Why do professional athletes tell fibs?

I did not inhale and I did not have sexual relations with that women........wait a minute he wasn't a athlete.

On that Note amateur athlete Ross Rebagliati (olympic snowboarder) and second hand pot smoker.

Professional- I'm drawing a blank. The story in Kerry Fraser's book about Tiger Williams disciplinary hearing with the metal arrows vs wooden ones is pretty good. Thanks for the book recommendation by the way. Got it and "the greatest Game for Xmas". Really enjoyed Fraser's book. Still think he is a pompous **** who liked the spotlight a little too much but some great stories in there. I'll probably read the other one this weekend.

Edit: how could I forget the pro ball players. But come on Bob, it's "clear" that Barry was "clean"

It seems to be something that is normal at his age. I had two cousins that went through the same phase. It will decline as he gets older. And you will begin to also pick up on when he's lying and when he's telling the truth. Then you will be able to coax him into telling you the truth. Check the site in the source below. For the Big lies it states and I quote: When you catch them in an important lie that has to do with their safety or emotional well-being, take them for a walk, or some private place, tell them to listen, and lay out what you know. Don't corner and interrogate them; they just squirm and lie more to protect themselves from your anger and disappointment. Give them a chance to be upset, then talk about trust and self-deception as the real consequences. Then think with them together about how to repair the damage. If you get stony silence, try again later, but don't berate, degrade, or humiliate. You become the problem, then, not the lie. Then after that there is a section on discipline which may help for when he tells big lies - He needs to learn that there are consequences for his actions. There is also a book from Amazon about why kids lie and how to encourage truthfulness but I don't think you need it. Give him 2 years and his imaginary friends will disappear and the number of lies will decline. I have not got kids yet so have no personal experience other than that of siblings and younger relatives. All the best.

As to Jamie 'fibbing'; alot of teams keep things on the down low.. So we may not have heard as to what he would be willing to waive the NTC for.

Maybe Jamie at the time of that interview, wasn't planning on waiving it, but either mentioned what teams he'd be willing to go to, to waive it or Lou talked to the stars & talked to Jamie about going there & it was the right fit & that's why it sounds like he 'fibbed'

He gets to go back to familiar (or sort of how familiar is it going to be after 10 years?!) team, friends, area etc. Sometimes that's the best for the family as well. These guys can't just say HEY I want to go here (well maybe when they're single) but when you have a family to tote around at this stage of your career. You ahve to think of the Wife & Kids... Tho' did he have kids before he was traded to NJ? I know he has at least one boy (but think he has 2-3 kids) not sure of ages tho. THe one I saw I htink was if anything in Kintergarden or grade 1.

"Why do professional athletes tell fibs?"

Here is the answer, $$$$

"What is the biggest fib you've heard from a professional athlete not named Lebron?"

I'd never play for the Red Wings- Chris Chelios, he also waved a No Trade Clause I believe.

LITY- "they didn't have to trade him to Detroit, they could have sent him to San Jose for a then 19 yr old Patrick Marleau and 2 first round picks."

You really know how to make my life even worse... If that was on the table, wow... I need to drink.

Yeah they do that sometimes... but I cant blame them either.

Sometimes they rather just get out of the spotlight and later come out with the truth.

If I was Langenbrunner I would have done the same.. tell a small fib to get the media off my back during trade talks

Perhaps they gave him an offer he couldn't refuse, it is Jersey after all.........who knows what happened behind closed doors, maybe Lou told him he could waive the NTC or go ride some buses in the minors (assuming it wasn't a NMC). Given that alternative, I think most NHLers would waiver their NTC. Wouldn't sit well for your reputation as a GM or an organization though. Perhaps he was just paying lip service.

Perhaps he wasn't lying but just changed his mind.......maybe his wife wanted out of the swamp and heard Dallas was nice.

The biggest fib................Roger Clemens, Sammy Sosa, Bonds, Palmeiro...........steroids.

I can't blame him. What's he supposed to say? "I'm off to Dallas folks, stay tuned." Not gonna go over big. I think he'll say that either way because that's what the fans wanna hear.

The biggest fib would be any of the 50 I've heard form Arod being a Yankees fan. No skin off my nose. Shut up and hit homeruns I always say.

When Gretzky told Messier he wasn't going to cry when he did the press conference about him leaving Edmonton. That was a good fib.

"I never did steroids"

-Rafael Palmeiro, Sammy Sosa, Roger Clemens, Barry Bonds.....

As to why they fib about trades, I think it's because they don't want to deal with the fallout if they say "ok, you can trade me" and then the deal falls through. It won't look so good to fans and teammates who may see it as the player not wanting to stay with the team.

i have heard a fib from a coach

john torterrala , said if he were coach for a team he would never have avery and says he hates him and he should be kicked from the nhl, said he would never have him on his team, and look what happened now, he is on the rangers , and thier head coach is torterrela.