What happened to class in sports?

Excuse me for asking, but whatever happened to class in sports?

You know, that thing which says you just do some things a certain way because it's the "classy" thing to do?

To quote Ron Burgundy: "Stay classy, San Diego."

Recently, simple class has taken a beating. Here are some examples and here's why they bother me:

• Mike Holmgren snubbing Bill Cowher for the traditional "on the field" handshake after the Super Bowl
  You can scream at me all you want about how Holmgren got "confused" and that they were supposed to meet at the 25 yard line, and how Holmgren still met with Cowher in the locker-room. Malarkey! Simple class says that as a losing coach in a game that big, you simply do not leave the field until you have found the opposing coach to give him his proper respect. Hell, it's a big rectangular open space, even with the post-game confetti chaos, it shouldn't be so hard. When it doubt, walk to the logo and just wait.

• Joe Montana and Terry Bradshaw Skipping The MVP Ceremony
  Whether it was cash related or not, it still doesn't matter. Simple class dictates that you show up. The NFL gave both men EVERYTHING they have in life. And when the league that did that for you says, "Hey, we're having a little get together, can you come" you say, "I'd be thrilled to be there!" I don't want to hear about Montana and his kid's basketball game. That's the most tired excuse in sports today. Yes, family is important. But it doesn't trump EVERY obligation, and it's not the bulletproof excuse some athletes want to believe. Making it worse, was the fact that both Montana and Bradshaw were seen roaming radio row during the week promoting various personal ventures in Detroit. What jerks.

• Tom Brady Begging Out of the Pro Bowl With A Sports Hernia, But Then Showing Up To Play Golf at Pebble Beach
  Again, I understand that Brady has "been there done that" with the Pro Bowl. He'll go plenty more times. But it remains as an important league function. You may think it's a waste of time and a dangerous injury waiting to happen as a player, but the Pro Bowl remains an important function for your employer, the NFL. So be there. I think we'd all be amazed at how good attendance at the Pro Bowl would be, if bonus checks for making the team were cut right there on the sideline during the game. No show, no pay. And oh yeah, Tom. I saw you get home in 2 on 18 on TV at Pebble. Seven handicap? Ahem! Cough ... right. Nice sandbagging.

• Ozzie Guillen Not Missing One Day Of His Vacation to Go To White House With the World Champion White Sox
  On the one hand, it's a great thing that in America you can simply snub the President and not worry about some jack-booted thugs showing up in the middle of the night to take you and your family away to some dark prison. I wouldn't do the same thing to that nutbag Hugo Chavez if I were Ozzie back in Venezuela. On the other hand, simple class says you take the one day and get on a Lear jet and be there. You are the manager, for God's sake! How many future vacations will you get with your family in life, and how many future White House visits will you get? Duh. Plus, it's not like you would have to tell your family to pack up there stuff and come with you. They can stay on the beach until you get back a day later. What's the big deal? I know this much, had the White House said: "Sorry, but we don't have time for you, White Sox" the bitching and wailing from the Sox would be deafening.

• Olympic Athletes Skipping Opening Ceremonies Citing "Fatigue"
  It's ridiculous when the world's supposedly "best athletes" claim that merely standing around for a few hours in the cold is somehow going to devastate their chances at a medal. Especially when there's a "rest day" between the ceremonies and almost every actual event. Sure, the Opening Ceremony has become a rather bizarre and lengthy bore, but it's at the core of the so-called "Olympic tradition." If you can't get excited to march in the stadium wearing your country's colors and waving the flag then you probably shouldn't be there.

• Michelle Kwan Grabbing Last Spot on Figure Skating Team With "Special Tryout"
  I've heard lots of skating "experts" say that she was just doing what the "rules" allowed. They also said that her longtime success "entitled" her to one last shot. Hogwash. She had not competed due to a chronic injury all fall. She did not go through any of the standard rigors of making the team. And she was chasing a very outside shot at the gold medal she failed to win twice already. Her selfish pursuit would have robbed Emily Hughes of a valuable chance in her early prime to test her Olympic nerves. Simple class would have led Kwan to say: "I've had my time. My body isn't ready. Time for the next generation." Plenty of other athletes have been more gracious in making sacrifices of themselves because it was the right thing to do.