As we begin the Thanksgiving season of being thankful, I started to wonder is there a more thankful group of people than the owners, coaches, players and fans?
I think not.
The owners are thankful for being rich and having a plush facility to entertain friends and family to watch their athletes compete in front of fans who will pay nearly anything for a winner. When they don’t win, they take out all frustrations on the players, coaches and, yes, other owners.
They have a variety of vehicles to do this, be it talk radio, the internet and electing not to spend their money on the team. Yes they have a lot to be thankful for.
If you thought the Rams were going to win just one game again and now they are at four, you should be thankful that you didn’t totally give up. They still have a lot of work to do, but everyone likes to see a plan come together.
If you are a fan of an outstanding high school sports juggernaut called Webster Groves, you should be thankful. Watching Jason Meehan and others be part of a state championship basketball and football team with the chance to win again this weekend is something that doesn’t happen very often in a four-year stretch.
To have the qualities and character that Meehan displays is a delight and honor we do not see enough of.
If you knew Earl Wilson Jr., you had to be thankful. The founder of the St. Louis Gateway Classic Sports Foundation had an impact on everyone he touched. He did it his way. The Classic stands for everything that is right with community involvement. He did not wait for someone else to do it, he did it himself and we should be thankful that he did.
If you are a Cardinal fan, you should be thankful for being part of the greatest collection of baseball fans who most of the time get it. Even with a disappointing season behind them, they can’t wait for 2011. As an organization they have found a way to put a competitive team on the field in most seasons the current ownership group has been in place. Yes, we are thankful because it’s not that way in every city around the majors.
If you are a sports fan in St. Louis that wants the local teams to win, be thankful. Not because of their recent success, but the potential all have of remaining competitive with the eventual goal of winning the whole shooting match. None of our local teams are showing signs of erosion, they have all invested in youth and they have elected to keep their really good players under contract.
As for the college level, Missouri Tigers sports is enjoying some of the best runs in the school’s history. The football team continues to be nationally ranked. Mike Anderson has made everyone forget about who was the coach before him as the basketball team has toughened the schedule and continues to play in high style.
At Saint Louis University, the new building is certainly a step in the right direction but the hand-tying for coaches has to stop if anyone is going to take SLU serious. The hierarchy needs to shut up, sit down and not be a distraction for Rick Majerus and the rest of the sports programs.
I am also thankful for the likes of Earl Austin Jr. His passion and objectivity on anything but the NBA is more than just refreshing. No hidden agenda, just doing his thing and no one does it better.
I’m thankful to have the likes of Maurice Drummond, Renee Knot and Rob Desir on TV. Never in my years in the business has there been such diversity, and all three have made their mark due to talent and hard work.
I am always thankful for the likes of Demetrious Johnson and Maurice Scott Jr.
You have little to worry about if DJ has your back. As for Mo Scott, he tries to make the East Side proud of its accomplishments while others try and bring it down.
Then there is Charlie “Tuna” Edwards. He always has something to say and if agree or disagree, it makes no difference to him.
I am thankful for the opportunity to be associated with the likes of Mike Shannon and John Rooney and others that I have been fortunate to call friend. In 29 years, you can name them on a hand a half.
Be even more thankful for this Thanksgiving. It’s not guaranteed.
