Saturday, July 26, 2008

I'm Ready for NFL; Are You?

By Paul Ortiz Y Pino
Of the Journal
      So, people are saying that we are already in the monsoon season. I think it is still a little early to say that. What I am sure of, though, is that training camps for the NFL are beginning this week.
    There is no question that football is the most popular sport in the U.S. It is strategic, exciting, unpredictable and, mostly, it is geared toward the fan. More than any other sport, football also has a "soap-operaesque" side. It grabs us, and never quite lets us go. Just ask the Miami Dolphins. They were the worst team in both leagues last year, so naturally, this offseason, they have been in the press and the public eye, almost constantly. Does anyone remember which was the worst team in baseball was last year? How about in hockey, or the NBA?
    With the NFL's own network, it has been a blast this year, keeping up with individual players who have grown to almost mythological proportions. They are our heroes and our villains. The heroes this year could be Tom Brady, Eli Manning, Tony Romo, Donovan McNabb, all leading the way for a host of others. The villains this year could range from Chad Johnson to myriad other individuals who have run afoul of the law, the league, their city or even just their own team. For soap opera value, we only have to look to Brett Favre. The verdict is still out whether he will ever play for the Packers again, much less for some other team.
    Then there are the villains turned heroes. This is the year of the "Tank" and the "Pacman." Last year's was "TO" and he seemed to complete the transformation successfully. There are always holdovers who want more money and won't play unless they get their way. They almost always settle and by next year their problems have all been forgotten, unless their name is Ricky Williams, Michael Vick or Devin Hester. Even most people who don't ever watch football knew the story of last year's main villain, Michael Vick.
    Thirty-two different teams in 31 different cities. From top to bottom, the East Coast to the West. It has become a magical athletic venture where thousands now make their living because of football, and millions of fans gear their lives around it.
    For drama value, how about a team that everyone wanted to crown by midseason and was being called "historic," not even winning a championship. How about a team that didn't even win its own division, winning the Super Bowl. Yes, this is good stuff, and it will only get better because training camps started this week.
    One of the least thought of values of the NFL is the distraction value. By focusing so much on the season and everyone's favorite teams and players, the stresses and turmoil of everyday life have to take a back seat, at least until the post-game summary is over. At least in my eyes, that is a good thing.
    So, for all of you fellow fans: "Are You Ready For Some Football?"
    Paul Ortiz y Pino's column appears each Saturday in the Rio Rancho Journal. He can be e-mailed at portizypino@abqjournal.com.>   

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