Spring Break
Why We Love Sports
John Frascella
Issue date: 4/30/08 Section: Sports
"Why do you love sports?"
It's a question that's been posed to me a number of different times during my life, and a question that I've never once taken the time to answer.
Until now.
This is goodbye. This is my final column as a member of The Daily Campus, so what the hell - I'm letting it all hang out.
There's a freedom in sports. It's the freedom to capture a moment, and do something incredible. It's the freedom to leave an impression.
With that freedom comes the hope that someone, somewhere will remember you. They'll remember your time, your play, your triumph.
Not everyone can play in the pros, or college, or even high school - but everyone can play. Whether it's little league, intramurals or even just a pick-up game with friends, everyone can have their moment in sports.
Think about it. We've all heard of "hometown heroes" and "playground legends," and while they may be irrelevant outside of their community, they will always be remembered - perhaps even immortalized - at home. Sports can give people an identity, give them something to look back upon, a memory to be proud of.
That's one of many reasons why I love sports.
A love of sports is like a love of music, or another person - it's about feeling, connection. We feel excited, freed, exhilarated when our favorite player does something spectacular. We have a connection to a team, a uniform, the city they represent and the game itself. When the season ends, we digress, and feel like a kid whose best friend left them for summer camp - betrayed, empty and disappointed.
But we bounce back. There's always another game waiting for us. Whether it's the progression from baseball to football season, or football to basketball season, the next sport always represents a new hope, a new shot at victory, a new chance to see something we've never seen before.
We hope to see something memorable, something that we'll never forget even when we're playing catch with our grandchildren someday - like the first time we saw Michael Jordan elevate, glide and walk on air like a god; like the Red Sox coming back from a 3-0 deficit to shock, stun and dismay the Yankees; like the New York Giants upsetting the seemingly unbeatable New England Patriots in the Super Bowl.
It's a question that's been posed to me a number of different times during my life, and a question that I've never once taken the time to answer.
Until now.
This is goodbye. This is my final column as a member of The Daily Campus, so what the hell - I'm letting it all hang out.
There's a freedom in sports. It's the freedom to capture a moment, and do something incredible. It's the freedom to leave an impression.
With that freedom comes the hope that someone, somewhere will remember you. They'll remember your time, your play, your triumph.
Not everyone can play in the pros, or college, or even high school - but everyone can play. Whether it's little league, intramurals or even just a pick-up game with friends, everyone can have their moment in sports.
Think about it. We've all heard of "hometown heroes" and "playground legends," and while they may be irrelevant outside of their community, they will always be remembered - perhaps even immortalized - at home. Sports can give people an identity, give them something to look back upon, a memory to be proud of.
That's one of many reasons why I love sports.
A love of sports is like a love of music, or another person - it's about feeling, connection. We feel excited, freed, exhilarated when our favorite player does something spectacular. We have a connection to a team, a uniform, the city they represent and the game itself. When the season ends, we digress, and feel like a kid whose best friend left them for summer camp - betrayed, empty and disappointed.
But we bounce back. There's always another game waiting for us. Whether it's the progression from baseball to football season, or football to basketball season, the next sport always represents a new hope, a new shot at victory, a new chance to see something we've never seen before.
We hope to see something memorable, something that we'll never forget even when we're playing catch with our grandchildren someday - like the first time we saw Michael Jordan elevate, glide and walk on air like a god; like the Red Sox coming back from a 3-0 deficit to shock, stun and dismay the Yankees; like the New York Giants upsetting the seemingly unbeatable New England Patriots in the Super Bowl.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
frank
posted 4/30/08 @ 2:31 PM EST
John,
You know I am one of those people with an deep love and appreciation of sports. I do not believe that anyone could have done a better job describing the importance and the feelings that sports brings to many lives. (Continued…)
Katie
posted 4/30/08 @ 3:02 PM EST
John,
As an avid sports fan and a writer, I can honestly say that this article is moving, well-written and absolutely one of your best pieces to date. (Continued…)
xera
posted 1/06/09 @ 9:05 AM EST
i love what you have said its meaningful to people who loves sports and play sports. this is the best article I have seen, it is vivid and direct.
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