"Dad, Why do we have sports?"


Yesterday my 10-year-old son inquired why we have sports.  I have not fact checked my response but I suggested that we engage in sports so that we no longer have to actually kill people to determine who is the strongest.  We can declare winners and losers with made up rules that challenge our physical, emotional, and mental acumen.

Occasionally the athletes we admire rise to the occasion and excel in all of those areas.  Others are physically impressive but lack emotional and mental control.  Others who are less physically adept are able to use greater emotional focus and rapid wits to outmaneuver others who, perhaps, should have won.

This is why I love John McEnroe. Mr. McEnroe was not even close to the most physically advanced player of his day.  His emotions on the court were almost never under control, let alone focussed.  And to this day he jokes about his own mental state so I assume he won't mind this simple jab.  How on earth did this enigma dominate and win on the international stage?   I do not know.

That uncertainty and unresolved riddle exemplifies somewhat the why we have and why we love sports.  In American football we have cornerbacks who call out wide receivers on television and we react in horror.  We don't mind when they slam into each other trying to win a game, all the while risking serious injury.  But just break the unwritten code and speak ill off the field against the very opponent you have tried to destroy and risk exile from the fans that created your aura in the first place.

Last week the 2013 Ballon d'Or was awarded to the Portuguese player with Spain's Real Madrid, Cristiano Ronaldo.  While many in the soccer (fútbol) world anticipated this result, like any award determined by vote it did not come without controversy.  Franck Ribéry certainly disagreed.  Ribéry was happy to point out that he helped Bayern win the Bundesliga, German Cup, Champions League, Uefa Super Cup and Fifa Club World Cup in 2013.  Contrast that with Ronaldo's impressive 66 goals in 56 appearances but no title nor trophy came to Madrid.

Ribéry not only failed to win the prize.  He wasn't even voted second.  Barcelona's Messi was the first and more graceful loser, then Ribéry in third. These awards pretend to reward the best.  Whether it is the greatest of all time, the best for the year, or the best of show we love our sports because sports fail to answer the question of who is best any better than war did.

The questions go on and on.  The debates endure, and that is in the stands, the bars, our living rooms and offices.  On the field of play the emotions stir to a point that players sometimes ignore the rules of etiquette.  Mr. McEnroe has been reprimanded, scolded, fined and even expelled from the 1990 Australian Open.

And this is why why we love sports and I love John McEnroe.

Comments

Post a Comment

Thank you for keeping your comments positive and helpful..

Popular posts from this blog

Merry Christmas 2013

Image
Today I thank my mother and father for their goodness, kindness and example that I hope to emulate through my years. I thank my brother Paul for his leadership. As the eldest of numerous siblings he has paved the way for us all to set goals and achieve them. My sister Kathy has always stood for that which is right.  Her virtuous living and stalwart life keeps us steady and grounded. Joanne has kept our family fun and imbued us with continued traditions.  Thank you Jody. Diane has blessed us all with the example of continual hope.  Her courage in the face of trials is a gift I remember on this Christmas Day. Elaine will give her support to anyone at any time and for any need.  I am not even sure she asks why.  Thank you for that unconditional love. Richard will get into the grind and solve any problem as quickly as it arises.  He shows me the value of not waiting and rueing but just getting in and doing it. My brother Robert, the second of the twins, keeps his youthful
Read more

Starting in the Corners

Image
My mom with two of my children As parents we watch our children learn and grow. As infants they depend on us for almost everything they need. We feed, clothe, protect and teach them all that we can so that they can enjoy a rich and full life.  We tend to recall those years with incredible fondness.  Curiously that fondness seems to grow as the years go by. In those early days and first few years we mark and celebrate the milestones.  That first smile, even if it was just gas, imprints in our mind's eye.  We celebrate or mourn those first steps depending on whether we were there to see them.  We blissfully enjoy the renewed rest as they finally sleep through the night.  And what parent doesn't rejoice at the moment a child can serve herself at a buffet? Through all of these milestone moments our children gradually become the people they will be.  But development is never even nor perfect.  There are always flaws and mistakes. But as parents to our children we encourage t
Read more

Winter

Image
In winter when gloom and dark abound, We lay our heads upon our beds with cold and dread all about. But at the start of dawn's too bright light some hope seeps in our life. For while we slept the dark black clouds emptied their feigned despair blowing down a serene blanket white. Untouched our world feels like a comforter, deceptively warm. The earth is covered with no escape. But there is no fear nor claustrophobic dread. Instead the shining moon drifts above our sleeping heads. A  continuing snowfall scatters the reflected light. Falling flakes fill the air with a brilliant array of heavenly hope. Hope that comes from this blanket so fair. The world now brimming in brilliant white. We gather our boots our scarves and our coats. We know the cold air that awaits. Our flesh is to weak to withstand the harsh blast of deep winter's icy, sharp flair. We take a step to just explore. We are vulnerable. We feel the cold. We are small.   We groan, we moan
Read more