Hopkins got a lot of attention during last week’s state basketball tournament, first for using slow-down tactics in overtime and then for questionable sportsmanship afterward. Several players removed their second-place medals immediately after receiving them following a loss in the Class AAAA title game.
While sportsmanship needs to be taught and promoted, I often wince at the forced sportsmanship before or after playoff games as the players are required to go through a pre-determined ceremony. Sometimes it’s captains reading a script before a game. Afterwards, it’s one player from the other team coming forward to shake hands as medals are handed out. Some pre-game announcements go on and on and on.
It’s too bad that in our society so many people have to be reminded to do what’s right and act appropriately. That includes fans, sometimes even more so than the participants.
Once in awhile, though, we are treated to genuine acts of true sportsmanship.
I recall a high school football playoff game many years ago between two rival teams from neighboring towns. It was a hard-fought, competitive contest and in the end, the upset did not occur as the favorite pulled away at the end.
In those days, awards were simply a trophy to each team, no individual medals.
But I still clearly remember that as the championship trophy was awarded, the players on the other team – losers on the scoreboard only – stood and applauded.
It was a spontaneous, honest display of respect and sportsmanship at the highest level – not expected, required, or planned in advance.
When players are able to step up and show that kind of character, we are all better for it.
Mouth-watering Omaha Steaks
Showing posts with label football. Show all posts
Showing posts with label football. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
Monday, February 3, 2014
Football: not so super Bowl
Oops. The Super Bowl wasn’t very super, not even medium.
Unlike professional wrestling, the one thing the every-second-sponsored league can’t control is how good or bad the game is.
A check back reveals that Denver is no stranger to not only losing Super Bowl games, but losing them badly. In 1987, 1988, and 1990, the Broncos lost by 19, 32, and 45 points respectively.
There were a few other blowout games around those years as well. In the normal NFL game, momentum will often change two or three times. But often in a game with the magnitude of the Super Bowl – all the hype and scrutiny and waiting two weeks for it to finally start – if one teams gets a break and goes on a roll, sometimes it just quickly gets out of control and turns into a nightmare.
Besides the game, this year’s commercials were equally lousy. I conceded early in the third quarter when Denver again came up empty on its first possession of the second half, and turned on re-run of The Mentalist.
Up until then, only the Tim Tebow/no contract commercial even halfway appealed to me. Everything else ranged from bland to outright foolish. The one I was waiting for – the Full House reunion – hadn’t aired yet, so I still haven’t seen it.
Halftime went from rock stars with walkers to at least someone who is currently popular with someone. It was deflating to learn later that Bruno Mars will be in a movie later this year, which tells me his Super Bowl appearance was simply an arranged marketing campaign.
This was confirmed when the game analyst panel spent about a minute talking about Mars and how good the halftime show was. Anything more than a “Yeah, that was good” means it was also paid-for, and that the commentators were forced to comment as such – just another piece in the marketing toolkit.
Best tweet I came across referred to the NFL's tight copyright hold on the words Super Bowl, so that it has to be referred to as "big game," etc.: at least we don't have to call the World Series the "Grand Sequence of Games."
Unlike professional wrestling, the one thing the every-second-sponsored league can’t control is how good or bad the game is.
A check back reveals that Denver is no stranger to not only losing Super Bowl games, but losing them badly. In 1987, 1988, and 1990, the Broncos lost by 19, 32, and 45 points respectively.
There were a few other blowout games around those years as well. In the normal NFL game, momentum will often change two or three times. But often in a game with the magnitude of the Super Bowl – all the hype and scrutiny and waiting two weeks for it to finally start – if one teams gets a break and goes on a roll, sometimes it just quickly gets out of control and turns into a nightmare.
Besides the game, this year’s commercials were equally lousy. I conceded early in the third quarter when Denver again came up empty on its first possession of the second half, and turned on re-run of The Mentalist.
Up until then, only the Tim Tebow/no contract commercial even halfway appealed to me. Everything else ranged from bland to outright foolish. The one I was waiting for – the Full House reunion – hadn’t aired yet, so I still haven’t seen it.
Halftime went from rock stars with walkers to at least someone who is currently popular with someone. It was deflating to learn later that Bruno Mars will be in a movie later this year, which tells me his Super Bowl appearance was simply an arranged marketing campaign.
This was confirmed when the game analyst panel spent about a minute talking about Mars and how good the halftime show was. Anything more than a “Yeah, that was good” means it was also paid-for, and that the commentators were forced to comment as such – just another piece in the marketing toolkit.
Best tweet I came across referred to the NFL's tight copyright hold on the words Super Bowl, so that it has to be referred to as "big game," etc.: at least we don't have to call the World Series the "Grand Sequence of Games."
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
Football: watching a stadium instead of a game
For the first time this year, I intentionally watched the Vikings Sunday. The reason, of course, was simply because it was the last game played in the Metrodome, a “souvenir game” so to speak.
It turned out to be reasonably entertaining for a late-season game between two teams who had no playoff hopes on the line. It even had some unusual quirks, such as the Vikings playing a solid first half, and most of all, not blowing the lead in the fourth quarter.
Outside of the stadium during the final game, it was below zero temperature before even calculating the windchill. I would like to go back to the ‘70s and read some of the material from when the community leaders at the time would have been touting the benefits of building a domed stadium in Minnesota.
At least the new billion-dollar baby will have a roof as well. Pro sports are for the upscale crowd these days. Why would rich people want to sit outside in terrible weather for three hours plus? How many $12 beers can you drink when it’s below zero?
The Metrodome was state-of-the-art at the time it was built, and it’s sad to see it be tossed away like an old car that would cost more to repair than it’s worth. It served us well – mostly because we always knew there would be a game and it would be comfortable.
That’s where the Twins still missed the boat with Target Field. Milwaukee’s Miller Field has the modern appeal like a Target Field, but also has a retractable roof for those awful-weather days you know will occur. The retractable feature, despite the high price tag, gives everyone the best of both worlds – open sunshine when it’s nice, and protection when it’s not.
I won’t be bidding on any Metrodome memorabilia, but definitely hanging on to memories of a stadium that wasn’t perfect but still was ours!
It turned out to be reasonably entertaining for a late-season game between two teams who had no playoff hopes on the line. It even had some unusual quirks, such as the Vikings playing a solid first half, and most of all, not blowing the lead in the fourth quarter.
Outside of the stadium during the final game, it was below zero temperature before even calculating the windchill. I would like to go back to the ‘70s and read some of the material from when the community leaders at the time would have been touting the benefits of building a domed stadium in Minnesota.
At least the new billion-dollar baby will have a roof as well. Pro sports are for the upscale crowd these days. Why would rich people want to sit outside in terrible weather for three hours plus? How many $12 beers can you drink when it’s below zero?
The Metrodome was state-of-the-art at the time it was built, and it’s sad to see it be tossed away like an old car that would cost more to repair than it’s worth. It served us well – mostly because we always knew there would be a game and it would be comfortable.
That’s where the Twins still missed the boat with Target Field. Milwaukee’s Miller Field has the modern appeal like a Target Field, but also has a retractable roof for those awful-weather days you know will occur. The retractable feature, despite the high price tag, gives everyone the best of both worlds – open sunshine when it’s nice, and protection when it’s not.
I won’t be bidding on any Metrodome memorabilia, but definitely hanging on to memories of a stadium that wasn’t perfect but still was ours!
Monday, November 25, 2013
Sports: Vikings, Packers, oops
We hosted an early Thanksgiving Sunday for family, which meant football on TV, which meant I ended up seeing part of a Vikings game for the second time this season.
Last time, my prediction was perfect (See here.)
This time, when the Vikings surprisingly scored to go ahead 23-7 late in the third quarter, I made my move and announced “24 to 23.”
Everybody knew what I meant. Worse yet, nobody dared disagree. Even the most loyal Vikings fan knows deep in his heart that no lead is ever safe.
As it turned out, I was only partially right this time. The Vikings did blow the lead, but only to the point of tieing the game, not losing, which was a victory in itself.
I was a victim of Green Bay’s strategy of trying to clear up the losing margin in two 8-point pieces instead of the traditional NFL route of simply kicking extra points. There was plenty of time for two touchdowns and a field goal, which proved to be the case and would have been successful had the Packers followed the proven format for coming from behind to defeat a Minnesota team.
It’s nice to see other teams make mistakes, too.
Last time, my prediction was perfect (See here.)
This time, when the Vikings surprisingly scored to go ahead 23-7 late in the third quarter, I made my move and announced “24 to 23.”
Everybody knew what I meant. Worse yet, nobody dared disagree. Even the most loyal Vikings fan knows deep in his heart that no lead is ever safe.
As it turned out, I was only partially right this time. The Vikings did blow the lead, but only to the point of tieing the game, not losing, which was a victory in itself.
I was a victim of Green Bay’s strategy of trying to clear up the losing margin in two 8-point pieces instead of the traditional NFL route of simply kicking extra points. There was plenty of time for two touchdowns and a field goal, which proved to be the case and would have been successful had the Packers followed the proven format for coming from behind to defeat a Minnesota team.
It’s nice to see other teams make mistakes, too.
Thursday, November 14, 2013
Recipes: tailgating treat
Had a flashback to a few years ago: during a college football game broadcast, they did a short feature on people tailgating and what they were cooking.
I can’t remember exactly what one guy was making but it went something like this: Spread cream cheese on a tortilla shell, then add cooked bulk sausage and mozarella cheese. Fold over and grill.
Tried this at home lately and it is very good. Of course, you can also modify it by adding onions, peppers, or anything you like.
You don’t have to be tailgating to enjoy it – works well in the kitchen also for a supper or brunch. Pretty simple and easy, and tastes great!
I can’t remember exactly what one guy was making but it went something like this: Spread cream cheese on a tortilla shell, then add cooked bulk sausage and mozarella cheese. Fold over and grill.
Tried this at home lately and it is very good. Of course, you can also modify it by adding onions, peppers, or anything you like.
You don’t have to be tailgating to enjoy it – works well in the kitchen also for a supper or brunch. Pretty simple and easy, and tastes great!
Sunday, October 13, 2013
Sports: our teams aren't all losers
As sports fans, we sometimes like to joke – or seriously complain – about how big of losers our favorite teams are.
If you look at the numbers, though, the picture isn’t quite as bleak as one might imagine.
Let’s start with the Vikings, who I refuse to spend three hours a week with these days. Through last season, their all-time regular season record, excluding ties, is 426-355, a .545 winning percentage. Not bad, really. Throw in the playoffs, and it dips to .538 with a 445-382 mark.
Through 2013, the Twins – since they became the Twins and not the Senators – stand at .498 with a 4,204-4,243 record. As recently as two years ago, they were above .500 all-time.
The Wild, who haven’t been around as long, are chugging along at 431-381 (again excluding ties, which there are a lot of in hockey) for a .531 mark.
Finally, the Timberwolves have actually won 731 games in their existence with 1,107 losses for a .398 percentage. I would have thought it to be much worse, given all the miserable seasons and should-have-been-lottery-draft-picks.
Bottom line: they’re not so bad. The competitive balance of pro sports is so strong that you have to be really awful for a long time, and even then you win 4 out of 10.
If you look at the numbers, though, the picture isn’t quite as bleak as one might imagine.
Let’s start with the Vikings, who I refuse to spend three hours a week with these days. Through last season, their all-time regular season record, excluding ties, is 426-355, a .545 winning percentage. Not bad, really. Throw in the playoffs, and it dips to .538 with a 445-382 mark.
Through 2013, the Twins – since they became the Twins and not the Senators – stand at .498 with a 4,204-4,243 record. As recently as two years ago, they were above .500 all-time.
The Wild, who haven’t been around as long, are chugging along at 431-381 (again excluding ties, which there are a lot of in hockey) for a .531 mark.
Finally, the Timberwolves have actually won 731 games in their existence with 1,107 losses for a .398 percentage. I would have thought it to be much worse, given all the miserable seasons and should-have-been-lottery-draft-picks.
Bottom line: they’re not so bad. The competitive balance of pro sports is so strong that you have to be really awful for a long time, and even then you win 4 out of 10.
Thursday, September 26, 2013
Sports: dark colored football pants
I’ve noticed this for several years now, and haven’t been able to get an actual answer, but why do so many high school football teams have dark-colored uniform pants now?
There are rarely any white ones any more, and most are not just gold or silver, but the darkest of each school’s colors.
The only reason I can come up with is that getting white pants white proved to be too difficult for too many parents who had to wash them, so the schools punted, so to speak, and chose dark uniforms that hide the stains a little better.
There are rarely any white ones any more, and most are not just gold or silver, but the darkest of each school’s colors.
The only reason I can come up with is that getting white pants white proved to be too difficult for too many parents who had to wash them, so the schools punted, so to speak, and chose dark uniforms that hide the stains a little better.
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
Sports: Vikings choke, as predicted
Was passing by a TV Sunday about 2:45 so decided to see how the purple heroes were doing. There were about 6 minutes left, Vikings had a 3-point lead and the ball at Chicago’s 30.
So I called my son: “Want to see the Vikings blow it?” I proceeded to describe to him how the Vikings would get a field goal and then the Bears would score a touchdown to win 31-30.
We settled in to watch and it unfolded exactly like I had predicted, like if we watching a recording I’d seen before instead of a live game.
“Why do you think they’ll lose?” he asked. “Because they’re the Vikings. I’ve been watching them long enough, and three out of four times in this situation, they’ll lose.”
As the Bears knelt down to run out the final seconds, he didn’t really acknowledge my prognosticating. I was satisfied anyway, not so much at having been right, but more so at not having wasted three hours to get to that point.
So I called my son: “Want to see the Vikings blow it?” I proceeded to describe to him how the Vikings would get a field goal and then the Bears would score a touchdown to win 31-30.
We settled in to watch and it unfolded exactly like I had predicted, like if we watching a recording I’d seen before instead of a live game.
“Why do you think they’ll lose?” he asked. “Because they’re the Vikings. I’ve been watching them long enough, and three out of four times in this situation, they’ll lose.”
As the Bears knelt down to run out the final seconds, he didn’t really acknowledge my prognosticating. I was satisfied anyway, not so much at having been right, but more so at not having wasted three hours to get to that point.
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
Sports: Late for the Vikings bandwagon
Sorry, Vikings, I’ve bled too much purple. I can’t spend 3-plus hours on a Sunday anymore watching you and then being mad the rest of the day.
Sometimes, if I’m around, I’ll turn on the tv at 2:45 to see how you’re doing, and if it’s close, I’ll finish it out with you, mostly out of curiosity.
And if you’re 8-2, I’ll chum along on the bandwagon a bit and keep track of your results. But I’ve been hurt too much and too often to take it anymore.
Do we need a new stadium? Yes. Why? To keep the team here. Why? Because we want 45 millionaires paying Minnesota income tax; then hopefully the rest of us won’t have to pay as much.
Sometimes, if I’m around, I’ll turn on the tv at 2:45 to see how you’re doing, and if it’s close, I’ll finish it out with you, mostly out of curiosity.
And if you’re 8-2, I’ll chum along on the bandwagon a bit and keep track of your results. But I’ve been hurt too much and too often to take it anymore.
Do we need a new stadium? Yes. Why? To keep the team here. Why? Because we want 45 millionaires paying Minnesota income tax; then hopefully the rest of us won’t have to pay as much.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)