On The Bench!

New Year's Eve. 2021, being the average sports fan /enthusiast that I am, I can't help but wonder and imagine what the upcoming year will bring to the sports world. Over the years I've come to realize nothing is off the table. There is always something or someone to be placed under a microscope. There is always a year-round opportunity for professional athletes to be ridiculed and rattled off their high horses. The media more so takes this underhanded responsibility in full stride. I can always depend on sports networks and so-called sports analysts, to be my first, immediate source for the latest foolery and gossip in sports. Now a day, it does not even matter if the news is true are not. Sadly our society could probably care less. All most of us Die Hard sports heads want is action. To see our favorite players cause havoc! On the field of their craft or course. What's more exciting than seeing K.D. drop 50 with a game-winning 3 point buzzer-beater. Or What could top watching a 50- year old winning the Super Bowl. For me not a lot. The last couple of years has had a major effect on the sporting nation. The introduction of the coronavirus has been sudden and impactful. This non-discriminating germ has sat on every bench in the N.B.A., found its way in N.F.L. locker rooms, and so on. How could anyone think a billion-dollar industry would be exempt from the pandemonium of this so-called pandemic.

Two-thousand and twenty-two, a brilliant talent was given the ultimate ultimatum. New regulations have been established by National government health officials. Team organizations and the owners are expected to follow the newly placed requirements. One particular athlete was told to either follow these rules are not suit up. Continue making millions to play a game you love, keep entertaining your loyal fan base or hang it up. The conflict lies in the ultimate decision of personal humanity. A choice that you would think would not be forced. You would think as a human being, you would have that right. As I think responsibly and empathetically I Do see the underlined reality of it all.

We have entered new territory when it comes to sports and athletes continuing to occupy our time. Stadiums have recently begun to welcome the crowd of fans again. Normality is somewhat returning, I believe more and more people are taking action responsibly. The sports we love playing and watching are something I don't take for granted. All the historic player's accomplishments, the legends we idolize. It all matters to the Athlete at heart. It all makes sense when the playoffs begin. Playoffs, we got guys chasing championships here. legacies to be made.

The score that I'm trying to settle. The point I'd like to make, it could be a winning shot! Excuse my literal humor, to lighten the core of this conversation. In this generation, sports news is at an all-time high. Every day a new media sports outlet surfaces. Every time I turn around a new podcast character or spne host, that knows nothing about sports is giving a whole commentary. Right now I couldn't name half the people I'm shamefully entertained by. The overwhelming consumption of things that really have nothing to do with a player's performance or team, makes headlines. Personality and the behind-the-scenes stir more interest. Contract deadlines and signing bonuses, can't forget sex life are the main points of the discussion. I guess it has always been this way. Now that I think about it.

The common visual today is team-decorated face coverings, and vaccinations posts are mandatory greeters. You best be on your best behavior, because they will park your shit. I mean you can't even be in proximity lookin like you not vax'ed up.