January 2012

While the Super Bowl won’t be happening this year until February 5, we dedicate this month to the game of football and also to sports and sports injuries. January is the month of football playoffs and, I’m sure you’ve heard, football in Pittsburgh is a big deal. The Steelers are still in the running and as this is being written, the big game will be on January 8 against the Denver Broncos. The good news is the Steelers have made it this far, the bad news is that star quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is playing on a sprained left ankle. The coaches have no intentions of pulling Roethlisberger out, and while that may seem troubling to some, to others it is all part of the game.
Pittsburgh loves its sports and the camaraderie and divisions that sports bring is a universal human bond. We offer books on the psychology and the
philosophy of sports, both as player and spectator. Some of our books explore sports culture and women’s experiences in sports, throughout history and in the media. While sports hold an important place in our collective lives, it is difficult not to feel ambivalent in the face of sports’ violence and sexism. Passions can erupt over professional athletes’ ever increasing paychecks and often excused bad behavior. Whatever your feelings however, most of can still appreciate the value of sports in society and the importance of physical fitness and celebration of excellence.
On January 8 we will be glued to our screens to see if we can have another shot at the Super Bowl, sprained ankle or not. Go Steelers!!
~Display and blog post by Donna Guerin, Reference Associate