An Attitude of Platitude
For two weeks the sports media subjects the American viewing public to an onslaught of questions, interviews, perspective, prediction, quibbling and minutia dissecting a single football game. It is non-stop verbiage presented with an attitude of platitude.
To save hours of viewing redundancy I distilled it to the gist. All that remains is for the teams to play and the final score.
A host of former players and coaches, reporters, and NFL insiders present the “Keys to the Game.” A sampling:
"Turnovers could decide the game.”
“Injuries could be a big factor.”
“Special teams could play a big part.”
“Big plays could decide the game.”
“Both teams need to limit big plays.”
“Key players will need to step up.”
“The Packers’/Steelers’ defense needs pressure Roethlisberger/Rodgers."
“The team that can run the ball will win.”
“The team that can run the ball will win.”
“The team that executes all three phases of the game will win.”
Anchors pose contrived questions for “insiders” to answer. Players and coaches refer to the “heart of a champion.” Both say:
“We are going to have to play 60 minutes.”
“We need to take care of the ball.”
“We have to tackle.”
“We need to minimize mistakes.”
“We must focus, not make mental errors.”
As the game nears, pundits make their predictions. Half say “The Steelers will win by three points” and half “The Packers by three.” They claim “The Steelers’ or Packers defense or “The Steelers’ running game will secure the win” or “Aaron Rodgers will return to his earlier form to lead the Packers.” All of them agree “The winning team must execute all three phases of the game.” They are as good at guessing the outcome as we are.
Reporters ask each coach if the distractions will affect his team’s preparation. Each answers saying, “We’ve been through this before. We have a preparation schedule and we are on it.” When asked, “What are you doing to prepare for the opposing team?” each answers “We have to execute the fundamentals. We’re focused on what got us here.”
A day or two before the game, reporters ask the coaches about their teams’ preparation. Both coaches respond, “They are focused.” When asked, “How do you know?” each responds, “I see it in their eyes.”
Just before the game a reporter asks each coach for his prediction. One says, “It’s going to be a grid-iron war out there.” The other answers, “We are going to have to play 60 minutes of error-free football.”
All that remains is the game and the final score. If you miss that, you can get the score and highlights on ESPN. All you miss is the angst and the commercials, which sometimes are the highlights.
The game begins; the announcer tells us everything we heard before about every player, coach and trainer down to the water boy in the first two possessions of the game. The color men tell us everything about the schemes and adjustments of the opposing coordinators in the first two possessions and repeat it for the rest of the half.
After the first half a young, beautiful woman, dressed to the nines, corners the rankled coach of the trailing team, reminds him of his team’s tribulations and asks, “What do you need to do in the second half.” The coach responds with two of four statements:
“We need more intensity the second half.”
“We need to get our ground game going.”
“We need to tackle better.”
“We need to eliminate mistakes.”
… And then he says,
… And then he says,
“We had opportunities in the first half; we need to execute for the final 30 minutes.”
Before the second half another young, beautiful woman “interviews” the coach of the leading team, applauds its successes and asks, “What do you need to do in the second half.” The coach replies with two of four statements:
“We need to do what we have been doing.”
“We know they aren’t going to quit.”
“We need to keep running the ball.”
“We have to focus on what got us here.”
… And then he says,
“This game is played for 60 minutes.”
After the game an announcer asks, “How did you win today?” The winning coach extols the grit and valiant play of the opposing team. He emphatically states, “They came to play; it was a battle for 60 minutes. They didn’t quit. I have to credit their coaches for a great game plan. My players played with the heart of a champion.”
The MVP running back or quarterback of the winning team points to the sky, acknowledges God’s assistance, and gives all the credit to the lineman. He says “We set our goals in pre-season. We battled all year. I’m proud of these guys. They have the heart of a champion.” Afterward, he is “caught” on camera telling the world he is going to Disneyland.
Postscript:
Mid all the post-game hoop-la, un-filmed and virtually un-noticed, a small huddle of players gathers on their knees, gives thanks, and reminds themselves of what actually was significant over the previous two weeks.
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