Jump Into Football Season! (Or Not)

So, it's almost football season. That makes me happy, yes it does. But not everyone enjoys the game. And just because I enjoy it, does that make it a good thing? I mean, I'd probably enjoy a nice shot of heroin in my arm right now, but that doesn't mean it's a good idea or that I would choose to do it. So what's good and not so good about football?

What About Male Bonding?

Nothing brings people (usually men) together like a football game. You've got your food, your analyzing the play tactics, the play calling debates, and at halftime you can go outside and toss the ball around. For once in our often numb and unfeeling lives (not our fault and totally fixable), we can show unconditional support for another set of people - male people, in fact. This is somewhat remarkable. How often do you see anyone, especially men, so excited in their support of another person that they would jump up and down and scream how happy they were? Shouldn't we all support our loved ones with this kind of enthusiasm?

Yes there is a bit of unsupportive behavior: booing (the other team and even your own team), objectifying women, numbing out with booze, but those are not required parts of the sports experience.

Isn't Football Just Mindless Entertainment?

Would you rather watch life happening on TV, or live it? Why do we get so keen to support a bunch of people we don't know, playing a sport we might play ourselves outside at a park, and living someone else's lives?

This seems compelling at first, but let me ask this: Do you enjoy art? Does that mean you should spend time dancing or painting and never watch another ballet, or gaze upon a marvelous Picasso? The athleticism, intellect, and strategy of football has a beauty all its own. That said, don't forget that it is just a game on TV. Real life is a mix of doing your own thing, supporting others, and connecting with friends/family. Don't let football overshadow those.

Doesn't Football Create Unnecessary Rivalry Between People?

As a person from a football rabid town (Baton Rouge, LA), I can tell you that support for a common team brings a level of community connection that's very valuable. Wherever you are, you know you've found a friend when you see them wearing your team's logo. Does this translate into hostility toward other teams and their supporters? For many unthinking people, yes it does. But if we have the right attitude, we can have mutual respect for and closeness with other teams' supporters. I have generally seen respect between my teams' supporters and fans of another team.

Isn't Football Bad for Relationships?

Some women are not fond of their significant others' passion for football. I can see why. Some men spend all weekend poring over stats, alienating family, and watching game after game. I say to this person, you're probably taking it too far. Support your team, enjoy the camaraderie, but don't ignore your real life.

Isn't Football Bad for the Players?



This one is of increasing concern to me. I have read many stories of players

- playing through pain
- sustaining lifelong injury
- returning to "real" careers with no skills

Should we support a system that creates perverse incentives for players to injure, drug, abuse themselves, and ignore their minds? I have to trust that most players are in the game with eyes wide open, but this one deserves more research and analysis. It may be that most athletes lead healthy, successful lives after football. My guess is that most athletes, due to the passion, wit, and perseverence that got them into pro sports initially, would be successful in almost any field of endeavor. As for the health issue, I don't claim to be clear on it. Comments, anyone?

A great topic for another post: Should college athletes be paid to play?