I Admire Galen Rupp Not For His Athleticism But For His Social Media Modesty

When you’ve pushed the limits of cheating throughout your career the best thing to do is remain quiet. As Teddy Roosevelt said “speak softly and carry a big stick.” Sport is all about performance. Keep your mouth shut and perform. We don’t need no dumb Pre quotes.

There’s a positive correlation, and probably a causal relationship, between single men tend to use social media more than married men.

I wonder if they're gonna try to break Rupp's 13:01 indoor AR this year? That was a very impressive solo run by him.

Of course it's also one of the definitive examples of how mechanically assisted indoor 3000/5000 shouldn't be taken seriously

I myself do NOT admire being socially awkward and inarticulate. Being the life of the party, talking to everyone about everything, is not a suite of life's most important skills. It is fine if some people don't possess them. They may not be beneficial for a career in sports; then again, they may be if skillfully used.

I also don't admire inability to play guitar - just to pick a random skill I lack. There is nothing admirable about not being able to bust out everyone's favorite song, which I'm certainly not doing. I have no beef with this guy being uncomfortable and nervous around people. He certainly isn't the guy telling jokes and getting laughs. However, to admire such limitations seems strange to me, and I don't.

I agree. Stay off social media and let your results speak for you.

Galen is fast enough that he doesn't have to do all of the social media fluff. I have to imagine that a fair amount of pro athletes don't particularly enjoy the social media/influencer/product pushing side, but need to do it for the paycheck.

If you're good enough to get paid for just running, you have the luxury of doing social media however you like.

He’s fortunate being active on social media isn’t part of his sponsorship agreement; some athletes don’t have the option.

I agree. We need more of this!

I admire his gigantic balls

https://media.gettyimages.com/photos/galen-rupp-sits-at-the-start-line-as-they-wait-for-the-start-of-the-picture-id1209504635?s=2048x2048

the elephant in the room wrote:

I myself do NOT admire being socially awkward and inarticulate. Being the life of the party, talking to everyone about everything, is not a suite of life's most important skills. It is fine if some people don't possess them. They may not be beneficial for a career in sports; then again, they may be if skillfully used.

I also don't admire inability to play guitar - just to pick a random skill I lack. There is nothing admirable about not being able to bust out everyone's favorite song, which I'm certainly not doing. I have no beef with this guy being uncomfortable and nervous around people. He certainly isn't the guy telling jokes and getting laughs. However, to admire such limitations seems strange to me, and I don't.

Not doing something doesn't necessarily mean you're unable to do it.

Yeah. "Fortunate" to be fast enough to get all the publicity to satisfy his sponsor by just running races.

What an unfortunate waste. Imagine if he had a personality!

i admire galen for looking like an elf and running on the tredmill even if it is raining

snoresvilles wrote:

What an unfortunate waste. Imagine if he had a personality!

Personality? You mean, like throwing a hissy fit after being pushed out by a tiny Ethiopian in a DL race? ;)

Just Another Hobby Jogger wrote:

snoresvilles wrote:

What an unfortunate waste. Imagine if he had a personality!

Personality? You mean, like throwing a hissy fit after being pushed out by a tiny Ethiopian in a DL race? ;)

Absolutely we’d all be better off if he had Solinsky’s personality.

snoresvilles wrote:

Just Another Hobby Jogger wrote:

Personality? You mean, like throwing a hissy fit after being pushed out by a tiny Ethiopian in a DL race? ;)

Absolutely we’d all be better off if he had Solinsky’s personality.

Who are "we"? I don't need any drama queen to enjoy running races.

Just Another Hobby Jogger wrote:

anon1111 wrote:

He’s fortunate being active on social media isn’t part of his sponsorship agreement; some athletes don’t have the option.

Yeah. "Fortunate" to be fast enough to get all the publicity to satisfy his sponsor by just running races.

It is crazy how many people on here have no understanding of sponsorships, contracts, or what brands actually want.

Newsflah- brands don't care about how fast you run, they care about your ability to sell products to the masses- instagram, strava, youtube sells products, running 13:00 does not.

Galen rupp is the unicorn. Possibly the only US runner who is sponsored purely for his performance.

OP said "I truly wish other athletes showed a fraction of the modesty of Galen Rupp." What they actually are saying "I wish every other athlete was unsponsored."