The PFB Reader Survey: Danny Bryant

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In order to thank you, dear readers, for your support of Prayers For Blowouts, we reward those of you who reach the 50-comment plateau with a chance to take the PFB Sports Survey.

Today’s spotlight is on reader Danny Bryant, who claims no relation to Kobe, but we’re just not buying it.

Danny teaches Bible at The Covenant School in Nashville, TN. He has two blogs, Abundant Redemption and Coram Deo Sports. He’s working on a collection of short stories based on the Pentecostal cult he grew up in that moved from Southern California to Nashville when he was fifteen. Seriously..

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

DB: 9.5. It used to be 10, but I think I’ve come down a little the past few years. I think I might hit 11 when the Bruins are playing.

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

DB:This is like asking me which of my children I love more. I love them in different ways.

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?

DB: I grew up in LA, so I’m a huge UCLA fan. I drafted Chase Utley, Garrett Atkins, and Troy Glaus in fantasy baseball because they’re Bruins. I’m hoping to somehow get Cade McNown on my ffb team this year.

I hate the Tennessee Volunteers. I moved to Nashville my freshman year of high school. I met an extremely obnoxious group of people wearing orange. I think I enjoy watching UT lose more than watching UCLA (which will probably ruin this year’s college football season for me since the Vols will probably beat UCLA.

4. Do you play fantasy sports?

DB: I play ffb every year. I took second last year because Willie Parker’s ankle broke on the first play of the game. His backup got 30 points and I only needed 19 to win the championship. I should be over it by the time I’m playing with my grandkids. I’ve never had more than one team, but I think I’m going to have two this year. This is also my first year playing fantasy baseball. A little too much work.

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

DB: I was there when Magic Johnson broke Oscar Robertson’s assist record. Either that or the 2006 Final Four.

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

DB: Can I count coaching? I’m an assistant high school basketball coach and we made it to the state tournament this year. That was an amazing experience.

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

DB: SEC fans would have to take humility medication.

Since that doesn’t exist, I’d have players stay with one team for their whole career. I miss guys like Cal Ripken and Tony Gwynn.

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

DB: As long as it is flowing from a gospel-changed heart, I have no problem with it. It bothers me when it is contrived. Obviously, I can’t really see what is prompting it, but when a guy like Josh Hamilton thanks God, it carries a certain weight.

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

DB: I only took PE my freshman year. My teacher was my basketball coach and let us play 6 on 6 football everyday. I loved it.

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.

DB: As image bearers, athletes glorify God whether they’re aware of it or not. One of my favorite pastors is Tim Keller. He says an idol is a good thing that becomes an ultimate thing. Sports and competition are good things that we make into ultimate things. Bashing sports is the lazy man’s route to writing a sermon. It takes more thought and courage to talk about the sinfulness of our hearts than it does to complain about athletics.

11. If you had to compete against other PFB Readers, 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.

DB: Free throws. I’d be in the NBA if all I had to do was make unguarded 15 footers.

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

DB: Hoosiers

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Anyone who (legitimately) racks up 50 comments can participate in the Sports Survey, and revel in the fame and glory that comes with it. You could be next!