Sports: What I Struggle to Understand

As someone who is an American and has participated in little league baseball and high school basketball, sports have always been around. This includes family members who are committed to a team, church friends who talk about the same team and how they performed every week, or friends who play in high school and college. I have been uncontrollably thrown into this culture called: sports.

It seems as if my cynicism towards those who watch, play, or both increase every year. There have been many questions and issues I have had with sports and other organizations that I just don’t understand. Below, I have compiled a list of what I struggle to understand in the sports culture.

Why do men get more excited about a guy running with a ball rather than the Bible or leading their family?

I can’t assume everyone reading this is a Christian, but as a Christian, I have seen a countless number of Christian men who are excited, ecstatic, and pumped for a Saturday football game, but by time Sunday morning comes, they are lazy, controlled, and sometimes apathetic. To go along with this, some even neglect the care and concern of their family for the care and concern of players. When this happens, we teach our kids what is of most importance in the home. Our priorities might be a little off on this one.

Why is your day ruined when your team loses or your “favorite” player gets injured?

Stop being a baby. It’s weird.

Why do sports have to be brought up in every conversation?

It seems the more I analyze conversations I am in with men or listening to others, it never fails for one person to bring up a team or a player of a team. Can we talk about something else?

How do men and women get worked up over a team they have no affiliation with?

It wasn’t until recently that I have become more understanding of why men and women like sports so much. I used to have no understanding of why someone could care about a team they have never played for and know absolutely no one on the team. I realize people like certain teams because they have a friend or family member who plays. Another reason why people have an attachment is because the team represents their state or their hometown. I understand this part. What I don’t understand is how someone can get so worked up over a team they have no affiliation with or a team where they know none of the players on a personal level. Why are you getting so worked up over a man or women running or throwing a ball?

Why do fans think it is helpful to scream at referees and players?

I’ve considered leaving a game because fans were screaming in my ear to the referees about a play call. Do you really think he can hear you or think you will change his mind because you are screaming at him? Hey lady, do you really think your son can hear you scream “Go! Go! Go!” from the stands when he is running the ball trying to avoid getting tackled. The answer is no. Stop screaming in my ear and watch the game.

Why do people use “we” when they talk about a team?

You don’t own the team nor do you play on it. It is not your team.

Why do sports teams and organizations have practices and games on Wednesdays and Sundays?

Talking with older generations, I have come accustomed to hearing about how every store used to be closed on Sundays so that everyone could go to church. They will also say that sports and other organizations would not have practice or games on Wednesdays or Sundays. This is not the case anymore. Christian schools and teams do well with not letting this happen, but for other teams, this puts Christians in a dicey situation. You either take your kid to practice or games during these times which will conflict with attending church (as a family) or you miss a practice or game which could result in consequences playing on the team. It seems as if more and more church going families are letting sports, dance competition, band, etc. become more of a priority.

Why are sports a priority when they usually don’t last past high school and sometimes college?

For the most part, kids are done playing sports, constructively, after high school. They tend to invest all their time and efforts into a sport or sports, but have nothing to show for it after it ends. Why isn’t the same amount of effort put forward into a trade, school, or to learning something that will outlast high school or college? These things include getting a job, learning an instrument, learning a craft that allows for income opportunities like photography, writing, art, etc.

Why do parents force their kids to play a sport because they played when they were younger?

I never understand why parents force their children to do things just because that’s how they grew up. Though this happens in a variety of ways, I find this happens many times when it comes to sports. Let your kids choose freely what they want to enjoy and be a part of.

Fantasy Sports

Fantasy football, baseball, basketball etc. I don’t even know how to elaborate on this. Men, why?

Why do some coaches deem sports more of a priority over school and work?

I have heard many stories of students having to prolong getting their degree in college in order to play for the number of years eligible. I have heard stories of coaches getting upset with players when they needed to study for classes or to leave practice early for work. Life does not revolve around sports.

Conclusion

I hope to one day understand the world of sports. Somebody enlighten me. Please.