Jupiter Images
You may assume that I'm not the most ardent football follower. That is not to say I dislike the game although there are several aspects of it for which I am left bemused.
Human nature is always strange and unpredictable although when I watch the game of soccer many things happen as expected.
Take the moment a goal is scored.
The excitment is so strong that the scorer invariably runs off at high speed chased by a team college who tries to rip his shirt off. The next one to get close grabs him by the neck and thereafter several more over-power him and attempt to crush him under a human pyramid.
I'm informed it's called celebration. How much nicer it would be if they all conserved their energy and walked slowly back to the center line and gave subdued applause.
Even worse is the spectacle of the scorer removing his shirt and running at full speed towards the crowd. If he chose to run into the arms of the opposing supporters that certainly would be more entertaining.
Still we must not lose sight of the whole purpose of the game which is simulated warfare. To allow people to compete, shout, cheer, or worse, and go home feeling a sense of satisfaction is probably the most important aspect of any similar contest. It is tribal and brings out the animal in us all.
I suppose it is not far removed from the political debating chamber and allows we two legged anthrapoids to challenge one another in a so called peaceful way.
Now if only we could change the offside rule...
![Polling Station signage [Image: kagey b under CC-BY-NC-ND licence]](/openlearn/files/ole/ole_images/places/general-urban-scenes/polling-station-sign/polling station sign_0_0.jpg)
Login or Register to post comments
There's non so strange as footballers
You may assume that I'm not the most ardent football follower. That is not to say I dislike the game although there are several aspects of it for which I am left bemused.
Human nature is always strange and unpredictable although when I watch the game of soccer many things happen as expected.
Take the moment a goal is scored.
The excitment is so strong that the scorer invariably runs off at high speed chased by a team college who tries to rip his shirt off. The next one to get close grabs him by the neck and thereafter several more over-power him and attempt to crush him under a human pyramid.
I'm informed it's called celebration. How much nicer it would be if they all conserved their energy and walked slowly back to the center line and gave subdued applause.
Even worse is the spectacle of the scorer removing his shirt and running at full speed towards the crowd. If he chose to run into the arms of the opposing supporters that certainly would be more entertaining.
Still we must not lose sight of the whole purpose of the game which is simulated warfare. To allow people to compete, shout, cheer, or worse, and go home feeling a sense of satisfaction is probably the most important aspect of any similar contest. It is tribal and brings out the animal in us all.
I suppose it is not far removed from the political debating chamber and allows we two legged anthrapoids to challenge one another in a so called peaceful way.
Now if only we could change the offside rule...............???
Re: There's non so strange as footballers
I used to wonder why grown men wished to chase a ball around a field.
Then like you I realised it was tribal. Which in itself would be a fine hobby except for the violence. Which takes away from the positiveness of the game. Bad losers or simply alcohol fuelled.
As a longtime disliker of anything which divides people, I found myself watching a major game and supporting one side. They lost, I didn't feel angry only sad they hadn't won. If the purpose is family entertainment it's a good bonder of father and son. However, alcohol and away games usually show the unpleasant nature of men.
Footballers are men who haven't grown up, they've achieved a childhood dream, success came early. Many pop stars and actors ditto.
I'm a woman, what do I know!
Re: There's non so strange as footballers
Some sweeping statements here, and value judgements. I think perhaps your prejudices apply more to contemporary footballers but not all.You may wish to consider the nature and lives of pre and post war footballers especialy of the1950's. I believe that you may find evidence that contradicts some of your statements. Also women do attend football matches and football is not entirely a patriarchal domain.
Re: There's non so strange as footballers
Adore men for not being able to be women