Apparently stung, David Beckham hits back at league, critics

Seems that some people never remember the “first rule of holes.” So let’s review:

“When you find yourself in one, stop digging!”

David Beckham recently got himself suspended for a match for lashing out. I say, we’ve mowed that particular patch of grass. A lot. So let’s just move on.

Only, as he returned this week Beckham wasn’t quite ready to move on, taking some verbal jabs at the league, at referees and at his critics – and his comments carry a hint of entitlement and some lacking self-awareness.

Did I deserve a yellow card? Yeah, I probably did deserve a yellow card. Because of my reaction. But did I deserve the second game? That’s for other people to talk about, and other people talk about it very well, by the way.”

Oh? Not happy that people are discussing you, your kind and your situations? Also known as, “The very reason you’re here!”

Where to start with that one? If you sign up to be the face of the league, you’re the face of the league in good times and bad. You can’t get paid all that money and then ask the cameras to stop rolling whenever the light becomes less flattering.

More generally, a man who fits as many TV commercials, runways slots and cover model shots into his life as humanly possible, and a man who builds a brand that pretty much prints currency, does not get to complain when people talk about him. Those are the rules. He should know so; he’s been in this game forever.

When asked about critics who felt the one-game ban was too light, that perhaps three or four games was more commensurate with his actions, he had this to say.

Yeah, well, they’re the jealous ones, unfortunately. They’re the ones that like to sit in front of the TV and discuss my life even when I’m not playing the game. Maybe I’m at a tennis game – they like to discuss that. There’s people that maybe like to get in the limelight a little too much.”

I’m on the record as saying one game was right. But c’mon! He’s playing the limelight card? That’s the same one he plays with referees who don’t acquiesce to his demands on the field. He accuses them of wanting to be “star of the show.”

Maybe. There is some ego involved in refereeing. And certainly in my business, too.

But there’s another way of looking at it, Mr. Beckham. Maybe these mere mortals are just doing their jobs.

Referees blow the whistle and enforce the rules; so, yes, sometimes they have to make you behave. You’ve been granted more leniency than anyone in MLS, so don’t take it there.

Journalists, bloggers and TV analysts do their thing, too. We talk about all the players. Or haven’t you noticed?

Beckham lashed out against San Jose two weeks ago. He lost his cool. He got tagged by the league for it. That stuff happens. All he had to do was take his medicine like a big boy, come back and play nice and all would be forgiven. His latest comments, falling on the bitter side, just keep it all in the news cycle a little longer.

Now that I’ve had my say, please excuse me. I have to go bask in my limelight.

Now, just where did I put that doggone limelight?