Sports have long been touted as ways for kids to develop a team mentality, learn hand-eye coordination, and build habits to promote healthy living among other things. With my dad out of town this weekend, though, I realized something else sports do; they bring people together.
Watching sports together is one of my dad's and my favorite pastimes. It's one of the only ways we bond anymore. And when he's gone, the game just doesn't feel the same. So after Brigham Young University won a big game, I didn't feel much like celebrating. I turned the TV off and moved on to something else, then I got a text from my dad, "Yeah BYU!!!"
The game wasn't aired in Louisiana, but he saw the score scroll across the bottom of the screen and wanted to share his happiness with me. This isn't the first time we've had to share post-game bliss from miles apart. We try to text each other at the end of the game every time one of us is out of town, because we know the other was watching, alone.
I was also reminded of the other times I've used texting about sports to build rapport and strengthen relationships. Last Sunday I texted a friend whose team got spanked. The text simply read, "Mother effing Broncos." She replied and our conversation ended with us deciding we will need to form a support group if we are going to get through the season.
Football talk has also helped build a new relationship with a former co-worker. He consoles me when my team loses, and I celebrate with him when his team wins. :) I cheer for the teams my friends like, and jokingly tease the friends whose teams are my team's rivals.
If you ask me, sports brings people together better than a dinner party, better than mani-pedis with the girls, and better than gossiping over Sunday morning brunch.
