Which of the following is the most appealing aspect of sports – the thrill of victory, the agony of defeat, or the crash on the back turn with four laps to go? If you aren’t sure, keep reading.
On May 7, 2012 the Daily Camera published a tongue-in-cheek response from race car driver Tony Stewart to fans who cried for some knock-down, crash-’em up driving at the Spring Talladega. In that particular race, ten drivers were eliminated because of mechanical problems and another ten drivers were eliminated by accidents. The latter group included a nine-car pileup that swept up Stewart with four laps to go. Only 23 of the 43 drivers were around when the checkered flag was dropped.
Stewart’s response was, “Honestly, I think if we haven’t crashed at least 50% of the field by the end of the race, we need to extend the race until we crash at least 50% of the cars. …I’m upset that we didn’t crash more cars. That’s what we’re here for. I feel bad if I don’t spend at least $150,000 in torn-up race cars going back to the shop. We’ve definitely got to do a better job at that.”
Have you made your decision yet – thrill of victory, agony of defeat, or the crash with four laps to go?
• Why are the crashes that Stewart alludes to more anticipated and exciting to some fans than the race?
• What causes fans to go wild when the defensive back hits the wide receiver so hard that he knocks him into the third row of the bleachers, just shy of the hospital – and the wide receiver struts back to the huddle as if nothing has happened?
• Why do fans remember Bill Buckner for the easy grounder that bounced between his legs and not his overall career?
• What caused fans to sit in anticipation for the next Jimmy Connors, John McEnroe, or Ilie Nastase temper tantrum? (These bad boys were actually outstanding tennis players).
• Why do hockey fans exit an arena talking more about the fight in the second period than the outstanding play of the goalie?
• What is so exciting about two baseball teams clearing the benches after a bean ball has been thrown – most players rush the infield only to stand around and avoid a fight?
• Why do players go “Oww and Ahh”, when a volleyball defensive player is six packed?
• What is so heartwarming about a slam dunk off the back of the rim or a free throw air ball?
• Why was Vinko Bogataj one of the most recognized skiers during the 1970s? (Bogataj was the ski jumper from Yugoslavia who was featured on the ABC Wide World of Sport intro video. He was shown losing control on a jump and crashing into a group of spectators?
• What makes boxing fans enjoy a heavyweight match more than a match in a lower weight class? Why does the potential of a knockout have more appeal that the finesse and speed required in the lower weight classes?
• Why do some people cheer for the bull and not the matador?
It is understandable to see why people can identify with the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat. What does it say about sports and its role in society when fans long for misfortune rather than the spirit of the competition?