Every March the internet gets flooded with videos of NCAA wrestlers triumphing over opponents in the National tournament. Along with those triumphs come the comments. Comments supporting athletes that fell short. Comments praising the success of the kids that, maybe, shouldn’t have even been there to begin with. Then worst of all, comments, in the name of sportsmanship, deriding the kids that celebrate. To those commenters I say, “fuck you, let the kids celebrate.”
Why Hate
Why do y’all hate celebrations so much? The lie that it is poor sportsmanship is played out. Why can’t I be a good sportsman and be enthusiastic about winning? I don’t think sportsmanship and fun are mutually exclusive.
People like to complain that it hurts the sport. Get the fuck outta here with that noise. The only thing it hurts is your pride. It hurts your pride as an athlete, as a coach, as a parent, as an alumnus, or as a fan.
Which begs the question, why am I responsible for your pride? Don’t want me celebrating a win? Beat me.
Maybe I’m just built different. My mom gave the world three stallions. She raised us to have a championship mentality. I eat napalm and piss excellence, I don’t need you to help me back up and tell me better luck next time. By the time I walk off the mat I’m already working on how I kick your candy ass in the next one.
ACT LIKE YOU’VE BEEN THERE
It’s a tired line, “show some class and act like you’ve been there before.” Well asshole what if I haven’t been there before? Is that my one and only pass to celebrate? If i miss it, oh well, sucks to suck?
It’s another played out excuse to piss on celebrations. Who are you to say act like you’ve been there when you haven’t gotten close.
Tom Brands and Cael Sanderson, head coaches for Iowa and Penn State respectively, have been there before. I’ve never heard them complain when one of their wrestlers celebrate.
If I’m a coach I hope my guy’s celebrations are choreographed and painstakingly detailed. Because that means my guy knew he was gonna kick your guy’s ass.
Not to mention, these kids in the NCAA tournament are among the best young athletes in our county (you can bet dollars to donuts they are the toughest). I’d jizz my pants if I made it all the way to the dance. You’re expecting these kids to not show emotion while racking up dubs in the tournament?
*Warning Proud Brother Moment Ahead*
My little brother place third in the New Jersey high school district 27 tournament this year as a sophomore. Do you know how hard that is? After the win, he gave the crowd a little superman.
This is a kid that lost his wrestle off at the start of the year. Came into the tournament as the sixth seed and then upset the third and fourth seeds to make the podium. Yet I’m supposed to tell him to not be happy until he shakes the other kids hand, gets his hand raised by the ref, signs his bout sheet, and finally walks off the mat. Yea, okay.
Fact of the matter is they should not be expected to bottle their emotions to protect your piddly ass feeling (it’s that pride thing we were talking about earlier). Use the loss, and subsequent celebration, as fuel for next year. Then do your own little dance. Oh, you’re a senior? See you at the Olympic trials (or college if you wrestle my brother).
It’s Time To Get Off Your Fucking Horse
I used the NCAA’s as a template to fuel my rage but it’s other sports too. Football, basketball, and baseball (especially baseball) all face criticism when players celebrate.
Stop trying to regulate how others express themselves. As long as it’s not a direct taunt it’s all good baby.
I say rule of thumb, just don’t be a dick about it. Like, don’t give anyone the D-Generation X suck it or pretend to piss on anyone (definitely don’t actually piss on anyone) and you be fine.
Sportsmanship should only apply to how you play the sport. As long as you don’t cheat or take cheap shots at your opponent it’s all good. Those are the marks of sportsmanship I look for. Y’all focused on the wrong shit.
I’m convinced any of you clowns that complain about celebrations are mad that you sucked in high school. You probably peaked on JV junior year and got cooked on Varsity so now you’re concerned about the other kid’s feelings because you know how it feels to suck.
“But Chad, I think…” IT DOESN’T MATTER WHAT YOU THINK JABRONI! Grow a set and realize athletes expressing positive emotions after a win doesn’t take away from their accomplishment. It’s a well deserved reward for hard work paying off.
