If not careful, sports can darken your day. Athletics can bring out the cynic and bring down the optimist.
Russian doping blinds you to the beauty of fair competition. Juwan Howard rope-a-doping deflates your belief in sportsmanship. Dopey Phil Mickelson’s greedy manipulation makes you wonder — or confirms your suspicion — that Lefty is a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
Baseball is on hold while millionaires face off against billionaires. Those deciding the fate of an expanded college football playoff think compromise is a dirty word. Amateur athletes get paid to visit hospitals and a single arena craft beer costs the same as a six-pack at the supermarket.
At times like this, it is comforting to remember what drew you to sports to begin with. What first attracted you to the games and athletes? What floats your boat now? Taken as a whole, the positives far outweigh the negatives. Sometimes we just need to focus on the cherished memories and incredible moments that got us watching and participating in the first place.
For me it began when my older brother and his friends invited me to play backyard whiffle ball and football. “You want me to play?” Mostly they just needed a warm body to fill out the teams, but being asked into their club and participating in their camaraderie meant the world.
What hooked you? Maybe discovering you were faster than everyone else on the playground? Fishing with your father? Collecting baseball cards? Walking through an Ohio Stadium portal for the first time and seeing those silver helmets plastered with buckeye leaf stickers?
Helmets and hats. The simple Nebraska “N” and the even simpler Penn State white. The Cincinnati Reds “C” and Detroit Tigers “D.” Vikings horns. Hook ‘em horns. Rams horns.
Or think of it in reverse. The beauty of sports is that it’s not just about liking “us,” but booing “them.” What emotion does the Raven conjure in Browns fans? Or the villainous Raiders pirate to Chiefs fans? Can a Cleveland baseball fan ever root for the Chicago Cubs?
Where is your sports happy place?
The azaleas at Augusta.
A milk bath at Indy.
Hot smoke at Daytona.
Friday night football bus rides
Chilly hockey arenas.
Coaching kids.
The on-deck circle.
Lifting weights in the garage.
Swimming laps.
What dropped your jaw?
Laettner’s shot.
LeBron’s block.
Zeke through the heart of the South.
What puts you in a good mood?
Breaking 80.
Breaking 90.
Busting one past your playing partner.
Close your eyes. What do you see?
You are an 8-year-old attending your first high school football game.
You are a 70-year-old taking your grandkids to their first high school basketball game.
You are a 90-year-old hoping this will be the Detroit Lions’ year.
What do you hear?
Basketball on blacktop.
Metal bat against softball.
Nike along miles of pavement.
The debates.
Tiger or Jack?
Brady or Manning?
MJ or LeBron?
Familiar voices.
“Gentlemen, start your engines.”
“And down the stretch they come.”
“A tradition unlike any other.”
Etched in stone.
“Do you believe in Miracles? Yes!”
“The Giants win the pennant!”
“Down goes Frazier!”
Not dead yet.
Jack’s 1986 Masters.
Tiger’s 2019 Masters.
Phil’s 2021 PGA Championship.
Nervous?
Next point wins.
Game tied. 0:01. Two foul shots. Missed the first one.
Downhill 4-footer to win the match.
Remember when …
… the basement couch served as the goal line.
… boxing mattered.
… last fist on bat handle determined first ups.
… Pro Keds were more popular than Nikes.
…your sister had a Mark Spitz poster on her bedroom wall.
… The Superstars.
… juice boxes after soccer.
Awaken the Echoes.
Between the Hedges.
Those who stay will be champions.
The movies.
Hoosiers
Remember The Titans
Field of Dreams.
The present.
Connor McDavid
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Joe Burrow
Bengals fans celebrate AFC Championship win, Super Bowl 2022 berth
Hundreds of Bengals fans worldwide share their reaction to the moment the Bengals beat the Chiefs to play in the Super Bowl. Experience the tears, screams and hugs again from every corner of the world.
Meg Vogel, Cincinnati Enquirer
Did you watch the Cincinnati Enquirer video of Bengals fans celebrating Cincinnati making it to the Super Bowl? Pure joy.
Did you watch Kerry Coombs news conference after the former Ohio State defensive coordinator was demoted? Pure class.
Do not be dismayed. Most athletes don’t cheat. The NHL handshake line shows sportsmanship is alive and well. Brothers still play whiffle ball and high school basketball games are still a great place to take a grandchild. Go for a run. Take a walk. Marvel at the athleticism and deep-six the cynicism. Sports have a bright side. They still shine.
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