I think this is the first weekend where I will not be making any predictions for football games. That is okay with me, because I didn’t create this blog with the intent of just posting my predictions. Also, since I don’t have any games to cover, I don’t have a set deadline for when my content needs to be submitted, so I have more freedom to choose when I decide to post a new entry. I am very pleased about that, because lately I’m finding it very hard to stay awake during the day.
Something else I’m happy about is that Winter X Games 14 is happening this weekend. I’ve always been a fan of the X Games, not only because it’s acceptable for the athletes to use words like “rad” and “killer” during their interviews and not receive any flack from stuffy commissioners, but because these men and women are in it completely for the love of the sports. There are no looming clouds of doubt about “who’s doping”. Many of the participants are not racking in the big money like other professional sports stars, either. Also, when was the last time that you saw a sports star go all out (see Torah Bright) in what is widely considered as a prelude to the big event (the Winter Olympics)? You don’t have to be a fan of winter extreme sports to admire and appreciate the effort that these athletes are putting forth this weekend in Aspen.
On the contrary, something that I’m not happy about is the announcement that Kurt Warner has retired from the NFL. The classic rags-to-riches story (from supermarket employee to Super Bowl MVP), Warner is an example that persistence does in fact pay off. In addition to being one of the most accurate quarterbacks ever to play the game (he is second in career completion percentage), he is also one of the most efficient quarterbacks (third in career passing efficiency). If not most importantly, he has always been considered a class act around the league (which is rare to come by these days, especially among aging QBs). I definitely think he is a Hall of Famer, if not a first ballot Hall of Famer. The league is losing one of the great ones of our generation with the retirement of Mr. Warner.
Like what I’m doing? Want me to write about a certain topic in sports? Send me an email at aroundthecornsportsblog@gmail.com and tell me what you think. I’d love to hear your comments, and I’ll try my best to get back to you guys. Thanks everyone.
– K. Becks
