A Break from Sports

I know that not everyone is a sports fan, but sports do interest me and I find that they are a great way to fill up some of my time.

Although my beloved Red Sox are now behind in the series, I still enjoy the thrill of the game. So, I have been faithfully watching the American League games and peeking in on the National League games.

On top of that, the undefeated New England Patriots played the undefeated Dallas Cowboys on Sunday and that was too exciting a match-up for me to miss! It was especially worth watching because the Pats remained undefeated by winning the game!

Today is a day off from sports for me, but it got me thinking why I must enjoy sports so much. Mind you, I am not so into any sport that I know all the athletes by name or everyone's statistics and records. I know most teams, a lot of individuals, and something about some of them. I like watching the game, the challenge, the race, the skill, the determination, and the excitement the sport creates. But, why?

I think some of the reason may be because I was never athletic in any way, but many of my friends and acquaintances were. To be supportive and to be a part of the "action", I attended various sporting events as a spectator, cheering on my friends and favorite teams. I learned about the sports, scoring, and the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat. I guess this was my beginning as a sports fan.

I also think I understand the passion felt by most athletes as I understand the passion I had for music. That passion leads to a willingness to practice, practice, practice, ever-striving to be better, which I can also relate to. There's a sense of connecting to whatever is one's passion, to become absorbed in it, to improve, and to celebrate with it. Whether a winner or a loser, there is a sense of personal, internal winning that is rewarding. Sharing the passion, the talent, the skill, is a personal and a public celebration. And, applause can be in many cases something worth living for.

Sports can be agressive, elegant, strategic, graceful, fast, easy, a team effort, or solo. There are the athletes, their stage of action, the fans, and the action itself. I know I love performance, a building story, and good performers, so maybe this is a reason I like sports, too.

Well, maybe it isn't so important to analyze it. Maybe I like sports because I just do.