Several readers responded to my column on former Broncos coach Mike Shanahan’s 35,000-square-foot home, which I called an obnoxious use of resources.
Some excerpts from those e-mails:
* Mary: Please grow up and get the chip off your shoulder. Mike EARNED his money. You might not approve of his calls or his coaching (I don’t), but he still worked for his money and has the right to spend it any way he wants.
– No name
My response: Agreed. Shanahan can spend his money however he wants. As for his coaching, Blinky the Clown could do the job and I wouldn’t know the difference.
* It always amazes me when people criticize the wealthy for having money and spending it. I can only surmise that you are jealous.
– Claudia
My response: I work at a newspaper and drive a 1996 Camry. Of course I’m jealous.
* Thanks for taking Shanahan’s excesses to task. It’s good to see that not all members of the media in this town suck up to our sports gods.
– Brian
My response: Brian, you, like the vast majority of my readers, are brilliant.
* Who cares if Mike Shanahan builds a 4K- or 40K-square-foot dream home for his family? If your dream is to sip $14 martinis, why should I criticize your dream?
There is no doubt that Shanahan has risen to the most elite level of success in his industry by hard work and dedication; and he has been rewarded for his accomplishment.
Small-minded people that lack the desire, or the vehicle, to achieve a similar lifestyle (or $14 martinis) find the only way to justify their own lack of success is to tear down those more successful.
– Dave
My response: Read on.
One reader pointed out that Shanahan could fit 17 average-size Denver homes – or 30 bungalows – in his new place in Cherry Hills Village.
But another reminded me that Bill Gates has an even bigger pad: 50,000 square feet.
Now, that last fact begs some discussion. I ask myself: Why criticize Shanahan for his excess, but not Gates?
The simple answer: Shanahan is a football coach.
His life’s work is calling plays on a dirt field filled with 22 beefy guys trying to take the ball from each other.
He’s paid to entertain people.
Gates, on the other hand, is an entrepreneurial genius who gave the world computers, or at least access to them. His revolutionary work advanced civilization and improved living standards around the globe.
Do I approve of his 50,000-square-foot home? Not necessarily, but I have a lot easier time accepting Gates in such a palace than I do Shanahan.
If that’s a double standard, I’m guilty.
In my opinion, NFL coaches are overcompensated. But then, I disagree with how many people are compensated in this society.
Why don’t we pay good teachers more? Why are mortgage lenders all driving BMWs?
Still, I don’t know that I’d change the system, even if I could. Flawed as it is, a system in which people vote with their wallets is preferable to any other I know of.
I like the fact that I have a right to spend $150 to see Madonna perform, just as you have a right to spend the same to watch the Broncos.
It’s a difference in values, and we’re privileged to live in a land where we can exercise those differences.
Does Shanahan have a right to build a 35,000-square-foot home? Of course he does.
But that doesn’t mean it’s moral, in my opinion.
And the argument that Shanahan is putting people to work with this project is a phony one. He’s creating a few temporary jobs.
Building a house the size of a theme park in this age of global warming and dwindling resources is irresponsible.
