitlyn no different. I just don't want to hear about it on ESPN, NFL Network or from any other "sports" network.

This is a case of a network playing the politically correct card and reaping the benefits. ESPN is well-aware that Jenner is a high-profile celebrity. Shoot, she gained a million twitter followers in four hours yesterday! Beating the record set by President Obama, which I find both hysterically funny and sad. I couldn't get a million followers if I was giving away money.

ESPN knows that their viewership will skyrocket in July when the ESPY's are held  because they will have non-sports fans tuning in for 5 minutes to see the acceptance speech by Jenner. I'm all about bringing in new fans, but not by tainting the award for past winners. There are plenty of courageous athletes to choose from, we don't need to tune in to Keeping up with the Kardashians to find one.