I promised a Roger Clemens rant. But I think I'm over it. Today, I saw the bigger picture. And Roger Clemens is right in the front of it, so instead of ignorantly lambasting him to no avail, I've decided to take a slightly different rout than a rant.
At work today, one of my fellow employees asked me if I caught some episode of some television show on TV last night. I replied no, explaining that I don't have a TV. He asked me, "What? But don't you miss all your sports shows and games?"
I sat there a minute, letting the realization that I don't miss them sink in and trying to figure out an explanation as to why I don't miss them. Then it hit me: "No, Moe, I don't miss them at all. It's corrupt. Everything, every sport is corrupt. And why would I miss watching overpaid multi-millionaires, that I have no relationship with, play sports?"
Before you correct me, I already understand that sports is a tradition all over the world. And I understand that 60,000 people in a stadium, rooting for a single team, is a good thing. In fact, I know it's a GREAT thing. It's a shame us crazy sports fans can't rally 60,000 of us into a stadium for more important issues. But nonetheless, that many people being together for a common cause has helped Americans through many tough trials and tribulations. I understand WHY sports is good. Don't get me wrong.
But the reason I don't miss watching it on TV anymore is because it's gone dirty. And I mean filthy. You name it, we've got it. The steroid issue plagues sports across the board. Almost every major sport has been hit, whether publicly or privately. The NBA has been hit with corrupt officiating and a gangster, fight-for-the-win attitude. The NFL had two cases this season of illegal "spying" on the other teams. Baseball, cycling, and track and field are all so deep in their own steroid issues that they can't see out of their holes. People will always come back for baseball, that much has been proven, but the other two...
Fingers are crossed.
And I doubt hockey is innocent either. It's hard for me to say fighting in the NBA is bad and fighting in the NHL is good, isn't it? But that's not the only thing going on in the professional hockey circuit. The greatest player EVER was rumored to be involved with a very serious gambling ring, and don't think they've completely avoided the steroid issue either. It's just that nobody cares.
College sports? Please. There is just as much, if not more, corruption, lying, and cheating across the board at the collegiate level than there is the pros.
So I do I miss it? No. Not the slightest bit. I follow the local teams online, but I seldom flock to a sports bar anymore to catch a glimpse. Mizzou, this season, was the exception. And rightfully so.
But what is there to miss? I've caught two Durango high school hoops games in the past two weeks. One Lady Demons game, and one boys game. And they were absolutely thrilling. And that's all I need.
I don't need a TV in order to watch great sports. I don't need a TV to watch great athletes. It's all over the place. And the sports that you'll get the biggest kick out of are the ones that aren't corrupted, that know no money, and still have players in their game that believe PLAYING THE GAME is the most important part.
Try it. Tune that garbage out. Screw Roger Clemens and Barry Bonds. Screw Marion Jones and Tim Donaghy. Forget about the college coaches that cheat, and the big money men in college football that consistently ruin the season. Forget it all. Go for a hike in the woods. You'll be happier.
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5 comments:
Spoken like somone who truly enjoys the outdoors and has found a life outside of sports. I'm still trying to get there. I do think amateur sports is the way to go and I enjoy them so much more than the pros or even college. But..., I still have to tune in to the NFL playoffs this weekend.
What would the world be without sports? It would be misserable. Sports gives us something to look forward to every year. From season to season their is always that I look forward to. Either you are a fan or you are not. To me, you are sitting on the fence right now.
If you do not like sports, then why did you keep up with Mizzou this year. You'll say that it is a great story. Well that is the case every year. What about Brett Farve in the NFL this year? What about the Cardinals winning the World Series. I know that you are a fan then. So basically you are a fair weather fan. If you liked how Mizzou did, then how can you not like college football? You write on a sports website for crying out loud. I do know one thing, I will never take your opinion again because you dont like sports.
You are just writing this article so that people like me will give a comment on it. I do not blog often, but I gave in this time. Not to your credit, to your stupidity.
Do you think that politics are corrupt? What about all the priest and church leaders that are always doing something illegal? What about the school teachers messing around with the kids? Police officers are corrupt in some places. I am sure that you watch movies every now and then, what about some of the performers in Hollywood that get arrested on a regular basis? I am not just talking about Ms. Spears either.
My point being is that everything has negatives to it. The people that are suppose to run our country and the people that are supposed to teach us faith are committing worse crimes then athletes if you ask me. Baseball players are trying to make the game more entertaining. I do not agree with what they are doing, but are they hurting anyone else? Nope. I hope you get something out of this blog.
I'm not a brain surgeon, but I'm almost sure that semo fan didn't like what David wrote. Relax. Yes, I'm sure he wrote that so people would comment. That's his JOB. Apparently he's doing a pretty good job if he's getting people who "do not blog often" to "give in." Again, I could be wrong. I don't agree with everything he said but he has some good points. Sport is becoming a joke in many ways, whether you want to watch it or not.
Now, let me go to Country Mart to purchase some chips and salsa for the NFL games this weekend.
semofan: Glad you made it out for this one. And thanks for the thoughtful message you left me. I understand your angst, but I question where you ever got the idea that I didn't like sports? You mentioned, or were close to mentioning in one form or another, that I didn't like sports four times. I didn't mention it once.
I didn't mean to be confusing, so let me set the record straight: you could span the globe, and not find a handful of people who appreciate and enjoy the true essence, the extreme core, of sports more than I do. All the hogwash and BS that comes with it, I could do without. But sports, pure sports, you won't find a bigger fan.
Not enjoying it on TV is different than not enjoying it period.
To your address your final issue of world matters, I remember saying something in my blog along the lines of: "It's a shame us crazy sports fans can't rally 60,000 of us into a stadium for more important issues."
The issues you mentioned would be those issues. If 60,000 people rallied against some of the problems we have the same way we all rally against the Cubs in the postseason. It would be a better place.
But, please, don't get confused: I F'in love sports.
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