Yes, in its most literal sense, football is just a game. Even me, a rabid fan for my two teams (college and pro) has to admit that football adds up to no more than 22 people running around in pursuit of a little brown object, while a lot of people scream and drink beer. No diseases have ever been cured by a touchdown. No one is allowed sick days because their team lost. No one has died due to the missing of a field goal (other than maybe the kicker). So, to be cold and rational, football is nothing more or nothing less than a game. But who wants to be cold and rational? Truth is, a football game can break my heart or make my day.
If football is just a bunch of guys running and shoving one another then I would have to argue the following; (1) that a movie is just some overpaid people reciting lines with some nice scenery; or (2) that music would really just be cords played in different orders with people “singing” words to the cords; or (3) that opera would be depressing cords and (often) overweight people killing one another while singing. But, I don’t let my rational mind tear apart music, movies or the opera … so I won’t do it to football!
Hey, did you know there is a Facebook page called, “Football is not just a game, it’s a religion”? I just found it yesterday. It has almost 55,000 followers (I’m not one of them). See, I’m not the only one with this obsession!
In my sports-obsessed mind, football is more than just a game — it’s an expression of teamwork, balance and focus – just like life. In my rational mind, football is just a game – proof of which is even though my team lost yesterday, I was able to get out of bed today, have breakfast, write today’s blog and go to 6 am yoga. Admittedly, someone else’s team beat mine so at least some people are happy today! I guess life will continue on until NCAA football comes back again next year.
Have a great day!
theyearof50 