There were 54 days of no live sports from the NBA shutdown following Rudy Gobert testing positive for covid to the postponed opening day of the Korean Baseball Organization. Although, it's really inconvenient for a sports fan like me, living in the Pacific time zone, to follow live sports on the other side of the world. Then, about 10 days later, Dana White put on UFC 249 (even with a few positive covid tests), bringing live sports back to America. For what it's worth, I'm not counting the PBA (Pro Bowling) or ACL (Pro Cornhole) tourneys…. Let me just be transparent here: it has SUCKED!
I have had a very hard time trusting that the country's shutdown, banning gatherings and subsequent sports furlough was/is wholly necessary. It's difficult for me to accept that the toll of covid will outweigh, or even would have outweighed, the emotional and psychological toll the shutdown has taken. I have no problem believing, however, that somebody is profiting from the covid pandemic. Conspiracy theories abound and it's easy to accept that this was overhyped for big pharma gain. So, now, as it seems the country is sufficiently frightened or, at least, alerted, I look for who else stands to profit. I would suspect there are local government officials who aren't above taking money for opening commerce… but, I digress.
Professional sports leagues generate millions of dollars for their team owners, players, managers and agents. They also generate lots of money for less wealthy folks who are employed in the industry, from parking attendants at games to commentators calling games. As I witness news of millions of Americans out of work, I'm aware that a large percentage are from the sports industry. Even as some of the (let's admit it) red states begin to open commerce again, it’s not outside the realm of possibilities that the sports industry has helped spearhead these discussions and plans. I hear regularly on sports talk radio of the numerous conversations regarding leagues starting back up. But, to date, only Outlaw Golf and UFC are up and running, with PGA waiting in the wings.
It seems clear that we are tired of the shut down. Sports fans are tired of the sports furlough. We’re tired of restaurants and pubs and arenas being closed. It seems we’ve flattened the curve and the hospitals are far from overloaded. I feel that I'm more social than most, so I have really missed weekly church service and going to my local bar. We seem to be collectively asking, What the f*** are we waiting for? As I empathize and have questioned this myself, I am reminded of a quote from Dr. Craig Hall.
“Let the excellence of your work be your protest.”
It’s been said, The squeaky wheel gets the oil. Looking around, it feels like, in our society, we've moved to, The squeaky wheel gets thrown away or criticized. There seem to be two kinds of people nowadays: those who complain and those who quit. Fewer and farther between are those who oil. Whether facetious or real, social media participants, radio hosts, television personalities and you and I bicker. We rant and rail. We block others for their takes. We mostly heed the things we agree with and to hell with the rest of it.
What if we didn't grumble? What if it wasn't our habit to pull out when it's uncomfortable? What if we were willing to open ourselves up to people and situations that are difficult? What if we committed that our only protest is giving our 100% despite our feelings on a circumstance. As a father and husband, I find this particularly difficult. Often, I disagree with my bride's words or course of action. As any of you married know, it seems we daily have to put our opinions to the side in order to keep the peace. Yet, I think of Gandhi, King Jr. and Michael Jordan.
I have been watching The Last Dance on ESPN for the past several weeks, as I imagine most of you have. While I can agree with many that this is more advertising for Jordan's brand than it is docuseries, it's still very entertaining and helpful during this sports furlough. I'm mainly struck by the words of Jordan, "I let my game do the talking." Michael Jordan, it seems, not only understood Dr. Hall's words (although I doubt he ever heard them), but he embodied the idea. Through all the media hype, criticism, Jordan Rules, et cetera, Jordan let the excellence of his game be his protest.
Regarding my own protest, my distaste for the government's response to this pandemic, I don't imagine that I can affect much. I miss eating out, having a pro cut my hair, watching NHL, NBA, MLB, PGA and shopping somewhere other than Fred Meyer. My children have barely adjusted to the new norm. My bride can't go to work and is limited in what she can do at home. I was laid off for six weeks. What can I do? To what work shall I commit excellence? Well, I commit to showing my attitude and actions to best support the very fluid solution to our global problem. Agree or disagree, I'm responsible for me. I want my peers, colleagues and children to see that I'm all in, positive and hopeful. Whether fixing cars at the shop or hanging out in my house, there are people who may be following my example. I'm no Gandhi, Martin or Michael, but may the excellence of my work be my protest.
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