In his latest Psychology of Sports column, Dr. Richard Lustberg looks at some recent quotes by some "stars" and does some analysis of "what they said, what they meant."

Astronomers tell us that stars are born at the rate of a nanosecond. Newly anointed sports stars are birthed at the same rate; the only difference between the two is that the terrestrial stars sometimes take millions of years to form, while sports stars take only seconds. One case in point (although there are hundreds to choose from) is Eli Manning.

Terrell Owens has just been suspended for the season, which should not come as any surprise. To put it mildly, Owens as had a troubled existence in Philly and appears to be confronting a number of psychological issues. Read on for more on this story.

I believe the gulf between our politicians, which includes the belt-way talking heads we incessantly see on our television sets, and the citizenry of this country has widened to the point of almost disconnect.  Read on to find out why.

The Super Bowl has become such an important event in our society that it has taken on a stature all its own. Barring a tragedy of global importance in the next week, the glut of stories emanating from Jacksonville will dominate the news. Many people have a lot at stake on this football game and the potential for both angst and a fractured emotional well-being is as titanic as the game itself.

 

 

In light of the alleged crimes and actions committed by such sports figures as Jermaine O?Neil, Ron Artest, Todd Bertuzzi, Jayson Williams, Kobe Bryant, O.J Simpson, and a plethora of other athletes, and the outcome of the cases, it has led many to ask questions about the fairness of the law in this country. It has also created a good degree of psychological consternation as well. Here?s why.

It's happening more and more -- a fan says or throws something a a player and the player retaliates. So, let?s just cut to the chase. There is absolutely no excuse for any athlete to respond to any kind of insult from a fan at any level of sport.

As the most recent revelations regarding the confirmed steroid use by some of sports? biggest athletes continue to roll out of the closet, many fans, and others connected to the sports world are in total shock. The real question, however, is what were the fans and the baseball community thinking? The answer is simple. They weren?t.

As the incident involving Texas Rangers reliever Frank Francisco has been discussed in the past weeks and months, it was repeatedly explained as an altercation between players and a fan or two who reportedly made derogatory comments to pitchers in the bullpen. But at the end of the day, the situation was simply a man losing control and throwing a chair into a crowd of people. Professional baseball was the setting, but neither the sport nor the player-fan dynamic are to blame here.

Little Ronnie Artest and his buddies Jermaine O?Neil and Stephen Jackson got into trouble while playing in someone else?s yard. It seems that Little Ronnie, who has a long history of misbehaving, cannot stay out of trouble for any length of time. Read on for the story.