Response Week 5 - Connor Warakomski

1. Football, a simple sport with only humans and a ball. The object is to score, but friendships and teamwork is created through this process.

2. Pig skin? No, this isn’t American football. Something I never understood about our American culture. Why call something football when you are using your hands. Shouldn’t this be handball?

3. We are the only country to call football soccer. I tend to stay away from soccer and keep the game authentic that is football.

4. I grew up in a household to shame football, and to conform to the American culture of watching American football, in other words NFL.

5. “Turn that shit off, and watch a real sport.” My father says when I try to watch early football games on Sunday mornings.

6. I was a late bloomer of watching football, not until I was 18 I feel in love with this international sport.

7. I am now obsessed with this sport, following my international team being Polska, since I am polish. 

8. Being underdogs, we still have our star striker Robert Lewandowski. Many friends even joke around with me for being obsessed with this individual.

9. Personally, I think I’m only obsessed with him because of our nationality also the ski at the end of our names gives us something we can relate on.

10. From the stands, we see twenty two men running after a ball. Which seems to be pointless.

But, there is strategy to this game. This isn’t about who can score goals or how good a certain player is. This is a game of artwork.

11. Creating plays that someones mind wouldn’t be able to process. Seeing people behind them as they pass a ball between someones legs.

12. The love for the sport is incredible. Seeing fans screaming for their life watching their team working as a single motion. Also, being inspired when I see kids starting this game so early, seeing their faces light up.

13. Why haven’t I ever played this sport? Oh yeah, when I was four my mother signed me up for “soccer” camp. The coach told me to wait in the corner where the corner kick is kicked. I was confused and wasn’t guided. He was giving everyone else direction and telling them how to play. I was excluded it felt, I didn’t get the ball once. I still don’t understand why he told me to stay in that corner, it doesn’t even make sense. I’m sure he knew the other kids and let them play as I spectated. Overall this killed my drive for the sport, it’s truly a sad story. If this man had involved me, and didn’t give up on my dreams maybe I could of been someone. My message to that guy is FUCK YOU! I had a chance to become someone great and this man discouraged me by not teaching me the basics.

14. Now, as I go to the fields with my friends who have played I regret not playing in my past. But this man who shut me down could have ruined the next Lewandowski.

15. When someone undermines your dreams, predict your doom, or criticisms you in any way, remember, they’re telling you their story, not yours. I sadly, found this quote online with no credit to anyone, but this is a beautiful quote. But, I still believe this man ruined my life.

16. I became a skateboarder and was involved with a certain crowed that labeled me as a punk. I don’t regret this but I could have been a better person.

17. Smoking pot, drinking beer at a young age, becoming a degenerate because this man told me to stay in the corner. 

18. I do make my own choices but those who structure you as a kid do have an influence I believe. I don’t regret my life choices, I grew from them.

19. FUCK YOU! Is a word I wish I knew what I was four years old.

20. Now, I am obsessed with football and my passion for the sport is greater than ever. I just wish I had a chance to prove myself I could have played.

21. I play with my friends regularly, and I still think in my mind FUCK YOU to this man.

22. My feelings for this sport are mixed when I think of this sport. Loving the game, loving the energy, loving the fans. But, when I think of “soccer” I think of this man, and someone I could have been.

23. My language may be repetitive but I can’t find another word that can describe my feelings. Knowing I could have been someone different.

24. I am now obsessed with this sport called football, not soccer. To this man trying to destroy a little kids dreams I end this with a simple, fuck you.