Why do you think sports and the military share such a powerful connection?

2021-09-10T15:13:10-04:00

Football is officially back and it got me thinking; as a civilian I often hear comparisons between the military and sports. What’re your thoughts on this camaraderie? And Go Bills!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 10 at 2021 3:21 PM

2021-09-10T15:21:09-04:00

I think the connection is that you depend on each other to win, much like we depend on each other to complete the mission. I think it is also the competitiveness of it all as well. Also... GO BILLS!!!!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 10 at 2021 5:32 PM

2021-09-10T17:32:47-04:00

That's a new one - I haven't ever heard anyone compare the military to sports. I almost thought you meant the relationship between say the NFL allowing military recruitment at their events. That's all about $$$.

Response by SP5 Dennis Loberger made Sep 10 at 2021 6:16 PM

2021-09-10T18:16:02-04:00

It's about the commonality of the battle. It takes group effort to win. A team is only as strong as its weakest link so it in in the interest of all to work to build up all members of the team, giving your all, filling in for weak areas and never quitting

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Sep 10 at 2021 7:10 PM

2021-09-10T19:10:29-04:00

They share a target demographic... "Paid patriotism" at sporting events is a recruiting tool.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 10 at 2021 7:23 PM

2021-09-10T19:23:26-04:00

The connection is also seen in action during Olympic games with opening/closing ceremonies having the military raise and lower the flags. Many sports evolved from military exercises and games to develop physical skill and were done in contemporary uniform and equipment, such as races while wearing armor, spear (javelin) throw, archery, chariot races, and the Mayan ballgame that's kind of like soccerbasketball. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mesoamerican_ballgame#Proxy_for_warfare

It could be a norm of more recent times that they're usually considered separate things.

Mesoamerican ballgame - Wikipedia

Response by SMSgt Bob Wilson made Sep 11 at 2021 12:36 AM

2021-09-11T00:36:48-04:00

I don't. Sports is filled with prima donnas; the military is filled, in many cases, misfits, people wanting to get away from family issues, and people who want to better themselves. Within the military you can build yourself up to becoming a success. In sports, you are a financial success who spent time tearing yourself down with drugs, attitudes, and bad financial managers. Who? How about: 1. Lenny Dykstra
2. Dan Marino
3. Mike Tyson
4. Vince Young
5. Diego Maradona
6. Dennis Rodman
7. Sheryl Swoopes
8. O. J. Simpson
9. Leon Spinks
10. Dorothy Hamill
11. Lawrence Taylor
12. Darren McCarty
13. John Arne Riise
14. Johnny Unitas
15. Rollie Fingers
16. Tiki Barber
17. Andre Rison
18. Terrell Owens
19. Michael Vick
20. Evander Holyfield

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 11 at 2021 6:25 AM

2021-09-11T06:25:08-04:00

Because they both work as a team, train relentlessly and thrive on aggression.

Or the military used to at least, before it became politically correct and before people's feelings mattered more than the mission.

Response by 1SG James R. made Sep 11 at 2021 6:47 AM

2021-09-11T06:47:55-04:00

Every Soldier an athlete first. A West Point commandant by the name of Douglas MacArther created the moto "Every Soldier an athlete first."

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Sep 11 at 2021 6:56 AM

2021-09-11T06:56:36-04:00

Because of the brotherhood that is developed between those that are in the military or that participate in sports together brother Sydney Glynn

Response by SFC Randy Hellenbrand made Sep 11 at 2021 9:31 AM

2021-09-11T09:31:05-04:00

Somebody has to show the flag at a game and who better than the military. It was totally pathetic however Trump used those kneeling to say that they disrespected the military. The kneelers where disrespecting Mr. Bonespurs and not the flag or the military. Anyway, he has been FIRED and I stand for our anthem, country, and military again. Just like I always have. And January 6th proved me right in how I acted. But GO Pack GO!!!!!! We play tonight.

Response by MSgt Steve Sweeney made Sep 11 at 2021 10:32 AM

2021-09-11T10:32:18-04:00

Advertising and recruiting.

Response by SSgt Thomas Korenek made Sep 11 at 2021 3:22 PM

2021-09-11T15:22:38-04:00

All professionally paid players of "all sports" are "merely entertainers". It has been rare for me to watch a football game in past. But after one of the clowns (namely Kaepernick) and some of his peers started kneeling during our National Anthem, I along with several of my friends (ex-military) will never watch the "so-called" entertainment again!

Kaepernick's and his followers are NO different than the greetings we (military) received after time in Vietnam. And if the younger military personnel don't know what I am talking about... Well, we were received with chants such as "Baby Killers" followed by being spit upon!

In my opinion, it is an insult to the Military to even be compared to those "former" entertainers.

Response by SSG Edward Tilton made Sep 11 at 2021 5:26 PM

2021-09-11T17:26:04-04:00

I think it is your imagination

Response by SPC Joel Quey made Sep 12 at 2021 12:20 AM

2021-09-12T00:20:33-04:00

When you say connection, what do you mean? Do you mean how the Pentagon was paying MLB, the NHL, the NFL, and other sports leagues millions of dollars to do displays of patriotism? Do you mean how violent they can get, and then they often just discard those who get injured, and sweep it under the rug? Or are you referring to the way people in charge tend to ignore science or statistics that show better ways they could be doing things?

Don't get me wrong, I enjoy sports, and am a proud veteran. And there are positive similarities, like the value of teamwork and such. But in both cases, it's too easy to focus on the warm fuzzy feelings and ignore the cold reality of selfishness and stupidity.