I Love Sport

I consider myself a sports enthusiast. I grew up playing sports. If it has a ball in it, I am usually interested. I enjoy the competition. I enjoy the challenge. Sports, for me, is a hobby to watch and to participate in.

Watching professional athletes on television is fun for me. Beth Ann and I (sometimes me much more than her) will enjoy watching events on t.v. or live. Nascar races on a Sunday, football games, March Madness, baseball playoffs and the golf majors are some of my favorites. Watching history take place is exciting. There are also things that we watch concerning sports that can be frustrating. A brawl, reports of a coach that allows his program to cheat, steroids, whining about wanting more millions on top of the millions they already have and athletes that believe that they are bigger can life are negatives to being a sports fan. Luckily there are people that make up for the negative aspects of sports.

I love the emotional story that is associated with sporting. To hear a report of a positive or special person makes me forget all the spoiled brats stories I hear about in the news. We saw one of those stories last night. It brought us both to tears. ESPN ran a story about a man that is trying to break into professional fishing tournaments. His last name is Dwyer and his story is powerful. He was born with no legs, no left arm and maybe a third of his right arm. He has figured out a way to fish. He casts and reels the fish in on his own. He ties knots with his mouth and puts bait on with his mouth. He is an awesome fisherman. His family is in awe of him. He has never wanted to be treated differently. He just makes the best of what he has. As they interviewed his brother they asked him what he would wish for his brother if he had one wish. He explained that most believed that he would say the obvious, arms and legs. He did not say that. He said his brother would not wish for that because he appreciates what he has.

This man took what God gave him and has made the best out of it. He does not complain. He does not whine for what he does not have. He is a powerful example.

I also heard a story about hoe John Daly sent $30,000 to a family years ago when the father was struck by lightning at a Grand Slam event that John later won. He did not know the family. It was not his fault. He had no money of his own at the time and he was in debt. Yet he heard about the family and he wanted to help their children get to college. His gift served that purpose. He just felt that he needed to do something for that family.

These stories make me love sports. I love to hear about these special things. It overshadows the ridiculous that can dominate the headlines.