........ when mythologized caricatures of Babe Ruth, Joe Louis, Joe DiMaggio, Jackie Robinson, Muhammad Ali, Hank Aaron and Johnny Unitas were the most important influencers of American culture. There was nothing cooler and more respected than being a red-white-and-blue sports star.
Movie stars and singers wanted to be in the company of America’s best and bravest athletes.
Celebrities mimicked celebrity athletes.
Athletic culture trumped Hollywood culture.
This is no longer the case. Jay-Z, a rapper who glorifies his former life as a drug dealer, has far more cultural influence than LeBron James. Jay-Z is this generation’s Joe D, and Beyonce is Marilyn Monroe.
Al Capone is a bigger deal than Babe Ruth.
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