Over the past few years, society has been enamored with reality television. Whether we were glued to our sets to see who the American Idol was going to be or how the stars were dancing, week after week, we always tuned in. There have been good shows and crappy ones that involved eating insects and the such. But we kept tuning in. As a society we lowered our bar and accepted mediocrity and the networks rewarded us with more and more of it.
But, week after week, there is still amazing reality TV. I'm not talking about singing, dancing or living in the "Real World." I'm talking about the game of college football. If you think about it, its as real as it gets.
Each week there is emotion in every game. Stands are filled with fanatics and games are watched by millions. There is no voting at the end of the show, rather the result will be posted on the scoreboard. Randy Jackson won't have to tell an athlete if "you brought it dog, you brought it..." We will know by the scoreboard.
The tears of a senior playing in his last game, knowing there is no chance of playing football on Sundays is as real as it gets. No need for a dance guru with an accent to give him a 10 for his performance or effort. Leave that to his coaches and teammates.
Fans rushing the field to surround their hero's and be apart of the atmosphere. This makes for great TV because it is real. As a viewer at home, you feel the emotion through your television set. Thankfully no coach has turned around and pulled a Donald Trump after a team's poor performance and said "you're fired..."
Every game has its ups and downs. Every season can feel like a roller coaster. We live vicariously through the efforts of 18-22 year old student-athletes, and its the best show on television. It's passed on from generation to generation. Children dream of playing for their parents Alma Mater. How many times do you think parents have said you can be the next Reuben or Clay?
People will still tune in to see Paula, Randy and Simon have their spats. People will still watch the stars dance and people trying to break into the ultimate fighting arena while living in the same house together.
But, every Saturday in fall, there is real reality TV on. What will you be watching?
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Wasted talent...
I was watching Sports Center this evening when the story about Michael Vick came up. Having seen enough Michael Vick to last a lifetime, I was going to turn the channel. Then they discussed a former quarterback who also fell from grace upon his own doing. In the late seventies and early eighties, there were two quarterbacks that shaped the foundation of college football... Stanford's John Elway and Ohio State's Art Schleister. Both had a cannon for an arm. Both could do things with a football few had ever seen at the collegiate level. Elway went on to a Hall of Fame career, captured a couple of Super Bowl rings, and put a dagger in Cleveland fans along the way. Schleister went to federal prison.
Gone is the signing bonus the Baltimore Colts gave Schleister. Forgotten are the accolades he achieved in college. Dignity, pride and self-worth lost long before that prison door slammed shut that first night. Schleister is a compulsive gambler. He has been in and out of federal prisons for the better part of twenty years. His wife has left him with their child. He was banned for life from the NFL. He had failed attempts in the arena football league. He was once beloved in Columbus, now nothing but a black eye on the program.
Fast forward to 2007. The summer of shame for Michael Vick. Once thought of as the future of the league for his unbelievable skills to run the ball, throw the ball and put a team on his back, Vick entered a prison today, twenty-two days prior to his sentencing. How the mighty have fallen. Vick signed a 137-million dollar contract just two years ago with the Atlanta Falcons. He was on top of the world. He became the face of the NFL. He had more endorsement dollars coming in than any other NFL player. To steal a phrase, everyone wanted to Be Like Mike...
Dog Fighting... Killing defenseless dogs... Gambling on this hanious act... How quick the bottom can fall out. At his own doing. Society can forgive a lot of things. Killing dogs is not one of them. Instead of shaping what could have been a Hall of Fame type career, Vick will be allowed two hours a day to either read, play basketball or lift weights.
The Falcons are trying to recoup 20-million dollars worth of signing bonus. They will most likely get all of it. Vick also has several banks suing him to recoup their money as well. Vick is banned from the league until his full term is complete and even then he is not a sure thing to be reinstated.
He had the game of football in the palm of his hand. Tomorrow for two hours he will either have a book, a basketball or a weight there instead. Canton does not open its doors to those who wasted their talents. Prisons, however, do.
Gone is the signing bonus the Baltimore Colts gave Schleister. Forgotten are the accolades he achieved in college. Dignity, pride and self-worth lost long before that prison door slammed shut that first night. Schleister is a compulsive gambler. He has been in and out of federal prisons for the better part of twenty years. His wife has left him with their child. He was banned for life from the NFL. He had failed attempts in the arena football league. He was once beloved in Columbus, now nothing but a black eye on the program.
Fast forward to 2007. The summer of shame for Michael Vick. Once thought of as the future of the league for his unbelievable skills to run the ball, throw the ball and put a team on his back, Vick entered a prison today, twenty-two days prior to his sentencing. How the mighty have fallen. Vick signed a 137-million dollar contract just two years ago with the Atlanta Falcons. He was on top of the world. He became the face of the NFL. He had more endorsement dollars coming in than any other NFL player. To steal a phrase, everyone wanted to Be Like Mike...
Dog Fighting... Killing defenseless dogs... Gambling on this hanious act... How quick the bottom can fall out. At his own doing. Society can forgive a lot of things. Killing dogs is not one of them. Instead of shaping what could have been a Hall of Fame type career, Vick will be allowed two hours a day to either read, play basketball or lift weights.
The Falcons are trying to recoup 20-million dollars worth of signing bonus. They will most likely get all of it. Vick also has several banks suing him to recoup their money as well. Vick is banned from the league until his full term is complete and even then he is not a sure thing to be reinstated.
He had the game of football in the palm of his hand. Tomorrow for two hours he will either have a book, a basketball or a weight there instead. Canton does not open its doors to those who wasted their talents. Prisons, however, do.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Football is amazing...
I would consider myself an advid sports fan. Part fanatic, can't miss the game, and part realistic... I sometimes have to catch the highlights on ESPN, yet feel smart enough to know what happened from the highlights. Watching football for many years, you get a sense of knowing your favorite teams as well as the game in general. At times I feel like an offensive/defensive coordinator- calling out the plays my favorite team is going to run or how to defend against the opponents'. Very few times does the game of football offer surprises that will have people talking at the water cooler for days. But it is these times that being a fan is so awesome. To have seen the game and be able to describe it to those who did not is a great feeling. To relive the moment that was. To embelish a little, even. Hey, they weren't there-it's your story.
In 1982, during the Stanford-Cal game, what was thought to be a certain Stanford victory turned out to be one of the oddest finishes to any game ever seen. When Stanford kicked off leading by two with four seconds left, the celebration had already begun. The game was thought to be over to everyone except for Cal. Seven laterals later, Cal entered the end zone, eluding the eleven men on the field as well as the band. Crazy.
In 1974, Tom Dempsey was a place kicker for the New Orleans Saints. He was born with just one arm, and half his one foot was missing. And that was his kicking foot. A special shoe was desinged for him. At the end of the first half in a meaningless game, Dempsey was sent out to kick a 63-yard field goal. Dempsey's kick not only went thruough the up rights, but was the eventual difference in the game.
Sunday provided one of these moments. One of those, "I thought I've seen it all" moments... The Browns trailed Baltimore, 30-27 with only four seconds left. The Browns sent Phil Dawson out to kick a 51 yard field goal. As the ball sailed in the air, it began to shift left. When it reached it's destination, it hit the left up-right and bounced toward the center of the goal posts. It hit the extention that supports the cross bar. The ball then bounced up in the air and fell in front of the goal posts. The referees declared the kick no-good. Time had expired and handshakes were being exchanged at mid-field.
Field goal kicks are not reviewable. The Ravens were declared the winner, 30-27. The refs then had a discussion about the kick noting the ball hit behind the cross bar making it a good kick. The refs overturned their own previous decision and now announced the kick to be good. Which meant overtime. The Browns won the coin toss and marched down the field to set up another Dawson field goal attempt. This time the ball sailed through the up-rights, with a lot less drama, and the Browns won 33-30.
When people ask me why I even watch the games if you know what the play is usually going to be... I can point to these moments. The game of football at times can be predictable. Other times, the ball can take a freakish bounce and it is all you can talk about for the next few weeks/months/years. I don't like to be the one at the water cooler listening to these stories. I like to be the one telling them. Wonder what's going to happen this Sunday?
In 1982, during the Stanford-Cal game, what was thought to be a certain Stanford victory turned out to be one of the oddest finishes to any game ever seen. When Stanford kicked off leading by two with four seconds left, the celebration had already begun. The game was thought to be over to everyone except for Cal. Seven laterals later, Cal entered the end zone, eluding the eleven men on the field as well as the band. Crazy.
In 1974, Tom Dempsey was a place kicker for the New Orleans Saints. He was born with just one arm, and half his one foot was missing. And that was his kicking foot. A special shoe was desinged for him. At the end of the first half in a meaningless game, Dempsey was sent out to kick a 63-yard field goal. Dempsey's kick not only went thruough the up rights, but was the eventual difference in the game.
In 2000, the Tennessee Titans pulled off what is known as the Music City Miracle, a play that put them in the Super Bowl. On the kickoff, Lorenzo Neal, a bruising 250 pound full back caught the ball and then pitched it back to tight end Frank Wycheck. Wycheck then threw the ball across the field to a waiting wide receiver who had a convoy of blockers waiting for him. He went into the end zone untouched and the rest is history.
Sunday provided one of these moments. One of those, "I thought I've seen it all" moments... The Browns trailed Baltimore, 30-27 with only four seconds left. The Browns sent Phil Dawson out to kick a 51 yard field goal. As the ball sailed in the air, it began to shift left. When it reached it's destination, it hit the left up-right and bounced toward the center of the goal posts. It hit the extention that supports the cross bar. The ball then bounced up in the air and fell in front of the goal posts. The referees declared the kick no-good. Time had expired and handshakes were being exchanged at mid-field.
Field goal kicks are not reviewable. The Ravens were declared the winner, 30-27. The refs then had a discussion about the kick noting the ball hit behind the cross bar making it a good kick. The refs overturned their own previous decision and now announced the kick to be good. Which meant overtime. The Browns won the coin toss and marched down the field to set up another Dawson field goal attempt. This time the ball sailed through the up-rights, with a lot less drama, and the Browns won 33-30.
When people ask me why I even watch the games if you know what the play is usually going to be... I can point to these moments. The game of football at times can be predictable. Other times, the ball can take a freakish bounce and it is all you can talk about for the next few weeks/months/years. I don't like to be the one at the water cooler listening to these stories. I like to be the one telling them. Wonder what's going to happen this Sunday?
Monday, November 19, 2007
Lloyd-thanks for the memories...
Monday, November 19, 2007 will mark an end of an era for the Michigan Wolverine football program. Once thought of as the man to restore pride in a program that fell on hard times, Lloyd Carr will anounce his retirement. Having replaced Gary Moeller thirteen years ago, Carr displayed a cockiness and swagger few had seen since the days of Bo Schembechler. Carr will be remembered for both his dominance of former Ohio State Coach, John Cooper, but also for his dismal record against current OSU Coach, Jim Tressel.
Few can argue the success that Carr had both on the field and off the field as well. The Wolverines were co-national champions in 1997. He recruited two Heisman Trophy winners. The Wolverines won four Big Ten Championships under his reign. His graduation rate was second to none nationally and led the Big Ten in every year accept for two.
He was loved by his players and other coaches that competed against him. Three of Michigan's best players turned down millions last year to return for their senior seasons. Mike Hart, Chad Henne, and Jake Long were certain first round picks in last year's NFL draft. Instead they chose to return to school in hopes of defeating Ohio State and have a chance at the National Championship. Instead, in the first game of the season, Appalation State, a Division I-AA school went into the Big House and not only shocked Michigan, but the world as well. Considered by many as the biggest upset of all time, the Michigan season never seemed to get on course. The following week they suffered another defeat, this time to Oregon, also in the Big House. Dating back to the OSU game last season, this would mark the fourth straight defeat for Michigan, including the Bowl Game. This past Saturday, Carr and the Wolverines lost again to the Sweater Vest and the Buckeyes. In reality, the writing has been on the wall for some time. In today's game of college football, if you can not beat your arch rival, you better have your resume ready.
Similar to Cooper, Carr will be remembered for his inability to defeat the rival in the Big Game. Unlike Cooper, however, Michigan fans will remember Carr with love and adoration for the years of smiles he and his teams provided. While Cooper will be thought of as a punch line to many jokes, Carr will be thought of as the second best coach in Michigan history next to Bo. Somewhere, Woody has to be smiling feeling somewhat victorious in the rivalry, once again.
Few can argue the success that Carr had both on the field and off the field as well. The Wolverines were co-national champions in 1997. He recruited two Heisman Trophy winners. The Wolverines won four Big Ten Championships under his reign. His graduation rate was second to none nationally and led the Big Ten in every year accept for two.
He was loved by his players and other coaches that competed against him. Three of Michigan's best players turned down millions last year to return for their senior seasons. Mike Hart, Chad Henne, and Jake Long were certain first round picks in last year's NFL draft. Instead they chose to return to school in hopes of defeating Ohio State and have a chance at the National Championship. Instead, in the first game of the season, Appalation State, a Division I-AA school went into the Big House and not only shocked Michigan, but the world as well. Considered by many as the biggest upset of all time, the Michigan season never seemed to get on course. The following week they suffered another defeat, this time to Oregon, also in the Big House. Dating back to the OSU game last season, this would mark the fourth straight defeat for Michigan, including the Bowl Game. This past Saturday, Carr and the Wolverines lost again to the Sweater Vest and the Buckeyes. In reality, the writing has been on the wall for some time. In today's game of college football, if you can not beat your arch rival, you better have your resume ready.
Similar to Cooper, Carr will be remembered for his inability to defeat the rival in the Big Game. Unlike Cooper, however, Michigan fans will remember Carr with love and adoration for the years of smiles he and his teams provided. While Cooper will be thought of as a punch line to many jokes, Carr will be thought of as the second best coach in Michigan history next to Bo. Somewhere, Woody has to be smiling feeling somewhat victorious in the rivalry, once again.
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