The Simplest Meaning of Wrestling

(Wrestling Jeremy)

by Katie Downing

I’ve spent countless hours thinking about and talking with other people about the substance of wrestling-what it means to different people. Anyone involved in our sport can talk for hours about what wrestling has meant to them, and never tire of hearing new perspectives in wrestling. My older brother, Jeremy, has one of the most unique perspectives to offer. He has downs syndrome, which in simple terms means he is mentally retarded. His case is severe and profound, which means he has a very limited mental capacity for things like speech and complex thinking. He can say words and a few phrases, but can not communicate his thoughts or feelings very well. I’ve often wondered what the heck has gone through his mind when he’s shown a pained expression on his face or chuckled at something or someone for seemingly no reason. In some ways, he is a very simple man. He is oblivious to social graces like belching loudly during a meal in a public restaurant, and if he’s thirsty he’ll be sure to grab the closest glass to him and drink it all regardless of whose it is. In other ways, he’s capable of the deepest sentiments. His ability to love is boundless. He’s never hurt anyone in his life, and his one of his favorite activities is shaking hands and hugging anyone who happens to be around him.

His simple nature gives him an interesting perspective when it comes to something like wrestling. To many, wrestling is a passion and a way of life, but what could wrestling be to someone like him? Like many wrestler siblings, Jeremy has spent his share of time in the bleachers during wrestling meets and tournaments watching me, my younger brother, and our teammates compete. He’s been an innocent bystander during family room wrestling matches at home. What does wrestling look like to him? What is it he thinks about when he sees wrestlers doing all kinds of crazy things to each other? All I’ve ever been able to know about what he thinks about wrestling is that he just starts to giggle and chuckle when he sees someone he knows wrestling. Whenever I’ve grabbed a two-on-one or jumped on Jeremy on the ground to pin him, all he’s ever done is laughed, said “aah Katie Beth” and laughed some more. It never even occurs to him that he should somehow go on the offensive or escape a wrestling move. Although he can’t put together complete sentences, he can convey pure and deep emotions through one of his tight locked, never ending hugs or through his heartfelt chuckle that comes from deep in his gut. He can’t sit down and tell anyone what wrestling has meant to him, but as I’ve seen him interact with wrestling and wrestlers, he’s come to represent one essence of wrestling-joy. His response to wrestling is that of a child at play or an adult who has experienced something that makes them happy-laughter.

Wrestling comes to mean extremely important things to a lot of people because so much of their hearts and lives have been tied to and invested in wrestling. Local, national and international titles, personal dreams, friends and family member hopes, and wrestling program histories often lay on the line during wrestling competition. For those reasons, wrestling is serious business, and it is worth all of the commitment and emotional investment. It is easy to get overwhelmed in everything wrestling means to a competitor, family and friends, coaches, teammates, and communities. It’s important for everyone involved in wrestling to remember the basics. It only takes one conversation with a kid to bring everything into perspective when they think it is amazing and wonderful that someone could wrestle every day and have the opportunity to train as a part of an Olympic dream. I only have to think about Jeremy. It’s important to me to always keep my brother’s perspective in my attitude toward wrestling. Wrestling is a competitive challenge, a test, a duel, a battle, a brawl, but it is also a form of play. It is a joy. It is something that wrestlers love to do. Everything else that comes about through wrestling can feel like a bonus when wrestlers enjoy some of the most basic aspects of the sport every time they step on the mat.