I am not nor will I ever be sporty. And I do not nor will I ever enjoy watching sports.

I want to. Don’t get me wrong. I am reminded of how much I want to every year about this time, when Saturdays down South take on a new meaning.

But I have accepted that I do not have the popular love of sports, and my family has decided not to disown me. It was down to one deciding vote though. Thanks, Mom.

I enjoy a baseball game for the first couple of innings, a basketball game for the first half and the last quarter of football games — maybe the last half if I’m lucky.

And that’s just in person. If it’s on a TV screen, a couple of minutes tops.

I see the benefits of sports. I appreciate a good competition and the dedication of the players. I just don’t understand the hype of American sports culture.

And I’m going to say it: I don’t understand why we seem value professional sports over those who provide emergency services or education.

I know pro players make only fractions of the revenue they bring in, but why do they bring in so much?

I know sports play an important role in American society. But is it more important than learning how to read? Is it more important than the job of a social worker making sure a family gets food? There’s not nearly the hype for those necessities.

I once told that sentiment to a speech class in college. I was asked if I believed that professional sports players should be paid as much as they are, and I used the same reasoning explained above to say that I just wished the hype — and the pay — reached to more to those performing social services.

Derrick Henry — yes, the Heisman Trophy winner who now plays for the Tennessee Titans — was looking right at me as I said this.

Was that intimidating? Yes. He could javelin throw me across the classroom, so yes.

But we determine what is valuable in a society, so if people are willing to pay, that’s not necessarily on the players.

I think I would have accepted a pro gig even if I didn’t exactly understand the hype. Wouldn’t you?

Of course, I’m sure he understands the hype, but hypothetically.

Besides people pay to watch after all.

I guess in a sense I do too.

Just because I don’t watch much of the game or understand all of the hype does not mean that I don’t join in on the festivities, especially for football games.

I love to people watch, and there are few better places to people watch than on a game day.

You rarely have so many different ages in such a small space.

The possibilities for entertainment are endless: the rowdy old man, the annoying child, the teenager taking photos the whole time.

That’s why I personally enjoy Saturdays down South. And I paid student ticket prices to do that, so I contributed in a small way too.

Nothing is ever cut and dry I guess.

 

Sarah Mahan is a staff writer at The Vicksburg Post. You may reach her at sarah.mahan@vicksburgpost.com.