LACK OF SUPPORT — by Steve Nadis
It’s often said that things ain’t what they used to be. It’s said often enough, in fact, that some might consider the statement a cliche. I prefer to call it a truism. Athletic supporters are a case in point. Years ago–in what was affectionately called the “good old days”–athletic supporters used to do their jobs, which was to provide that special support that male athletes had come to depend on, keeping things in their proper place, so to speak. But they don’t make ‘em like they used to. The supporters you can get these days barely work at all, and in the rare cases that they do work, they only do so for a few months before getting stretched out beyond the point of usefulness. Which is why I started off this essay–or perhaps I should call it a disquisition–with that old chestnut: Things ain’t what they used to be. Any males in the audience, especially those old enough to recall the golden era of athletic supporters, will know just what I’m talking about. Female readers, assuming there are any, can only imagine.
Posted by
at
03:41:24
I really can’t have put myself in your place on this one Snake. But I do know something about support issues….i.e. brassieres. So many choices now…..
Thanks for the empathy, Windfall. We all need support.
Snake, you are the only blogger out there who has the balls to tackle tough issues like this. I applaud you and give you my support….ahhhh….for your courage…not your balls.
Thanks Doc, I appreciate the support–of any kind. The way I see it, somebody’s got to say these things. They bear saying, as the saying goes…
I have to take issue with this post, Snark. For about 10 or 15 years I have been using the “modern” athletic supporter, typically made of polyester, which I have found to be vastly superior to the old “Bike” variety, especially in the clamminess department.
You will be shocked to know, however, that recently I switched over to the stretchy bicycle shorts instead of the classic slingshot. These are actually the worst in the comfort department, and going out to dinner in sweaty lycra shorts after a rousing game of volleyball would best be described as torture, were it not for the company and the garlic. However, I have it on good authority that the stretchy shorts improve one’s athletic performance by doing something (known as “squeezing”) to the muscles.
I haven’t worn any sort of underwear since starting out in the Army in ‘98, so I doubt that I can give much feed back. Reason being, there are times when you can’t change your drawers for days and days on end, and in such a case it’s just better not to have anything on at all (maybe that’s why they call it “going commando”). Such a trend filtered over into my personal life - to include my soccer matches. Just shorts with the ‘underwear lining’ seems to be enough, but I make due without from time to time. I don’t even think I own a single stitch of underwear…
Strange though, I’ve taken up Rugby this summer for kicks and the need for some additional support is becoming more and more… considerable.
Yes, GS, as I’ve said before (and it bears repeating): We all need support. TB, your comment intrigues me. We need to compare notes, ASAP.
I demand equal time for female support issues! Just kidding. I’m not even sure what an athletic supporter looks like so I can’t even begin to imagine the, um, issues involved.
Of course women can empathize; we are, after all, victims of various forms of “keepin’ em high” tortures, aka brassieres. The issue you grapple with, raises a question: Do you think it’s a matter of inferior jockstrap products or have athletes’ packages, er, um, changed?
I think you’re right, FW; it’s probably a combination. And Roses, I don’t know if there is a simple explanation for the “lay public.” Let me think on that.
guttersnake, Guttersnake: You have reminded me of a joke that is older than the crust in my underwear…
The captain addressed the troops: “Men, I have some good news and some bad news. The good news is, you’re all going to get a change of underwear.” At this the soldiers broke out into cheering. “The bad news: Able, you change with Baker, Smith, you change with Jones…”
Good one, TB. I hope GS appreciates it. There’s something about underwear and athletic supporters. Whenever I tackle those important subjects, I always get a spirited response. The public, it seems, is hungry for some frank conversation on these subjects.
hey,where are you from??can u email me please,thx