As the National Football League lockout drags on-and-on endlessly like a Stanley Kubrick film, it's time to ask the age-old, proverbial question:
"Who needs ya?" I don't, for one.
Spending almost an entire lifetime of 49 years watching, listening to and following the NFL, I've seen it all. It's all been done. There's nothing that sport can throw at me that's new, unique, original or mind boggling. It's about time fans and followers saw that as well.
Isn't what we've witnessed and experienced over so much time enough to carry us through a season without? I've seen the impossible become possible. I've seen my share of victories on the last play to win games, come-from-behind to prevail in the end dramas, heartbreaking losses, seeming miracles, apparent "Divine Interventions" and what have you.
It's appropriately ironic that the lockout came on the heels of a season in which the No. 6 seed in the NFC not only advanced to the Super Bowl, but won the game. I hadn't seen that before, but now I have. Another "nail in the live without the 2011 season's coffin."
What will so many do, it's been asked, without the NFL in 2011? My answer is simple: Live without it. I can. It can represent a good opportunity for people to do and think further for themselves. Becoming less dependent on such sports for entertainment purposes -- and molding fans' own identities -- may be just what our country needs to grow a bit.
Let's live for ourselves -- and stop wasting time living through them. If need be. We all may learn a valuable lesson in humility. While teaching those of the NFL the same about themselves.
Of course, I feel much for the common people whose livelihood depends on the league. The key words are "the common people." I feel not for the millionaires or billionaires. Before someone can note that a loss of revenue could affect their contributions in "charitable works," I suggest they display human generosity.
They can simply give up some of their own selves -- and material things -- to assist others. Won't they? I've given to others when I had nothing myself and did without. I thought such as those involved in the lockout are so much "bigger than me?" I thought I'm the proverbial nobody? So I thought.
Sure, such prominent persons earned their money and have a right to indulge themselves as they want. But, while I respect their right to do so, don't expect me to necessary respect them as being right for doing so.
It's time for the power of independence. I'll find plenty to do thinking, creating and envisioning without a 2011 NFL season. Hopefully, others will catch on to such things, too.
"Who needs ya?" I don't, for one.
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Monday, June 20, 2011
Sunday, May 29, 2011
College Softball World Series Shows True Sports Spirit (Because It Has To)
Here's one I admit that will label me a real laugher among the working press and the sporting public.
Doing without television these days, I tune into ESPN 3 (a freebie through my AT&T U-Verse account) to watch assorted sporting events. Admittedly, most contests are the obscure type that few sporting fans would "give a darn" about.
Case in point: The College Softball World Series tournament.
I admit I tuned it in because I was kind of bored. Bored with so much i hear in the mainstream, major-sports world. There's the NFL lockout. Greed. There's the NBA Finals. Big-name, prestigious, and seemingly "larger-than-life" sports figures. There's Major-League Baseball. And all the egos that go along with it.
In any mainstream sports, there's a plethora of the working press and the assorted media. There's the sheer mass of fans. There's a lot of people involved or caught up in a lot of big things.
Ironically, I feel, perhaps the heart of what true sport is about can get lost in all that commotion.
I see something different when I watch the current College Softball World Series tournament unfolding. I admit I never saw -- or had a bit of interest in -- college softball. Who in their right sporting mind would? No one I've known.
But when I see these games, I see these young people who must be dedicated to the sport itself. There's no fame. There's no fortune. There's no publicity for their achievements. There's few rewards for what they do, except the pride that must come with true athletic competition. Notably, I was impressed with the Alabama Crimson Tide, and they quickly became the one I'm pulling for (especially after the devastating Tuscaloosa tornado damage).
Most of these young ladies won't go to the Olympics. I researched Professional Softball Leagues, and that looks quite lean. So, the College Softball World Series represents the summit of their playing careers. And it's reflected by their level of play which matches any you'll in any major college or professional sports.
Consider the teams' supporters as well. Look at the home crowds. There's an air that's different from other major sporting events. Even fellow-college events. It seems like tight-knit groups. Family, friends, classmates and alumni. There's a noted lack of ugliness that can often mark sporting crowds, as we all know.
There's not the proverbial masses. There's not fans living their lives through the teams and players, or needing them to provide them with their own self esteem. And such audiences appear to really watch the game, instead of being at "an event," as can be in other major sports.
Women's college athletics are among the "who gives a darn" in sports. Since such aren't revenue generators, then only the sport itself apparently matters. Again, I find the College Softball World Series as a good change of pace from the egos, greed, personalities and various characteristics that make the game itself secondary to the institution of the sport.
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The NCAA College Softball World Series bracket can be found here:
http://www.ncaa.com/brackets/softball/d1/2011
Doing without television these days, I tune into ESPN 3 (a freebie through my AT&T U-Verse account) to watch assorted sporting events. Admittedly, most contests are the obscure type that few sporting fans would "give a darn" about.
Case in point: The College Softball World Series tournament.
I admit I tuned it in because I was kind of bored. Bored with so much i hear in the mainstream, major-sports world. There's the NFL lockout. Greed. There's the NBA Finals. Big-name, prestigious, and seemingly "larger-than-life" sports figures. There's Major-League Baseball. And all the egos that go along with it.
In any mainstream sports, there's a plethora of the working press and the assorted media. There's the sheer mass of fans. There's a lot of people involved or caught up in a lot of big things.
Ironically, I feel, perhaps the heart of what true sport is about can get lost in all that commotion.
I see something different when I watch the current College Softball World Series tournament unfolding. I admit I never saw -- or had a bit of interest in -- college softball. Who in their right sporting mind would? No one I've known.
But when I see these games, I see these young people who must be dedicated to the sport itself. There's no fame. There's no fortune. There's no publicity for their achievements. There's few rewards for what they do, except the pride that must come with true athletic competition. Notably, I was impressed with the Alabama Crimson Tide, and they quickly became the one I'm pulling for (especially after the devastating Tuscaloosa tornado damage).
Most of these young ladies won't go to the Olympics. I researched Professional Softball Leagues, and that looks quite lean. So, the College Softball World Series represents the summit of their playing careers. And it's reflected by their level of play which matches any you'll in any major college or professional sports.
Consider the teams' supporters as well. Look at the home crowds. There's an air that's different from other major sporting events. Even fellow-college events. It seems like tight-knit groups. Family, friends, classmates and alumni. There's a noted lack of ugliness that can often mark sporting crowds, as we all know.
There's not the proverbial masses. There's not fans living their lives through the teams and players, or needing them to provide them with their own self esteem. And such audiences appear to really watch the game, instead of being at "an event," as can be in other major sports.
Women's college athletics are among the "who gives a darn" in sports. Since such aren't revenue generators, then only the sport itself apparently matters. Again, I find the College Softball World Series as a good change of pace from the egos, greed, personalities and various characteristics that make the game itself secondary to the institution of the sport.
==================
The NCAA College Softball World Series bracket can be found here:
http://www.ncaa.com/brackets/softball/d1/2011
LeBron James And Dirk Nowitzki: The Bigger They Are, The Harder They Fall
Although I don't follow the NBA, I'm aware of what goes on through sports-talk radio. Also, by catching the playoff games online through ESPN3.com and NBA.com, I've seen both the Miami Heat's and the Dallas Mavericks' recent contests.
I'm not a sports guru for sure, but I am an observer of human nature. As I see it, both LeBron James And Dirk Nowitzki are currently exalted. They're both placed at the top of the game. As such, I'd advise they enjoy where they are right now. While they can.
Because, for one of them, that level of prestige will prove fleeting.
The sporting world, the working press and the public embraces winners. On the contrary, the same group shuns the losers. This Series will be the classic clash of the Titans. One team will win. The other team will lose. There's no gray area. And no forgiveness for the latter.
Call me pessimistic, which I feel I'm not, but I feel the "hero and the bum" scenario coming on with James and Nowitzki. The member of the winning team will be credited for earning the victory -- and celebrated. The member of the losing team will be blamed for the failure -- and slammed. Especially in how he "let so many people down." Those who're dependant on such to give them their own pride, self-worth and self-esteem. You know how well supposedly "loving, loyal fans" can turn sour! And turn on their "heroes."
Both players are now very big. And, by the time the championships are decided, the harder at least one of them will fall. Welcome to what i perceive as the often fickle, but predictable, nature of major sports.
Perhaps what I've noted above is ridiculous because I sound clueless about such major sports. This always goes on, and I just realized that? But I see the James and Nowitzki, "hero and bum" scenario emerging as the real story -- and the epitome -- of what this Series will be about. When all is said and done.
==================
I'm not a sports guru for sure, but I am an observer of human nature. As I see it, both LeBron James And Dirk Nowitzki are currently exalted. They're both placed at the top of the game. As such, I'd advise they enjoy where they are right now. While they can.
Because, for one of them, that level of prestige will prove fleeting.
The sporting world, the working press and the public embraces winners. On the contrary, the same group shuns the losers. This Series will be the classic clash of the Titans. One team will win. The other team will lose. There's no gray area. And no forgiveness for the latter.
Call me pessimistic, which I feel I'm not, but I feel the "hero and the bum" scenario coming on with James and Nowitzki. The member of the winning team will be credited for earning the victory -- and celebrated. The member of the losing team will be blamed for the failure -- and slammed. Especially in how he "let so many people down." Those who're dependant on such to give them their own pride, self-worth and self-esteem. You know how well supposedly "loving, loyal fans" can turn sour! And turn on their "heroes."
Both players are now very big. And, by the time the championships are decided, the harder at least one of them will fall. Welcome to what i perceive as the often fickle, but predictable, nature of major sports.
Perhaps what I've noted above is ridiculous because I sound clueless about such major sports. This always goes on, and I just realized that? But I see the James and Nowitzki, "hero and bum" scenario emerging as the real story -- and the epitome -- of what this Series will be about. When all is said and done.
==================
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