January 11, 2021 Playoff football

This weekend was the beginning of the NFL playoffs. I sat and watched gridiron heroes play a child’s game for a king’s ransom. In the coronaverse, the live football experience has changed drastically, much like the rest of the sports world. Millionaire athletes played a season of football in empty stadiums. These athletes continued to line the pockets of the billionaire owners.

I found it difficult to care.

I have always enjoyed watching football, preferably the Canadian version. Watching NFL football has been a good way to spend cold Sunday afternoons. We lost a season of CFL football while the NFL has managed to complete one without any fans in the seats. The difference between our two nations is somewhat symbolized in our football leagues. The Canadian league has fought to survive for the last one hundred and ten years, it can’t field a team without the fans in the stadiums. The NFL with its vast resources and income has been able to field its teams. This past weekend the football league to the south played six playoff games on TV for millions of viewers. Some cities even had a small number of fans in the stands. 

The NHL is about to commence a hockey season in the coronaverse. I find it difficult to build up enthusiasm for professional sports in these crazy times. I don’t know exactly why, but something is missing from the energy of the games and I have found myself channel surfing in the middle of play. I wonder if the coming hockey season will hold my interest, there aren’t a lot of other things to occupy our time. Will the battle of Alberta captivate…

I want to care.

It seems somehow wrong in these difficult times that the wealthiest members of society continue working. Meanwhile, the ushers, bartenders, and all the other support workers that depended on events like hockey and football sat idle at home. Livelihoods are gone and devastated, while the rich keep getting richer.

At least I am one of the lucky ones who has made it ok. I live in a part of the world relatively untouched. Our friends in Ontario are stuck at home, locked down again. Curfews have been enforced in Quebec, Eastern Canada is closed for business in January 2021. Minor hockey leagues are shut, there are no gyms, salons, restaurants, many businesses remain closed. We count our blessings in BC and hope with bated breath we can stay open.

In the midst of a strict lockdown, the NHL will start playing hockey games this week in Toronto, Ottawa, and Montreal. The only logic behind it is money, it’s not like these millionaire athletes need to work. I am sure the billionaire owners of the pro sports teams can afford to take a couple of years off.

It is a distraction for the masses and a way to keep the wheels turning. I understand, but it sets a dangerous double standard. There is one set of rules for the wealthy and another for the masses. I guess I shouldn’t expect anything different. 

I watched the NFL playoffs with disinterested enjoyment. Seeing the often maligned and unlucky Cleveland Browns and Buffalo Bills win their first playoff games in years brought a smile to my face. Sitting watching the games reminded me of the purity of the sport. Despite my misgivings and somewhat self-righteous indignation, I have to admit I like watching sports. That is what the rich owners depend on.

In the crazy days of the coronaverse, sports can give us a semblance of normality. At the end of the day, I guess that is a good enough reason to watch the games.

Too bad our kids can’t play those same games…