A Soccer Coach Puts on a Masterclass in Self-Discipline as He Flat Out Refuses to Lay Eyes on the Dime Piece Interviewing Him
As you've no doubt noticed lately, one of the most intense battles in our endless Culture Wars if being fought over the so-called "Male Gaze."
Throughout human history, it was just taken as a given that women wanted to be seen as attractive by men. That feminine beauty was seen as a virtue. It was how females attracted mates and kept the human race reproducing. Even great leaders from Cleopatra to Joan of Arc to Mary, Queen of Scots were noted for their exceptional good looks. And the rise of film and television in the 20th century created the modern Sex Symbol.
But those goalposts started to change in the past quarter of a century or so. Now we can't decide admiring a woman's beauty is a virtue or a vice. A compliment or derogatory. Appreciation or objectification. Women are considered empowered if they're making money on OnlyFans by the very same people who attack Sydney Sweeney for getting naked in a commercial for a company she has equity in. Shane Gillis does some observational humor about women's workout clothes, and he's villain or a hero, depending on whom you ask.
In short, it's a weird time. Especially for this particular topic. And we've got a lot of figure out.
And with all this fighting going on, you've got to hand it to the European soccer coach who just got interviewed by the female sports reporter, above. Just look at the profile in courage on display here:
NY Post - A soccer coach has gone viral over his refusal to look at his glamorous interviewer.
David Oulehla, coach of the Czech team FK Viagem Ústí nad Labem, spoke to a reporter following his team’s defeat to SFC Opava.
Video showed him listening in intently to questions posed by presenter Sabina Jaksova. And it quickly garnered attention online as fans noticed his apparent refusal to look at her.
Oushehla instead stared dead ahead or off to the side, with a concerned look etched across his face.
(Thank you, NYP, for sparing me from having to learn how to spell that team name. Assuming that's what that is. It's like a run-on sentence, and I don't envy the broadcasters who have to say it. I guess the Czech equivalent of "Rams" or "Heat" were already taken.)
The stoicism on display here from Coach Oulehla is nothing short of inspirational. He was utterly unflappable in this moment. Like a dog when you put a piece of ham on his nose but he's not allowed to eat it until you say so, this guy never broke. It's remarkable.
He conducted himself like the whole world had eyes on him. Especially Mrs. Oulehla, if there is one. I'll raise my hand and admit I'm not sure I would've been capable of that degree of self-control. I feel like if I was on a plane sitting next to Sabina Jaksova, we dropped an engine and the wing was on fire, spiraling down to the ground? I'd sneak a glance. It's human nature. How the male brain is wired. But my guy David here fought through all his base instincts and kept his poise throughout. And he's to be admired for it.
And as far as the controversial Male Gaze we're all worked up about?. It would appear Jaksova welcomes it:
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It's possible she's even disappointed Oulehla kept averting his eyes. Like I said, this is a confusing time, so who can say for sure. I just know I'll be monitoring her future interviews to see if she puts in even more effort. And that we need more sports Journos with Sabina J dedication to her craft. If she keeps this up, she might make Czech soccer fans out of us all.