We’ve spent a lot of time over the last year-plus detailing problems with sports in this column, and rightfully so – I believe we should ALWAYS strive to improve in all facets of life. Today, however, the column will not be analyzing, criticizing, or otherwise complaining – turkey means thanks, and what follows is a partial list of things to be thankful for. Some of these things are personal things, but I’m sure many, if not all of you, have similar things to look fondly upon.
-We’ve touched on this in a prior article, but SO many big-name athletes are very generous to charity with their time and money, and most do so not for the notoriety, but because they genuinely care. It’s easy to be turned off by the Terrell Owens, Michael Vicks, Barry Bonds, and Mike Tysons of the sports world, but I’m thankful that for every Tyson there are several like Tiger Woods, who gives millions per year to charity.
-For many, Thanksgiving is synonymous with football – for me, that brings back happy memories, both watching and playing. As a kid, the only channel available at my house was PBS, end even that was spotty – Thanksgiving meant grandfather’s house, a big meal, and TWO football games on TV!! Nowadays, if a game ISN’T available on TV (like the NFL Network games if you are in the wrong cable area), it’s a big deal. Just remember that not long ago, 1-2 games per week was all you could get. So I’m thankful for the technology that makes football so much more available, and vibrant, on our TVs now.
As for playing, some of us still occasionally get together the morning of Thanksgiving and play football, and that’s a fun time – but what I REALLY remember is playing football as a youth, again at the grandparents’ house, usually 2-on-2 with my grandfather as all-time QB. Seems like such a small thing, doesn’t it, just a 25-minute game maybe twice a year, but those are the BEST things in life, and great memories as well.
-Speaking of my grandfather (and here’s where it gets personal – indulge me), I can truly say that without him this column wouldn’t exist. Many of you know Carl, and you know him to be a fine athlete and a better person. He stoked my interest in sports from a young age, and was supportive all throughout high school and beyond – despite the fact that as an athlete, I wasn’t half as talented as he was. Through good times and bad, he’s been there for me, and the love of athletics he taught me – the competition, the sportsmanship, the excitement, and the sense of achievement – has been a constant for me throughout the last 25 years of my life. I’m thankful for the advice and encouragement he’s given me, but more than that I’m happy that we’ll have our 34th consecutive Thanksgiving meal together.
-Finally, let’s keep things in perspective. Yes, we all root like heck for our teams, but at the end of the day as a friend of mine put it ‘sports is just the toy department of our lives’. I’m thankful that athletics can give us a diversion, and certainly participating in sports is good for the body and tends to be a great stress reliever – but no matter the level you are watching or playing, remember IT’S JUST A GAME. Enjoy it to the fullest, for tomorrow is promised to no one.
Dave Glass lives in Clearfield with his wife, Suzanne, and their six children. He can be reached at buggyracer@verizon.net
