By SCOTT MCKIE B.P.
ONE FEATHER STAFF
Sports have to be the silliest endeavor that we do in our lives – throwing balls through a hoop, smashing into each other on a field, kicking a ball into a net, running in circles on a track, chasing a white ball around a course, etc. So, why do we love them so much? And, as Americans, why do they mean so much to us?
We are constantly inundated with bad things happening all around us. If you turn on the news or look online at all, you hear just about every day about shootings, terrorism, car crashes, kidnappings, drugs, and more. With sports, the worst thing that usually happens is our team loses or makes a really dumb trade in the off-season.
The late Earl Warren, the 14th Chief Justice of the United States, summed it up best when he said, “I always turn to the sports section first. The sports page records people’s accomplishments. The front page has nothing but man’s failures.”
He is right. Sports can be inspiring.
Think of the U.S. hockey team beating the Russians in the 1980 Olympics or the literally hundreds of buzzer-beaters we have seen in NBA and NCAA basketball games. Those are inspiring!
The games themselves are silly. They are. But, what they represent is anything but silly. They represent an escape from the harsh realities of the world for a little bit.
Sports also represent hope. Teams don’t quit. They don’t give up. That is what makes champions, and that is what makes for great fourth-quarter comebacks and buzzer beaters. Fans are always hoping for what will be next season…if you need proof, just think of the Cubs fans.
My favorite coach of all-time, the late Vince Lombardi, shows the hope that sports fans, players and coaches have when he said, “We didn’t lose the game. We just ran out of time.”
Sporting must-sees for April 17-19
Check out some great action from the pitch as Barclays Premier League first place team Chelsea takes on third place Manchester United on Saturday, April 18 at 12pm on NBC. Later that night, check out the UFC Fight Night Prelims on FOX at 6pm.
