What is America’s Favorite Pastime?
My simple conclusion as to why Football, not Baseball, reigns superior as the official sport of America.
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If you asked an average American, that had average schooling, and an average job, they would more than likely tell you that it was Football; hands down. You’re doubting my logic now, vehemently claiming Baseball over football; willing to propose a scrimmage of epic proportions to stake your claim. I give you my sympathy and understand your ambiguity, but at least wait until I’ve tried my hand at proving a point.
Though in the past, it was believed that Baseball was the dominant contributor to large-scale athletics and the all around American sport, two polls conducted in 2008 reveal exactly which sport we glorify above all. Football is still number one with approximately 31% of the vote, as it has been since the poll began in 1985. If you’re wondering where Baseball happened to land, It took the silver medal with 16% of Americans counting it as their favorite. Not a bad place for the ” self proclaimed” all American Pastime, but still not first.
But why is it, that Football has held onto that top-of-the hill position for such a long time? In my opinion, it’s more a behind-the-scenes type of relationship. Sure, it’s a blast to watch men in tight pants get overly sweaty and tackle each other to the ground, repeatedly I might add, but football represents the American self glorification and aggressive mentality. There isn’t a person alive, that at some point, wouldn’t mind lining up against another person just to physically pound them. We are creatures of conditional nature, and habit isn’t something we often fight.
Let’s be honest with ourselves here though. When will we get the chance to do that between the hour and a half trip to the office, the eight hour work day, the trip home, and not to mention the scrutiny of the public eye? The odds are slim to none and irrelevant, to say the least. That’s where Football comes in. We now have the convenience to sit at home all comfy and safe, and watch a line up on the field of men just waiting to fulfill that office fantasy of yours; you know, the one involving you pummeling your boss until you reign victorious? Yes, that one.
Now I know that most of you critics out there are saying: “That’s not all there is to Football!”, and I’ll agree, but I’m convinced that it’s the exact reason why Football, is without a doubt, America’s favorite pastime.
6 Comments
well written.. a different perspective on what may be the most over beaten of subjects.
I think you head the nail on the head! It’s the same with Rugby in the UK, the players and fans all consider themselves alpha males; and this as you so rightly state is a primal instinct, harking back to the days where fierce competition was used to establish your place in the pack. So it looks like we done it then, so the next time you are feeling like you can’t do this, look back at this article and say, “damn I wrote one hell of a good piece there!” Well done; and now for our next project?
I don’t know if it is America’s favorite past time, I sure as heck know it is Texas’ favorite one though. These are crazy about it!
The thoughts are well organized and you state the position well, but there are some sentence fragments that take away from the overall strength of the piece. As always, I like your tone, but a mature writer understands the rules. Don’t be afraid to use the “tools” available to you. I too, like long involved sentences, but without proper punctuation and the old grade school sentence diagraming, the reader can become confused and disinterested. Your perspective and your point of view are spot on.
Good article. Well written. You made some valid points in your piece. Football has growed leaps and bounds in the last ten to fifteen years. I think that excessive salaries, and several strikes have diminished baseball’s status as America’s favorite past-time. Well done.
Football! Nah. Gridiron yes. Football is soccurr.
Baseball. Mm, okay. we call it rounders.
Of the two I’d watch gridiron everytime.