I’m a full time sports fan. I grew up near Philadelphia, PA and have been engrossed in the sports world for as long as I can remember. I’m not very old. I’m also not ignorant to the fact that my enthusiasm for sports is embarrassing to most. While I understand this sentiment, I rationalize my passion. Essentially, I enjoy sports because:
- Every possession, every game, every season is a story. I love stories. When I’m not involved with sports, I am watching a movie or studying history. All are in some way, a story. There is a process to every story that builds intensity and significance as the story continues. Sometimes the story sucks (a 35-3 blowout), and sometimes the story’s excitement is unmatched (Suns/Spurs Rd 1 Gm 1 2008 NBA Playoffs). Either way, there’s always a story.
- The purity of the game. This one has a taken quite a hit over the last decade, but I’m still a believer (mostly). Despite the drugs, cheaters, etc…, every game is won inside the lines. This is why the most talented teams don’t always win championships. In politics, business, education, and most other things, there is always corruption. Sports are not immune to this, but the games are ultimately won when opponents square off without external influences (unless someone is on HGH).
- The human experience. You can’t go to a Broadway play and interact with the people you’re with. Conversely, a sporting event (or even watching on TV), is a perfect way to enjoy time with friends, family, and people you’ve never met. Where else will you see 75,000+ sing the national anthem in unison? Where else would you have no qualms about hugging the 325lb drunk, smelly guy in front of you after McNabb completes that ball on 4th and 26? The answer is nowhere. Sports bridge racial, generational, and religious divides. You don’t care if the individual next to you is purple, 94, and worships paper towels. If his banner is the same as yours; you’re best friends. Simply put, “sports” is the greatest and most effective community building project in modern history. (FYI: My wife vehemently disagrees with this assertion. Maybe one day I’ll stream the debate for entertainment purposes.)
If you choose to visit regularly, you will soon recognize my tendencies, biases, and beliefs. In the meantime, here are a few things about me that may help you better understand the site and my perspective:
- I use commas, colons, semi-colons, and parenthesis excessively and incorrectly. Sorry.
- I am an unconditional Philly sports fan, but have no problem incessantly bashing any of them.
- My wife is in medical school, so I have a TON of time to waste.
- I’m fun and can handle being told I’m an idiot. I welcome all comments/curses/concerns.
- Email is an underrated platform for debating sports and quoting TV shows. Feel free to email me: ryan@4thanddone.com or 4thanddone@gmail.com
- I’ve accepted that the Sixers will draft in the 10-16 range and never improve, ever.
- I enjoy Big Ten Football as much as the WNBA.
- Credibility? Glad you asked. I was so close to becoming a professional athlete. Unfortunately, I wasn’t big enough, fast enough, strong enough, or athletic enough.
