On the BCS championship and media coverage. And Memories.
I grew up in Alabama. Every young male is expected to participate in football which I did until 8th grade when it dawned on me that I was more suited to be the geek in obscenely framed glasses and a pocket protector.
My father was a dedicated engineer who had as much interest in football as he did in renaissance literature (Which was none but he'd never admit it). My mother was one who wanted more than anything to keep her children out of harm's way. Therefore, it was a puzzle to them some fifty years ago when I announced that I wanted to join a neighborhood 70 pound football league. The acquiesced and I became a young football player.
I was skinny as hell. I was (and am) clumsy as hell. Because this was a neighborhood league, everyone got to play. Being Alabama, the coach expected everyone to know the "rules" or at least the concept of football. I was a mid-western transplant and had never seen a football game in my life by the time they put me in my first game... as a linebacker.
The only things I really remember about that only season as a young football season is a small auto accident as Mom was driving me to practice in her brand new 64 Mustang and feeling cool because I was in my pads and helmet and couldn't possibly be hurt and my big experience on a field in front of a crowd.
I don't remember who we were playing but the QB threw a pass over the line and I jumped up and intercepted it. Then the question came to me. What do I do now? The engineer part of my Dad came into play and deduced that since everyone else was trying to put the ball over that particular goal I should try to do the same.
I lived with the moniker of "Wrong-way" for a bit after that.
Apologies for the memories but while watching the BCS championship tonight between Alabama and LSU I couldn't help but notice the tone of the commentators throughout the game and compare them to current media covering politics.
Throughout the first half of the game the commentators consistently made excuses for the expected winner LSU. They sang praises for various players and coaching. When it became apparent that LSU was about to suffer their first and only loss of the season, the tenor changed.
Starting in the second half, praises started going to AL players and coaching. It got worse as the cloud of victory closed in. Of course, in the new Tim Tebow fashion, the QB said it was Gawd's will and help that gave them the win. Sorry, LSU. I guess god hates you.
I see the same thing in political reporting today. Beyond the propaganda, media wants to appear correct in its predictions and always wants to back a winner.
The news today is as formulaic as the procedural crime/police dramas we might watch today. You get a body, an investigation, a trial and vindication.
But the real world just ain't that way.
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