Walking into our local Shopping Centre just a few days ago, I noticed a man in front of me carrying a few books. As our paces matched and books an easy topic for me, I decided to try a little connect, knowing there was a book truck being loaded for charity purposes somewhere in this vicinity. I asked if that was his destination. “No,” says the old guy, “I wrote these.” “Wahoo,” says I, “I am in presence of an author. And I see an interesting title there, perhaps exactly what I’ve been thinking last couple days at beginning of Stanley Cup playoffs.” He smiled and said quietly as our pathways were obviously diverging. “Yes, more than fun and games.” Title of the book? The Burden of Sports. A quick follow up Google search revealed my good fortune. I had just met Mr. John Weston Parry.[i]
As most of
my acquaintances know, I subscribe to a very basic Christian faith, along with
a growing fascination with varying interpretations of that faith and a growing
involvement with interfaith. And if that’s not enough, I cannot but contribute
this my faith perspective into the local scene which is the political. Living
in Alberta, that qualifies me to be an enemy or friend, just by walking into a
coffee shop or down the street in front of my house.
It is this
context which at present contributes to my considerable critique of
professional sports. The critique began to take hold as I watched the World
Series last fall, watching eager beavers like Toronto Blue Jays’ Vladimir Guerrero
reaching up, thanking God every time he hit a homer or whatever, and a shy
young pitcher like Trey Yesavage, almost winning the Series after having
defeated the unbeatable Yankees and then finally losing to the Los Angeles
Dodgers.
Professional
sports. It’s showmanship, and it must have the seats filled by ticketholders. This
multi-million dollar sports industry also consumes my longtime Edmonton Oilers
(Five Stanley Cups while I lived in Edmonton during the 1980s), and cannot
forget the tear-stained face of the still youthful Wayne Gretzky when he got
traded to Los Angelos Kings by our anti-hero owner Peter Pocklington. That was
then, and I realize perhaps nothing new under the sun. In the year 2026 the
facial tensions were plainly inscribed on coach and especially superstars in this
latest series round one loss to Anaheim Ducks. There is an obligation to a very
spoiled crowd fully subscribing to cheap commentary like spoiled children. Round
two of this year’s series is only contributing to my growing apprehension (e.g.
the Philadelphia – Carolina series nothing but scrums and fights). Professional
sports, practically eclipsed by Bet99, Bet MGM and advertisements. It’s an
industry no more about the game of hockey (or baseball or football for that
matter).
In The
Burden of Sports, which I picked up at our local library after only a few
days ‘on hold’, Weston Parry examines the mental health and emotional well-being
of elite American athletes generally, as well as in relation to spectator
sports propaganda, the legal system, politics, and the effects of the COVID-19
pandemic. The author is a lawyer whose training included the area of his
also-interest, clinical psychology. Sportswashing, the heading of his chapter 3,
describes an expanding Spectator Sports Propaganda Arsenal. His analysis is as
systematic as some recent professionals I have recently read, analyzing
Christian denominationalism alongside politics and people movement. There is
much to observe and much to analyze, similar to news casts and political speeches on and on.
I have not
yet finished reading the book. His thesis is convincing based on all I
have seen and continue to see. I may or may not finish it before due date at
the library. You see, I must claim that element of sports still in the fun and games category. There are some other priorities other than reading books - good for my mental health! Right now. I must pay attention to the progress (success?) of another team; it being the one Canadian team still standing (skating) 😄 for this year's Stanley Cup. This is not from a ticketholder, but definitely a fan in front of my television. The Montreal Canadiens are the youngest NHL team this year, doing very well under the leadership of an also youngish coach, Martin St. Louis. Go Habs!
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