Sports and Sports Fans
Ok, I can understand competing in a sport, even after your ‘prime age’. I have friends in their late 30’s playing softball, soccer, and basketball. I am all for that. In fact, its great because as a nation we are way the hell too fat and need more exercise. Anything to get people away from the television and out into the world.
What I do not understand is people (many of them are overweight) who follow sports as a religious obsession. Whether it be college basketball, golf or Nascar, how can your life be so tied to something that does not effect your day to day life one little bit? Why not get excited about the score in last springs big cricket match between India and Pakistan? Surpassingly, that will effect our lives (that whole world peace thing) a hell of a lot more than who won the 2005 Sugar Bowl and who one the Batman Begins 400 on Fathers Day.
I can almost understand those who follow a college team if it was the one the person went to. I have many friends who are rabid Michigan State fans and hate every other school. The passion for such a school is understandable. You dropped good money on the education, hopefully it helped you get a real job that provided for your family. You feel an attachment.
Nobody’s lives hinge on the success or history of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers or the Rusty Wallace Nascar team. Yet there are millions of Americans who can quote you useless statistics about a team and devote literally hours and hours each week to watching such drivel. What are they getting out of it? Entertainment I suppose, but I would rather have my brain be expanded a little bit, maybe watching the History channel. That would be better than watch guys driving around in circles REALLY FAST.
I of course say this only half an hour before game 7 of the 2005 NBA Finals between (my) Detroit Pistons and the San Antonio Spurs. Yes, I will be watching it and rooting for the Pistons. I am a fair weather fan and I would not be watching unless it was ‘my’ team.
A little hypocritical, probably, but I don’t care. 