The 21st century remains one of those ambivalent time periods where some have perhaps moved on too quickly, leaving history and physical labor in the dust, while others seem determined to stay stubborn and be the anchor to everyone else’s sail.
Me? I’m conflicted daily. I’m one of those types that feels like he should have been born in the early 20th century yet sees the value of technology and utilizes it.
If the early 1900s were a job, it might have recruited like this: strong work ethic required; optimism and enthusiasm a must; dilly-dalliers need not apply. That’s probably because my grandfather, a former prisoner of war and all-around workhorse, helped raise me.
I’ve become somewhat numb to the fact that certain human skills continue to diminish. Like, say, human contact and dealing with issues face-to-face. Just post your problems on Facebook or send a text.
My complaining aside, I felt as if human interest in things not required to be digitized hit a new low when I read Mark Mravic’s article entitled Extreme comfort zone of home viewing is impossible to beat. (A more fitting title would have been “Dear Life: I Give Up. Sincerely, Apathetic Sports Fan”).
I guess I’m an avid sports fan. It consumes my life in more ways than just being a fan. But for most red-blooded Americans, being a fan initiates us to the largest fraternity in the world. It’s solidarity, yes, but it’s also a human experience soaked in emotions, imagery, and so much more that I just can’t put my finger on all of it.
Just as some religions require a pilgrimage, sports has its own sacred journeys. Every year we plan to visit our favorite team’s home or some piece of sports history so we can say “I saw it; I experienced it.” Heck – for most of us, it is spiritual!
In Mravic’s piece, he claims that watching a game at home is a more comfortable and thus more enjoyable experience than actually attending the game. His defense comes in form of a rainy New York Giants-Jets game.
By watching the game at home, he saved time, money, and the discomfort of a balmy and rainy evening sitting huddled with thousands of other vociferous and opinionated New York fans.
Has it really gotten to that point where we’d rather simulate experiences?
Mr. Mravic: I’m sure your high definition flat panel television with surround sound made that game quite realistic. Unfortunately, no matter how advanced it becomes, technology will never replace the human elements we can only get from each other, and in this context, sports.
Had I sat home and watched the Cleveland Indians from the comfort our hotel suite, my dad and I would have never seen Jim Thome hit 3 homeruns from our overpriced nosebleeds. We would have never high-fived so spontaneously that it continued on to other strangers next to us, only to realize that for the first time in my thirteen years, we physically shared an emotion.
Had I sat home and watched from the toasty warmth of our house, we wouldn’t have sat on a crowded bus to see the Buffalo Bills play the Miami Dolphins. I wouldn’t have froze in the stands while watching my favorite team lose to my hometown one.
I wouldn’t have sat as a young child and experienced the passion of 80,000 fans sitting in freezing weather to cheer on their home team (albeit with some expletive-laced rants) because it represented a part of their grit and hard work. I wouldn’t have started to appreciate what I actually had at home instead of coveting everything I saw on TV thinking it was somehow better than where I was or what I had.
Had I sat home and watched from my cushy couch, I wouldn’t have seen that final game at Silver Stadium in Rochester, NY, former home of the AAA Red Wings, as proud homegrown fans cried and cheered all in the same breath. I wouldn’t have realized that big isn’t always better, and that sometimes if you don’t experience it for yourself, it’s gone before you actually had time to enjoy it.
Had I sat home and watched from my recliner with a cold beer, I wouldn’t have been able to tell my kids that I saw Michael Jordan play and score 20 points in a quarter. I wouldn’t have witnessed the smile on my brother-in-law’s face, a soldier and huge Jordan fan, as he watched Jordan announced while sitting in the free seat that I offered him. I wouldn’t have learned as a young adult that giving is actually better than receiving.
Had I sat at home and watched my beloved alma mater Temple University defeat nationally ranked Tennessee on its home court in North Philadelphia, I wouldn’t have realized the power sports and generations it can cross and affect.
I wouldn’t have driven six hours with one of the kids I coached to sit next to my former coach and stand with them and cheer as a bunch of players we didn’t know persevere. I wouldn’t have realized that positive role models don’t just affect the next generation, but generations thereafter as they mold their heirs to be the teachers, parents, and leaders.
No, those experiences would not have come within the context of sports. I could have saved a bunch of time. Certainly saved a ton of cash. Although . . . the life lessons seem few and far between from my 45 degree angled view of the television.
Maybe I would have eventually learned them elsewhere. Consequently, however, should I have learned them in some other realm of life, then that would mean that sport exists only to entertain.
If that is true, then I’ll sit right there in my recliner and watch along with Mr. Mravic. I know that is not the case, though. My experiences have proven otherwise.
So I suppose a more suitable title for this piece would be: “Dear Life: I’m All In. Sincerely, A True Sports Fan.”
OUTSTANDING!
I heard Colin Cowherd speak about this topic a couple of months ago. His platform was slightly different, but not any more acceptable. Cowherd argued that fans who try to make themselves part of the event negatively affect his experience. He used that Jets’ fan who gets on tv waaaaay too often as an example. I understand, but I don’t agree.
Going to games makes the home experience. Now that I have been to games, my home viewing makes more sense.
I have been saying to Kel for years that I do not actually need to go into Notre Dame stadium in order to enjoy a Notre Dame game. The sights, the sounds and the smells of Notre Dame campus make it all worthwhile. Of course, after the Stanford game, some might argue that I should not have wasted my money on the ducat. Then I would not have seen Andrew Luck play. By the way, there is no camera angle that accurately gives a picture of a football play on a television screen.
As far as a sporting event being spiritual – maybe it is the sweltering court side temperatures that have the effect of a hot springs bath at an expensive spa, but Cameron is a spiritual experience for me. Every time I walk out of that place, I feel healed. And yes, I thank God above for the opportunity to take part in that experience.
As for Temple trouncing Tennessee – what made it all the better was seeing Dionte Christmas open before he got the ball and knowing he was gonna let it fly as soon it touched his hands. “Oh why not.”
I can still hear the “We want a hit! chant echoing through the Silver Stadium.
Camera angles – pft! What I HATE are those who say NBA players don’t play hard. The TV does no justify what amazing, fluid, quick athletes they are. I sat 10 rows back and watched Allen Iverson play against Jordan. I don’t think my gaping mouth shut all game. It forever changed my opinion on any NBA game, whether it be #1 or #82 of the season. Allen Iverson never broke a sweat yet seemed to be going twice as fast as everyone else WITH the ball in his hands.
That Temple game will forever be a good memory because we watched a guy who was in the zone. Like you said, it was on his face and made a usually timid crowd quite electric. And no pontificating announcer had to tell us he was in it! We all just knew the ball was going every time it left his hand.
And to think that article was published in Sports Illustrated. I have a better title: The anatomy of a non-sports fan by Mark Mravic.
I suppose it depends on your investment in the game. You may not get a life lesson every time you go to the stadium, say, spending a hundred bucks or two and watching a slugfest between some basement dwellers in a riveting 6-3 showdown. And watching at home, you certainly don’t have to deal with hordes of drunks who think the only way to enjoy the game is to let the drunken rage fly, because what’s really on the field isn’t important. And you don’t have to crush your kid’s hopes of getting an overpriced jersey, because the league needs a ridiculous percentage of everything that is sold with its name on it.
I may be bitter because DISH and MSG are feuding at the moment, costing me hockey games I can’t get to or afford to see. And there are just few means of getting that channel through the vendors, and nothing if framed how I want to purchase it, but how they sell it to me.
You make some good points Rey, but I think the Mravic article makes some good points as well. Seeing sports live is different than on the tee vee, but not everyone has that luxury, of either time or money. In my case, it’s both. As an example, the other day the Bruins were in town playing Florida for an exhibition game. I had a commitment, but checked ticket prices in case the missus could take the two kids. It would have been close to $150 just for the tickets, and then there would have been parking, overpriced food, not to mention the older kid complaining because he doesn’t like sports so much.
I get it, what you’re saying, but I’d rather see the Webster Yankees play than the NY ones, because pro sports, despite having the top tier of talent, is still a business, and if you don’t separate the myth from reality, well, there you go. When the Yankees were begging for another $400 million for their new home in the Bronx, they got it, but then curiously, spent that same amount to acquire 2 players. And that’ll teach you something about life and pro sports.
Anyway, good article, sir.
Guys – I couldn’t agree with you more. I was recently thinking about how I needed to get back to getting to games as opposed to watching them on TV…
Casey, I know you know this – but there is nothing better than atmosphere outside Fenway Park. I miss it, but I try to get back at least once a year. I think about the decisions I made while I was there to get to games. Dropping more $$ then I could really afford to get the Game 3 of the ALDS vs Oakland. If I haven’t, I would have seen Trot Nixon’s walk off hit. I also wouldn’t have gotten free tickets for the next day – Game 4.
The next day was a comeback victory and I was slapping high fives with people I had never met. A year later, I was there for Game 3, walk-off HR by David Ortiz in the ALDS vs. the Angels.
If I had watched the Sox play the Indians instead of going to the game – I would have missed John Rocker pitching an inning with his zipper down. I would have missed the comments made by fans that had Jim Thome laughing at first base.
If I hadn’t experienced a Red Sox/Yankees game at Fenway – I wouldn’t have heard to competing cheers between “Let’s go Red Sox”, “Let’s go Yankees” and “Yankees suck”. I would have missed the boos for A-Rod in his first at-bat after the trade to the Yankees. It was so loud I couldn’t hear my friend next to me.
It is scary but one of my fondest memories is sitting in Gillette Stadium with my Dad during a Nor’easter watching US playing Ireland in a friendly.
There were trips out to California and going to every ballpark except San Diego.
Recently I have gotten away from it. I need to get back to it..
To follow that up – it is too bad that the cost of going to a game has gone up to a point that it forces a lot of people to choose to stay home. That is a shame. I grew up with the Knot Hole Gang at Silver.
Then again I remember spending $10 for my brother and I to sit in the bleachers at Dodgers Stadium and couldn’t figure out why more people weren’t there.
Another plus to being at the ballpark – not listening to Michael Kay accuse David Ortiz of bunting for a hit to raise his average from .269 to .270. Really?? Really Michael?
Bill – I understand what you are saying because I have done those calculations plenty of times. But the writer of that article has media credentials, and he was across the river from the game. One guy, free tickets to the game and you can see the venue from your office. Are you going? I am. He should be stripped of the title of sports writer.
Bill – glad you mentioned the Webster Yankees – did you see how few people attended the games? $0 for the admission. Concessions were cheap. We had two kids drafted this past year. I wonder who will get taken next year. The price tag does not matter. 21st century American sports fans are apathetic.
Casey, in his case, being a sportswriter, he should have been at the game if he was covering it. But we’ve also been spoiled by the media as far as sports are concerned – how often have you been at a live sporting event, missed a play or part of one, and thought, if I could only rewind it and see it again? I’m not saying that lack of attention is at fault, but it does happen. If you’re a real control freak, and you don’t want to miss anything, then tee vee is the venue, certainly nowadays with DVR’s. And at times, if you have to think in terms of writing the story as you go because you have a deadline, you can’t enjoy the game as much as Joe Fan, who is relaxed and watching for the sport.
I don’t think fans are apathetic; I’d say most have been made lazy by tee vee. I can’t really remember the last time I checked a box score or scored a game, and if that makes me apathetic, I’m apathetic. When you’re force fed Sportscenter every hour on the hour, have the NFL Redzone, a channel devoted to just golf, where do you draw the line? Does playing fantasy sports make you a heretic or a hero? I’ve taken the bus from the Port Authority to Giants stadium (well, the old one) and it’s fine on the way out, but the ride back is ugly. Does getting so hammered you can’t remember what happened make you a better fan than Joe Sixpack in from of his Sony?
I think it’s a bigger issue, and maybe deserving of a few articles (maybe I’ll fire up the pen), and we haven’t even touched on issues like seating, for example.
Bill – What are you, about the same age as Moses? I jest 🙂
First of all I will admit I am way too invested in sports. I take most of them way too seriously on an emotional level. I’m like a girl watching a chick flick who discovers the meaning of life in it when the script is just a recylced 80s concept that starred Molly Ringwald and was written in 45 minutes. So you can imagine why the only explanations I have come from sports. Also agree with the fact that more sporting events will actually result in nothing but an empty pocket and deflated expectations. But you also can’t guess when those great moments will come, so as fans, it’s the chance we take when we attend all these games. And of course the real world gets in the way too much for us to attend much of the time so the tube does just fine.
I thought Mravic had good points until you consider what Casey brought up. Plus, it was the first game in the new stadium against two NY teams. Just thought it would be something I’d rather be at than skip and watch if I had the opportunity. Anyway – to each his own. Sports is probably way more important to me than many others and vice versa. I guess we could look at it like this: Mravic works in sports and probably is a little more jaded than us and has had his fair share of games next to obnoxious NY fans, so I’m sure the couch and TV sounded good after a long day of work.
Smitty – I hear ya on needing to get back to attending games. I feel like I’m hours away from sporting events. Now I wish I would have went to more Rhinos games and Red Wings games when I was in Rochester. Dang – what was I doing that whole time?
Thanks for the kind comments, gentleman.
Fantasy sports kinda contributes to this. Guys need to keep track of all the players on their team, so they stay at home to monitor the progress.
Rey, I certainly feel old, although I’m more like a guy watching a girl watching a chick flick, because I know the movie stinks, but I do like looking at girls.
And the first game of the new stadium? Sounds like Mravic is hitting a mid-life crisis.
Smitty – I know I’ve said this before on here, but my wife and I took in a Red Sox game in 2004 on our honeymoon. Sox were up big from the first 3 innings and were winning 11-4 going into the eighth. This is June. First game I’ve been to where the home fans on the winning side didn’t leave early and kept giving the umps hell for every bad call they made. Great place; hope I can go back soon. I bet you kick yourself for games you didn’t attend while living there. I used to go to the Vet evey time a “star” came to town to play the Phillies. Cost like 10 bucks to sit up top. Now in retrospect, I wish I attended every Friday and Saturday game while I was living there.
Bill – looking at girls is probably my favorite past time.
Reynell – Glad to hear that your trip to Fenway was a memorable one. I do wish I had gotten to more games. There is nothing like 35,000 fans singing “Sweet Caroline” during the 8th innings. Sometimes I swear Red Sox fans stick around just to test out their vocal chords.
It is an atmosphere like no other in Major League baseball.
The only way to watch a hockey game is live. Granted, few people watch hockey, but if they went to a live hockey game, they would be hooked. Its too bad hockey does not translate well thru the TV.
Boog – absolutely right on hockey. Never been a hockey fan, but have attended plenty of games and would take up another offer in a heartbeat. I have always said it is the best sport live and couldn’t even name anyone other than Ovechkin and Crosby in the league.
A sampling of responses to this article from class today:
“These two articles exemplify the clash of ideals and preferences which is going on throughout our culture, one of experiencing versus taking it easy, being comfortable. In his article, Reynell stresses how he feels a sporting event is so much more than the entertainment it is at face value. Being there to witness history being made on the field, in the diamond, and on the court is a wide encompassing experience, one which no true sports fan should neglect, and one which can have a monumental affect upon an individual. Through being at a sports game, being in conditions which may no be the most physically comfortable, he has seen things that have affected him in such a way that he had felt emotions which he would have never been able to experience in any other way during his life. While Mravic may argue that watching a game on the tube, with the latest technology at work to provide for you the seemingly divine experience, one which can shoot stats and insight at you in more ways than you can count, it is an event tailored solely for the analytical mind. It provides no human factor, no personal experience which can only be felt by being there, seeing it first hand and drawing conclusions which are solely your own.
In today’s world, this is a sad and ever present happening. People, on a daily basis, choose to live life by observation rather than taking a part. Why see your folks for dinner when you can just as easily make a quick call? Why go out if you can much easier stay in? Why go to church (if you believe) if you can sleep in a bit?
In today’s world it all comes down to one question: Why take an initiative if you can just slide by on the cusp of existence?
People may like and choose the easy way out, but in the end, whether it be for a sporting event or anything else, you are passing by the experiences which shape your life.”
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“The writer of this piece really touches upon the impact that sports can have on people’s thoughts, emotions, and actions- ultimately, on their culture. Reynell claims that it is better to attend sporting events than to watch them at home. You do not get to experience the emotions, spontaneity, and thrill of a sporting event from the comfort of your living room. For example, after watching the final Red Wings game in their former stadium, he got to see the “proud homegrown fans cried and cheered all in the same breath,” which is truly something very unique and special about the nature of sport. He talked about how you cannot capture the excitement and emotion of a jam-packed stadium through the screen of a “high definition flat panel television with surround sound.” Not only did the real-life experience enhance his memories, but he also learned some valuable life lessons by witnessing all of this first-hand. Among these lessons are “giving is actually better than receiving,” appreciating what you have at home instead of coveting what you do not have, and that “sometimes if you don’t experience it for yourself, it’s gone before you actually had time to enjoy it.” Without being there in person, one may never get to “physically share an emotion” or see all of the human elements of passion and emotion combine into something bigger, something everyone can experience together.
As a die hard fan, it is hard to disagree with him. Of course, monetary and time restrictions are certainly the main factors which hold many of us being at the game every Sunday, but there is nothing like experiencing a game in real life. There is nothing better than watching your team walk into someone else’s house and defeat them, only to watch these local “fans” leave the game early, all of their pride gone. There is nothing better than walking through that tunnel and seeing the green turf in person, so vibrant and vivid. This article makes me want to attend every game I possibly can, be there for the team I love, with others just like me.
It makes me want to be a part of something more than what is seen through the television screen.”
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“Mr. Reynell’s article is a very good one. He makes a strong point to show that technology has pushed many real life experiences out of the picture. The importance of attending a sporting event all depends on your commitment and involvement with that team. I for one could care less if I ever go to another professional sporting event. At this time I feel no personal connection to any athlete or sports team which deserves the time, money and effort to attend one of their events in person. Now I know some people may think I’m crazy and un-american for saying that, but that is their opinion. If they want to go and spend exorbitant amounts of money on tickets and stadium food and drink to watch a sports team, who lets be honest could care less about them, then by all means let them do it.
The only reason I have to justify going to a sporting event in person is if I had some sort of personal connection to that team or a player on the team. This comes largely into perspective when you take high school or college level sports. The athletes on this team go to school with me, they sit next to me in history class, they have shared with me their feelings of the team, of the game tonight and most of all they have given me a reason to watch. The athletes on these teams are homegrown heroes. They play for nothing but pride, no monetary amount, no special offers. At the end of the season they are back in your basement, lounging on your couch creating that type of relationship that makes you want to support them. ”
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” Has sports fans everywhere lost their desire?
It is believed now in today’s society that sports fans are electing to stay at home and cheer in the confinements of their homes instead of going out to the actual event.
I understand not many people have money these days do to financial difficulties.
However, the thrill of watching a game at home than in real life in person don’t even fall on the same scale. The roaring crowds the whistles the players getting fired up for a big game the sounds of the pads hitting or sneakers running up and down the court can only be experienced if your actually there.
You cannot call yourself a real fan until you go out and actually say I was there I’m a witness. It doesn’t matter if the team is 0-16 or 16-0 supporting your team in any sport is one of the best things you can ever say you were a part of.
You can ask any player what they feel before walking into a stadium with all eyes on them. They’ll tell you it’s unreal and scary at times. All eyes on you all the time watching your every move waiting for you to slip up or make a mistake.
Any one can plug in a 16″ television and say yeah i watched the game it was good stuff.
But how many people can say yeah i was there when the giants beat the patriots shattering their undefeated historic season.
People all around the world can watch on tv, it takes a select bunch to actually go out and be die-hard fans. Sitting in 0 degree whether every week watching, cheering, being the 12 defender.
I’m not saying its meant for everybody some people just don’t enjoy being vocal and making noise. They like to watch but not support.
Real fans have their teams influence their weeks. One loss means a bad week and one win makes you feel like you can do anything.
The New Orleans saints saved an entire city. They were the heartbeat.
Winning every week gave the people of that city hope, and desire to win and keep going when times were tough. Those are fans.
People that feel like the players play for them are the real fans. Anybody on any given day can plug in a tv and watch the game. It takes a real kinda person to get up and go out and cheer on the team you love.”
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“Both of these articles show the two different opinions of sports fans. Which is better? Sitting comfortably at home with a few people, or sitting in a stadium with thousands of people?
Obviously being at home watching the game saves you from the obnoxious, angry sports fans sitting around you. Sitting in a stadium on a plastic seat in freezing weather doesn’t sound that appealing either. Having everything at your fingertips at home can be much more convenient than being in the stadium. Being able to access replays and analysis from the experts of what’s going on on the field can decrease the amount of confusion you might get from being at the game where there isn’t someone announcing every little thing that happens.
But what do you really get out of it?
Sure you’re comfortable at home, and you don’t have to pay as much, but is it really that enjoyable?
How many people can say they’ve witnessed the Giants stomp on the Patriots perfect season? How many can say they saw the look on the face of a New Orleans citizen’s face when the Saints won the Superbowl?
Sports bring people together, and the best place to see that happen is to go to an actual game, not sit in front of a TV. Being at a sporting event creates memories for people. I’m pretty sure someone would remember more from a trip to see a football game than sitting at home just watching it.
In this technological age, it seems that sports fans have started to grow with the technology. More people are willing to sit at home with their giant flat screens and laptops as they get more details on what’s going on, and to what’s going on in other games. It seems less people are willing to take on the elements and sit through an entire game at a stadium, because they could be much more comforted and informed if they were at home.
This goes along with how money is the number one motivator in the world. People aren’t going to want to pay $100+ to go to a game when they can just sit at home and watch it. But is it really worth it?”
Wow – I almost wish you didn’t post these, Casey, because these kids are better writers than I am. Thank you.
Monetarily speaking, sports has become nauseating. In the past, a dog and a beer sufficed, but now you have stadiums and teams promoting an experience outside of sports. No – I don’t want sushi at a baseball game. No – I don’t need a waterpark for my kids to attend while at the game. No – I just want a regular ticket to the game and not one that gets me a package deal for the all-you-can-eat team Hall of Fame shrine and gift package.
I think the game at home has become so entertaining that owners spend too much time trying to emulate that same entertainment value at the actual game. The game itself is analytical if we choose to make it that way when we attend, but some have honestly become more comfortable with the TV doing it for us. We are an age of spoon-fed information and that is unfortunate.
I guess the dichotomy of sports an be dangerous. I want entertainment just not at the cost of the human element.
Great responses, guys and gals, and thank you!