Approximately 19% of Americans aged 18 or older participate in Fantasy Sports, and 79% of those fantasy participants play Fantasy Football, according to the Fantasy Sports and Gaming Association.
Truth be told, I am not much of a gambler of any sort. I feel that I work too hard for the money I have, and I am just too cheap to place it on a bet — not even on Fantasy Football. Meanwhile, one in five of you apparently disagree with me. That’s OK by me. It’s a legal activity, and if you find losing your money entertaining, then go for it. My rant today is not on gambling, though. It is on teams. Or, more specifically, the lack of teams.
Not too many years ago, sports fans actually cheered for their team. They wore team jerseys, sung along to team songs and even watched the game in team-themed rooms. And, yes, some people bet on their teams.
Now, sports fans cherry-pick players from various teams to create their own “fantasy” team. Gone is the passion for any one team. For these folks, it’s all about their collection of players coming out on top. That's not a team, and it’s definitely not teamwork.
Years ago, I coached some young men on a wrestling team. We were working diligently to build a sense of team among these mostly inexperienced athletes who were struggling to put up any wins. Two of our best wrestlers didn't want to wear our team uniforms. They had their own shirts with their family names on them, and they wanted to argue with the coaching staff about this. I was appalled and frustrated and angered by their comments. How dare they think that their individuality was more important than the team? That certainly wouldn’t fly in the military, and it didn’t fly on our wrestling team either. Those young men quickly understood that they wear the uniform or they don’t wrestle on our team. One of them ended up transferring to another school, presumably not because of the uniform but certainly for related reasons. That proved to be a necessary step in building true teamwork with the rest of the athletes.
I realize many sports fans say they can still cheer for their team and their fantasy team — at least until their money is on the line. Quite frankly, there is enough of the “me” attitude in sports today with continual player trades, contract disputes and chest-thumping showboating — not to mention players doing the unforgiveable and even betting against their own teams.
So, forgive me if I choose not to participate in Fantasy Football. I will continue to cheer on my team — win or lose — and I will leave my money in my billfold.
Have a thoughtful Thursday, and thanks for reading.
Shane Goodman
President and Publisher
Big Green Umbrella Media
shane@dmcityview.com
515-953-4822, ext. 305
www.thedailyumbrella.com
View Shane Goodman's archived columns from past issues here. |
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| CITYVIEW's Best Of Des Moines® | | | CITYVIEW announced its 2023 Best Of Des Moines® readers' choices Jan. 31. You can find all the results from the poll in the February issue of CITYVIEW magazine!
Best local place for a wedding reception
1. Holiday Inn Downtown
2. Surety Hotel
3. Curate
SEE BEST OF DES MOINES® EVENT PHOTOS HERE... | | | Read More |
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Your Clear Mortgage forecast
Nice temperatures continue. Rain chances enter the forecast for Friday afternoon and evening and for Saturday afternoon. Amounts look to be light.
For help with preapprovals or refinancing, get in touch with Carrie at carrie.mortgage. |
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| Featured home for sale | | | |
$279,000
4400 EP True Parkway, Unit 68,
West Des Moines, IA 50265
Hard to find ranch townhome with a finished basement! Excellent location close to shopping, restaurants, bike paths and more! 2 Bedrooms on the main level, master has a 3/4 bath plus a full hall bath by bedroom two. Newer stainless refrigerator & microwave, all appliances included.
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"ATHENA": Opening this Friday, Sept. 15. Iowa Stage Theatre Company prepares its next production, “Athena," a powerful show about friendship, competition and relationships. Running Sept. 15-24.
PIPES ON PARADE: The Central Iowa Chapter of the American Guild of Organists presents Pipes on Parade on Saturday, Sept. 16, 4 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 1001 Pleasant St., Des Moines. Admission is free. Around the World in 80 minutes. Enjoy a world tour with 10 organists who play music written by composers from seven countries involving three continents. Cookies and cake will be provided after the tour is complete. This exceptional musical experience was inspired by the concept of bringing peoples of different countries, continents, and cultures together in one place through music -- the universality of music language.
Woodland Cemetery 175th Anniversary Celebration – “Serving fine spirits since 1848”
Mike Rowley is coordinating one of the most unique, interesting and comprehensive historical celebrations Iowa has ever seen. On Saturday, Sept. 16 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., the gates will be wide open for foot traffic to stroll through Des Moines’ historic Woodland Cemetery in celebration of its 175th Anniversary. Displays, reenactors, historians, a new memorial mural (dedication at 11 a.m.), an 1895 Morrison electric car, and much more will be available to experience during this free public event. Interview with Mike Rowley
— John Busbee, The Culture Buzz |
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The United Nations' World Food Program cut off another 2 million people from food relief in Afghanistan Monday. That brings the total to 10 million since the Taliban banned women from working. Without women, the WFP says it can not deliver food to the people who need it. WFP is also short of funds since the war in Ukraine commenced.
Meals on Wheels of Tokyo now has food trucks delivering Ukrainian food to refugees from the country who have been emigrating to Japan for two years. News Desk Tokyo reports that Japanese love the cuisine, too.
Thursday specials in Des Moines include Cuban sandwiches at East 14th Street Tavern (3418 E. 14th St.) and fried chicken dinners at Chicago Speakeasy (1520 Euclid Ave.).
— Jim Duncan, jd91446@aol.com |
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FROM KCCI: Suspected shooter of Algona officer taken into custody
ALGONA, Iowa — The Iowa State Patrol has announced the man accused of shooting a police officer in Algona on Wednesday has been taken into custody around midnight, about four hours after the shooting. ... READ MORE FROM KCCI
FROM WHO-TV: Urbandale water main break leaves some residents, schools without water
URBANDALE, Iowa – Crews are working to fix a water main break in Urbandale that is causing problems for residents and some schools on Wednesday. ... READ MORE FROM WHO-TV
FROM WOI-DT Local 5: Chris Coleman, Rob Barron and RJ Miller announce candidacies for Des Moines City Council Ward 1
Kimberley Strope-Boggus, Chris Coleman, Rob Barron and RJ Miller are all running for the seat left vacant by Indira Sheumaker. ...READ MORE FROM WOI-DT Local 5 |
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| Personalities | | | Roots run deep
Martin is a hometown girl
By Lindsey Giardino
Iisha Martin is a longtime resident of Altoona. In fact, it’s where she grew up.
“I’ve lived in Altoona since 1985,” she explains. “My parents built a home here. I chose to stay in this community because of the people and all of the amenities around town.”
Today, Martin lives in a home of her own. She likes that, even though she’s located off a busy road, the area is rather quiet. What she enjoys most, though, is the creek and bike trail that run along her backyard.
“It can literally take you anywhere you would like to go,” she says of the trail.
Martin also is fond of her neighbors.
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| Birthdays and notables! | | | Happy Birthday Jim Duncan and General Zirkelbach!
These celebrities were born on this date: Alex Clare, Andrew Lincoln, Chad Duell, Emma Kenney, Faith Ford, Katie Lee, Kimberly Williams-Paisley, Larry Brown, Mike Cooley, Morten Harket, Robert Wisdom, Nas, Sam Neill, Steve Berlin, Tyler Perry
SUBMIT: Send your birthday greetings and congratulatory notes to: tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com |
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The answer to yesterday's riddle:
What’s the worst thing about nervous guitar players? THEY ARE ALWAYS FRETTING! - Gail Tomlinson. Or picking! - Peri Van Tassel, Kris Laurson. Or, They're high-strung! - Carolyn Rogers. Or, They keep fiddling with their strings! - Mike Chiston
Today's riddle
How many skunks does it take to create an absolutely hideous smell?
Have a guess? Email tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com |
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