Chan Lowe: World Cup blahs
It confounds sports promoters everywhere that the United States, which even has a dog in the World Cup fight, is an impenetrable fortress when it comes to embracing a sport that is the passion of every other country in the world.
Some say it’s because it’s a sissy sport where people don’t use brute force to get ahead (which means that it clashes, metaphorically, with the American concept of what it takes to succeed in our society).
That doesn’t explain the appeal of baseball or basketball, or why rugby, which is even rougher than American football, is still considered a boutique sport here.
No, I think it’s the myth of American exceptionalism. In our minds, there’s us⎯and then there’s all them other countries. The very fact that that soccer is the rest of the world’s sport makes it un-American.
Besides, some third-world country could beat us, and probably will. Talk about embarrassing.
Best to ignore the whole thing. How many guys are left on The Bachelorette this week?
CHAN LOWE has been the Sun Sentinel’s first and only editorial cartoonist for the past twenty-six years. Before that, he worked as cartoonist and writer for the Oklahoma City Times and the Shawnee (OK) News-Star.
Comments
Chan,
I wish I could turn back time and transport you to the beaches of Iwo Jima or Normandy. You would have a rifle and some grenades and your orders would be to move beyond the beach head and disarm the enemy. All while you are under heavy fire. Your mission...to secure the island or liberate the oppressed. If you had done that, I honestly believe that your view that America is arrogant and isolated in the world community would be different. If the rest of the world wants to have an orgasm over futbol, let them have their fun. If the US chooses not to participate the same fervor, so TFW!
Posted by: olga | June 23, 2010 8:21 PM
Does America have a dog in this fight? How many players on the US team are Americans? The only thing American in the World Cup is some American money.
Posted by: Tom | June 24, 2010 6:01 AM
What ignorant comments, especially by Tom. Have you watched even one of these games, where guys like Bradley, Howard or Donovan bust their asses to beat football nations like England and Algeria? They are not Americans enough for you? What does it take, then? A gun?
For my part, I am proud of them, for their awesome comeback against Slovenia, the stunning last minute victory against Algeria, their sheer perseverance and determination. So what, if they don't win in the end. They at least are presenting what Americans should be like. Can't wait for the next game. I'm proud of you!
Posted by: johanna | June 24, 2010 1:45 PM
My goodness! What incredibly stupid and arrogant comments. Olga, in English (and the rest of your email is in English), the sport is spelled "football" not "futbol." Is there a reason why you use a Spanish spelling of the football? It is true that the most popular team sports in America are all American sports (American football, baseball and basketball), and that the U.S. has never really embraced non-American team sports the way that many other countries do (sports such as such as soccer (or football), cricket and rugby). To recognize this is not saying the US is isolated or arrogant. Tom, Wow! Do you really feel that way? All U.S. players are Americans. Just because someone may have a different sounding name or a different skin color than you does not mean they are not American. Really, come on!
Posted by: Ben | June 24, 2010 2:11 PM
Well-said Johanna!!! (except England and the U.S. tied :-))
Posted by: Ben | June 24, 2010 3:13 PM