I hope you're only joking to make a point, JAM - what you are communicating is not true from my experience....as a matter of fact it's quite the contrary.
From my experience the majority of the forum members are very respectful, good natured, and courteous. I've had close to 500 members email me and/or Private Message me during the last 8 months and only a few negative remarks.
Sure, there's been some constructive criticism, but that's actually a positive thing and welcomed by anyone wanting to better themselves. I'm sure Cliff understands this.
Most professional athletes have sponsors, I'm not sure how sponsorship and "handouts" can even be remotely connected. Billions of dollars are spent to sponsor professional athletes ever year, it's as American as Baseball, Hotdogs, and TOI.
I am half joking and half serious, C.J. On the one hand, I am elated that you have found the members of this forum to be welcoming and kind to you personally.
My experience on this forum since I joined in 2004 has tainted my opinion on how so-called "professional pool players" are regarded by the members of this forum. I could elaborate, but I don't want to start a back-and-forth on this topic in this thread.
My opinion is that Cliff Joyner was seeking funds to participate in the tournament, the arrangements of which as far as the chop-chop would be handled in private via e-mail or phone. In so coming on this forum, he has subjected himself to ridicule by the membership here. I'm sure if he would have known that, he would have never agreed to come to this wonderful pool forum to look for a stakehorse, sponsor, backer, whatever you want to call it.
Cliff Joyner is a one-pocket pool phenom. For years and years, I'd venture to even say a decade or more, this man couldn't get played unless he gave out huge spots. The pool aficionados, railbirds, wannabes, and nits would most definitely gather around his table, hoping to catch a glimpse of pool at its finest.
Today, in the autumn of Cliff's life, this one-pocket champion, this American legendary player, is not only passed over to be inducted into the One Pocket Hall of Fame, which I just can't figure out why since it is well known that he is/has been one of the top three one-pocket players in the country, if not the world, but when he comes to this forum in an effort to compete in an upcoming pool tournament, his request is met with mean-spirited comments.
Everyone, of course, as we all know, is entitled to feel the way they want to about Cliff, but I regard him as one of the best American pool players in my lifetime. Maybe when he dies and is buried in the ground, a few kind words can be said about him. Heck, he might even be recognized for his legendary one-pocket strength, which outshines the majority of one-hole players I've seen. The only exceptions I can think of would be Ronnie Allen, Grady Mathews, and Efren Reyes. And if I were to match Cliff's prime to any one of those three in their prime, it would be a "pick 'em" as far as the odds on who would win.
So, until then, I'll just accept the fact that pro pool players are regarded as pariahs and no-good bums, worthy of ridicule and insults on this pool forum, and you, C.J., can accept the fact that pro pool players are welcome and treated with respect on this pool forum.
