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Post by elaine on Sept 25, 2017 19:43:13 GMT
I have been cogitating on this since Trump’s tweets and then our discussions here. There are some people wanting to shut down the kneeling by claiming they are “only interested in the game” and that sports should be kept separate from everything else.
Here is part of a response I wrote on another thread:
Yes, we can appreciate the games that we watch for the skill the various athletes show in playing the game. Some of us more than others are sports fans. And while we love the games we love to watch, to pretend that it is “only” about the game (especially if one has had no issue with players wearing pink for cancer awareness, or stickers commemorating dead players on the helmets) and not also about the teams/city/college/state and joining with others human beings and the personal thrill when your team wins or loses seems disingenuous to me.
Do we have our kids play team sports ONLY because we want them to learn “the game”? Or do we want them to develop social skills like leadership, teamwork and communication that they will bring with them for the rest of their lives?
Others’ thoughts?
And if you disagree, which I am sure many do, how do you explain your loyalty to particular team(s), if it is “just about sports” and not about culture and society?
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Post by freecharlie on Sept 26, 2017 2:01:27 GMT
For me, it is on my about the game. I don't really care what they do in other areas. I want to watch the game.
With that said, kneeling or not, pink ribbon, 42 day...doesn't affect me ofbthe game. It doesn't distract from the game to me because I am watching the game.
I go to teddy bear toss night because it makes me happy. I choose to not usually go to the faith and family games because that isn't my jam, but I don't care that they do it and if it was a game I wanted to watch, if go anyway.
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Post by elaine on Sept 26, 2017 2:44:13 GMT
For me, it is on my about the game. I don't really care what they do in other areas. I want to watch the game. With that said, kneeling or not, pink ribbon, 42 day...doesn't affect me ofbthe game. It doesn't distract from the game to me because I am watching the game. I go to teddy bear toss night because it makes me happy. I choose to not usually go to the faith and family games because that isn't my jam, but I don't care that they do it and if it was a game I wanted to watch, if go anyway. I have to admit to LOVING the racing Presidents at Nats games. It has absolutely nothing to do with the game or sports, and I would be very sad if they did away with it. I agree with your point about the teddy bear toss - if the non-sport related event is something that someone likes, it speaks to them, makes them happy and isn’t a problem. It seems that it when it is something that someone doesn’t personally like, it becomes offensive or a problem for some people (not you as evidenced by your faith and family comment). |
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Post by refugeepea on Sept 26, 2017 4:53:32 GMT
Do we have our kids play team sports ONLY because we want them to learn “the game”? Or do we want them to develop social skills like leadership, teamwork and communication that they will bring with them for the rest of their lives? Others’ thoughts? And if you disagree, which I am sure many do, how do you explain your loyalty to particular team(s), if it is “just about sports” and not about culture and society? I'm not sure if you want a discussion or your original post is like an opinion piece? The first and last paragraph of your post feels like you are saying this is how it works, but then the second paragraph says thoughts? So I'll give my opinion as someone who watches a game. I feel like participating and watching are two very different things. I've never been a die hard fan of any team. I find it weird when fans talk like they are part of the organization. I get that I'm in the minority on that one. I truly prefer to go and watch the game. I like seeing the plays and the athleticism. I've always been a bit annoyed by the stuff in between innings, the halftime shows, cheerleaders, dancers,.... It's something I have to suck up and see if I want to see the actual game. That's probably why I prefer soccer. No halftime, they play through almost any weather and there's not as much extra stuff. Still, it takes them forever to get on the field because they are awkwardly holding some kids hands as they enter.  You know, the culture stuff that's supposed to make me happy.  Plus football and baseball move sloooowwwww.  Then there's the time outs, TV time outs, watching the replays,... They move 10 yards and then start again. Basketball is probably the second sport I prefer. I truly just want to watch the game. |
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Post by refugeepea on Sept 26, 2017 4:59:54 GMT
Wanted to add, I find it hard to be loyal to any team especially with how crooked college and professional sports have become. I know people graduate from a place, it's their hometown, their state, their family is third generation (as posted by my brother on Sunday!). There's been some truly awful things happen. It seems like there's a brief ban, some cussing, and then all is forgotten about animal abuse, domestic violence, murder, pay to play..... cause that's my team! Sure, there's usually a team I prefer, but I'm not angry if "our" team lost.  |
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Post by elaine on Sept 26, 2017 5:09:56 GMT
Thanks, refugeepea- I did want discussion and am glad you shared your thoughts and opinions!  I actually was thinking of the rabid level of specific team fandom in the UK regarding soccer ⚽️ (or what everyone else calls football) today too. Which made me realize that some of the cultural aspects are international- not in just North America. I do love basketball too. But I’ve always enjoyed watching with others much better than watching alone. And if I am watching alone, it is not uncommon for me to call my mother (we are both Lakers fans) to talk about the game during halftime &/or after it ends. It is weird, for me, how social sports is for me. I have no issue going to movies by myself and don’t need to discuss them with anyone, but I do want to talk about football, basketball and baseball games with others. eta: the level of corruption and poor behavior excused does put me in a quandary, and bothers me. |
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wellway
Prolific Pea
Posts: 8,760
Jun 25, 2014 20:50:09 GMT
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Post by wellway on Sept 26, 2017 6:27:49 GMT
Only this week it is being reported that FIFA are going to overturn a ban which saw all four home nations, (England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland) fined for displaying the Poppy to commemorate Armistice Day. FIFA rules do not allow the display of political symbols, they deemed the Poppy a political symbol and warned the national teams not to wear or display them at the international games held close to Armistice Day, all four teams either wore them or displayed them in the stadium. www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41391923 |
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wellway
Prolific Pea
Posts: 8,760
Jun 25, 2014 20:50:09 GMT
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Post by wellway on Sept 26, 2017 6:37:43 GMT
Football clubs here will take action against fans who behave badly, even if that behaviour takes place outside the stadium. Some Chelsea fans who were racist to a French man on a metro train were banned by the courts for five years from attending football matches and banned by the club for life. www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-33622106 |
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Post by nlwilkins on Sept 26, 2017 7:31:12 GMT
I have been so totally indifferent to professional sports that I don't even know the team names or the any of the players. If I had my druthers, there would not be such a big deal about professional sports. I like the amateur sports better and see more value in them. Neighbors getting together to play, building friendships and bridging gaps has great value to me. Kids learning team work and discipline, etc from sports is also of value to me. High dollar game tickets, multi million dollar stadiums, out of control fans all turn me off. I feel there is much better way to spend that money.
So for me, it doesn't matter if the players kneel, or if they do community service, if they win or lose, I am totally uninterested and almost find it disgusting when considering the amount of money involved.
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Post by monklady123 on Sept 26, 2017 9:14:12 GMT
For me, it is on my about the game. I don't really care what they do in other areas. I want to watch the game. With that said, kneeling or not, pink ribbon, 42 day...doesn't affect me ofbthe game. It doesn't distract from the game to me because I am watching the game. I go to teddy bear toss night because it makes me happy. I choose to not usually go to the faith and family games because that isn't my jam, but I don't care that they do it and if it was a game I wanted to watch, if go anyway. It has absolutely nothing to do with the game or sports, and I would be very sad if they did away with it. I agree with your point about the teddy bear toss - if the non-sport related event is something that someone likes, it speaks to them, makes them happy and isn’t a problem. It seems that it when it is something that someone doesn’t personally like, it becomes offensive or a problem for some people (not you as evidenced by your faith and family comment). I don't even like the Nats and I love the racing presidents. lol |
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You know, the culture stuff that's supposed to make me happy. 
Then there's the time outs, TV time outs, watching the replays,... They move 10 yards and then start again. Basketball is probably the second sport I prefer. I truly just want to watch the game.
