My First Love, My First Heartbreak Let me tell you about the time I cried in a bar in Chicago. It was March 2017, the Cubs were in the World Series, and I was there with my buddy, let’s call him Marcus. I’m not usually an emotional guy, but this was different. This was sports. … Read more
The System’s Broken, And We’re All Ignoring It Look, I’m gonna say something controversial here. Youth sports are a mess. And no, it’s not just because of the usual complaints—travel teams, overzealous parents, the whole nine yards. It’s deeper than that. I’ve been covering sports for 22 years, and what I’m seeing now is completley … Read more
Let’s Talk About Our Messy Relationship with Sports Look, I’ve been around the block a few times. Twenty-three years editing for major pubs, and I’ve seen it all. Or so I thought. Then I started writing about sports. And oh boy, it’s a whole different beast. I’m Emma Stone, by the way. Yeah, like the … Read more
My First Love, My First Heartbreak Look, I gotta be honest with you. I was a jock. Not a star, mind you, but I played. Basketball, mostly. Back in ’98, at Jefferson High, I was your average benchwarmer with delusions of grandeur. Coach Harris (God rest his soul) used to yell at me, “Marcus, you’re … Read more
Look, I’m Gonna Say It I don’t get it. I honestly don’t. Why does the Super Bowl still have this weird grip on America? I mean, it’s just a football game, right? But no, it’s this big, bloated spectacle that everyone loses their minds over. I’ve been in this business for 22 years, and I … Read more
Look, Let’s Be Honest About Sports I’ve been in this game for over 20 years. I’ve seen alot, and I’ve learned one thing: sports fans are a special breed of crazy. I’m talking about the kind of crazy that makes you yell at a TV screen like it’s gonna hear you. The kind that makes … Read more
Confessions of a Die-Hard Fan Look, I’m gonna be honest here. I’m not one of those fair-weather fans who only shows up when the team’s winning. No, no, no. I’m the idiot standing in the pouring rain at 36 degrees last November, screaming myself hoarse for a bunch of overpaid athletes who couldn’t care less … Read more
Let’s Talk About This Mess Look, I love football. I’ve loved it since I was a kid in Pittsburgh, watching the Steelers with my old man. But honestly, some of the NFL’s rules are so bad they make me wanna throw my remote through the TV. And no rule is worse than the overtime rule. … Read more
Let’s Talk About the Elephant in the Room Look, I’m gonna say something controversial. Your favorite team might not be as good as you think they are. I know, I know—you’re already reaching for your pitchforks. But hear me out. I’ve been in this game for over 20 years. I’ve seen it all. The ups, … Read more
Look, I’m gonna say it: We’re all a little ridiculous I was at a bar in Chicago last Tuesday, watching the Blackhawks game with a bunch of friends. Let’s call him Marcus—he’s the kind of guy who wears his team’s jersey to the grocery store. So, the ref makes a bad call. Marcus stands up, … Read more