Otherwise known as, “Why Is Everyone Trying To Out-Crazy Oregon?” It’s not an exhaustive slideshow from the season so far — there are a ton of games not in our subscription, for some reason — but it’s a serviceable tasting platter.
But may I vent? Okay: Is there anyone who would ONLY knows about breast cancer because of these sports jostling to be the pinkest of the pink during October? Did anyone watch the Oregon game and think, “Huh. Breast cancer. I WAS UNAWARE.” It’s not that I begrudge good intentions; it’s that Pinktober is beginning to feel more like a time for self-congratulation, and pandering to female viewers, than doing any actual good for the cause. This isn’t isolated to sports, and I am not trying to single out Oregon — I’ve heard that a lot of these pink products actually end up sending very little money to breast-cancer charities — but there is a point where pomp and PR circumstance mean nothing if you aren’t backing it up. The absurdly rich NFL apparently donates an embarrassingly minimal amount of money to the cause it spends all month so fervently cuddling, via pink decor and pink merchandise. If the color inspires other people to donate, then great, but that is also a very passive approach to take by these organizations. It feels half-hearted and half-assed. If these people want to pink it up, and have it NOT come across as disingenuous, then spend less time making pointless pink penalty flags and more time on league-wide fundraising and giving with significant percentages going where it matters and not back in their pockets. Don’t just say, “See? Look! Pink! We love breasts! Now here’s a nickel.”
[Photos: Getty]
