Class versus Crass and Our Obsession with Attractive Women

Like many people I watched a significant football game on Sunday, January 6. The FA Cup between Premier League powerhouse Liverpool FC and Conference League team Mansfield Town FC, exemplifies the beauty and spirit of the FA Cup where teams from the lower leagues (Mansfield is 93 places behind Liverpool) challenge the powerhouses (imagine a team from Class A playing the New York Yankees) in pursuit of the FA Cup trophy. In this realm, draws are highly sought after and victories over the big times are rare, but when they happen, they are to be cherished.

Unfortunately, Mansfield lost to Liverpool 2-1, the second goal coming after a hand ball by striker Luis Suárez. Somehow, the referees allowed it and Mansfield lost their moment in the sun. However, one thing struck me while watching the game and I will return to it in a moment.

Another significant game took place this past Monday between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. In this BCS championship the Crimson Tide walloped the Fighting Irish, but like in the other game, there was something that caught my attention here.

Despite winning by nearly 30 points toward the end of the game, the Crimson Tide coach, Nick Saban, berated and yelled at officials, throwing a tantrum that for a neutral fan was embarrassing. Why the melodrama? Why not win with class? Paul Cox, who had every reason to feel aggrieved by the hand ball-no call, was classy and dignified, even defending Suárez! Even better Mansfield remained positive after the horrific call and really pushed Liverpool back on defense. They say teams embody the philosophy and spirit of their coaches. When A.J. McCarron visibly and strongly expressed his displeasure toward one of his teammates, I could see that he really did reflect Saban's ethos. When Mansfield fought back against Liverpool with class and quiet dignity, this was an extension of Paul Cox. I think Nick Saban can learn a thing or two from him.

Another similarity between both games is that the television camera men focused on two attractive women, albeit for different reasons: Katherine Webb, the girlfriend of McCarron, and Carolyn Radford, of Mansfield Town. One is a former Ms. Alabama while the other is the current chief executive of Mansfield Town FC. The difference being, that one commentator, Brent Musburger gushed about Ms. Webb while the cameras at Mansfield Town focused on Ms. Radford to catch her reaction to the efforts of her team. While Mr. Musburger is catching flack for his comments, the folks in Mansfield Town are celebrating the fact that they have the youngest chief executive in the league.
It seems no matter what we do, we are always drawn to the attractiveness of a woman. But if they bring more attention to the programs they support and root for, all the better.