Pro/College sports mania: I don't get it!

[Aquajock]

This is not intended as a diatribe against pro/college sports fans, although it might come off as such; I'm sincerely trying to understand something here.

In our local paper today there is an article about an unnamed St. Paul man who grew up in Baraboo, Wisconsin; he is to be installed in a key leadership position in his church today. This church service and installation, however, are events he is choosing to miss, so that he can go to the Packers/NY Giants game at Lambeau Field. This is reminiscent of a Christmas Eve some years ago when a major football event was scheduled for Christmas Eve, and area churches really struggled with what and how to program their services, either to accommodate or compete with The Big Game.

If I may be permitted:

WTH?!

Is it me? I have never, ever understood the creature known as The Sports Zealot, which I realize is not a uniquely American phenomenon. I grew up in Tallahassee, FL, home of the Florida State Seminoles, a town in which (I'm sure) more people pray to Bobby Bowden than to Jesus Christ; the high school I attended had weekly football pep rallies and precisely one acknowledgment for its National Merit Finalists (of which I was one) my entire senior year.

I live in a metropolitan area that is home to professional football, baseball, basketball and hockey teams as well as collegiate team sports as well, and it seems people care more about their sports (and their sports stadiums) than they do about their schools' educational quality or their churches' solvency. And it seems that, if one is a (male) star professional or collegiate athlete, that is indeed a license to drink, drug, rape, and even kill with little or no consequences beyond a one-game suspension. Isn't this idolatry?

I'm sincerely interested in hearing from sports fans what drives their fandom, and how these (seeming, to me) extremes can be justified. Actually, I'm interested in all points of view on the subject.

A-Jock
(Would Rather Do It Than View It)

 

[Mckmain]

Hi A-Jock....not sure I can answer all your questions that well as I can be very challenged when typing my feelings!

I started watching Pro Football at 12 years old with my Dad (who passed away in 1997). I know my love of this sport had a lot to do with my Dad. He taught me what he could of the game and I cannot even tell you all the games up until his death that we watched together. I am not all that impressed with some of the Football stars, because as you said they seem to have a license to do anything. But...there have been some outstanding and IMO great players in this sport: Emmit Smith, Marcus Allen, Jerry Rice, Joe Montana, Howie Long )) to name a few that are not associated with the drinking, drugs, rape and killing. There are also a few idiots playing in the Pro's I would like to slap! I cannot change that.

I never have thought about justifying why I watch Pro Football...I just do. It is the only sport I truly love to watch, and it gives me great joy to watch a team I like win! And my DH seems to like it when I yell at the Ref's for what I know is a bad call...

 

[netsnotes]

I love college football, that is my sport, thus on the weekends,my fat butt sits on the sofa and watches nothin' but ACC and SEC conference games. I also have a father who loves EVERY sport, but football is my love. My son plays football as well. He is into EVERY sport like his grandfather. Dave really doesn't get into sports that much but he does watch an occasional game with us. With that being said, more and more women watch sports and know more about games more so than some men. Holly Robinson Peete has even wrote a book, "Get Your Own Damn Beer, I am Watching the Game."

There are the selected few athletes that are not good examples for role models and there are many athletes that give their time, talent and treasure to the community but their stories are often not told. For example, Ray Ray of Clemson (yes, that is my team), has adopted his younger brother because their mother is a drug addict. He is support both himself and brother while playing ball at Clemson. NCAA rule in his case that donations could be accepted to help them. Also, several Clemson players have decided to go and try for NFL because of their family situations. Not all players are bad, just the ones that the media like to potray and becomes sterotypical of all players.

If you want to top another story, several years ago when USC-Carolina went to a bowl game is was the year of my Cotillion. This was waaaay before all the electronic gadgets. You should have seen all the men huddled in the corner listening to the game. I pull for USC when they are not playing Clemson.

We have a sayin' in the south, "football IS a religion in the south." And once you get your son started in football ie, flag and then tackle, he is already in the system. There are even girls that are playing football now. Which I am happy about.

My son is even coached by several former USC football players. And the refs in the league, said, "we have the best coached and well mannered team." So in spite of negativity of sports in general there is a whooole lot more positive that comes of out college sports.

My friends even know not to call or visit during college game day! And we won't evvvven talk about college playoffs and bowl week. I do have admit I am not big on NFL since Tom Laundry but I'll watch the Super Bowl. I wish a southern team would play......


Annette Bethel