BENCHWARMERS deserve some respect, too (Shutterstock).
You see them on the sidelines at a football game, their uniforms still laundry-clean after three quarters. Or on the bench … the far end of the bench in the basketball gym … gazing up at the scoreboard and clock, doing the math in their heads. Are we far enough ahead (or behind) that Coach might give us some playing time? Maybe? Hope so …
These are the folks who play the game for the enjoyment, the camaraderie, the experience of playing. They are loyal to their team and its glory, even though they won’t make it into the broadcast or sports page.
From high school on up, the more-gifted athletes often gravitate to the “bigger, better deal.” Prep stars – especially in football and basketball – switch schools (or try to) like most of us change our socks if they think it will benefit their careers.
In college … well, here’s what UCLA basketball coach Mike Cronon said, as quoted by Ben Bloch in the L.A. Times, “There’s really only one rule: You can transfer every year. So who the hell knows [what will happen] next spring? Who knows? And then you sign early now, it used to be binding, now it’s just an aid thing. If a guy wants to change, he can sign with you and if he decides to change his mind, they’re going to let him out [of his scholarship]. There are no rules, let’s just be honest about it.”
Soldiers of fortune is a good name for it. Get paid at any cost. Win at any cost.
When I was in junior high, I was second-string in football (big surprise!). We had practiced all week against the first-string and when the Big Game came along, not one of us got the chance to play a single down.
But we didn’t gripe. I mean, “we won,” right?
So here’s to the folks who practice, show up, give their best effort and get no glory from it. Those are the ones who deserve some love.
Put them in, coach. It will mean a lot to them. Even 50 years later.
