For every sport I've learned to play there's a boy I owe thanks. It dates back to my earliest childhood years when my brother taught me how to hit the T-ball. In case you've forgotten what T-ball is, it's a sport that mimics baseball except the fact that the ball is placed on a stand making it virtually impossible to miss it when you swing. T-ball is quite possibly the most self-explanatory sport ever invented, yet I still required some private lessons.
My powder puff coaches taught me not only how to block and catch but also the most important factor of girl's football; sass towards the opponent. But when it came to the rules of most sports, I never really understood. I used to deal with the humiliation at every Virginia Tech game when I'd ask a guy sitting next to me the question, "why do they always run the ball up the middle?" If I could give any advice to a clueless girl at a football game, it would be to never ask a boy that question.
When it comes to girls and sports, the stereotypes are never-ending. We only cheer for the team whose quarterback has prettier eyes. Or maybe it's that girls base their brackets solely off what team has the cuter uniforms and best color schemes. Maybe this is true for some girls, but certainly not those lucky enough to have been well educated on sports.
I can't lie; there was once a time when I'd watch the play clock more than the actual game, as I counted down the time left to spend watching a game I didn't understand. But those days are done, and I hope every girl is able to get to that point where sports truly engage her.
Without emotion when watching sports, what's the point? The Maryland game earlier in the season is a perfect example of the splendor produced when passionate fans come out to see the Hokies play. Every time the detested player of the opposing team would lay his hands on the ball, a roar of displeasure echoed through our student section. As I heard the booing from my fellow students my initial reaction was to feel remorse for this poor freshman. "Poor little guy," I began thinking to myself, "he probably feels so hated right now." What was I saying? My caring motherly instinct had gotten the best of me for a minute, but luckily I snapped out of it. I looked around at fellow fans and realized that yes, there's nothing wrong with a little Hokie Respect, but the real fun is found in some good old competitiveness and maybe even a little animosity.
This doesn't just go for when we go cheer at a football or basketball game. We're all competitive to different extents when it comes to sports, grades and even life. As a girl I feel there's nothing worse than a guy who lets me win on purpose at a sport. No matter how slyly he can try to make it look like the girl won, she can tell. A majority of the female race is already sub-par at most sports, so I'd rather just know for sure that I'm bad at it. Let me make a fool of myself, please.
Then there's the other side of the spectrum: overly competitive spectators. We've all sat behind him, the guy at the basketball game who you know only came to one game this season because it was opened up to all students. He's probably wearing a dull gray shirt instead of orange, because he's an elitist to the idea of school spirit. He's good at yelling, just not for the right team as he criticizes his own Hokies. This is where I draw the line of emotional sport watching. That is just not cool.
Then there's those people who get so into a sport that losing a game sets them into an inconsolable state for weeks, maybe even months. An unknowing passerby might ask, "Is that guy okay? Did his dog die or something?" You'd answer, "No, the Cowboys just lost."
No, I don't think males are the only ones who can enjoy watching sports or that females must feel inferior on the playing field, but the male race must be granted some credit here. Every girl out there owes at least one guy thanks when it comes to sports. Whether he explained to you what a safety is or he didn't fake it to let you win in racquetball, they've dealt with a few dumb questions many girls have asked. By the way, I'm still waiting for someone to explain to me why they always run it up the middle.