unnecessary roughness

we all know that there are two types of people out on the field/court when you are playing sports. those that are out there to have a good time and those that like to compete. i would definitely say that i am one that is always out to compete and sometimes even tries to play it off like it's only "for fun." i always get fired up about it, but i will say that i always have a good time and want everyone to have fun.

but then, every once in a while, there's "that guy" or "that girl" that just plain ruins it for everyone. no, not with a snide remark or a little elbow, not because they are a little too fired up...those people just entertain us. no, this is the one that punches you in the stomach as you go up for a layup in a church basketball game or the guy that plows over girls in order to make a few more yards on a play.

tonight our little co-ed, recreational "dallas sport and social" league had a flag football game and "that guy" was on the other team. he was a spectacle, that is for certain. from the get-go you could see that he was "that guy." he was the one spouting off to his team as if we were playing in the super bowl, with his name in marker on the back of his t-shirt, wrists adorned with sweatbands...the one ran to the endzone on every offensive play as if he was jerry rice and this guy playing QB was joe montana. he never caught a touchdown pass, by the way, oh but he was there, yelling for the ball, every time!

as i went after his flag on a short run, he spun around at full throttle, pushing his shoulder into my midsection and fist into my neck, springing me from a standing position, into the air, then flat to my back. the thud could be heard from the other side of the field. i sprung to my feet in horror and just wanted to hit him. of course i did not, just visualized doing it over and over again in my head, and soon the next play was happening...and to make a long story short, he ended up in four different "squabbles" on the field, and two plays after taking me out, was thrown out of the game. sad part is, as angry as he was, this was all his doing, his stirring.

where do these people come from, and who raised them? i think this jerk i'm speaking of was probably raised by one of "those parents." i always felt so sorry for those kids, the ones whose parents humiliated them from the stands, yelling and telling them they suck, yelling at their coaches...i mean, it was just sad. i'm sure again, you all know who i'm talking about, and for your sake, i hope it wasn't your parents. but most of all, i hope you have broken that legacy and can enjoy sports.

so on my way home, my elbow bleeding, head pounding, neck and head killing me, and knee just totally shot, i thought about "that guy" from tonight. and suddenly the feelings of anger left and i just felt sorry for him. what a bummer to be at this stage in life and still not be able to pull yourself together to play a fun little co-ed football game without stirring up trouble and making people not only angry but injured! what a shame...oh, and thanks, mom and dad, for never being "those parents" so i don't have to worry about ending up being "that girl." ; )