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The PFB Sports Survey: Sam Davidson

June 10, 2008 – 10:25 am
Posted by bryan in » The PFB Sports Survey

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The PFB Sports Survey is a weekly feature here at Prayers For Blowouts where we throw a few sports related questions at some of the most notable voices among Christian authors, pastors, musicians, and taxidermists to see if they like sports as much as we do.

Today’s spotlight is on Sam Davidson, the only person I know who has actually played Fantasy Nascar.

Sam Davidson is a speaker, writer and dreamer who tells the stories that need telling in order to motivate others to change the things that need changing. He writes regularly on his personal blog and has been syndicated on EthicsDaily and YPCommons. His favorite topics include the potential of the next generation to change the world for the better. His first book, “New Day Revolution: How to Save the World in 24 Hours” was published on November 1 from Xyzzy Press. He writes most of the content for CoolPeopleCare, a website that exists to show you how to change the world in whatever time you have.

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1. What number best describes the role sports play in your life on a scale of 1 to 10?

SD: I’d say about a 6. I love to play and watch sports, but don’t have to be home for certain games…I grew up playing baseball, but now don’t even own a glove. I’ve given it up in exchange for running - I’ve completed 2 marathons and several half marathons.

2. Rank your 3 overall favorite sports, college or pro.

SD: I can watch any baseball game - college or pro. It’s a beautiful sport. I also love to watch Tennessee Titans football. And, I enjoy championships in any sport (World Cup, March Madness, etc). - Is ‘championships’ a sport?

3. What is the one team that you root for more passionately than any other, and is there a team that you hate, maybe a little too much?

SD: I love all things Tennessee Titans and Mississippi State. Not really a hater of anyone, but I love to see the underdog come out on top.

4. Do you play fantasy sports?

SD: Believe it or not, I tried Fantasy Nascar once. Almost as boring as most Nascar events, it turned out. I also always fill out a March Madness bracket.

5. What is the most memorable sporting event you have ever attended in person?

SD: I attended a come-from-behind football win and got to witness Mississippi State beat Auburn when in college. But it was really memorable because I got to be there with my cousin.

6. What is the best highlight and/or worst lowlight of your sports playing career as a child or as an adult?

SD: My best highlight was making it to the Final 4 of my kickball (yes, kickball) league last year. My one lowlight was that I never could hit in baseball. I was good with a glove, but not so great with a bat.

7. If you could change one thing about sports, what would it be?

SD: I’d love to see fewer people (fans and players) take sports so seriously. C’mon - it’s a GAME. And, I’d love for ticket prices to be cheaper across the board.

8. Do you have an opinion on Christian athletes who, without being prompted, talk about their faith in post-game interviews?

SD: No opinion - most of the time, they don’t speak of their faith in a way that’s familiar to me, but to each his (or her) own.

9. High school gym class…your favorite 45 minutes of the day or the source of countless nightmares and embarrassments?

SD: ‘Twas always awesome, especially in grade school when we played less mainstream sports and instead became great at things like Jump the Creek, Dodgeball and Beanbag Toss.

10. Sports are often the whipping boy of pastors and clergy because so much passion, money, time, and energy is poured into them. Do you think this criticism is valid, or are sports okay as a diversion from the stresses of life.

SD: Sports can be a great diversion, but yes, we need to remember there are more important things that deserve our time and attention. I wonder what problems could have been solved had we put the same amount of effort and money into say ending hunger. But, I don’t think about it for long, because it’s all about the choices we make as individuals. Sports often tell the greatest stories of our time as well.

11. If you had to compete against other media folk, in which of these 5 competitions would you have the best chance of winning? 5-mile run, 18 holes of golf, free throw shooting contest, arm wrestling match, or a game of bowling.

SD: I could finish the run, but not fast…I’d have some okay holes out of 18, I haven’t shot a free throw in years, and I couldn’t arm wrestle my way out of a wet paper bag.

12. What is your favorite sports movie of all-time?

SD: I love The Natural, Field of Dreams and For Love of the Game. Hey - I’m a baseball guy.

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You can click here for an exhaustive (but not exhausting) list of everyone who’s been featured as a PFB Sports Survey participant.

If you’d like to be considered for the PFB Sports Survey, or know someone who should be, send along a name and email address to prayersforblowouts(at)gmail(dot)com.