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December 9, 2005 - The competitive spirit that died a long time ago I played basketball last night at McLean Bible church with an open gym pick up thing they have going. I haven't played ball, heck I haven't broken a sweat, in months, so it was good for me. Anyways, everything was going well and good until the last game I played and there was "that" kind of player on my team. You know, the guy that 1) thinks he's better than he really is, 2) is short and tries to make up for it by bullying everyone, and 3) treated the game like it was the Final Four. His way too serious attitude soured my whole night. I absolutely loathe playing with people like that. 100 times out of a 100 I'd rather play with worse players that didn't take things seriously and were just having fun, than really good players that were @$$es. That's why I hate playing at Nottaway. And that's why, I'm realizing, I stopped playing team sports like this altogether. I can't stand the unfounded competitiveness. I've played soccer at the highest collegiate level and against some of the best players in the country, some of whom now play for MLS teams or even the national team. While at Virginia Tech I rubbed shoulders often with basketball players, baseball players, and football players; some of whom reside in the NFL like Andre Davis, Kieon Carpenter, and Michael Vick (had study hall with him). I know what true competition is like. Intramurals, open gyms, and pick-up game are not real competition. After I finished playing soccer at Tech, I realized I would never play at such a high level again. I also realized, even at that level, sports are so frivolous in terms of cosmic importance. Yet I used to think it was. I realized that getting mad at people for missing a shot or fumbling a pass, or even myself missing shots and fumbling passes, was by no means worth any ounce of investing disappointment and/or chagrin. It's absolutely meaningless, the game itself. To act like it does mean something, other than having fun and building relationships, is utterly childlike, immature, and a grand exhibit of major pride issues in your life. I used to be like this, so I know. Sports were a major identity in my life. I thought that defined me as a person. I now realize that was bogus, and I just used them to cover up my insecurities of feeling worthless and inadequate in other areas of my life. Anyways, I'll stop on the ambiguous trek into philosophy. I just want people to know why I don't play team sports much anymore. It's not really anything to do with me, or the sport itself; it's other people. And I know that sounds like I'm blaming other people, but I am. When you play a "team" sport, you have to put up with your teammates. Why should I put up with a teammate that thinks they're more and the game is more than it is? Why should I have to put up with soon-to-be middle aged men than think they can overcome they're past failures in sports in high school, etc. by beating up on a bunch of other soon-to-be middle ages men that suck also? Give me a break and get perspective on life. Being overly competitive never helped anyone and it made me miserable. |
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