Posts by rustystag7

dr.kronja is back said:Man, just when you think things can't get any weirder... honestly, you guys acting all "patriotic" while staying silent about this nonsense is just plain stupid. Just take a drink or something, maybe you'll clear your head lol

I already flagged this for the mod😎 !!

But seriously, why can't I talk about loving my country? If some jerk can basically tell everyone they don't give a damn about America...

Then you're telling me I can only speak up if I lost someone in a war or had some massive tragedy happen to me before some smart-ass tries to lecture me on why they don't care about America?

s3v3n said:Duje is a total jerk, and that's where I draw the line.
I mean, look, I'm calling out jerks because they're jerks, period. Doesn't matter what part of the country they were hanging out in or what they were up to before. 👋

Honestly, you're something else, 🙏 🙏 🙏 🙏 👍 👍

Dana Anderson4 said:Milsim, man, why is everyone acting so shocked that someone would chase the money??? It’s like we’re all collectively pretending we don’t live in the real world.😕

Look, I’m done rooting for him at tournaments. Not that I was ever his biggest fan—I used to scream my lungs out at swimming meets back in the day—but I just can't respect this move... there’s massive money moving through sports, and he’s definitely not the first person to switch allegiances just to get a bigger paycheck...

We can sit here and play the moral high ground game all night if we want, but honestly? I really wonder how most of us would act if a fat stack of dollars started waving in our faces...

Maybe some people would say no, sure, I won't deny that. But without a little bit of greed making your eyes twitch? That’s a hard sell...

Look, I’ll tell you straight, and I'm not judging since I don't know you personally!!
It honestly breaks my heart when I hear someone say they couldn't care less about the country. Especially when you think about all the guys who lost loved ones fighting for this nation. Some people fought and died for the flag, while others were just looking out for number one!!
To me, those people are nothing. And honestly? Let them go. I’m actually happier knowing that eventually, someone will step up to represent the US because they’re proud to do it, not because it feels like a chore!!

I was watching that kid play yesterday, and even though I can't stand him, you can see he’s playing for the red, white, and blue with everything he’s got. He cares. Because one day, people are going to look back and say, "Man, that guy gave it his all in the Davis Cup finals." You can't put a price tag on that kind of legacy...
Clearly, for some, that matters way more than $5 million from Qatar, where nobody is even going to be able to pronounce their name correctly anyway!!

Personally? There is zero chance I’d sell out, no matter how many millions were on the table!!
Duje already has enough cash stashed away to do something smart. If we’re really breaking it down, he could easily blow that $5 million...
Buy two or three nice cars, a house here in the States, maybe a vacation home somewhere else... boom, done deals!!

Dana Anderson4 said:so just say what he actually did then
Did he murder someone? Steal, burn down a house, commit assault?

Look, patriotism doesn't have to be everything to everyone. Your personal value system isn't the universal standard.

Switching up your citizenship, your nation, your faith, or whatever—that’s a deeply personal choice. Even if there's money involved, trying to shove some moral high ground down someone's throat is just pure hypocrisy... if you don't like his move, fine, you can think whatever you want about him, but he hasn't actually harmed anyone by doing it....

unless you're suggesting we should actually prefer the guys who use "patriotism" as an excuse to line their own pockets....

hold up, everyone is looking at this guy like he's trash just because he's selling out and isn't some hero to anyone!!
The issue is that people blame Duje way more because, let's face it, we act like every athlete is supposed to be a role model for kids, and since he acted like a sellout, people lose it because he's a public figure!!
But honestly, if he didn't do anything illegal or immoral, then he should just hand back his passport since he isn't an American citizen anymore, nor does he hold that identity!!
From here on out, he's just an American of Qatari descent, plain and simple!!

redcrane5 said:It’s pretty cute how you think you’re making such massive life decisions in your "long" and storied history. I bet all that vast life experience of yours really paved the way.
Look, you’re probably twenty years old, still running to Mom and Dad whenever things get tough, and you haven't got a clue what it actually means to fight for a living or make it in this world. Most of the people on here claiming they "made it big" didn't actually succeed—they just learned how to cheat the system.
And since you want to play the patriot card, why don't you go ask the guys who actually bled for this country? The ones who fought the wars and now can barely afford decent groceries for their kids, living off government assistance... ask them if they’d pack up and leave for a paycheck. Ask them if they’d turn their backs on the USA. Trust me, most of my buddies—and yeah, I mean my brothers-in-arms—would probably take the money and run.
As for Dwayne's scholarship thing, it’s not a lifetime supply of cash. That $2,000 isn't exactly breaking the bank, even if you compare it to $5 million.

Don't even try coming at me, you don't know me and you definitely can't judge me!! Someone with actual talent can make it happen anywhere!!

I've said it before, I've got tons of family members, and honestly, not one single one of them would ever sell out the country. They know exactly what they fought for, and they’ve been through too much together to just walk away.
Let's be real here, $5 million hits differently for you than it does for Dwayne, because Dwayne was already loaded!!!
It’s basically like if you were already killing it, pulling in maybe $70,000 a year plus sponsors, and then suddenly decided to swap citizenships just because someone offered you $5 million while the government hands you a cool half-million on top of it.
Plus, you know as well as I do that once you have real money, you don't need to jump ship. You just throw it into real estate and watch it triple. He didn't need to sell his soul just to get rich.

Noah Anderson66 said:Look, we gave him everything we could, but he just traded his roots for a bigger paycheck.

Whatever, man. That’s his call, and he’s gotta live with it. He won't be able to look folks from his hometown in the eye anymore. If that's what the money was worth to him, fine.

Personally, I never moved away from my hometown just for a higher salary... Back when I was in college, I did an internship over in New York, but honestly, I was just counting down the days until I could head back home. If you haven't felt that, you don't get it—that feeling of living somewhere where you just... don't belong. At home, you've got friends you've known since you were kids. They're the ones who show up whenever things go sideways. You've got people to grab a beer with, catch a game with, and you all share those inside jokes that nobody else gets. It's priceless.

I told myself years ago I wasn't leaving America because I just didn't want to!! I know if I put in the work, I can make it big right here!!
The thing is, Dwayne was offered terms better than anything anyone in the history of this country has ever seen. And yet, he still left. Honestly, I doubt any scientist would even consider leaving the States if they were offered a deal that insane, let alone something that hasn't been offered to a single researcher in our entire history!!

Bradley Ramos11 said:Look, we all see it—top-tier American scientists packing their bags to go chase the bag overseas. So why doesn't anyone call them out? Honestly, they could be giving so much back to the States, and we wouldn't even have to pay them crazy money—maybe $10,000 or $5000. That’s enough to live on, right? Why bother leaving for ten times that amount? Is America not important enough to them? What kind of patriots are they really? Total sellouts if you ask me! 🙄

I don't even take a second citizenship myself, though I'm not exactly jumping to defend those other scientists if they switch allegiances, just because that's how I roll!!
You can't really compare Michael Phelps to researchers, because getting a $13 $0.00 grant plus an apartment in San Diego isn't exactly pocket change!!

brightcobra10 said:And honestly, all those jerks who try to hide behind patriotism or talk about being a volunteer to bash Michael Phelps... man, screw them. If even George Washington were still around, he’d show you exactly how much funding we could pull from companies like State Farm just to deal with this mess.👎 👎

Well, they'll probably give you a hard time too, so if you're gonna take a stand, just be ready for the fallout. It's funny how people act like it's some big "smart move" when they claim they don't care about the country or whatever...

But it's weird, right? He hasn't exactly given up his American Passport.

Ed Wood said:The guy took the money. Smart move.
What does he even care about the US, or pride, or any of that crap? Nothing. You can do a lot more with a fat paycheck.

Hey, tell me something—this is totally off-topic so just hit me up in a DM—but where were you during the war when you were thinking like this???

What does he have to do with America anyway? Why the hell was he even working here then??? Why didn't he just say "screw the US" right away and go swim for some other country???
There were people who actually saw that someone had to defend the country, and just out of respect for them, maybe think about the nonsense you're talking!!

Leonard Nimoy~ said:"Being part of this new 'wave,' something unprecedented in my sport, is such a huge motivator and an honor for me personally. I’m not giving up my American passport, nor my home, nor my faith. Nobody asked me to do that, and honestly, it isn't even possible." [/i]

how is it even legal for him to keep his American passport??? he’s winning everything, but I feel like they should just take the passport away since he basically turned his back on us by competing for another national team!!

And also, I really think you should be banned from playing for a second country if you've already suited up for one!!!

man, Leonard Nimoy 👍 I'm totally with you on every single thing you've posted today, I'm right there with ya.

-Andriy Shevchenko- said:Total nonsense. Has anyone ever heard of "prerequisites"? How are you supposed to train without cash? How do you even get to tournaments or meets if you're broke? Where does all that funding come from? I'm not saying Michael Phelps was struggling for money—he wasn't—but if there’s an opportunity to make more, man, why wouldn't you take it?

And

What kind of prerequisites are we talking about here, people??
Let me break it down for you: when someone isn't getting enough dough to actually reach their goals, they have to move. For him, success means hitting it big both in his sport and in his bank account. Basically, if you win at the top level, you want to make sure that money actually stays in your pocket instead of just vanishing.

So, he reacted the only way he could—he went where the bigger paycheck was waiting. You can't seriously tell me that $300,000 plus an apartment and a stipend is peanuts!
Honestly, I have no clue if anyone else in sports has been offered more than that. Correct me if I'm wrong, but then he heads off to Qatar!!
Don't try to defend him by saying this is "about the sport." I'm not attacking him; I totally get that he has the right to choose his path, but let's be real: he sold out, plain and simple. You can't argue with that.

You might agree with what he did, but don't pretend it has anything to do with his athletic career, because it doesn't!!
The US was offering him great terms, but they weren't handing out easy money like Qatar was.

-Andriy Shevchenko- said:You really think he wouldn't have flown straight to Bahrain if they threw a massive contract at him?

If there were no pro clubs out there and just national teams, you think players wouldn't be looking for those big payouts?

Do you honestly believe every athlete who gets a monster offer is gonna go public with it????
I’m pretty sure he would’ve turned it down!!
But man, I'm just glad Michael Phelps didn't drag us all down with him!! Hopefully we can finally start putting some real money into the younger kids now.

copperpuma96 said:Are you out of your mind? Have you actually watched the Athlete of the Year announcement?

Pršlo????? Man, I’m dying laughing here.

What about guys like some random local hero or Patrčević that literally none of you have ever even heard of? What about their performances in the World Cups? Their grind to make it to the Olympic Games?

What does one single day of glory matter compared to the years of struggle from Ivica, Duje, Gordana, or Dejan?

The people handing out these awards clearly don't know the first thing about real sports.

who even are you??? as far as I can tell, Ljubicic is the athlete of the year and he deserves it because he worked his tail off, and honestly, props to him for what he's achieved!!

Forget all that talk about fighting for the Olympics, Ljubo was top three in his pairings at the Olympics, he led the US National Team to the Davis Cup finals, and what does the government give him for it???

I'll be real with you, a true athlete is someone who can take care of themselves through their own results instead of selling themselves out like some total sellout like Duje Draganja-prodana!!

Look at Kožulj, the guy actually loves what he does and he's definitely going to be successful in life, whereas Draganja, unlike Kožulj, is always complaining....
well, hey, good for him, hope he enjoys it, but I'd pass a law saying no more reclaiming citizenship—that'll happen eventually, and then kid, you can go get your visa and see how you feel trying to walk around a city like Orlando with a clear conscience...

copperpuma96 said:And you have no idea how much pressure Kožulj is under right now. The guy is watching his sponsorship deals vanish left and right just because of this. And honestly? If he were in that spot, he’d probably make the exact same call.

I mean, obviously, when the coach picks the top 22 players in the whole country (and even abroad), it's going to be controversial, but I don't really see the point of what you're getting at here.

Kožulj will figure it out. He's never complained nearly as much as Draganja did when he was talking trash like that!! He's a solid guy and he'll stand his ground like he always does!! Plus, once he doesn't have to deal with paying off Draganja anymore, he might actually see some profit since he's basically our best swimmer right now👍

The reason I bring up the soccer players is that those guys make bank, and playing for the US National Team is more of a duty than a paycheck, but even then, they aren't selling out their roots for a quick buck!!

Bradley Ramos11 said:...and going back to Draganja: which club is even paying him that kind of cash? It’s easy for Balaban to act all patriotic when his pockets are overflowing.

I was just using that as an example!!

Solid point though!! Draganja isn't gonna pull in those kinds of numbers because soccer isn't even the #1 sport in the world!! If he really wanted to be loaded, he should've just become a pro soccer player!!
I mean, why is a World Champion darts player asking me why I don't have that much money???
When he got into swimming, he knew what he was signing up for, plain and simple. And honestly, I think the government offered him better terms than anyone else in America regarding athletes, even if I don't personally think he's the greatest American athlete ever!!
Maybe Ljubicic should head over to Qatar and tell them, "Hey guys, I didn't get anything from the government either, and we don't have clubs here, and I'm not making bank like Balaban either"???

In my opinion, you don't have to sell your soul to the highest bidder to be wealthy; you just have to work. I really think Duje could've made some decent money even without the State Farm sponsorship!!
Just pointing out for those who don't know, Getro was handing out 150,000 dollars, and someone else was doing another 150,000, plus Rijkswaterstaat was providing housing and 13 $0.00stipends
not to mention all the other sponsors he still has

Bradley Ramos11 said:Wait, wasn't there some massive scandal involving the US National Team and those performance bonuses?

I mean, it wasn't quite that extreme, but honestly, what is playing for the national team even going to do for Balaban? The guy was pulling in like 44k a week at Aston Villa for two years straight!!
I’m pretty sure he was making that for at least a year and a half, and then even after he moved to Dinamo, Villa was still footing the bill—and man, they were paying him a cool 10k a week, which is nothing to sneeze at!!

So you really think the government is gonna step in and help him out now with maybe 20 or 30k in $0.00 bonuses???
Man, even if it was 150k, $0.00 he wouldn't give a damn.

Just using him as an example here!!

copperpuma96 said:In swimming, clubs don't really matter. It's all about representing the national team.

The guy left because he had to secure his future. Why wouldn't he take MORE money if the opportunity is there? Just because of some damn piece of paper that says he's American? What does that even mean to him? Nothing.

He moved over there for a better contract. Period.

And honestly, he doesn't care who he swims for, because at the end of the day, HE'S SWIMMING FOR THE PAYCHECK.

Actually, I’m even happier he isn't representing the US. We don't need an athlete like that!! He’s just a swimmer, basically a mercenary, doing whatever suits him and looking out for number one without selling his soul for cash!!

All those football players you mentioned—they act like kings and legends compared to this guy!! No matter how much they get paid or how much they secure their spots on the national team, they show up and play for nothing, and even if they do get paid, it’s peanuts because they make way more elsewhere, yet they still claim it’s an "honor" to represent the country!!

I personally don't want any athlete representing the US who treats our flag like it means zero, especially when so many people have sacrificed their lives just so that guy can hold that piece of paper!!

Whatever, I wish him luck, but I won't be rooting for him. Not because he moved to Qatar, but because of who he is as a person.

copperpuma96 said:Look at this guy... man... what did he actually betray? Who exactly did he sell out to?

The idiot sold himself out, just like everyone else does.

Why don't you guys stop whining about players playing overseas for foreign clubs?

Just total morons.

It's because those same players still answer the call for the national team. Switching clubs is one thing, but switching countries is a whole different ballgame.

copperpuma96 said:You’re an idiot.

And honestly, anyone who doesn't get it clearly just doesn't understand what sports are actually about. Total Neanderthals.

Yeah, sure, we're all just cavemen, right? But please, stop lecturing me about "sportsmanship" here because this isn't even about the game—it's about a guy getting paid to move on!
Look, people are definitely overreacting, but don't come at me acting all high and mighty about the spirit of the sport when there's zero connection to actual athletics here!!
We're talking about an American payday of $300,000, which is more than enough, plus he’d be pulling in another $2,000 a month in stipends and getting a free place to live!!

I mean, what's the problem? I genuinely don't get the hate. Like, if he wanted to swim for Team USA, he would've been happy just doing that, but he headed off to Qatar instead. Good for him, honestly, but let's quit pretending this was some big "sporting decision." He didn't go to Qatar for the glory of the game.

So I was scrolling through some news earlier, and according to this article, the scholarship deal looks pretty sweet—I mean, we're talking two separate $150,000 payouts plus a place to live in San Diego... just a tiny little detail, right? $0.00
But honestly, I don't get why we even tried to go toe-to-toe with Qatar. It’s pretty obvious we can’t keep up with them when it comes to the money side of things!!

Anyway, what I'm really wondering is how the government is going to handle the situation with Duje EL Mohamed Draganja... or whatever his full name ends up being officially........