On the Couch : By Dr. Richard Lustberg

An Analysis of Current Topics and Issues in Sport
February 24, 2001

The Death of Dale Ernhardt

Dale Ernhardt's tragic and untimely death was a reminder to us all of how fragile life really is. How we experience his death has a great deal more to do with our own lives than it has to do with Ernhardt's passing, simply because the majority of us never truly knew him.

From the outcries of those who are mourning his loss having followed his mythical career and respected his stature within the racing world, the psychological connections that they have made makes fans feel they did know him. And they are correct in this assumption. It is just that they knew parts of him that existed within themselves-or wished existed in themselves. For those that didn't follow his exploits, they too mourn his loss in much the same manner.

In today's world of blanket media coverage and marketing (even Ernhardt's funeral was marketed) there remains the illusionary belief of familiarity.

As with the death of any meaningful public figure or personal loss, feelings of past loses and missed opportunities within our own lives emerge. People bring past emotional experiences with them as they encounter similar situations, such as a past death or loss. This reliving of the past experience can make the present one that much more difficult to deal with, and highly emotionally charged. The response is blown up out of proportion to the actual event. A layered experience.

What fans did see was Ernhardt's spectacular career in racing. What they took away from Ernhardt's exploits depended upon how they psychologically and emotionally connected with him. Just the sheer loss of the joy of rooting for Ernhardt and the potential loss of positive feelings from the sport due to his absence can bring on remorse.

Erhardt's story and meteoric rise coincided with the ascension of Nascar Racing's popularity as his name practically became synonomous with racing. His life story and personal style presented anyone who had interest with a potentially potent psychological and emotional connection. From his humble early years, through his found again success at 49 years of age when most people his age are driving in the middle lane, there was a place for everyone to connect. And connect we did.

Ernhardt's competitive nature, toughness, and take no prisoners win at any cost attitude made him appealing to many and respected by others. In the world of racing his swagger and demeanor were unmatched. His superior ability and seemingly unearthly talents to drive and maneuver a car at high speeds must have appeared at times to be beyond comprehension. Not to mention his impressive racing numbers. All aspects that many can enjoy, fantasize about, and identify with. Intoxicating if you are into racing, and impressive even if you are not. Ernhardt's exploits were for many what childhood and adult dreams are made.

It is easy to see the appeal of Nascar racing. It involves a wide range of intoxicating aspects for both those that follow it and the professionals in the field. We have all driven cars and have experienced the thrill of speed. For teens and even adults drag racing is commonplace on all of our streets and highways, in our very own cars! With a stare at the light and a rev of the engine we are off!

Yet perhaps it was just these aspects that led to his demise and the disbelief of his passing. On many levels we endowed him with qualities that perhaps he did not have, such as the ability to cheat death. This aura of invincibility was probably further bolstered by the numerous times he continued to race in unbearable pain or walked away from potentially life threatening crashes practically unscathed or with non-lethal injuries.

How could this have happened?

Maybe a feeling of invincibility and the way champions carry themselves is what makes some of the greats what they are. People who have had unparalleled success in their fields often feel invincible and invulnerable to the everyday events that befall us all. The heady experience of their worlds is mesmerizing.

We also have come to expect superstar athletes to be invincible to life's daily vicissitudes, even when it comes to cheating or avoiding death. It leads them to act and take chances that many of us would not dream of. We have seen many an athlete, actor, politician, fall from grace out there. This is not to say that Ernhardt showed poor judgment, or erred. It is to suggest that his personality brought him to racing, and what he obtained from it was enormous. It is clear that Ernhardt took those chances that set him apart. He then reaped the benefits and ultimately paid the price.