Over Analyzing

Today in class Professor McMahon brought up the subject of whether or not Hyland was going too far in his search for what sports are. I believe many of the reading we have had in class are searching for something that is not there. The authors of these stories or philosophies are trying too hard to explain something that is so simple. I think sports are a way for mankind to release some of his natural aggression/tendencies that has been supressed by our society. You see animals in the wild play with each other by running and tackling another of his own species (i.e. puppies) but it isn't deemed acceptable for a man to just go tackle another man for no reason so he plays football; there is no justification for a person to hit a ball with a racket over a net and then run around to hit back to someone else. Sports are a way for a man to prove to other men how athletic he is. Men have natural tendencies to prove to other men how competitive they are. Basically, sports are an alternative competition that men have used in place of natural inclinations.

When We Were Kings

Muhammed Ali, in my mind, is one of the greatest athletes to have ever lived. His skills between the ropes was unmatched by anyone, and his way with the press and public was some of the most enjoyable I have ever seen. He had a way of psyching out his opponents even before the fight started that can't be rivaled by anyone. Usually your opponent will try to psych you out while they are looking at you or while they are right next to you. Muhammed had the ability to psych out his opponents in a press conference when his opponent wasn't even present. I believe this was half the fight for him most of the time...if his opponent went into the fight thinking that there was no way he could win then Muhammed already had the advantage and was that much closer to a victory.

Nascar

I know we had a long discussion about this during class but I wanted to give my 2 cents as well. I cannot sit down and watch a Nascar race because I think it is one of the most boring events to watch. I would almost rather watch paint dry. But I do believe that it is a sport. The drivers in Nascar have to be extremely aware of their surroundings at all time and be in total control of their car...one wrong move and they could be out of the race. They also have to be very mentally strong... sitting in a hot car for, what?, 4-5 hours I think? And they have to determine the correct times to pass and how they are going to pass another at extreme speeds.

Reply to Comments

This post is in response to some of the comments made about my philosophy. No I do not think chess is a sport because there is no physical aspect to chess. When I said sports work your mind just as well as your body I meant that they had to be coupled together...not solely the thinking part. And I believe sports make you more comfortable in social situations because in my experience, sports can give a person a sense of confidence. I believe that competing in a sporting event is much harder than socializing with random people.

Brian Urlacher

I love his post game press interview. He gave all the credit to the Colts and said that his team, flat out, got beat...there was nothing special about it. He admitted that he and the defense did not come to play and they did not do what they wanted. He wasn't expecting the Colts rushing game to be as productive as it was but at least he is man enough to say that they just played better and more physical football.

Daaa Bears!

So the bears lost yesterday and I couldn't be happier. Maybe now some of these Chicagoans will realize how bad the Bears actually are and how important it was that the Bears got lucky for many of their games this season. I will give them this though, during the regular season the Bears played some very good D but that defense didnt show up to play yesterday. Payton, Addai, and Rhodes tore it apart. On the other hand, the true rookie Rex Grossman did show up yesterday.