I’m not ready to jump on the Simone Biles mental health bandwagon.   I was a big fan prior to these Olympic games, but at the risk of being cancelled for an offbeat view, what in the world is the owner of 31 Olympic and World Chamionship medals doing in Japan this week ?   Initially citing “mental health” issues, this truly American champion clarified her situation yesterday by defining her issue as the “twisties”, a truly clinical definition of a frightening state of disassociation that prevents athletes from completing a skill.  Oddly, I’ve never heard an NFL QB, or a college basketball free throw shooter, or a soccer goalkeeper use that term to describe a personal struggle to perform.   They call it stage fright, or “the yips”.

Now, admittedly, I do not have all the information surrounding Simone Biles mental or physical state, thus I may have to eat my words.   What really troubles me is the near unanimous public cultural reaction to the situation from other athletes, politicians,  pundits, entertainers and other commentators.   Today’s culture seems to applaud Biles’ courage and bravery for withdrawing from the team competition, thus denying her teammates an opportunity for gold, and some poor young girl from making the Olympic team.   A previous generation might choose commitment to teammates,  battling through physical ailments, overcoming stage fright, and stepping up in major events as positive attributes (and benefits) of participation in sports.

As I observe Simone Biles cashing an estimated $6 million in endorsement checks so far with Hershey’s, Nike,  Athleta, Oreo Cookies, Mattress Firm, Uber Eats, and Kelloggs,  is it too much for the public and her teammates  to expect more than an excuse of “twisties” ?       The last chapter is to be written this week, as Simone Biles contemplates participation in the individual event finals.   I can only hope and pray that Aaron Rodgers doesn’t experience “twisties” this NFL season as several 300 pound men bear down on him in the pocket !                                                              WHAT THE HECK !