Monday, September 24, 2012
Football, the True American Pastime.
I'm watching my favorite team, the Packers, play right now and it got me thinking about football. American football has such a deep cultural value in the U.S. Whether it's college, high school or professional football, I believe football is the true "American pastime". But watching the game also got me thinking about the cultural significance of football within society. It amazes me how a sport, and even a team, can bring people together. My dad, my brother and I are all watching the game together; talking just enjoying each other's company. Normally at 10 pm our family would be in bed, exhausted from running around all night to our various activities. But the Packer game is giving us a reason to sit down and spend time with one another. Something else that I find interesting is loyalty of fans to their team. For myself, even if the Packers lose, I will still wear my jersey tomorrow at school. I love my team. And if you ask any fan of any other team if they'd do the same, I bet you they'd say yes. But what exactly causes this loyalty? I believe it's the feeling of belonging to something bigger than yourself, the thrill of experiencing a football game through the players. I find football's ability to bring families and people together is inspiring.
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Personally, I only enjoy sports some of the time. Not that I really hate the game itself, and I do appreciate seeing how it brings people together, but there's another level beneath it that is irritating: money. It's ridiculous how much money is made just off of one football game, be it the owners or the players or the TV station. I'd like to know why sports in general create such mass hysteria. Why are there so many fans? Do they really need to watch other people play a game for fun? Kind of an absurdity in society.
ReplyDeletePS: On the bright side, I won't judge you, or anyone, for favoring any team in particular.
How'd that game work out for you, Laura? ;)
ReplyDeleteSorry, had to be done. But seriously... talk about another controversy with the reffing at the end of the game you're speaking of. An messy play took place in the endzone, one ref called it a touchdown and the other called it incomplete. Upon video review, it's pretty clear that it was indeed a Packer interception, however, the call couldn't be changed and the Seahawks got the touchdown points and won the game. What's "true"? Did the Seahawks win, because that's what the refs and scorebooks say, or did the Packers win, because the Seahawk's winning TD wasn't technically valid? I'm pretty sure a million Pack fan's heads are exploding over this, just wondering about your take on everything Laura!
I totally would have blogged about that call, but I posted this before that call was made! Personally I think that the controversy lies within the NFL's refusal to pay the real refs. The call could have been changed at the end of the game because one of the side refs called it an incomplete. However these refs aren't as well trained and don't have as much experience as the regular refs. You could say I'm biased because I'm a Packer fan, but if you look at the replay, even a fan of another team would agree it was an interception. To be completely honest, I feel like the refs were afraid that if they called it an incomplete that there would be a frenzy in the stadium. A regular ref with more experience wouldn't be afraid to make that sort of call. So I guess I'm saying it all boils down to the bad reffing and the fact that the NFL's stubborn attitude is causing the Packers a win.
ReplyDeleteWell don't worry, the playoffs haven't started yet. But when they do start...only time will tell which teams make the cut this year.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree Cody.
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