The Crying Game / TRANSGENDER DISCUSSION

[HairOfTheDog]

In a talk show appearance this week, Bob Costas said he wished Jenner 'all the happiness in the world and all the peace of mind in the world' - but was clear that he disagreed with her getting the Arthur Ashe courage award.

He said: 'It strikes me that awarding the Arthur Ashe award to Caitlyn Jenner is just a crass exploitation play. It’s a tabloid play.

In the broad world of sports, I’m pretty sure [ESPN] could have found - and this is not anything against Caitlyn Jenner - I’m pretty sure they could have found someone who was much closer to actively involved in sports, who would have been deserving of what that award represents.

That’s not to say it doesn’t take some measure of personal courage to do what Caitlyn Jenner has done.

I think every year we look across the landscape of sports and we find prominent people and kids in high school and amateur athletes who I think more closely fit the description of what they’re looking for -- or should be looking for there.'

He concluded: 'I think this is a play to pump up audience the way lots of things are put on television, to attract eyeballs, not because of the validity, but because of whatever the kind of gawker factor is'.
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I understand Costas' point and think a lot of people feel the same way.

And, I bet the ESPY awards gets their highest television viewership ever when Jenner makes her appearance.