Rex Ryan made light of his tears at a press conference the day after the situation was leaked to the media. He brought out a box of tissues to the media conference, and said he had a new sponsor, "The Jets have Toyota and I've got Kleenex, for obvious reasons."
Dennis Waszak, The Baltimore Sun, November 19, 2009, "After Crying in Front of Team, Jets Coach Rex Ryan Defends Actions" reported that Ryan said, 'If I don't fit the stereotype of coach speak or anything else, so be it. I'm going to always be myself .'
The fact is Ryan is not alone in his teary, emotional post-game speech. Numerous coaches and players have put their heart on their sleeve and set themselves up for more ridicule than kudos.
Dick Vermeil Emotional But Popular
Dick Vermeil, the oldest coach to ever win a Super Bowl, was an emotional man. Rick Reilly, Sports Illustrated, September 27, 1999, "For Crying Out Loud!", said Vermeil 'had the emotional stability of Judy Garland.' Early in that season Vermeil had already cried publicly twice - when Trent Green blew out his knee, and when his replacement Kurt Warner won his first NFL start.
Mike Puma, for ESPN online, May 18, 2006, There is Crying in Football, reported that 'Vermeil's tears couldn't be mistaken for softness', as Vermeil often referred to his operation as 'boot camp.'
Michigan Head Coach Rodriguez Shed Tears
Rich Rodriguez, in response to allegations made about NCAA practice rule violations in the Detroit Free Press, broke down and cried at a news conference on August 31, 2009. He declared the information was misleading, inaccurate and disheartening. Rodriguez became emotional as he inferred from the allegations that people thought he didn't care about his players. He said, "The truth is that this coaching staff cares very deeply about the young men in our program."
Mark Kriegel, FoxSports, September 8, 2009, "Don't Be Fooled By Rodriguez's Crying Game", says that 'In an age as cynical as this, the standards for public bereavement and victimhood are impossibly high.'
Loss to LSU Makes Urban Meyer Cry
Florida State coach Urban Meyer's (nicknamed Urban Cry-er) first public breakdown came after a Gator's loss to Lousiana State in 2005.
He choked back tears numerous times at a press conference on November 23, 2009, according to an Associated Press report on FoxSports, "Meyer: I'll be at Florida 'as long as they'll have me". Meyer was responding to suggestions he may take the coaching job at Notre Dame (if and when Charlie Weis leaves, voluntarily or not.)
But he choked back tears when discussing Florida State quarterback Tim Tebow. The 1997 Heisman trophy winner is now a senior about to play his last home game. Meyer also teared up when talking about Michael Guilford, a walk on player who died in a motorcycle crash in 2007. He also would have been a senior this year.
Weis Crying as Notre Dame Took to the Field
It may never be known if Charlie Weis, Notre Dame coach, was crying because he knew a loss may cost him his job or he really just succumbed to the emotion of Senior's Day. Eric Hansen, in the South Bend Tribune, November 21, 2009, "Notre Dame football: UConn trips Irish in double overtime", said, 'They strode out of the tunnel, arms interlocked with embattled coach Charie Weis, who in turn couldn't keep his emotions from rolling down his cheeks.'
If past responses to crying in the world of football run to form, Charie Weis will face criticism and ridicule for showing his emotions.
Grown Men Don't Cry According to McGraw
Country music superstar Tim McGraw, a huge football fan, sang Grown Men Don't Cry, but in actual fact the lyrics say, I don't know why they say grown men don't cry.' As Ryan stated, a grown man crying, especially in the world of football, goes against all stereotypes and perceptions. But the truth is, it is not all that unusual and is altogether very understandable. With so much on the line, from personal accolades to making money for owners or programs, emotional breakdowns are bound to happen.
Lorah Delaney - Lorah is a native of Vancouver, British Columbia. She has a degree in Physical Education from the University of British Columbia and a ...
