NFL Draft

The NFL draft is over. Finally. Did you watch? Even for a couple of minutes? Millions did and therein lies a mystery - why?

Do we think that by watching we can somehow influence the decision of our favorite team, or perhaps our team's arch enemy? Is that why Radio CIty Music Hall was filled with booing and cheering fans?

Perhaps it's because at the end of last year we said, "Wait 'til next year." The draft is the first step towards "next year" so are we watching and hoping our words will ring true?

Is it the drama of watching when a player will be chosen - what round? what pick? by what team? Did you feel bad for Brady Quinn? And better when the commissioner moved him to a private room away from the cameras?

And how about Wisconsin lineman Joe Thomas who decided to go fishing with his dad instead of getting dressed up and heading to NYC. He knew he'd be drafted. He knew he had no choice of team and it really didn't matter. Fishing did.

I'm going to keep an eye on him. He's in Cleveland.

Then there's Mr. Irrelevant, Ramzee Robinson. The last player to be drafted after two interminable days, he has become a celebrity of sorts. In June he will receive the Lowsman Trophy, Irrelevant Week's answer to the Heisman.

So, why am I spending this morning opining on the NFL draft? Am I a huge football fan - not really although I will admit to being a Giants fan. Do I really care which player signed with which team? No. What is fascinating to me is the impact of sports on the psyche of this country. Lives revolve around it from Little League to high school basketball to college football to the professional level.

Heck, during the last winter Olympics fans watched curling at 2 a.m. and then talked about it at the office the next day. Are we crazy?

On to the next!
Catherine