About

I wish there was a simple way to describe my obsession and utter passion for sports and competition.  In creating this sports blog I wanted to open up with the perfect article that would explain the depth of this obsession. The traditional sports fan directs their obsession with a particular team or teams. I wasn’t fortunate enough to grow up in a sports obsessed town like Chicago, New York, or Philadelphia.  I grew up in Atlanta and passion is not something you would use to describe your typical Atlanta sports fan.  That being said I developed an affinity for competition and learned to love the big moments in sports and the players who constantly rose to the occasion of being great.  What made some players rise to the occasion of the big moment while others wilted under the pressure?  These moments and these moments alone is why I have never been truly devoted to one particular team (always root for Atlanta sports) but to the players who:

#1 plays the game the right way.

#2 Deliver in the clutch.

#3 Devoted to winning during competition and in everyday life.

The first moment….I remember it so clear……..November 23, 1984.  I remember things all the way down to the small exact details.  We were visiting family in Memphis for thanksgiving, there was snow on the ground and we were watching the game at my Aunt’s apartment on the 2nd floor.  I was just barely 7 years old and was sitting down to watch a college football game with my dad. If you captured it in art work I guess it was a modern day Norman Rockwell ish type setting where a father and his son prepare to enjoy a great American tradition. All that was missing was a Ice cold Coca Cola and apple pie.  My first sports memory just happened to be one of the greatest games of all time! The setting was Miami, Florida. The stadium was the historic Orange Bowl, the Boston College Eagles vs. the Miami Hurricanes.  My dad was pulling for Boston College and if you knew anything about my old man it was the perfect match a team that played hard, conservative, clean cut, precise, without flash and bravado, they just got the job done.  BC was ranked #10 and was led by a under sized QB named Doug Flutie who played much bigger than his size.  On the other hand I was pulling for the Miami Hurricanes ranked #12, brash, and in your face, perceivably the exact opposite of what BC represented.  Not really old enough to know what was going on I can only explain it today as just liking their swagger and confidence.  It ends up being ironic because I always enjoy a championship swagger but as an actual participant in athletics my style was more like the BC Eagles.

In sports there always has to be an underlying story.  Whether it be David vs. Goliath or white hat vs. black hat like in this case the Catholic kids from Boston vs. urban youth from south Florida roles must be assigned.  I have to assume if you are reading this article you are a sports fan and know how this tale ends.  Flutie throws a 63 yard hail mary as time expires against a 30mph wind to win the game.  Not knowing back in 1984 what the implications would be bowl games, championships, pro contracts…..the only thing I knew is that I was hooked! When was the next game? For a young 7 year old that was the most exciting thing I had ever seen, the damage was done….I couldn’t turn back!