It will surprise no one to learn that America is home to gutsy sports fans. People who are willing to watch through the pain. Real spectator warriors who give 110 percent.
Emergency room doctor David Jerrard released a study last week that shows there is a drop in the number of men going to the emergency room during sports broadcasts on TV, which is then followed by a surge of men going to the emergency room. It only makes sense, since we expect athletes to stay in the game within an inch of their lives. If Tampa Bay quarterback Chris Simms can play with a ruptured spleen, then Uncle Harvey, geared up on the frozen, er, fuzzy tundra of the couch, can ignore those bothersome heart attack symptoms until the game is over.
There’s a fine line between the much-vaunted “toughness” of athletes and “being really dumb.” Pro athletes, of course, are expected to play at all costs. It’s equated with winning at all costs. But “toughness” has become this ridiculously revered, mythical, super-hero kind of character trait. If playing with pain is the expectation, then so is watching with pain.
If Donovan McNabb can lead his team to victory on a broken ankle, Fan X isn’t going to let a little half-time snacks mishap with a kitchen knife sideline him to the ER.
It’s a fact that just the thought of Curt Schilling’s bloody sock can block out the pain of a gall bladder attack for a good 60 minutes. Or prevent the impending Cialis-induced priapism.
Remembering how Ronnie Lott chose to have the tip of his left pinky finger amputated, rather than miss any games to let the finger heal after surgery, is like mentally mainlining toughness. A fan may not even recognize the signs of acute appendicitis.
But beware of cracks in the facade. More people actually went to the hospital in hypochrondriac sympathy while watching Andre Agassi in tremendous back pain during his last match at the U.S. Open because the cortisone shots he received were obviously not working. For showing such weakness, he was forced to retire. Just kidding.
But this is true: People questioned tennis player Monica Seles’ “mental toughness” when she failed in her comeback, after being stabbed in the back, to get back on top. Stories noted in a get-over-it tone that her physical wounds healed in weeks, but she (and her game) continued to suffer from the psychological wounds inflicted in the attack.
It’s time we have more realistic, human expectations of our athletes, and by extension, fans. We’ll all be healthier for it.
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