Remember when professional athletes weren’t so caught up in social media, like, you know, a teenager who’s obsessed with capturing every moment for TikTok?

Casey Keller, a former player for the US Men’s National Team (USMNT), recently commented on this trend while discussing two rising American stars, Christian Pulisic and Tim Weah. He suggested that these players seem more interested in snapping Instagram photos than pushing U.S. soccer to new heights. In a new episode of the docuseries “Pulisic,” both Pulisic and Weah responded to Keller’s critique, suggesting he stand up for them.

“We’re not expecting perfection every time you step out there, but I need to see full commitment,” Keller expressed on ESPN FC. “I think fans watching last year’s US national team need to be honest about whether they consistently give 100%.”

“This is what they invented. They go to social media and have a document series… you invented this.” 😯

– USMNT legend Kasey Keller responding to comments from Pulisic and Weah regarding media and former players.

Keller’s concern appears broader than just the USMNT. It seems many athletes, both young and old, are more preoccupied with their social media personas—sometimes engaging in online drama—rather than focusing on their actual games and performance.

Take Travis Kelce, for instance. He’s transitioned from a dedicated athlete to a pop culture figure, like NBA stars LeBron James and Kevin Durant, who have both dabbled in social media controversies. Durant famously used burner accounts, and despite his poor performances, Ben Simmons kept posting about his flashy lifestyle, which definitely frustrated fans.

Photographed by Ryan McGinley and Styled By @luxurylaw GQ September issue https://t.co/mpowz0mtiz

Juju Smith-Schuster, another talented player from the Kansas City Chiefs, has earned the nickname “TikTok Boy” due to his heavy use of the app. He even streams video games alongside rappers like Drake and Travis Scott.

But it wasn’t always this way. There was a time when athletes focused less on their online personas and more on their sport. Back in the day, athletes weren’t burdened by the need to maintain an online presence; it just didn’t exist.

The 1993 Philadelphia Phillies serve as a perfect example of athletes fully immersed in their game, even while being known as party-loving individuals. They often played through hangovers, yet were famously “obsessed with baseball,” dedicating themselves to the sport, and they nearly took home the World Series that year.

One standout player, John Kruk, was not just a monster hitter but also had a great sense of humor. During a broadcast, he humorously interacted with his colleague about a Philly cheesesteak. The 2003 documentary High Hopes: Winner’s Anatomy portrays Kruk reminiscing about his teammates, showcasing both their humor and temperamental sides.

Now, look at modern athletes with huge followings on social media. Cristiano Ronaldo, for example, has a staggering 663 million followers on Instagram. At 40, he’s still competing at a high level in Saudi Arabia, and his social media presence never seemed to distract him in his early career. The same can’t be said for Kelce, LeBron, Durant, or Smith-Schuster, as they often appear ensnared in the social media whirlwind.

It’s interesting how many athletes have shifted away from the pride they once felt. Nowadays, most take rigorous training seriously with a focused diet, steering clear of habits like smoking—and that deserves recognition. But it seems that a fixation on social media is pulling some of the magic out of sports. Back in 1993, that magic truly shone in Philadelphia. It’s a pity that more athletes aren’t embracing that kind of dedication.