Man's Game

Football, a man's game in which a group of men gather on a field to relish in a testosterone moment to exhibit their physical attributes. We the fans, love to share and bond with those on the field. It might be as a pure fan or it may be the chance to relish our glory days of you as we live out our fantasy with those on the field. Sometimes, all the statistics and talent control the outcome and other times the underdog rises up and defeat's their foe by sheer determination and heart. It is game that is learned and played in our youth. You can go by home's, playgrounds, fields and see many a youth gathered in a game or practicing with a ball to increase their skills. It is a big deal in many a school, with some it is everything. How many Friday nights in high schools across America do people gather together to play, witness, and be a part of this fall activity. How many a man sits in the stands watching proudly as their son takes part in this activity. Thinking that their progeny lives on through their child on the field. They want to believe a part of them lives on through the son. Through the eye's of the fellow student, those who excel in the exploits on the field rise to stardom status among the student body. It can become a way of the future as some will secure their future education. Despite the risk's of injury, despite the risk of failure and despite the risk of rejection, it is the pursuit of this dream that drives them on. Few excel enough to move on to the next level. Those who do experience even greater expectations but also greater rewards in the college level. Dreams appear to be one step closer to being in the big time, the NFL. Though this is a subject of itself, my focus is to be on the fan. While high school support is basically based on geographical decisions of where you live or where you grew up, at the college level it begins to change. Why people choose certain college's over another one is a choice with little rhyme or reason. Tradition of winning is a choice of many, the school mascot, family attendance, family loyalty. Sometimes rebellion and disrespect will cause rivalry as gives a chance for rooting against another's choice. There are as many choices of why we watch as there are players on the field. How many holidays are celebrated with friends and family gathered around the tv? Many will flock to a venue such as a local bar or pub to be part of the larger gathering of fellow minded and opposing minded people to relish the excitement of being a part of something if only in mind and spirit. Then there is the loyal fan who braves the elements to be there. No matter how pleasant or adverse the conditions you see them in the stands. The one who amuses me is the one who will go shirtless in -20 degree temperatures with snow and ice adorning him in his spectacle. While toughness and testosterone may abound, common sense just stampeded off in the other direction. Tailgating has become as big an event at the college and professional level as many gather early or stay late as a chance to bond and celebrate as unity in the sport. How many fans were let down on Sunday, such as the Cowboy's fans who were robbed of their glory by a review of a play causing a change of the decision. The Bronco's were favored by the facts. They were led by their beloved Peyton Manning. Many a Colt's fan even felt a sense of loyalty to rooting for Peyton after the Colts had let him go due to age and history of injuries. Despite the facts, Andrew Luck and the Colts came out and played the game they wanted, against all the expert opinions not to, and came away with an exciting win. Many are up today as they rejoice while others are down by the agony of defeat. Most of us had no part in the win or the loss yet it will affect us this week for those who participated on or off the field by the emotional responses to the outcome of this game. Many a woman also enjoys watching also and I am not meaning to belittle their experience as many are very devout fans, but I can relate to men and in this age where it is not always good to be a man, I say let men be men on the field and in life!