"Soccer is un-American."

The Clarion Herald ^ | July 1, 2006 | Father William Maestri

[Ebenezer]

Father William Maestri with the Catholic Archdiocese of New Orleans, Louisiana makes this damning (at least to soccer moms nationwide) remark in his latest column on The Clarion Herald, the Archdiocese's newspaper. The quote is just the proverbial tip of the iceberg as he rants in no uncertain terms against this sport which he mockingly calls "kickball".

But then, what is the Padre's sport of choice? Not basketball, not football, not even "the national pastime" of baseball. It's tennis; Wimbledon tennis!

The article is available only in .pdf format, so I urge fellow FReepers to access it through the source URL, read it, and reach your own conclusions. While I agree with Father's disdain for fútbol, "take me out to the ball game".....anytime.

[MarkL]

How is Nascar a sport? Its a car, no human endurance, except for them holding their pee.

Motor racing IS a sport, and some require more physical effort than others... For instance, many of the top morotcycle racers (both road racing and motocross) use Triathalons and rock climbing as training tools, just to keep in shape. It takes quite a bit of strength to deal with a 330 pound, 240+ HP motorcycle on a road coarse. Here's an example of the athleticism that's required: I believe that Wayne Garner saved this little "oopsie!"

Mark

[The Old Hoosier]

I must say, soccer is so much better on HD.

[Central Scrutiniser]

If you have to use a machine it ain't a sport.

Sports are where you use your body, and only your body, that way, there is a long standing baseline of experience. Using cars that get better with technology destroys that. Its a machine, therefore, no sport.

And its dull as hell....wow, look at that car! Look, here it comes around again! zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

[MarkL]

Sad to see Colin Edwards crash out on that last turn.

Speaking of Colin "The Texas Tornado BBQ!

Mark

[MarkL]

If you have to use a machine it ain't a sport.

Really? Ha! I'd love to see you on a "machine" on a road course, like a GSXR-1000, or a Ducati 999. A few laps on one of those, and you'll be hurting.

And you don't believe that what Lance Armstrong used to do was a sport either, huh?

Mark

[mikrofon]

When you've played hockey and watch it enough to be able to anticipate things, it can be very exciting to watch on TV, although nothing matches being there in person. If the networks would use a "Board-cam" like they had in that outdoor NHL game a few years ago (along with HDTV), the game would really come across much better.

[Central Scrutiniser]

Lance powered the machine with his body, ergo its a sport.

Cars and bikes are powered by internal combustion, not a sport.

As for me being on a road course, it would be fun, just like when I ride ATV's, but hardly a sport.

[mikrofon]

Better a Lisbona than a lesbo....

[secret garden]

'In this country, we have baseball, football, and basketball.' Those are three of the gayest sports on earth.

You left out wrestling. Guys in spandex all over each other? Yeah, that's real macho...

[Surtur]

"Nancy boys" who can do that are probably in good enough shape to beat the crap out of just about any participant in any of the "more American" sports.

While I agree with most of your post, the quote above has an assertion that I disagree with. Granted, soccer players have great endurance, agility, and pedal dexterity, but in a street fight, brute strength, resistance to pain, and explosive quickness, are more important than those attributes. Give me an NFL lineman, a juiced up MLBer, or a rugby or Australian Rules footballer any day over a soccer player to watch my back. Of course, that is just MHO, your mileage may vary. For what it is worth, I think soccer is a good game for smaller children. And if someone enjoys it when they get older, that is great too. I respect the physical talents of international level players, and I don't consider them "nancy boys" at all. I just don't particularly enjoy watching them play, but I feel the same about MLB (its more exciting to watch the grass grow in the outfield).

[Surtur]

The English system of measurements was based on instruments that people had at hand, e.g. the "foot" measurement was traditionally based on the length of the king's foot. Since people's measurements are different, those early measures varied. Eventually, by general consensus, those measures were standardized to what we have in today's English system. The metric system was a created system of measure based on the base ten (decimal) numbering system, and the meter was to be 1 ten-millionth of the distance from the equator to the north pole. It was a logical system of measurement, and was intended to standardize the world's various measurement systems, but Americans had already invested huge amounts of money in the standardized English measurement system when the metric system was introduced. Since England, and her colonies, was our major trading partner, we continued to use the system long after most of the non-English speaking world had adopted the metric system. Another reason for the resistance among English speaking countries was the fact that it (the metric system) was introduced in France, and the antipathy between the French and English slowed the acceptance. But you probably already knew all this.

[DManA]

I don't know if she's having sex or birth'n a baby out there. Either way for me personally it's more off turning then turn oning. But what ever lights your fuse....

[Surtur]

I assume Dick Trickle is a driver, and not some horrendous disease?

Yep, a driver, and the worst joke any parents ever played on their kid (well, except for all those parents with the surname Head who just have to name their son, Richard). They make the dad in the Johnny Cash song "A Boy Named Sue" look like a candidate for father of the year. If I was ole Dick Trickle, I would wake up every morning, tell the folks I love them, and then kick their arses just because.

[rogue yam]

The correct name for the "sport" in question is "metric football", and much like the metric system itself it is dangerous and confusing and thus best avoided altogether.

[sneakers]

I do understand now. Thank you.

[groanup]

While it's true that team sports are good for kids there are a lot of differences between the various team sports. IMHO soccer provides an avenue for "soccer moms" to put their kids on a team and have them do absolutely nothing while one or two kids aggressively attack the opponents. In baseball, football, basketball, golf a child is required to stand alone at times - pass or fail.

My son was a five time all star baseball player and, most of those years, I was his coach. He got to high school and made the B-team and became MVP his first year. Next year he opted to quit baseball and play soccer. I was disappointed but he had displayed the nerve to stand in the batter's box with two out in the bottom of the last and make something happen. And, if it didn't, he shed a tear and showed up at the next game ready to play.

That, to me, is the difference. Of course he played soccer as a much younger child and was able to do pretty well at it. The problem was that the team was full of boys who didn't care and didn't have to.

[jjbrouwer]

'You left out wrestling. Guys in spandex all over each other? Yeah, that's real macho...'

True. But I didn't think wrestling was a sport. I thought it was just a way for American men to practise being homos.

[Alberta's Child]

I beat the crap out of him for 30 seconds before a teacher pulled me off of him.

Nothing wrong with s nice, sound thrashing. LOL.

[Victoria Delsoul]

The quote is just the proverbial tip of the iceberg as he rants in no uncertain terms against this sport which he mockingly calls "kickball".

Looks like Father Maestri doesn't have any balls to kick, LOL!

I don't care what he says. I like soccer, and now with the Italians winning and having the chance to beat the French, I like it even better.

[day10]

LOL - thanks for the ping, Wall!