Running up the score. Unsportsmanlike?

[twenty4seven]

Tonight I was watching some old NFL games on Youtube and came across the 1987 game between the Eagles and Cowboys where Buddy Ryan decided to go for a score in the final few seconds of the game. The final score was 20-37 after the Eagles scored a TD and PAT.

Undoubtedly, Ryan took some heat for that last score and it got me thinking:

What is so bad about running up the score?

I know, I know, it is unnecessary to add to a point total when the win is secured and the game nearly over but what about the true nature of rivalry? Isn't it good for a sport to send the message of: "You got your butt kicked today"? Is bad blood in sports truly a bad thing?

Such questions bring up definitions between "bad winners" and "sore losers", but I believe there is no such thing in sports. There is only winners or losers regardless of the score.

In contemplating the nature of sports, I mused about the gladiators of ancient Rome. There seemed to be an element of honor whether you killed or were killed. The score was always 1-0 or 0-1 and since there was really no way to run up a score in such a fashion, sportsmanship was not queried or dissected as it was mostly viewed as an element of honor to compete to the death.

My mind raced through all of the sports competitions that we have evolved through and still enjoy today (without death of course) and wondered how much of 'true rivalry' we have lost to the notion of 'sportsmanship'. I'm not talking about cheating or dirty tactics, I'm talking about running up the score.

In a way, running up the score is a statement of: "Thanks for playing but we kicked your teeth in today. Maybe you can be more competitive next time." In a way, it's a way to gauge just how dominant a team really is and can be used as a measuring stick by the losing team to get better.

From a fan perspective it is fuel to the fire. It strengthens rivalries and perhaps makes future meeting between the two teams that much more meaningful and interesting to watch. In some ways I believe that we are being told by the media that it's absurd to add extra points when they are not needed to win. Sometimes the final score is redemption. Sometimes it is demoralizing. Isn't it the pain and elation that drives us to watch?

Are we becoming so sensitive that we lean on the fact that it's unfair to score on our team and 'make us lose bigger'?

I have a scary vision of sports in 200 years where both teams get together before a game and have crumpets and tea on fancy doilies and promise not to let the score get out of hand.

Perhaps I'm just an uncivilized neanderthal with an unquenchable thirst for leverage in competition even if it includes running up the score.

[BostonNut]

Whenever Belichick does it the world seems to come to an end and nobody seems to think of the women and children.

Based on those reactions from a few on here I would say it’s a pretty big deal.

[twenty4seven]

Originally Posted by BostonNut

Whenever Belichick does it the world seems to come to an end and nobody seems to think of the women and children.

Based on those reactions from a few on here I would say it’s a pretty big deal.

It seems that some folks never heard of a 'man-cave' where there are fist holes in the drywall and definitely no women or children.

[silverandblack]

I don't see anything wrong with it. If the other team wants to cry about it maybe they should try playing defense instead of whining.

[Soxrule111]

Not at all, play to win. I always felt the Bears had the mentality of up by 10, dont run p the score. Next thing you know they lose.

I thought Atlanta didnt run up the score in the Super Bowl, and then they lost. If your scoring by passing, why on earth would you change your gameplan to a horrible running game that isnt working?

[IronMonkey415]

You. Play. To. Win. The. Game.

Run up the score and show no mercy

[jusdukky]

I think margin of victory in NFL conference games is used as a tie breaker if the other tie breakers do not break the tie. At least I think it's that way.

[JustinVerlander07]

Don't like the other team scoring? Stop them.

[carlo16]

I don't know where the line is drawn but I see no problem in my men's leagues up 8-0 with 5 minutes left in the game dumping the puck in the corner. I guess that makes me a snowflake.

[Scottish Punk]

I will consent to the other side, running up the score shows bad sportsmanship and character. When the game is in hand, there is nothing to gain by piling on. Put the second string guys in, run out the clock, whatever. Having starters in in the 4th quarter up 3 scores with 5 minutes left, don't go for it on 4th down or draw up long pass plays.
It could always be you or your team on the other end, win graciously.

[IronMonkey415]

Does the nfl give free tacos?

I know in the NBA when a team is up by 25+ point and their score is at 98 or 99 a player will try and score 100 so the fans get free tacos. That is probably the only time it is okay.

[LALeakers]

Originally Posted by silverandblack

I don't see anything wrong with it. If the other team wants to cry about it maybe they should try playing defense instead of whining.

Originally Posted by IronMonkey415

You. Play. To. Win. The. Game.

Run up the score and show no mercy

Originally Posted by JustinVerlander07

Don't like the other team scoring? Stop them.

This, this, and this.

[spuds1961]

Well if I am betting and I bet the over and I am 4 points shy of my cover I am all for running up the score. There is no telling how much money is won or lost by teams taking a knee on their last drive instead of going for the touchdown.

[Siberian13]

What's the difference in running up the score and what Greg Schiano did with his Tampa defense when the other team was in victory formation?

[Brobocop]

In the pros, run it up baby. They’re all paid, and paid well. In college and lower, not a fan. I hate how these large programs play small ones and just run it up to look impressive to the committee. I think that is a bad look. I know those small schools get paid well but too bad those schools are possibly taking a pay day in order for their students to feel crummy. Guess that makes me a snowflake. So be it.

[RogerGodahell]

Brady probably would have broken the record for yards and touchdowns several years ago against the Titans if they didn’t pull him after the first drive in the 3rd quarter. I believe they won like 48-0 and Brady had 5 touchdowns in the second quarter and 400 yards passing only about a minute into the second half when Bill benched him.

Edit: Final score was 59-0 6 Touchdowns 380 yards in basically one half.

[Kollectornet]

When you got the ball, the game plan is to score. When you are on the defense, stop them from scoring. There isn't no running up the score in professional football.

Now if we are talking Pee Wee or High School, I don't think it is a good idea. Professional sports, score every time you get the ball or at least try too.

[Chaddie84]

http://www.denverpost.com/2017/12/03...s-onside-kick/

Vonn Miller puts it best:

“I was ready to go back out there. I was still trying to get a sack — a sack for a fumble,” he said. “That’s the game. I’m not going to sit on the sidelines and say, ‘Man, why is he kicking an onside kick? Just give us the ball.’ That’s loser football. If they want to kick onside, they can do it. We got to cover and we got to get the ball back and … we got to play. It’s the pros. If it was Little League, yeah, we can be upset. But it’s the pros.”

[IronMonkey415]

That guy brought up a good point.

How come NFL don't give free prizes like NBA whenever a team scores over x amount of points?

MLB have a promo if a player steals a base.

[hairysasquatch]

Certain times it's OK. Other times it exudes a lack of class.

[Astros19]

Not a big fan of karma, but I don't think it's smart to run up the score.
It makes for great bulletin board motivation for the next time the teams meet.
Now if the subs are in and they score, I think that's ok, not too mention smart giving them their playing time.
There's also the risk of injury involved for really no good reason other than to pad stats.

[NickM]

Originally Posted by Brobocop

In the pros, run it up baby. They’re all paid, and paid well. In college and lower, not a fan. I hate how these large programs play small ones and just run it up to look impressive to the committee. I think that is a bad look. I know those small schools get paid well but too bad those schools are possibly taking a pay day in order for their students to feel crummy. Guess that makes me a snowflake. So be it.

You're in the NFL. You're up 17. You get the ball on the opponents' 26 yard line with just under 2 minutes to play following a turnover. The other team has 1 time out left.

What do you do?

Remember that based on these facts, you can run out the clock by taking a knee in victory formation (twice if they don't use the timeout, 3 times if they do).

[Scottish Punk]

Originally Posted by NickM

You're in the NFL. You're up 17. You get the ball on the opponents' 26 yard line with just under 2 minutes to play following a turnover. The other team has 1 time out left.

What do you do?

Remember that based on these facts, you can run out the clock by taking a knee in victory formation (twice if they don't use the timeout, 3 times if they do).

You take a knee, and end the game. Nobody is going to get hurt or have unneeded wear on plays that won't matter. You show good sportsmanship and don't show up the other coach. Everybody shakes hands and moves on to next week.

[BostonNut]

Originally Posted by Scottish Punk

You take a knee, and end the game. Nobody is going to get hurt or have unneeded wear on plays that won't matter. You show good sportsmanship and don't show up the other coach. Everybody shakes hands and moves on to next week.

Don't forget the orange slices and "two, four, six, eight" cheer!

[fazzle]

I have no problem with running up the score in professional sports. College and High School (especially high school) is a different scenario entirely.