I think I speak for 90% of the male population when I say that sports are awesome. But why? What makes them so interesting? Are we playing the other team? Are we earning the millions of dollars? Are we "livin' the good life"? NO. So what is so appealing?
The standard answer to that question is entertainment. You are looking at the original reality TV show. There is a story behind rivalries and drama in LeBron vs. Kobe, Federer vs. Nadal, Crosby vs. Ovechkin, and Tiger vs. Phil. It climaxes in the middle of the year and during a push for the playoffs (except for college football, different article). There is sadness in defeat, happy endings in championships. Sports really are the perfect Disney story. But I think the answer lies deeper.
Come lay down on the couch. Let's talk it out. I would like to think most of us attempted to play a sport at some point. Whether it was kickball at recess, hitting stones with a branch in your backyard, or getting 8 dudes together and playing tackle football in the snow, we all tried. And unfortunately, we have all also lost. Losing a competitive game is probably one of the worst feelings any of us probably experienced in our young fragile lives. It is even worse if you are the reason your team lost. Please God just don't let it be me that drops that fly ball. Not me that drops that last second touchdown pass. But at the same token, we have also all won (unless you were just a loser). What an amazing feeling to win, and even more exhilarating, to know you were involved in that success somehow.
The standard answer to that question is entertainment. You are looking at the original reality TV show. There is a story behind rivalries and drama in LeBron vs. Kobe, Federer vs. Nadal, Crosby vs. Ovechkin, and Tiger vs. Phil. It climaxes in the middle of the year and during a push for the playoffs (except for college football, different article). There is sadness in defeat, happy endings in championships. Sports really are the perfect Disney story. But I think the answer lies deeper.
Come lay down on the couch. Let's talk it out. I would like to think most of us attempted to play a sport at some point. Whether it was kickball at recess, hitting stones with a branch in your backyard, or getting 8 dudes together and playing tackle football in the snow, we all tried. And unfortunately, we have all also lost. Losing a competitive game is probably one of the worst feelings any of us probably experienced in our young fragile lives. It is even worse if you are the reason your team lost. Please God just don't let it be me that drops that fly ball. Not me that drops that last second touchdown pass. But at the same token, we have also all won (unless you were just a loser). What an amazing feeling to win, and even more exhilarating, to know you were involved in that success somehow.
Here is my point. Somewhere along the line, we all hated being responsible for a loss, but enjoyed being the reason for a win. I think watching competitive sports allows us to have the best of both worlds. Yeah, it sucks when your favorite team loses, but for you personally, life goes on - you didn't lose that game, you didn't drop that ball. Most of the time you don't hold on to those losses beyond a few weeks. But if your team wins, it was all about "us" - "we" WON. Ten years later, it was US that won that time. How can it get much better then that? Its a win-win situation. This brown guy likes those odds.
No comments:
Post a Comment