...just another anecdote from an individual or is it a growing trend? I know I've said this before in other threads about how I have been finding myself watching less college and pro sports over the past several years. But it's rather interesting this year. I was getting excited for the upcoming season and seeing how my school will do in its new conference home this season and moving forward. Then I got to thinking about how much time I used to dedicate to watching CFB, and I've actually thought "do I really want to waste my Saturday watching CFB?". I NEVER would have had that thought when I was younger. It's funny, but last year was the first year I missed watching Steelers games even when they were easily available on TV. So far this year I haven't even bothered to watch them this preseason, and I don't even know who or when they will be playing next.

I'm not saying that I've cut sports out of my life completely, and I'm sure I'll watch some games on TV. But is anyone else starting to feel the same way as I do?

(08-22-2013 12:54 PM)miko33 Wrote:  ...just another anecdote from an individual or is it a growing trend? I know I've said this before in other threads about how I have been finding myself watching less college and pro sports over the past several years. But it's rather interesting this year. I was getting excited for the upcoming season and seeing how my school will do in its new conference home this season and moving forward. Then I got to thinking about how much time I used to dedicate to watching CFB, and I've actually thought "do I really want to waste my Saturday watching CFB?". I NEVER would have had that thought when I was younger. It's funny, but last year was the first year I missed watching Steelers games even when they were easily available on TV. So far this year I haven't even bothered to watch them this preseason, and I don't even know who or when they will be playing next.

I'm not saying that I've cut sports out of my life completely, and I'm sure I'll watch some games on TV. But is anyone else starting to feel the same way as I do?

I admire your chutzpah. It takes a pair to preach abstinence to a board of dedicated sports-a-holics. But as a guy who participates a lot less than years ago, and hurls at the idea of making heroes of some of these impulsive narcissists, I can at least appreciate your transition, understand your reasons, and applaud your realization of a greater depth in life. It took a friend of mine who worked inside a bookies operation to break me of watching the rigged show we call the NFL. Does anyone really think about what the odds are that New York teams win championships following the attacks on the trade center and New Orleans wins following Katrina? It is a big charade designed to amuse, and anesthetize the American public, not to mention fleece those stupid enough to bet on games controlled by professional officials that work for the league. Weekly 70% of the teams that have the most bet on them (the closing line as opposed to the betting line) fail to cover the spread. The house wins. Getting wise enough to know when your getting hosed is a rare form of wisdom. There are many who won't get to retire because they forgot that the House wins in banking and investment and that the government revokes promises like military retirement benefits and social security after they've spent the funds and utilized your services. But they get away with it because morons want to believe promises that are too good to be true and because they want to believe in something and entertainment is a lot more fun to believe in than morality.

(08-22-2013 12:54 PM)miko33 Wrote:  ...just another anecdote from an individual or is it a growing trend? I know I've said this before in other threads about how I have been finding myself watching less college and pro sports over the past several years. But it's rather interesting this year. I was getting excited for the upcoming season and seeing how my school will do in its new conference home this season and moving forward. Then I got to thinking about how much time I used to dedicate to watching CFB, and I've actually thought "do I really want to waste my Saturday watching CFB?". I NEVER would have had that thought when I was younger. It's funny, but last year was the first year I missed watching Steelers games even when they were easily available on TV. So far this year I haven't even bothered to watch them this preseason, and I don't even know who or when they will be playing next.

I'm not saying that I've cut sports out of my life completely, and I'm sure I'll watch some games on TV. But is anyone else starting to feel the same way as I do?

I feel the same way you feel. This spring I lowered my direct tv package to the lowest one. In college, I never missed a game. Now I have two small children, work, life in general. I watch a few WVU games on tv, listen to several on the radio. I tend to watch more games in the evenings after sundown. Football is just a fun game to watch, not a way of life.

(08-22-2013 06:49 PM)JRsec Wrote:  

(08-22-2013 12:54 PM)miko33 Wrote:  ...just another anecdote from an individual or is it a growing trend? I know I've said this before in other threads about how I have been finding myself watching less college and pro sports over the past several years. But it's rather interesting this year. I was getting excited for the upcoming season and seeing how my school will do in its new conference home this season and moving forward. Then I got to thinking about how much time I used to dedicate to watching CFB, and I've actually thought "do I really want to waste my Saturday watching CFB?". I NEVER would have had that thought when I was younger. It's funny, but last year was the first year I missed watching Steelers games even when they were easily available on TV. So far this year I haven't even bothered to watch them this preseason, and I don't even know who or when they will be playing next.

I'm not saying that I've cut sports out of my life completely, and I'm sure I'll watch some games on TV. But is anyone else starting to feel the same way as I do?

I admire your chutzpah. It takes a pair to preach abstinence to a board of dedicated sports-a-holics. But as a guy who participates a lot less than years ago, and hurls at the idea of making heroes of some of these impulsive narcissists, I can at least appreciate your transition, understand your reasons, and applaud your realization of a greater depth in life. It took a friend of mine who worked inside a bookies operation to break me of watching the rigged show we call the NFL. Does anyone really think about what the odds are that New York teams win championships following the attacks on the trade center and New Orleans wins following Katrina? It is a big charade designed to amuse, and anesthetize the American public, not to mention fleece those stupid enough to bet on games controlled by professional officials that work for the league. Weekly 70% of the teams that have the most bet on them (the closing line as opposed to the betting line) fail to cover the spread. The house wins. Getting wise enough to know when your getting hosed is a rare form of wisdom. There are many who won't get to retire because they forgot that the House wins in banking and investment and that the government revokes promises like military retirement benefits and social security after they've spent the funds and utilized your services. But they get away with it because morons want to believe promises that are too good to be true and because they want to believe in something and entertainment is a lot more fun to believe in than morality.

Yeah, the NFL can really make you think sometimes. I agree on NO winning the SB after Katrina made me wonder. Even when the Steelers won their 5th SB, the huge story was about how Jerome Bettis was a Detroit native, never played in a SB and he was retiring after the season. Yes, almost too much like a drama as opposed to true sports competition. No doubt it looks like it was rigged TBH.

When I think of sports on TV, I can't help but think about bread and circuses. It's like the modern day version of the opiates for the masses. No intentions to be offensive, but it is easier to veg out to sports than to think about what is going on around us or even live life.

(08-22-2013 09:16 PM)miko33 Wrote:  

(08-22-2013 06:49 PM)JRsec Wrote:  

(08-22-2013 12:54 PM)miko33 Wrote:  ...just another anecdote from an individual or is it a growing trend? I know I've said this before in other threads about how I have been finding myself watching less college and pro sports over the past several years. But it's rather interesting this year. I was getting excited for the upcoming season and seeing how my school will do in its new conference home this season and moving forward. Then I got to thinking about how much time I used to dedicate to watching CFB, and I've actually thought "do I really want to waste my Saturday watching CFB?". I NEVER would have had that thought when I was younger. It's funny, but last year was the first year I missed watching Steelers games even when they were easily available on TV. So far this year I haven't even bothered to watch them this preseason, and I don't even know who or when they will be playing next.

I'm not saying that I've cut sports out of my life completely, and I'm sure I'll watch some games on TV. But is anyone else starting to feel the same way as I do?

I admire your chutzpah. It takes a pair to preach abstinence to a board of dedicated sports-a-holics. But as a guy who participates a lot less than years ago, and hurls at the idea of making heroes of some of these impulsive narcissists, I can at least appreciate your transition, understand your reasons, and applaud your realization of a greater depth in life. It took a friend of mine who worked inside a bookies operation to break me of watching the rigged show we call the NFL. Does anyone really think about what the odds are that New York teams win championships following the attacks on the trade center and New Orleans wins following Katrina? It is a big charade designed to amuse, and anesthetize the American public, not to mention fleece those stupid enough to bet on games controlled by professional officials that work for the league. Weekly 70% of the teams that have the most bet on them (the closing line as opposed to the betting line) fail to cover the spread. The house wins. Getting wise enough to know when your getting hosed is a rare form of wisdom. There are many who won't get to retire because they forgot that the House wins in banking and investment and that the government revokes promises like military retirement benefits and social security after they've spent the funds and utilized your services. But they get away with it because morons want to believe promises that are too good to be true and because they want to believe in something and entertainment is a lot more fun to believe in than morality.

Yeah, the NFL can really make you think sometimes. I agree on NO winning the SB after Katrina made me wonder. Even when the Steelers won their 5th SB, the huge story was about how Jerome Bettis was a Detroit native, never played in a SB and he was retiring after the season. Yes, almost too much like a drama as opposed to true sports competition. No doubt it looks like it was rigged TBH.

When I think of sports on TV, I can't help but think about bread and circuses. It's like the modern day version of the opiates for the masses. No intentions to be offensive, but it is easier to veg out to sports than to think about what is going on around us or even live life.

I grew up believing the adage, "The truth will set you free." I spent over 20 years helping people discover the truth about themselves, the world, the potential of their businesses, and others. If there is one thing that I took away from those experiences it was that the greater the implications of the truth the more fiercely they fought it. The truth never set them free it just scared the hell out of them. But it does bring up a new adage, "The truth will get you killed." I'm glad to be retired. The world is so screwed up now that delusion is more important to most people than the truth. Now when I feel the need to point out the truth in a situation it only frightens my family and at least they aren't in denial because they've had to put up with me for so long. They don't shoot the messenger. They just veg out in front of sports on TV. Take care, JR

As we age, we gain perspective. Spectator sports becomes less important. It's still fun for me, but it isn't life-and-death like it used to be in my face-painting youth.

Real life tragedies like that Oklahoma shooting involving the baseball player make it hard to put too much emphasis on watching games on TV.

(08-22-2013 06:49 PM)JRsec Wrote:  

(08-22-2013 12:54 PM)miko33 Wrote:  ...just another anecdote from an individual or is it a growing trend? I know I've said this before in other threads about how I have been finding myself watching less college and pro sports over the past several years. But it's rather interesting this year. I was getting excited for the upcoming season and seeing how my school will do in its new conference home this season and moving forward. Then I got to thinking about how much time I used to dedicate to watching CFB, and I've actually thought "do I really want to waste my Saturday watching CFB?". I NEVER would have had that thought when I was younger. It's funny, but last year was the first year I missed watching Steelers games even when they were easily available on TV. So far this year I haven't even bothered to watch them this preseason, and I don't even know who or when they will be playing next.

I'm not saying that I've cut sports out of my life completely, and I'm sure I'll watch some games on TV. But is anyone else starting to feel the same way as I do?

I admire your chutzpah. It takes a pair to preach abstinence to a board of dedicated sports-a-holics. But as a guy who participates a lot less than years ago, and hurls at the idea of making heroes of some of these impulsive narcissists, I can at least appreciate your transition, understand your reasons, and applaud your realization of a greater depth in life. It took a friend of mine who worked inside a bookies operation to break me of watching the rigged show we call the NFL. Does anyone really think about what the odds are that New York teams win championships following the attacks on the trade center and New Orleans wins following Katrina? It is a big charade designed to amuse, and anesthetize the American public, not to mention fleece those stupid enough to bet on games controlled by professional officials that work for the league. Weekly 70% of the teams that have the most bet on them (the closing line as opposed to the betting line) fail to cover the spread. The house wins. Getting wise enough to know when your getting hosed is a rare form of wisdom. There are many who won't get to retire because they forgot that the House wins in banking and investment and that the government revokes promises like military retirement benefits and social security after they've spent the funds and utilized your services. But they get away with it because morons want to believe promises that are too good to be true and because they want to believe in something and entertainment is a lot more fun to believe in than morality.

Sigh! I'm amused that somebody actually believes that the Giants winning the Super Bowl 7 YEARS after 9/11 and the Saints winning the Super Bowl 4 YEARS after Katrina, is proof positive that the NFL is rigged. If you must know, the NE Patriots won the SB after 9/11. Let me repeat that again, THE NE PATRIOTS WON THE SB AFTER 9/11! Oh, and the Steelers won the SB after Katrina. True story, bro!

(08-22-2013 09:39 PM)UConn-SMU Wrote:  As we age, we gain perspective. Spectator sports becomes less important. It's still fun for me, but it isn't life-and-death like it used to be in my face-painting youth.

Real life tragedies like that Oklahoma shooting involving the baseball player make it hard to put too much emphasis on watching games on TV.

Agreed. The horrible truth there is yet to be revealed, and even if and when it is, the complexity behind it will not be spoken of because to do so would shatter too many illusions about our "real" world. If it was truly an isolated incident we could be horrified, but the coverage of this event has already gotten little play following the initial reports. To go in depth on the crime would likely run afoul of political agendas. It could prove to be the antithesis of the Zimmerman case. I'm waiting to hear the President's response to this one. I thought he did a very personal and effective diffusing of the last case. How he handles this one will say a lot about where we stand as a nation instead of just as an assembly of various groups of people who are loosely affiliated with each other. It is long past time to quit politicizing crime and to react to it in unity. From our perspective this was a totally senseless crime. But, the truth is that there is always a motive. In the motive we will hear the truth.

I go to home f/b games at Rutgers and Monmouth, tailgate and enjoy the entire football experience. However, I won't sit in the house to watch a college or pro football game on tv if it is a nice sunny afternoon in Sept or Oct. I am from the old school & can listen to sports on the radio and understand what is going on and still enjoy the warmth of a sunshine afternoon. During colder weather in Nov, Dec, etc., then I have no problem staying in the house and watching a games on tv.

(08-22-2013 09:57 PM)DefCONNOne Wrote:  

(08-22-2013 06:49 PM)JRsec Wrote:  

(08-22-2013 12:54 PM)miko33 Wrote:  ...just another anecdote from an individual or is it a growing trend? I know I've said this before in other threads about how I have been finding myself watching less college and pro sports over the past several years. But it's rather interesting this year. I was getting excited for the upcoming season and seeing how my school will do in its new conference home this season and moving forward. Then I got to thinking about how much time I used to dedicate to watching CFB, and I've actually thought "do I really want to waste my Saturday watching CFB?". I NEVER would have had that thought when I was younger. It's funny, but last year was the first year I missed watching Steelers games even when they were easily available on TV. So far this year I haven't even bothered to watch them this preseason, and I don't even know who or when they will be playing next.

I'm not saying that I've cut sports out of my life completely, and I'm sure I'll watch some games on TV. But is anyone else starting to feel the same way as I do?

I admire your chutzpah. It takes a pair to preach abstinence to a board of dedicated sports-a-holics. But as a guy who participates a lot less than years ago, and hurls at the idea of making heroes of some of these impulsive narcissists, I can at least appreciate your transition, understand your reasons, and applaud your realization of a greater depth in life. It took a friend of mine who worked inside a bookies operation to break me of watching the rigged show we call the NFL. It is a big charade designed to amuse, and anesthetize the American public, not to mention fleece those stupid enough to bet on games controlled by professional officials that work for the league. Weekly 70% of the teams that have the most bet on them (the closing line as opposed to the betting line) fail to cover the spread. The house wins. Getting wise enough to know when your getting hosed is a rare form of wisdom. There are many who won't get to retire because they forgot that the House wins in banking and investment and that the government revokes promises like military retirement benefits and social security after they've spent the funds and utilized your services. But they get away with it because morons want to believe promises that are too good to be true and because they want to believe in something and entertainment is a lot more fun to believe in than morality.

Sigh! I'm amused that somebody actually believes that the Giants winning the Super Bowl 7 YEARS after 9/11 and the Saints winning the Super Bowl 4 YEARS after Katrina, is proof positive that the NFL is rigged. If you must know, the NE Patriots won the SB after 9/11. Let me repeat that again, THE NE PATRIOTS WON THE SB AFTER 9/11! Oh, and the Steelers won the SB after Katrina. True story, bro!

You are correct about the super bowls. Age and memory and I should have checked before posting. The issues pertaining to betting lines (Harrah's odds frequently) and closing lines (which indicate the team with the most bet on them) are true. When betting declined on the games a few years back the league responded with instant replay to re-instill confidence in the games. The trouble is that holding and interference calls (which are not reviewable) still control the spread. Marking a ball or determining the possession after a play are less significant overall. They can change an outcome but over the bulk of the season really aren't as significant as penalties.

Well when you're 69 and retired, CFB is the highlight of my year.

I watch the NHL and NCAA BB but I generally don't watch the NFL or MLB.

I also go to a lot of hockey games, especially the local Junior, Midget Majors, high school and college teams. By the way, Midget Major hockey is the nastiest level. These 15-16 year old kids are all hormone juiced headhunters and trying to impress scouts from Junior A and NCAA levels with their aggressive play.

I love my school. I'll always watch and keep up with stuff related to my school.

But I am quickly losing interest in what goes on elsewhere. A few years ago I would be very interested in the National Championship game. Now I don't care who is annointed or not. March Madness used to really capture my attention. I filled out a bracket this year but just lost interest after Round One.

I went through this years ago with professional sports. Hate to have it happen to me with College.

Miko, we Bearcat fans don't want you to get down on the Panthers. Must be a tough pill seeing the
Bearcats leapfrog the Pitt program. Steelers are trending down. Hang in there buddy.

(08-24-2013 10:09 AM)QuestionSocratic Wrote:  Well when you're 69 and retired, CFB is the highlight of my year.

I watch the NHL and NCAA BB but I generally don't watch the NFL or MLB.

I also go to a lot of hockey games, especially the local Junior, Midget Majors, high school and college teams. By the way, Midget Major hockey is the nastiest level. These 15-16 year old kids are all hormone juiced headhunters and trying to impress scouts from Junior A and NCAA levels with their aggressive play.

I am 64 and retired. I still live for any college football or basketball to watch. I still watch the news and read the newspaper. I also hunt and fish. And of course, I love doing things with the grand-children.

The only Pro Sport that I watch is the NFL and I am very selective on which regular season games that I watch. I do watch all the playoff games and the Super Bowl.

I used to watch football and baseball anytime it was on...ever. Didn't matter who was playing, it was on- at a minimum- in the background.

I've now been married for 10 years and have a young daughter. Parents and the grandparents still around are all becoming more important as my time with them on this Earth is getting shorter. Work load is increasing every day so free time is more precious. It's definitely changed my priorities.

I don't watch a lot of the games on TV although I still go to a lot of Baylor sporting events. My wife actually enjoys most of the games (depending on certain variables like weather and the sport) so it's a good family activity for us. But even then, I tend to miss 1-2 FB games a year which is something I'd never, ever, ever do 10 years ago.

I think it's just natural that these things change. Someone else in this thread says our perspective changes as we get older and I agree.

(08-22-2013 12:54 PM)miko33 Wrote:  ...just another anecdote from an individual or is it a growing trend? I know I've said this before in other threads about how I have been finding myself watching less college and pro sports over the past several years. But it's rather interesting this year. I was getting excited for the upcoming season and seeing how my school will do in its new conference home this season and moving forward. Then I got to thinking about how much time I used to dedicate to watching CFB, and I've actually thought "do I really want to waste my Saturday watching CFB?". I NEVER would have had that thought when I was younger. It's funny, but last year was the first year I missed watching Steelers games even when they were easily available on TV. So far this year I haven't even bothered to watch them this preseason, and I don't even know who or when they will be playing next.

I'm not saying that I've cut sports out of my life completely, and I'm sure I'll watch some games on TV. But is anyone else starting to feel the same way as I do?

I will believe you, only when I don't see you on this board any more.

(08-22-2013 09:57 PM)DefCONNOne Wrote:  Sigh! I'm amused that somebody actually believes that the Giants winning the Super Bowl 7 YEARS after 9/11 and the Saints winning the Super Bowl 4 YEARS after Katrina, is proof positive that the NFL is rigged. If you must know, the NE Patriots won the SB after 9/11. Let me repeat that again, THE NE PATRIOTS WON THE SB AFTER 9/11! Oh, and the Steelers won the SB after Katrina. True story, bro!

But the Saints had a big nationally televised and memorable return to New Orleans and even went to their first NFC title game that season. I think that's what he's getting at, plus he probably meant NEW England, not NEW York.