Football may be just what the doctor ordered

Feeling depressed, gloomy and seriously funky? Maybe you just need some football.

The concept of football as an anti-depressant occurred to me when I woke up last Monday morning and my first thought had nothing to do with riots, nasty little viruses or nasty little politicians.

Instead, my day began with the realization that my team, my Cleveland Browns, finally had won a playoff game the night before. When I checked my email to be sure of that, the inbox was filled with celebratory messages from family, friends and fellow former sufferers, none of whom made any mention of riots, viruses or politicians.

And the thought was reinforced that evening while watching the college football championship game.

During a merciful break in Ohio State’s dismemberment Monday night, ESPN commentator Kirk Herbstreit said about the sport: “It’s meant so much to this country, both the NFL and the college game, to be able to follow, debate, argue and discuss.”

A bit hyperbolic, perhaps. Football is, after all, merely a bunch of men running around and bumping into each other. Whether the Detroit Lions win or the Clemson Tigers lose won’t impact the course of human history.

To its many detractors, football is, at best, a diversion. The kind of circus Roman emperors threw to keep the citizens distracted and compliant; perhaps the only real difference is that they used real lions and tigers. At worst, it’s a waste of time, money and energy, all of which could be better used to cure poverty, racism, global warming and anything else that afflicts humankind.

So, no, football isn’t the perfect cure for what ails us. There are too many concussions and other debilitating injuries. Too much hypocrisy in the college game. Too many colossal pro stadiums built for cities with more basic needs.

Football isn’t reality, although I’m not sure how much reality the human psyche can stand before it explodes. A game may not make our nation whole again. It won’t vaccinate us against the pandemic of contention.

But in a time when restaurants are closed, concerts are canceled, theaters are dark and even the pews in our houses of worship have limited seating, football provides an opportunity for us to get together, if only electronically, to celebrate our victories and lament our defeats. To disagree with our rivals without being disagreeable.

And after watching endless television footage of invaders running through the halls of Congress, a few hours watching men running around and bumping into each other might be just the right medicine for our mental health.

In a few weeks, that prescription will expire. But then will come basketball. Maybe March Madness also will help us follow, debate argue and discuss.