Sports are a getaway. Sports are the thing we attach to our pride, identity, and often times happiness too. Sports enabled multi-billion dollar fantasy sport and gaming fantasy industries to exist and built a new genre of TV, radio and Internet. Sports give me something to nap to when I'm watching golf on Sundays. (Or scream at my phone while watching my fantasy football team lose. But that's for another article). The spirit of competition is an integral part of human nature, but sports represent so much more. In the recent aftermath of yet another sporting tragedy, the death of young Cuban-American Marlins pitcher Jose Fernandez reminds us of the importance of sports, beyond just the game itself.
David Ortiz and the Red Sox
Who doesn't love Big Papi? Who doesn't remember Curt Shilling and his Red Sox take down the Yankees in 2004, coming back from a 0-3 series hole, eventually moving on to beat the St. Louis Cardinal in the World Series? Rudyard Kipling's famous poem, If, is narrated brilliantly by Kevin Spacey, giving thanks to David Ortiz and his retirement. He will be missed on the diamond.
The Vince Young Years
How could I not include a post about the Longhorns in a VY shoutout here. If only the NFL had worked out...
Derek Jeter and the NY Yankees
The captain. #2. Derek Jeter. One of the most famous ball players in our time, and certainly one of the greats, retired after the 2014 season. His stats are second to none, but his 5 World Series Championships and 5 Golden Glove Awards are minuscule compared to the role model he proved to be on and off the field. Gatorade and Nike put his legacy into video form, with these two farewell ads. I couldn't pick one over the other.
Man Saved via Mutual Hate for Cowboys
Now I'm a huge Cowboys fan, and the only team I dislike more than the Redskins are the Eagles, but I can step aside for a second to respect what's more than sports. Check out how this cop connects with a suicidal man on a ledge. Go Cowboys?
The Kick 6
I spent my first two years of undergrad at Auburn University before coming back to Texas. Among the great memories there, this moment is pretty hard to beat. Only needed a second.
The Takeaway
I could go on with videos and stories of moments why I remember sports being special to me personally. Facebook is filled with stories of disabled kids that were allowed to score a touchdown, or something of a similar substance. Everyone has a certain story, friend, or time, that involves some sport in some way. In recent history, we've seen the city of Cleveland band together due to the success of their basketball and baseball teams. Amongst all the negativity surrounded in sports, let's remember more reasons why we love sports.
