I come from a family of sports lovers. If the only channels on my TV were the ESPN family of 2, 3, and U, I would be happy. With that background and my love for writing, I have found myself a frustrated wanna be sportswriter and/or sportscaster. I saw Erin Andrews on TV after a ’49ers-Patriots game and it struck me again. Suzy Kolber remains my all time favorite with Holly Rowe another good one. I think I’d like talking to the coaches at halftime and after the games. One of my pet peeves is that worn out line,”How did that last touchdown make you feel Coach Rah Rah?” Just once I’d like to hear Coach Rah Rah answer, “Well, Erin, it made me feel crummy, whaddya think sweetheart?” The other one is, “Coach Punt and Pass, how special will this win be for your team?” I’d love to see the look on Erin’s face when Coach Punt and Pass says, “It wasn’t special, I hated it.”
There needs to be a new engineer of intelligent questions hired by the networks. After the game, a question like, “Willie Joe, how long did it take you to study that slant route so that you know it by heart?” Another good one might be, “What would you like to tell the children who were watching today about making good choices?” This one could be a real problem when the star running back has been pulled over for DUI, spanked on the hand, and escorted to the practice field by the adoring police department.
Another favorite part of the job for me would be to interview players I like. I’ll take the Manning boys first. Obviously from a nice home, their early commercials were great when Eli first joined the NFL scene. I’m pulling for his brother Peyton to return from an injury, but I don’t think it will be to Indianapolis. While on a trip to the Big Easy I did see the wrought iron gates to the garden district neighborhood of their dad and mom–Archie and Olivia.
There are lots of perks with being a sportscaster. Sideline passes, free Gatorade, standing next to the Saints’ Drew Brees, an expense account, standing next to Drew Brees… If you don’t know ‘who dat is’ check out the Saints website, New Orleans Saints. Not only does he look good, he has a cannon for an arm.
Alas, football will soon be over. After the Super Bowl there’s Extreme Sports with Break His Neck Bobby on a flipping monster go cart, Poker from Las Vegas, and Bowling from Monroe, North Carolina. I can hardly wait. But, way in the distance, I see the oasis of Clemson and Atlanta Braves Baseball! Here’s to the Sporting Life!
Ann and Bill Coogler Braves Spring Training Camp, Lake Buena Vista, Florida. Astros ad in honor of our Texas friends and relatives! Go Braves!