Well ladies and gentleman, it is nearly that time again. In just over a week we will all toss on our jerseys, crack open a cold beer, and wait, staring blankly at the television for hours, until FINALLY, our team makes it's choice in the annual NFL draft. Then we wait again, FOR HOURS, until they make their next pick. This phenomena just goes to show the impact that professional sports have on our society.
We spend an entire day in front of our tv, simply to see something that we could check out in less than 15 minutes in the newspaper the following morning. What is the obsession with the draft? Why do we connect so much to these players that we have never met and most likely never will? Simple: hope. There are so many ills that face our society that we need our Sundays every fall to sit in front of the tube and escape from the reality of the real world.
NFL games play out like a movie. You have the underdog (this year it will be the Lions), everyone wants them to succeed and will cheer them on through their trials and tribulations. You have the Villian (The Pats and their evil coach) who will again attempt to conquer the NFL. Then you have the hero, let's say Donovan McNabb (can you tell what team I cheer for) who gets beat down by the army of fans calling for his head, the critics, etc, but still rises up each year, no matter how dire the situation appears, and saves the day. That said, we are still waiting for the super bowl in Philly Donny boy, bring it home!
The draft brings a new hope for a new season. Last season beat us down, just like life can tend to do, and the idea of a turn around and a new beginning brings hope to people in their real lives for a better tommorrow. Especially in a rough economic environment like the one we are in now, the draft provides a small ray of hope that can lift people's spirits and encourage them to get up off their couch on Monday, after the draft, and turn things around. So here's to the NFL! We salute you, thanks for keeping the dream alive, and the beer companies in business!
