As August turns into September, we finally get to see what has become America's pastime, come back into our lives. Sorry Baseball but that sport is so 20th century when we had nothing to do at all. Football has become the sport du jour of our nation. It's a sight to behold whether you're watching on your flat screen, a sports bar or at the stadium. Everyone has their own favorite aspect of the game that makes them devoted followers whether it's the QB action, the defense or the poetry of motion by the running back or safety.
For me, it's seeing how the players handle the game and fans. I cannot wait to see how a new acquisition or rookie perform during the season. We see if any of them will pan out and lead their respective teams to glory a la Drew Brees in New Orleans where he led his team to an improbable Super Bowl victory just the year before. In fact, the players success leads to their idolization. They become legendary in the eyes of the fans with every big game that they become a demi-god in the eyes of their fans and city. If they make a mistake, it's a shock to their faith but it's all restored with a game winning drive, play or if they have a stupendous season.
Yet, there are players who were all hype but cannot produce on the field despite being paid handsomely. Eventually, they become weekly fodder for radio shows, pundits and ranting fans a la JaMarcus Russell who was recently arrested for possession of codeine. Every move they make is monitored and the fanbase fears for the absolute worst. To them, it's as if they're watching horror movie where they know the killer is about to disembowel another unfortunate victim. When it happens, the boo birds are sure to follow.
Eventually, the GM cuts them because their play does not translate to the money they were richly offered just a few years before. They do gain fame but in a Hall of Shame Top 10 countdown on ESPN or NFL Network that's occasionally shown. So is the life of a football player who only last three and a half years in the league.
As for the fans, they are a delight as we see them showing the passion for their team. They come from all backgrounds but share a fanatical devotion to their team even if they are absolutely reprehensible. Every Sunday or Monday night game, is an event that covers the whole day from the pregame festivities to the game itself where every play can sink or turn a season around. Fan from all across the land, stick with their team for better or for worse.
It's like a devoted spouse who sticks with their beau hoping that things turn for the better. Sometimes, it does work out but other times it just takes a lot out of you. Just ask any fan who suffers one crushing defeat after another over a long period of time. Yet, it all goes away when their team is hoisting the Vince Lombardi Trophy in early February where despair gives way to a euphoric high that no words can describe.
On Labor Day Weekend, we begin another great season of football starting with College Football, which has it own pageantry and exuberance that brings community to any campus big or small. The NFL will return just a few days later where last year's NFC championship participants (Minnesota Vikings and New Orleans Saints) starts off the season. Yet, this may be the last season as a labor stoppage is on the horizon where it could entrench both players and owners alike into a bitter war not seen since the last strike in 1987. They have numerous issues that need fixing but hopefully cooler heads will prevail and prevent what has been a Golden Age of Football.
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