Tag Archives: sports

Stealing Candy (or a Shoe) From Kids

Posted on by
Reply

I don’t know if that gif is going to work… but in case it doesn’t, here’s the video:

But here’s the scenario: Donald Driver, a Green Bay Packer, is tossing his shoe at a young fan after his charity softball game. The shoe is clearly meant for the kid wearing the 85 jersey. But the woman, holding a homemade Dancing With the “Stars” trophy (in reference to Donald Driver winning Dancing with the “Stars”) physically wrestles the shoe away from the kid.

I would like to think, if I were in that situation, something would click in my head and say, “Wait, I’m a grown man. I shouldn’t be physically wrestling with this kid for the (shoe)!” But… what if it was someone like Michael Jordan? Still, I would strongly like to believe that if it was between me and a kid, and the kid had it in his possession, like the shoe, I would back off… or at least give it back to the kid after I successfully wrestled it away from him. Yes, I think it’ll be different if it was in my possession and the kid tried to wrestle it away from me. Then, I wouldn’t feel at all guilty giving him a stiff Heisman Trophy arm to his face. I’m kidding. Sort of…

While as repulsive I felt watching the woman wrestle the shoe away, I also feel a little bad for her. The website where I found this story (deadspin.com) ran an update. They found out the woman’s name, and saw that she had posted a picture of her with the shoe on Facebook, which I’m sure led to a lot of flaming, bashing and trolling, because she had taken her Facebook page down (but the flaming and bashing continues on Deadspin’s site). Not only that, the story, I believe, was also ran on the local news. I wouldn’t be surprised if catches on nationally on shows like Sportsnation where they dedicate a segment on jeers in the sports world.

Much to his credit, Donald Driver is looking for the kid’s name so that he can contact the kid.

I just know that fighting with a kid for a souvenir/memento/memorabilia Taking anything from a kid is a lose-lose situation. Especially in today’s world where anything can become viral.

 

Draft Day

Posted on by
4

One of my childhood dreams were like many of boys: to be a professional athlete.
I’m sad to admit how much sports consumes my life. I love it. I’m obsessed with it. I get too emotionally attached to my teams and favorite players. I don’t think it’s healthy. But it’s fun.

I like watching the first round of the NFL draft, as the kids are decked out in their custom-tailored suits and awkwardly smiling at the cameras when they’re not drafted when they thought they’d be. Even cooler when kids who are a guaranteed first-round pick skips the draft altogether and hang out doing something else, like fishing. 

I think today is the closest I’ll ever get to somewhat know what it feels like being a prospective player.

Some time today, I’ll receive a call from someone on the BOOM (Board of Ordained Ministry) to let me know if I passed my ordination interviews, much like how a draftee will get a call from the head coach or general manager of a team to let him know that he’s been drafted by the team.

Sure. There’s a huge difference between the two scenarios, I know.

However, there’s a lot of queasiness, a lot of uncertainty, a lot of ‘what if…’, a lot of butterflies, a lot of expecting the worst and planning like wise… which I’m sure crosses the minds of those who are in the draft.

Okay. Perhaps, comparing myself to first rounders is a bit of a far stretched. Maybe it’s more like someone who’s going to go in the 6th or 7th round of the draft. If they don’t get drafted, their options are limited: try to be a undrafted free agent or pursue a different calling in life.

Either way, the butterflies can consume you.

So here’s to today.
Whatever the outcome may be, may I still be humble and grateful to the God who loves me and has called me.

Needless Post and Information, But I Have A Bit of Time

Posted on by
5

So I spent a lot of time thinking about what team to call my team when it comes to the NBA.

TEAMS I DIDN’T EVEN BOTHER CONSIDERING:
Lakers: I don’t like Kobe. Never liked the Lakers. Don’t think there are actual Laker fans out there, just people who want to show off their money.
Clippers: Another LA team.
Golden State Warriors and Sacramento Kings: Nothing to really interest me. Cali teams already started out badly.
Raptors: Canada? No thank you. Besides, they’ll probably lose Chris Bosh real soon, so who’ll be left on their team?
Mavericks: I like Mark Cuban. I think he’s a funny owner. But, I just can’t see myself rooting for anything that comes out of Dallas (except for my wife, of course).
NOT THAT MUCH INTEREST:
Atlanta Hawks: no reason in particular.
Grizzlies: Just suck enough that there can a turnaround in the future.
Bucks: If Bill Simmons the Sports Guy became the GM of the Bucks, I’d definitely root for them. But that’s never gonna happen.
Pistons: overrated. besides, Isiah Thomas never appealed to me. The story between Thomas and MJ are funny, and MJ got the better burn by freezing Thomas out of the OG Dream Team.
Timberwolves: Same reason for the Grizzlies. They might turn it around real soon. Okay, not real soon, but some day. Don’t wanna really put that much effort and stress into either teams.
Pacers and 76ers: Meh.
Jazz: Has to be the worst name in any pro franchise. The Jazz? In Utah? really? Hahah. New Orleans Jazz makes more sense, don’t it?

TEAMS THAT WERE INTRIGUING:
Houston Rockets: Yao Ming. I like Yao Ming. But, not enough for me to root for a Texas Team. That goes for the Spurs too. I love Tim Duncan, but I have to admit, I’m not a basketball purist, and I find his game, though fundamental and effective, boring.
Nets: I used to like this team when it had Kidd, Carter and Jefferson. But they’re all aging and gone. Carter probably won’t be there much longer. Jay-Z having an interest in that team doesn’t do much.
Heat: Intriguing. Especially if they do make a play for Bosh. Wade’s amazing. But for some reason, I’m not feeling them so much.

TEAMS THAT I GAVE A GOOD THOUGHT
Nuggets: good team. young team. promising. But, don’t like Billups.
Trailblazers: how much more amazing would this team have been if they picked Durant, instead? Can anything good come out of Portland?
Knicks: Great history. Maybe Lebron will play for them in 2010. But I can’t root for the Knicks. Too much memory lingers from the Bull vs Knicks days and when I always thought that Starks was a punk.
Cavaliers: I felt like I’d be jumping on the Lebron bandwagon. And what happens in 2010, when he bolts? Why put myself through that?
Suns: I like(d) their SSOL (seven seconds or less) style they played. But they’re all getting old.

TEAMS I CONSIDERED LONG AND HARD:
Bulls: Michael Jordan. I can name the 5 starters of each 3 peat teams, along with the 6th and 7th man off the bench.
Hornets and Magic: Chris Paul and Dwight Howard are my two favorite players in the NBA. But, what if they leave the team in the near future? do I root for the team they land on? That doesn’t sound so right and loyal to the team.
Bobcats: I lived in South Carolina before. Close to Charlotte (at least from Cali). MJ is part of the organization. But so far, MJ’s track record in the front office isn’t so great (Kwame Brown, anyone?) Just because I adored MJ the player, doesn’t mean i have to adore MJ the GM. But just because I despised Isiah Thomas the player, I feel absolutely, I should despise Thomas the GM. LOOK WHAT HE DID TO THE KNICKS!!?!!
Celtics: Huge Boston sports fan. Love the Pats. Love the Red Sox. But, it’s like jumping the band wagon at this point. It’s like the year that the NY Giants won the super bowl, all of a sudden you see Giants jerseys EVERYWHERE. Even Eli Manning. That never happened before.
Thunder: Durant. Durant. Durant. Geez. There’s no question who was the better pick. Durant’s a beast and Oden’s seems to be missing every other game due to injury. Sure there were jokes that Oden looked much older than he really was, but he’s body’s behaving as if Oden’s much older than he really is. But c’mon? Thunder!? Next to Jazz (in Utah) it’s a horrible, horrible franchise name. Thunder. Geez. And dude, they screwed the Seattle fans. Not cool. Thunder. Psh.

SO THAT LEAVES US WITH:
The Wizards.
I really thought long and hard over this. Much more than I should’ve. And I’ve invested too much in the Wizards over the years living in DC. And we have a good core. butler, jamison and arenas (if he ever gets healthy). I’ve had good memories sitting in the MCI center watching the games. The first professional basketball game I ever went to see was the Wizards. Good seats too. And getting excited with fellow DC citizens as we made into the playoffs hoping to end Lebrons runs, only to end up losing to the Cavs. In trying to figure this out, I realize I was too emotionally invested in this team to quit them and try for another. And honestly, the Wizards solidified my choice to go to Wesley Theological Seminary in DC, because Jordan was there. Only to be heartbroken that after only a month making the decision to go to DC, MJ was fired.
Why are all the DC teams dysfunctional?

Maybe we’ll get the number one pick, and not waste it this time. (Kwame Brown.. geez). So here’s me rooting for the lottery pick!
*sigh* One of these days, the Skins and the Wiz will have a real good year and a good playoff run. And if Armageddon is near, maybe it’ll happen in the same year!

Just because:
NFL: Redskins
NBA: Wizards
MLB: Red Sox
NHL: Capitals
Premier League Soccer: Chelsea
National Soccer: South Korea (duh) and England (Rooney, Terry!)

I think I’m covered.
Wow, what a pointless post.

Extra-Curricular Activities

Posted on by
Reply

I wanted to join some kind of league to keep myself in shape.
I was looking into dodgeball, ultimate frisbee, or basketball. But couldn’t really find anything.
The basketball leagues here are just too expensive. The team cost ranged from 200-500 on top of that, 20-40 dollars a week for the ref.
There are some websites for ultimate frisbee. Maybe I’ll look into that.
Couldn’t find anything for dodgeball.

What this really means is that I just have to go to the gym. Get myself in shape. Get better in basketball. And they go to the park near my house so I can run with the boys in pick-up games.

My mind is willing, but my body wants to just stay home and play Madden 2009.

-edit-
I just thought of something.
Each district should get some kind of gym, or a church within the district with a gym (if available) and have weekly basketball get togethers for the clergy.
It’ll be a time of fellowship and, let’s face, all of us pastors could use a little more exercise. Of course, this will only draw out those pastors who are interested in basketball…