Headbutt Heard Round the World

I don't really talk about sports around here because I don't feel very qualified to talk about it at any depth. And so it should come to no surprise that this post is about something so banal and menial as Zadane's headbutt at the end of World Cup Final.

That? Was Awesome. I'm sorry that this statement basically marks me as having the emotional maturity of a five-year-old, but it really was awesome, like hockey fight awesome. It was unexpected and just shocking and, sure it's not what anyone, especially Zidane, would've wanted. I get that if they had to do over again, the parties involved might not have done it, or Zidane probably would've controlled his temper (I can't vouch for the other guy).

But sadly, I'm kind of glad he did it, if only because it was memorable. I mean I remember other parts of the game, and other games in this world cup too, but what's going to stick with me for years to come? This. And why? Because it surprised me, and got me talking about Soccer with Fighting Nun more, which we don't usually do. And it also got me theororizing what might've ticked him off (I thought it was actually a Yo' Mama style diss, but apparantly not so much. I mean, a racial slur? That's it? Weak.), talking about how viciously the commentators turned on Zidane in the end. And I mean, what was with that? For the previous 109 minutes, they were putting him on a pedastal and lauding him with praise. It was sickening me there for awhile ('Will they just tell him how they feel and leave us out of their crush? Jesus!') Then, the 110 minute happened, Zidane Headbutts the guy in the chest and suddenly? The commentators treat him like he just ate a baby with A1 sauce in front of everyone. Take it easy commentator dudes, he didn't kill anybody. Now if the guy he head butted was seriously injured, like paralyzed for life injured, then I'd be pissed at him, but as it is, the dude wasn't heart and played out the rest of the game, smarmy smile and all.

Do I think what Zidane did was wrong? Yes. Do I think it merited a red card. Yeah, probably. I mean they weren't in the midst of a play, so it was unnecessary contact, but do I think his little action got blown way out of proportion. Oh yes definately. Like I said before, his behavior was hockey fight bad. Not, egregariously and monstrously bad, just letting the adrenaline and anger get to you kind of bad, and should therefore be cut a break in the press.

It's not like I like the guy, because after the five-thousandth "Zidane and his prolific career, Zidane is such an amazing player" the commentators made, I wanted to throttle both him and the commentators, I just don't think he did anything that bad. So cut the guy a break. Or he'll headbutt you.