Misconceptions

Misconceptions are funny things.

Have you ever had an idea about what something is only to discover you were wrong? This recently happened to me.

I was checking out the local news report on TV when the reporter announced a story about the twelfth man arriving in Denver. Yeah. Exciting. Not. Who cares that there were now twelve men from Seattle in Denver? Yes. I see you laughing. In my defense, I’m not a sports fan. How would I know that’s not what it means? Besides, I thought the people behind the story were crazy. Couldn’t they count? Nearly every picture they showed had more than twelve people in it.

Ok, you can stop cackling now. I said I wasn’t a sports fan. 

I had to ask someone – after they stopped laughing – what was meant by twelfth man. For those out there who are also not sports fans, twelfth man apparently refers to the crowd. Eleven guys are allowed on the field from each team at a time. When the crowd cheers on their team or tries to use noise and catcalls to intimidate the opposite team, they are referred to as ‘twelfth man.’

The crowd and team together work like warriors of old, charging into battle with their swords raised and their shields polished, voices raised in war cries. I can see this being a good thing. It lets the crowd feel like they are a part of the team and they get to bask in the glory their team brings them.

So now I know what twelfth man is and it’s one less misconception I have. Now to uncover a few more. Like…

Sports fans are crazy. 

My friend is still laughing at me.