justobserving
11-man fan
O.K. - I took the preventative steps.
That worked for a while. I jumped on the forum, started this post - stopped - deleted the thread • backed off and reconsidered.
But in true fashion I will muddle ahead.
I have watched over the years as the braggadocio • loud • arrogant • self centered • mouthy • showy actions that were ushered in by "Professional" (joke) wrestling began to take hold in the NFL. The "hey look at me actions" after making a tackle, scoring, blocking a punt or kick or any individual achievement on the field had to be accelerated to the point of being a monumental event. Guys beating on their chest, flexing their muscles, doing these ridiculous duck walks while pumping their fists, turning to the crowds and basically saying look at me. All the show just to draw attention to ones self. Basically it turns my stomach.
Well, as time has progressed this has filtered down to the college ranks. To some degree I have seen it at High School games.
I haven't been to but a couple of six man games over the last couple of years. After moving back to my home town I have been attending our local high school's (Class A) games with my father-in-law. They have been 3 or so rounds deep in the playoffs for 2 years so no 6 man games for me.
Well this weekend was the last straw for me on this "hey look at me" trend. One of the big draws of 6 man football for me has always been the sportsmanship and sense of "team" that was always prevalent, very apparent and continuously on display.
I was planning on making more six man games this year and to start the year out I went to both of the All Star games that were put on at the State Coaching clinic in Lubbock.
Lo and behold - the creeping had crept. I witnessed the same self centered individual "look at me" crap going on there. Players (now I am NOT pointing fingers here at any individual - this is an observation of general happenings) doing the same things I thought I would not see at the 6 man level.
Ah for the good old days I remember from watching the six man game.
Is this showy, self centered and ego driven drivel going to become part of the six man world now ? Is this going to become the accepted behavior following the trend set by "the big boys" ? I sure hope not. The game will suffer for it as well as the players. Or maybe the game won't suffer from it and this is just the view from the "Old School" seats....
- • I counted to 3.
• Then I counted to 10.
• Then I waited a day.
• I told myself to be objective and just accept it and just let it lie.
That worked for a while. I jumped on the forum, started this post - stopped - deleted the thread • backed off and reconsidered.
But in true fashion I will muddle ahead.
I have watched over the years as the braggadocio • loud • arrogant • self centered • mouthy • showy actions that were ushered in by "Professional" (joke) wrestling began to take hold in the NFL. The "hey look at me actions" after making a tackle, scoring, blocking a punt or kick or any individual achievement on the field had to be accelerated to the point of being a monumental event. Guys beating on their chest, flexing their muscles, doing these ridiculous duck walks while pumping their fists, turning to the crowds and basically saying look at me. All the show just to draw attention to ones self. Basically it turns my stomach.
Well, as time has progressed this has filtered down to the college ranks. To some degree I have seen it at High School games.
I haven't been to but a couple of six man games over the last couple of years. After moving back to my home town I have been attending our local high school's (Class A) games with my father-in-law. They have been 3 or so rounds deep in the playoffs for 2 years so no 6 man games for me.
Well this weekend was the last straw for me on this "hey look at me" trend. One of the big draws of 6 man football for me has always been the sportsmanship and sense of "team" that was always prevalent, very apparent and continuously on display.
I was planning on making more six man games this year and to start the year out I went to both of the All Star games that were put on at the State Coaching clinic in Lubbock.
Lo and behold - the creeping had crept. I witnessed the same self centered individual "look at me" crap going on there. Players (now I am NOT pointing fingers here at any individual - this is an observation of general happenings) doing the same things I thought I would not see at the 6 man level.
- Blocked kick - here steps out the player from the crowd as to be seen for sure pumping his fist - yelling screaming - of course while facing the stands.
Kid makes a tackle and gets up pounding his chest and yelling and screaming.
Long run for a touchdown, here comes the player out of the end zone throwing his chest out screaming - his arms back doing some kind of bent knee strut and of course facing the stands while doing it.
Kid gets tackled for a loss - comes to the bench, throws his helmet on the ground and struts up and down the sideline behind the bench ( making sure to glance in the stands to be sure he is being noticed)
Ah for the good old days I remember from watching the six man game.
- Players making a good hard tackle and the reaction by the person making the tackle - he helps the runner up he tackled.
Kid blocks a punt or kick and then retrieves the ball and unceremoniously hands it to the ref.
Makes a long touchdown run, gets congratulated by his teammates and unceremoniously hands the ball to the ref.
When players accept the congratulations and recognition from their teammates and fans without have to create their own
Is this showy, self centered and ego driven drivel going to become part of the six man world now ? Is this going to become the accepted behavior following the trend set by "the big boys" ? I sure hope not. The game will suffer for it as well as the players. Or maybe the game won't suffer from it and this is just the view from the "Old School" seats....
