Uncomfortable with the war comparisons?

[RUNVS]

This is directed at no one in particular but more and more in recent years I have been getting uncomfortable with the war comparisons in the AFL, describing AFL players as soldiers or warriors for instance makes me not only cringe but also just generally makes me feel uncomfortable as while I admire AFL players a lot, they are not soldiers, they are not going off to fight in a war, they are not doing anything that will sacrifice their lives for our country.

There is a massive difference between putting your head over the ball and potentially being knocked out and running into a hail of bullets to try and stop the enemy. One will likely end your life, the other will not and there is no comparison with the level of bravery.

When a player is injured players say "one soldier out, one soldier in" and I am thinking, no they aren't. That "soldier" is not dead, he is injured, he is actually fine, and will be back in a few weeks.

I sometimes feel that the commentators and even the players are trying to elevate themselves to something above elite sportsmen, something beyond that. They want to be seen as the bravest in society, or almost like an army, and want their accomplishments elevated beyond just being entertainers for the masses. Now I am definitely apart of that entertainment, I love AFL, but I am always aware that AFL players are entertainers first and foremost. They are there to entertain people, not to fight for the freedom or the lives of people and in no way can an act on the football field ever be compared to an actual war.

Does anyone else agree or are the war analogies less annoying to other people?

 

[themuldohyeh]

A Sydney supporter bringing up a political agenda.

*exits thread*

 

[Underdog]

Does anyone else agree or are the war analogies less annoying to other people?

When I say "West Coast killed Brisbane", I don't mean that literally...

 

[JohnnyFontane90]

come on! you can't put adam goodes as your avatar and start a thread like this!

but for the record war is as good analogy as any, i think people understand there fundamental differences between war and pro sports.

 

[RUNVS]

When I say "West Coast killed Brisbane", I don't mean that literally...

I don't mean it that way, just the actual times they refer to themselves, or the commentators refer to them, as soldiers or warriors.

 

[Cmarsh]

Paul Roos criticized the war analogies in sport some years ago.

Personally I think war/sport analogies belittle the sacrifices and realities of the actual battlefield.

In no way is it an accurate comparison.

 

[Silent Alarm]

The Anzac Medal should be a Victoria Cross – that is how brave footballers are.

 

[LongBomb]

"You would want Hodgey to go into battle for you"

You may have heard this on Ch. 7 one hundred times in the past week.

 

[Underdog]

Paul Roos criticized the war analogies in sport some years ago.

Personally I think war/sport analogies belittle the sacrifices and realities of the actual battlefield.

Couldn't the same be said about practically every action movie in existence?

 

[B4Bear]

This is directed at no one in particular but more and more in recent years I have been getting uncomfortable with the war comparisons in the AFL, describing AFL players as soldiers or warriors for instance makes me not only cringe but also just generally makes me feel uncomfortable as while I admire AFL players a lot, they are not soldiers, they are not going off to fight in a war, they are not doing anything that will sacrifice their lives for our country.

There is a massive difference between putting your head over the ball and potentially being knocked out and running into a hail of bullets to try and stop the enemy. One will likely end your life, the other will not and there is no comparison with the level of bravery.

When a player is injured players say "one soldier out, one soldier in" and I am thinking, no they aren't. That "soldier" is not dead, he is injured, he is actually fine, and will be back in a few weeks.

I sometimes feel that the commentators and even the players are trying to elevate themselves to something above elite sportsmen, something beyond that. They want to be seen as the bravest in society, or almost like an army, and want their accomplishments elevated beyond just being entertainers for the masses. Now I am definitely apart of that entertainment, I love AFL, but I am always aware that AFL players are entertainers first and foremost. They are there to entertain people, not to fight for the freedom or the lives of people and in no way can an act on the football field ever be compared to an actual war.

Does anyone else agree or are the war analogies less annoying to other people?

Could not agree more with your sentiment.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_...ayers_who_died_on_active_service#World_War_II
Provides a list of those who both played and died on active service, not that the AFL seems to remember them, even on ANZAC Day.

Pat Tillman (US Football) is revered by the US military, he was a footballer who became a soldier; and was killed in Afghanistan. They have a beautiful drop in centre at Bagram Airfield that is there for anyone to come into.

 

[momentbymoment]

Personally I am over the glorification of war on any front. However, I don't mind the idea of sports people as warriors. Better doing it on a field than on the streets of downtown Bhagdad ...

 

[Bleeeeeeeeep]

AFL commentators and politicians are not to dissimilar. When they talk its 90% sh*t and 10% bullsh*t.

 

[simba_]

it used to be cool to think your players were like warriors going into battle but now even joe citizen wants to get all PC about what is just an analogy to describe our brutal game

 

[Cmarsh]

Couldn't the same be said about practically every action movie in existence?

Yes but the conversation is about the comparison of sport and war.

 

[momentbymoment]

Paul Roos criticized the war analogies in sport some years ago.

Personally I think war/sport analogies belittle the sacrifices and realities of the actual battlefield.

In no way is it an accurate comparison.

Today's wars are played by acne covered kids in warehouses in the USA. Not sure there is much sacrifice in operating a drone.

 

[Shane Hird]

War war what is it good for?

 

[Underdog]

Yes but the conversation is about the comparison of sport and war.

It has it similarities for an analogy.

Two disciplined, opposing forces built from people of all backgrounds engaging in a physical and mental battle.

Clearly football isn't war, but it makes sense when used in context. NOBODY is saying Luke Hodge is tougher than Ben Roberts-Smith

 

[Cmarsh]

Could not agree more with your sentiment.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_...ayers_who_died_on_active_service#World_War_II
Provides a list of those who both played and died on active service, not that the AFL seems to remember them, even on ANZAC Day.

Pat Tillman (US Football) is revered by the US military, he was a footballer who became a soldier; and was killed in Afghanistan. They have a beautiful drop in centre at Bagram Airfield that is there for anyone to come into.

2015

 

[B4Bear]

2015

Well there you go. As I refuse to watch game(s) on ANZAC Day I guess I have learnt something new.

 

[Underdog]

Well there you go. As I refuse to watch game(s) on ANZAC Day I guess I have learnt something new.

So you'd thought you'd ignorantly pot the AFL? I like potting the AFL as much as anyone, but the fundraising from the ANZAC Day game is notable, and the day itself is run respectfully.

 

[Monkey King]

"Invincibles" Test Cricket legend and WWII pilot Keith Miller was never fond of comparisons between war and sport. When once asked of the pressure of playing Test Cricket he replied "pressure, I'll tell you what pressure is; pressure is a Messerschmitt up your arse, playing is not". Think he summed it up well.

 

[Underdog]

"Invincibles" Test Cricket legend and WWII pilot Keith Miller was never fond of comparisons between war and sport. When once asked of the pressure of playing Test Cricket he replied "pressure, I'll tell you what pressure is; pressure is a Messerschmitt up your arse, playing is not". Think he summed it up well.

That doesn't address the point at all. Nobody is suggesting that the pressure is equal to that of war.

 

[B4Bear]

So you'd thought you'd ignorantly pot the AFL? I like potting the AFL as much as anyone, but the fundraising from the ANZAC Day game is notable, and the day itself is run respectfully.

I have stated this on Big Footy before, the ANZAC Day game(S) is not about honouring the ANZACs; that may have been the concept (which is flawed imo), but it has morphed into just another 'blockbuster' for the AFL.

A few years ago, the day had five different games across the country, all under the guise of being a unique ANZAC Day homage by the AFL. The fact that it is on ANZAC Day is incidental to it making a lot of money for the AFL.

 

[PieNSauce]

Wow. Now we're not allowed to use analogies anymore. That's right up there with all the PC crap we seem happy to hear these days. It's not a comparison, it's an analogy. If used in context it's as good as any.

 

[Lucky Star]

It is a metaphor. Most language is metaphor.