Thursday, August 14th, 2008
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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!
Posted in The PFB Reader Survey | 1 Comment »
Friday, June 27th, 2008
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 Buddy Watts, who sees nothing wrong with brainwashing his children into thinking Ann Arbor, Michigan is an evil place.
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1. What number best describes the role sports play in your life on a scale of 1 to 10?
BW: I would say that sports in general get a 6 or 7. I am not a ravenous fan who keeps up with individual stats, trades, hair color, or pre-game rituals. However, when it comes to Ohio State football, I would put myself in the 10 category. When my wife and I first met, I told her not to expect to see me on Saturdays because I would be busy. We are married with two kids and that is still the rule to live by.
2. Rank your 3 overall favorite sports, college or pro.
BW: College football (see above), Golf, and College B-ball (who on earth does not like March Madness?).
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?
BW: I am passionate about The Ohio State University. When our second child was born, his big brother walked into the hospital room and greeted him, unprompted, he sang: “We don’t like the whole state of Michigan, the whole state of Michigan, cus we’re from Ohio..OH, we’re from Ohio..IO..” Priceless!
My passion points directly toward my hatred….that team up north. I think we should do America a favor and sell Michigan to Canada.
4. Do you play fantasy sports?
BW: Yes. I play because I like competition and the camaraderie it brings. I haven’t won anything yet…yet! I will figure it out though. My first year I was rolling through my league, and then the playoffs came and I got tore up. I did not realize that the best players would be sitting out the last couple of games, which happened to be during that league’s playoffs. I lived and learned.
5. What is the most memorable sporting event you have ever attended in person?
BW: That’s hard to answer. My first OSU football game was memorable. Cleveland Browns/49ers Monday night was pretty exciting. Browns/Patriots playoffs when Bledsoe was in his prime. Browns/Oilers on Christmas Eve is probably the highlight. It was my first NFL game ever. They were playing to get into the AFC Championship game. The Browns lost 24/23, it was heartbreaking but a great experience with my dad that I will always remember.
6. What is the best highlight and/or worst lowlight of your sports playing career as a child or as an adult?
BW: The highlight of my sports career is when I was playing baseball in the YMCA league. I was a catcher, very similar to Johnny Bench if I do say. The championship game was played in Cooper Stadium, which is where the Columbus Clippers play, AAA team for Yankees. I hit one over the wall, it bounced once so technically it wasn’t a homer, but I was twelve, so I count it was definitely a homer.
7. If you could change one thing about sports, what would it be?
BW: I would definitely add a playoff system college football. Take the top 10 teams and let them fight for it. Give the top two teams a bye, until the third week. If you don’t like that idea, take the top 8 teams and you have a champion in 4 weeks, 5 if you give them a two week break for the championship. Considering Ohio State has had 50 days off between the end of their season and the title game, there is definitely enough time. A playoff would be sweet and solve any controversy. Who cares if the number 9 team doesn’t get in? Unless your 9 of course…
8. Do you have an opinion on Christian athletes who, without being prompted, talk about their faith in post-game interviews?
BW: I have no problem with it. The only time I have a problem with it is when the players “off court” antics are not consistent with their confession.
9. High school gym class…your favorite 45 minutes of the day or the source of countless nightmares and embarrassments?
BW: It was my favorite 45 minutes. Gym was the only class I took seriously. The only thing about gym class that I hated was the rug burns. For some reason we had a carpet gym floor…ouch! If you have never experienced the joy of playing dodge ball on carpet you need to give it a try.
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.
BW: I swing both ways on this issue but the bottom line is that I think sports are an okay diversion. I think it was Brian McLaren who said that it allows us to get in touch with our tribal side. I agree. There is something inside me that needs to feel the struggle and tension that are present within sports. It may also be the fact that I enjoy watching athletes making something that is so difficult look so easy. It is like anything else in life, moderation is okay, gluttony is not okay.
11. If you had to compete against other FedEx employees, 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.
BW: An arm wrestling match would be tough. We all throw around boxes for a living, so I think that might end in a draw. Run???? Yeah Right. I would have to say free throw shooting. I have a pretty good set up and routine. I think I could handle my own from the foul line. However, I know I could beat them all at Disc Golf…
12. What is your favorite sports movie of all-time?
BW: Friday Night Lights, If you have not watched this movie pay attention to Billy Bob Thornton and his pre season speech and his championship half-time speech. Can you be perfect? Good stuff.
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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!
Tags: Buddy Watts
Posted in The PFB Reader Survey | 8 Comments »
