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*ATTENTION! If you are looking at this blog, obviously you're interested in the opinion shared here. For the sake of everyone else and to promote further conversation on the matter since you took the time to read it, LEAVE YOUR THOUGHTS!* 

 

Much ado has come from Jason Kidd's recent fulfillment of a previous promise made to Elaine Wynn (the wife of Steve Wynn, Las Vegas casino magnate) regarding his 2008 Beijing Olympics basketball gold medal. Kidd himself stated that "...I told her I'd make a deal with her, that if we won the gold medal, I'd give it to her. She thought I was kidding. But I told her I had one already, and the way they treated us at the Wynn, it was the least I could do."

As I see it, the gold medal represents supreme achievement and a (potential) once in a lifetime accomplishment; futher, the medal itself should be something to show to anyone that you, among all those who competed, was demed the best in the world. Now I do understand that Jason Kidd has another gold from a previous Olympics, but that other medal should not be the sole Olympic representative of his former glory in his trophy case.

Personally, I'm opposed to Kidd giving his medal away despite his "promise" to Wynn. I know she said she didn't take it seriously, but she could have chosen to not accept it. I know that it's Kidd's medal and he can do with it as he chooses, but I guess I just expected him to possess a bit more desire considering that this is his last Olympics and probably his crowning achievement. Maybe I'm looking into it too much. Who knows. I, like many others, feel that this act could be seen as disrespectful and devalues the symbol of the medal.

So.. what say you, the fan? Was he showing a case of supreme humility and generosity or was he simply being foolish?

August 28, 2008  11:49 AM ET

Couldn't he of given it to one of his kids or a family member before he gave it to some lady he just met a month before?The whole thing is just weird to me.It is his medal to do with what he wants but what about family?

August 28, 2008  12:42 PM ET

The first person I thought of was his own son. So what that he already has one for himself to remember. What about the other? You take care of your own before others is the way I see it. If he still decided he wanted to do something with it other than keep it in the family, he could have auctioned it off for charity and donated the proceeds. What a tool.

August 29, 2008  12:14 PM ET

I am the first to say, "It's his. He earned it. He can do what he wants with it." And in general I have no problem with him giving it away, but--as mentioned above-- surely there were/are more appropriate sentimental and/or charitable alternatives than the casino that put them up for a couple of weeks. Other blogs have suggested that Wynn has a charitable fund raising background, and she will use it for these purposes. Fine. Where's the press conference with she and Kidd announcing it? Short of any such assurance, I rate it one part generous, 2 parts foolish, and one big part just plain thoughtless...

 
October 28, 2008  03:45 PM ET

Jason Kidd is a wifebeating jackass. He should donate the gold medal to those that could actually use it, not some overprivaledged elitist ... maybe someone like The Allstate Foundation Domestic Violence Program.

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