We Should All Play Like Girls

When I was growing up on the other side of the gender fence, if your sporting performance wasn't up to par in the testosterone drenched sporting world, you would be berated and told by oyur male counterparts and coaches 'you played like a girl'.

When the WNBA in 1997 exploded into our consciousnesses at arenas around the nation, there was an ad run which showed two male players engaged in a hard nosed game of one on one basketball.  The brothers are pushing, shoving, grunting, sweating and contesting every point until an off camera voice says to them, "Hey, y'all play like girls."

The two brothers do a double take, are about to get indignant and open up a can of whoop azz on whoever said it until the camera pans over and you see WNBA MVP Cynthia Cooper in her Comets uniform standing there with a sly smile on her face.   The commercial ends with the brothers sheepishly saying, "Why thank you." as it fades out.

For far too long women's sports events have been considered an afterthought not only by the male dominated fans, but the male dominated sports writing establishment as well . 

But with the male end of it embroiled in lockouts, scandals, no shows at the MLB All Star Game and meltdowns at major events, it took the run of the USA women's soccer team through the FIFA Women's World Championship tournament to give us another example of why playing like a girl should be considered a compliment and not a sporting insult.

Contrary to the testosterone drenched opinions of male sports fans and some sportswriters, women's sports are not lesser than events.   Female athletes are just as capable of producing world record performances,  executing buzzer beating game winning shots, executing comeback victories, winning multiple championships at all levels of competition and playing high quality games full of drama that will be talked about for generations.

They unfortunately just don't get the love they deserve. 

Sports teaches you when you play them valuable life lessons.   One of those lessons is that we should all have the never give up, it ain't over until the buzzer sounds mentality.   We should be playing to win with class and dignity not only on the athletic fields, but in our own lives as well.   

So you tell me I play like a girl, I'll just look at you, smile, and say thank you very much as I redouble my efforts to beat you..