Long before Donald Trump perfected the public art of the obnoxious swagger, sports at all levels had been consumed by arrogance and pomposity. The National Football League vowed years ago "to bring the element of respect to its highest level back to our game." This mission, assuming it was ever intended to alter behavior, has fallen by the wayside. While a wide receiver who scores a touchdown should be allowed a brief celebratory spike of the pigskin spheroid, choreographed "dances," even if solos, are totally insufferable. Defensive players are now having their self-congratulatory "look at me" moments as well after a simple tackle or a busted pass play.
The game habits of professional players have filtered down to college, high school and even pee wee levels. These younger players mimic their role models, hoping that some day they will make it to the League.
Of course, spectators have often mirrored the insufferable conduct of many footballers. The Oakland Raiders under Al Davis prided themselves as outlaws, and their fans followed suit, at least as far as dressing for the role. European soccer fans have taken their unspeakable chants to new lows, attacking opposing players with vile epithets and racist mantras. Although international sports federations have attempted to end such despicable misbehavior, it continues apace.
Now the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association has advised member schools to enforce unsportsmanlike behavior rules in student chants "directed at opponents . . . that are clearly intended to taunt or disrespect." Administrators are mandated to "take immediate steps to correct this unsporting behavior." The directive includes examples of banned heckling: "you can't do that," "fundamentals," "air ball," "there's a net there," "sieve," "we can't hear you," the "scoreboard" cheer, and "season's over" during tournament series play.
The WIAA elaborated on the intent of its edict: "Not wanting to restrict creativity or enjoyment, an enthusiastic and boisterous display of support for a school's team is welcomed and encouraged at interscholastic events when directed in a positive manner. However, any action directed at opposing teams or their spectators with the intent to taunt, disrespect, distract or entice an unsporting behavior in a response is not acceptable sportsmanship. Student groups, school administrators and event managers should take immediate steps to correct this unsporting behavior." There is good reason to believe that this well-intentioned decree will fall on deaf ears. In fact, it will likely spur additional contemptuous paeans of a far more hurtful nature.
We live in an age of incivility. We boast about our accomplishments on Facebook for all to see. We denigrate those we deem rivals and opponents. Accomplishments worthy of respect appear only in the eyes of the beholder. Sports has become a proxy for life's deficiencies. We are the team for which we root, and its success is ours. Opponents must be tarnished and defiled so that we can feel better about our insignificant lives.
Imagine what our quotidian lives would be like if we behaved like NFL players. You conclude a sale and then bound around the room blaring: "Look at me!" You finish your shift at the plant and low-five all your fellow employees. You win a game of poker and deride all the losers. What an enfeebled world we have become.