Steroids, foul play and T.O., By: Earle McDonald
But there’s still so much to love

10/08/06

With recent drug allegations naming Roger Clemens and Andy Pettitte, steroid and other performance-enhancing drug have hijacked the sports headlines—for the millionth time.  Meantime, Titans DT Albert Haynesworth has been suspended for his despicable kick to the face of the Cowboys’ Andre Gurode. And, of course, players make too much money, owners don’t really care about the fans and T. O. is, well, T. O. 

If you call yourself a sports fan, you probably read, hear and say something along those lines every day. For my part, I’m sick of it.
Yes, there are problems in sports (just as there are problems in every facet of human society), and yes, these negative stories should be reported. But should they take center stage? Should they dominate the arena?

Not a chance.

It’s like then-Supreme Court Chief Justice Earl Warren said in 1968: “I always turn to the sports section first. The sports section records people's accomplishments; the front page, nothing but man's failures.” 
Let’s be honest: What attracts us to sports is the escapist element of it all. We love the physical and strategic struggle. And we love to root. We love to be fans.

And there’s so much be a fan of. Recently, a group of kids from Columbus won the Little League World Series. The Falcons’ star running back Warrick Dunn is one of the most generous philanthropists in the game and, somehow, seems to get better every year on the field as well. And then there’s the Braves. Yes, the Braves. Sure, it’s been a rough season, but let’s keep perspective: Recall, for example, that in 1991 they were part of a worst-to-first World Series against the Minnesota Twins—and they stayed in first place in their division for the next decade and a half. 

And the great sports stories aren’t all history either. As you read this, Michael Vick and the Falcons may be rewriting the very definition of the quarterback position in the NFL.  As for the Thrashers, they could be the story in the NHL this year. Not to mention the Georgia Force. Or the Gwinnett Gladiators. Or the Silverbacks.

In the college ranks, the Jackets and Bulldogs are both in the hunt for their conference championships. Moreover, Georgia Tech’s fantastic Recreation Center hosted the NCAA Swimming Championships this year, and the UGA Gymnastics squad is always a championship contender. This city hosts bowl games, Super Bowls, Final Fours. The Masters takes place just down the road in Augusta.

And in every one of these sports, there are stories of underdogs overcoming long odds and of heroes living up to our wildest hopes. Whether it’s the mythological tale of Babe or the very real embrace between Pee Wee Reese and Jackie Robinson on the diamond or stories of Earl Woods teaching his son life lessons through the game of golf, there’s infinite good in sports.

So when most of the world focuses on tragedy, corruption and failure—on front pages or in the sports section—we real sports fan will stay focused on the glory of the game.