The Gatorade Shower

           This article was about the tradition of a gatorade shower after a big sports win. It explains the first time it happened, which was in 1984 at a football game where Bill Parcells was the victim. The article also explains the traditions oddities and pokes fun at the nations sports leagues. It includes first hand experiences of the Gatorade shower and explains that its not all fun and games.
           The author seems to think that its a ridiculous tradition. She throws in comments like "In ancient Rome, successful military commanders were honored with...elaborate animal sacrifice, the burning of incense and a procession in which the victor was showered with flowers tossed by adoring crowds...The rite by which we honor our heroes is dumping Ga­tor­ade on their heads." (Hesse 1). Also, "There are disputes on the correct vernacular, but no disputes as to whether it must happen, for the nation that has declared the noogie an acceptable display of affection has also deemed the Ga­tor­ade Dump an appropriate sign of respect." and "A sports fan must find something to give the experience continuity. That thing shall be called “electrolytes.”"(Hesse 1). Ouch- Low blow. She brings up a lot of cons to the tradition. For example, an expert explained that the glucose, artificial flavor and coloring when let sit on a warm body is a recipe for "the perfect storm of stains" (Hesse, Heloise 2). Sucks for whoever does the laundry. Also, "In 1990, Long Beach State’s coach, George Allen (formerly of the Redskins), received a dousing. Allen, then 72, died six weeks later. He had said he hadn’t felt healthy since the Ga­tor­ade shower — which, incidentally, was not Ga­tor­ade at all: His cash-strapped team had used ice water." (Hesse 1). I bet that team feels guilty. Some logos evidence was used when Hesse writes "Approximately 20,000 gallons of Ga­tor­ade are consumed by NCAA football teams each year. An additional 14,500 gallons are consumed by the NFL. That’s Gatorade’s word, “consumed.” It does not specify how many of those gallons are consumed by players and how many of them are consumed by the permeable fabric of the hypothermic coach’s sportswear."  (Hesse 2). Wowza. Anybody thirsty?


http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/the-gatorade-shower-the-victory-ritual-that-cant-be-ducked/2012/01/04/gIQAjaSQbP_story_1.html