Why Daddy Screams at the Men on TV

Dearest Daughter,

By the time you read this, you will have developed an appreciation for the insanity that is your father watching sports on TV.  Whether it’s UCLA, the Yankees, or US and South Korean national teams, it really doesn’t matter.  That crazy guy yelling in the spectator section at your soccer/softball/golf match/game – yeah, you can pretty much assume that’s me, too.  Often times, I think your mother is legitimately embarrassed to be around me when I get (admittedly) way too excited about something that should have little to no impact on my life.  Daddy yells because that was clearly a holding penalty and that ref is a bum.

Sure, maybe I get a bit animated, but you have to understand that competition has been a driving force in my life.  Without sports, I would never have developed the courage and discipline to repeatedly brush the dirt off my ass and find the strength to get back on my feet.  I’ve been knocked down many times.  You will be, too, because the fact is that life is rarely easy.  The saying goes that what you do afterwards is what defines you.  This is one cliche I believe in wholeheartedly, but I was not able to embrace this until I started playing sports.  Saved by the ball, I guess.

Another reason I am so fanatic at times is that growing up overseas for most of my pre-college life meant I had a bit of an identity crisis.  I was American, but I never really felt American.  I was Korean, but most Koreans treated me as an outsider American.  To this day, I still cheer for Korea in soccer, but feel guilty that I don’t have the same passion for America.  (Spoiler alert: Both teams will break your heart.)

When I got to UCLA, however, it didn’t matter who I was before.  From that moment on, I was a Bruin.  It was one identity that nobody would ever question.  I finally belonged to a team – one that I truly felt a part of.  I was an insider.  So, yes, I got a bit crazy about UCLA football and basketball.  Over the years, the faces on these teams have changed, but the competition remains.  Call me crazy, but there’s something comforting in that.

I guess, all I’m really saying, is as much as I love my sports teams and all the lessons I’ve learned both playing and watching, I hope I don’t forget that the most important team is our family.  Don’t worry – the Clancy 8-Clap is in the works…

Love Always, Dad