I didn't watch the Superbowl.
Yes, I'm American. No, I'm not an uppity intellectual who views football as barbaric and beneath me. My father is apathetic when it comes to professional sports. There was no chips-beer-TV-Sunday ritual, no swearing at the screen as if Joe Gibbs could hear him, no "come on boys get it together!" pleads or a lucky football jersey. It's not that he doesn't like sports ... it's more it never comes up in conversation.
The apathy was genetic and I'm not a huge sports fan aside from wanting certain teams to win so my other half is happy - although some may argue the Superbowl is more major event than mere game. Whatever the case, this year the big sports fan in my life didn't have a dog in the fight so he suggested we take in a motion picture. Deep down he knows I'm only interested in the food, beer, overindulgent side of the annual event. So, I eagerly accepted and saved myself 3,500 calories and a hangover. Instead of being two of 100 million who watched the Superbowl, we were one of three couples who saw "Django."
Now, in the aftermath, it's high school all over again and I'm an outcast. I missed the 45-minute blackout, the Baltimore Ravens' beatdown on the San Francisco 49ers (I may not be a huge sports fan but do have a clue), Beyonce's gyrations, and, of course, commercials. The Internet and acquaintances have somewhat filled me in. The Best of the Superbowl We Still Can't Believe You Missed -- the Go Daddy commercial was gross, the farmers commercial was touching, Beyonce was spectacular (also heard she was a poor choice), the Ravens were almost unstoppable, Jim Nance wore a stupid tie, the 49ers got screwed with a bad call, blah blah blah ...
I understand the Superbowl is an annual excuse to party hardy on a Sunday night (especially with the current White House petition for Barry O to make the Monday after the Superbowl a national holiday - How lazy and irresponsible can we get? What are they gonna call it - National Hangover Day? Please, Barry, stop with the gun regulation and help us. How about the NFL move the Superbowl to Saturday?). Anyway, I get it. Maybe it's because my male figure growing up was more British programming, astronomy and reading than touchdowns, interceptions and two-minute warnings. Maybe it's because (gasp) I am woman, hear me roar about womanly things instead of pretending I like fooseball so men like me. Whatever the case ... I don't get the big deal.
Don't get me wrong, I understand there are millions who base their lives around their team and speak as if they are on the team - "we really killed them today" ~ what you mean we white man? The NFL wouldn't be huge without fans. Seasons are emotional roller coasters of terrible losses, stellar wins and heartbreaking injuries. There are stats to consider, drafts to watch, fantasy teams to form, playoffs to yearn for ... if that's your thing than more power to you! I know I'm the odd woman out and that's OK because it's not the NFL I don't understand, it's more America's view of professional athletes as demi-gods who are without sin.
The Ravens were paraded through Baltimore as people from near and far pushed and shoved to get closer to the action - there was a triple-stabbing because, hey, world champions or not, Baltimore is still disgusting. In this mob was Ray Lewis on a Humvee - the beloved Ray Ray. He's amazing. Don't believe me? Just ask him, he'll tell you. His talent on the field is legendary but I'm more interested in his character. I'm more interested in seeing children wearing his jersey - which makes me cringe. He's extremely loud, he's extremely proud and he may have murdered someone.
Lewis was indicted on murder and aggravated assault charges after the stabbing death of two people (does anyone know their names or care? We always remember the bad guy, never the victim ... ) at a Superbowl party in 2000 - although he was acquitted, many still believe he's guilty: victim's blood found in his limo, he ratted out two others, the white suit he was wearing was never found. OJ Simpson was acquitted but labeled a monster. Casey Anthony was acquitted but labeled a monster. Lewis' sins have been absolved. Lewis, 37, also has six children by four women.
Yes, he's an amazing player and was acquitted by a jury of his peers but is this the type of person who should be raised to heights of demi-god? People, chiefly Ravens fans, hem and haw about forgiveness, Ray Ray finding God (where was he hiding?) and showing America people with troubled pasts can change but would they care if he wasn't an amazing football player? Also, for someone with such a checkered past, you'd think he would turn down the flash and be humble.
What about Ahmad Brooks of the 49ers who, in 2008, allegedly punched a woman in the face, giving her a black eye and causing her to black out? That wasn't enough to keep him from playing in the NFL.
What about Michael Vick, who served 21 months in prison and two months of home confinement - we all know why. Whether he learned his lesson or not, whether he found God in prison or not, he should not have been allowed back into the NFL. Lewis was acquitted but Vick was found guilty. If any common Joe plead guilty to these charges and went to jail ... do you think they would be able to re-join society so easily? A criminal past on a resume means nothing to the NFL when dollar signs are involved. Shouldn't incarceration be a guaranteed removal from the NFL?
These men are playing a game for millions of dollars a year. They are celebrities, praised and applauded and showered with money and luxuries because they are good at playing a sport. Me play sport good, grunt grunt. They are shoved in our faces and play the part of mentor for our children and their dreams whether we like it or not. As for the girls out there ... either become a cheerleader or study up on football and become a fan.
What is it about the American public and the obsession with praising meaningless talent? Doctors and surgeons save lives, policeman and firemen save lives, teachers mold lives ... professional athletes, actors and actresses provide entertainment yet we remember their names and hoist them up as if they would be able to save us if (when) the apocalypse comes. The youth of America (and adults) worship these frauds, these actors and actresses who pretend to be someone else, these men who are talented on the field but, with some of them, don't lead respectable lives.
In August, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell met with Union Leader DeMaurice Smith about the rise in DUIs and domestic violence among NFL players. His plan - strengthen existing policies, i.e. fines and suspensions. I don't understand the logic. I understand maybe you made a mistake and drank one more beer than you should have, drove home and the po-po got your ass ... but beating your wife? That's not a mistake. You can beat the crap out of your wife and are fined and miss some games? That's it? Where's the morality? What do you have to do to get kicked out of the league? Beat her five times? Kill someone and not be acquitted? Playing a game for millions should be a privilege, even if you are an amazing athlete. What message is this sending the youth of America?
Don't do bad things unless you are talented? If you are rich enough and famous enough you can get away with anything? People only care about those who are extraordinary?
Do we worship them because their lives look so easy - lots of money, fame and luxury for something that, honestly, looks fun? Do we worship them because everyone, deep down, wants to be worshipped and loved? Is this the new American dream - do as little as possible to make as much as possible?
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