Stretching

I have always loved sports. One of my favorite claims is that I never played organized sports in school yet I’m able to hang in there with guys that have—basketball, baseball, football, whatever. I’m not all-world by any means, but I have no problem stepping into any game and feeling confident that I won’t be making a fool of myself. I even lettered in college for Intramural Sports (got a jacket and everything!).

This Fall I joined two new athletic ventures. The first was a City Softball League. I’ve only played church ball since college and this was a definite step up in skill level, as well as atmosphere. The second is a Tuesday night basketball group. You have to be 25 or older and from Clinton. Typical players include the police chief, local restaurant owners, and teachers (Everyone there seems to be 6′ 5″ and can drain three’s like Reggie Miller.)

Both of these have been stretching opportunities for me. I’m a pretty introverted, home-bodied kind of guy, but I’ve met some really cool people in the last couple months. It’s funny how simply stepping into a game can build your confidence and increase your exposure to the community around you.

I guess my parting thoughts are to find a game to get into. You can’t see what you’re made of by sitting on the sidelines.

Filed under: Sports

Friday Funny Papers

Our Two Greatest Leaders Make A Pact To Save The World

Tim Tebow and the rest of the 2008 National Champion Florida Gators finally made their White House visit. Tebow showed off his patented steely-eyed Manshake for the 44th President and offered to assist in thwarting global terror threats. Running back Jeff Demps was just fired up to be there. Really fired up. “When you’re suiting up to play, you’re fired up [and] I’m fired up to see President Obama. It’s kind of like the same feeling,” he told the paper. Totally.

(via Deadspin)

Filed under: Sports

Coming Soon

After the Super Bowl we have a lag in the sports world. But that’s simply the calm before the storm. With every March we enter the greatest month of sports period.

MLB Spring Training
February 25 — April 4

World Baseball Classic
March 5 — March 19

March Madness
March 19 — April 6

The Masters
April 6 — 12

Filed under: Sports

My Dad The Stud

After turning 50 last year, and after being talked out of a pony-tail and a Harley, my dad decided to enter his first triathlon. There were about ten of us that thought it was such a great idea that we’d do it ourselves. The old man was the only one to actually follow through with it though.

What a stud.

On Saturday my dad entered the Flag City USA Sprint Triathlon. 750m SWIM, 23k BIKE, 5k RUN (.466 mile SWIM, 14.29 mile BIKE, 3.1 mile RUN). His goal was simply to finish the race. God must have wanted to make him stick to that goal because halfway into his swim his timing mechanism got knocked off his leg by a wild swimmer. No official scores or times for this guy. Only a sense of pride and purpose.

However, thanks to modern technology, the time-stamps on our cameras can give us an idea of how well he did. He can now feel even more proud that, not only did he finish the race, he did quite well for a first-timer.

Swimming – 19 minutes
Biking – 40 minutes
Running – 27 minutes
TOTAL – 1 hour 26 minutes

That places him 58th overall and 4th in his age group (Men 50-54).

Again, what a stud.

My dad continues to be an inspiration in my life. I couldn’t think of a better Father’s Day weekend than to have my father continue to show me how anything is possible. Great job dad! I hope I can be half the father to Tanner that you are to me!

Filed under: Dads, Fathers, Fathers Day, Pride, Sports, Triathlon

Man Skills

Have you ever wondered what it takes to be a man?

Well Esquire magazine thinks you do, and compiled a list of 75 skills every man should master.

There are the obvious things like scoring a baseball game and jump-starting a car, but did you know that we also must know how to feign interest and argue with a European without insulting soccer.

Anything missing from the list?

Filed under: Esquire, Grilling, Men, Skills, Sports

The Natural

Tanner got to play his first soccer game last night.

It went well.

Filed under: Gooooooaaaaaalllllllll, Kids, Soccer, Sports, Studs, Tanner, YouTube

Jimmy Kimmel is Busted

First you must be familiar with this clip of E:60 Tom Farrey’s “Gotcha!” report on Miguel Tejada’s age (which was uncalled for btw). You’ll then be overjoyed with the following E:60 interview with Jimmy Kimmel.

Filed under: Chunky Monkeys, E:60, ESPN, Jimmy Kimmel, Miguel Tejada, Pizza, Sports

Foosball Anyone?

There is no information about how long this table actually is, but suffice it to say— you are going to need to bring some friends. In fact, two full soccer teams (22 players) could go head to head on this thing in what would undoubtedly be an epic foosballing showdown. Unfortunately, you may never get a chance to try your skill—the Table Football XXL is a one-of-a-kind item built as an advertising stunt for Amstel beer.

(ht: Razor Creative)

Filed under: Amstel, Creativity, Entertainment, Foosball, Football, Games, Marketing, Soccer, Sports

Bend It Like Tanner

Looking good at his first soccer practice.

Filed under: David Beckham, Soccer, Sports, Tanner

Bo Knows Best

ESPN E-Ticket has a great article on one of my favorite athletes of all time—Bo Jackson. It’s hard to believe it’s been 20 years already.

» Bo Knows Best

Filed under: Athletes, Baseball, Bo Jackson, Football, Hunting, MLB, NFL, Sports