Dear Mr. President-elect:
Every 50 years or so since the rise of the U.S. as an industrial power, someone with your impending job title takes a hard look at the athletic activity of children.
He finds neglect and opportunity.
He takes action.
He leaves the nation -- and, ultimately, the sports nation -- in a better place.
Just over a century ago, it was Teddy Roosevelt. Ascending to the presidency at a time when America was about to make its play as leader of the free world, he didn't like what he saw happening with teenage boys. Roosevelt grew up an asthmatic, a sickly boy from polluted New York who made his body strong by embracing a life of vigorous exercise. He wrestled and lifted weights, and he boxed even after moving into the White House. He worried that the comforts...
Sport
Dear Monty,
I know this isn’t the best way to end things, and I know that you probably don’t want to break up at all. But this can’t be a surprise. When we got into this relationship 11 years ago you and I both knew it wasn’t going to last forever. I’ve been thinking about this for a long time.
Remember last summer when we were stranded on I-35 because your radiator cracked, the smoke rising and the fluids flying? It was the middle of the night, and while we waited on the side of the road for a tow truck to pick us up I had some time to think about our relationship. It was at that moment that I knew I wanted out.
The last year has been very difficult on both of us. You’ve required thousands of dollars of repairs, guzzled gas at an alarming rate, and the quiet, peaceful demeanor...
2,226
Hi Ndamukong,
You know, I never really understood why everyone hated you so much. I mean, football is a difficult sport, and if it’s your job to run around smashing people into the ground, it must be really hard to stop yourself from snapping every now and then, and, say, stomping on someone’s arm, or their ankle, or accidentally having your foot land in a quarterback’s groin. It must also be really hard to restrain yourself from brutally driving quarterbacks to the ground when a simple tackle would have been fine. So, I get it, it’s a tough sport and you can’t be expected to rein it in all the time.
This is Detroit we’re talking about — you know, blue collar, working class, all that stuff. So, yeah, why not break that guy’s collarbone? I always thought it was okay to play...
2,488
Good day Hon. Ahmed,
I hope and trust that all is well with you. Let me first of all take this opportunity to congratulate you as the newly nominated Minister for Youth and Sports.
Normally, the norm would be to wish you every success in your new appointment, but I feel that I have to be very blunt with you in terms of the challenges you will face in your new position.
Since 2001, there have been not less than 15 appointments to this position and this spans the administrations of ex-President J.A. Kufuor, the late President J.E.A. Mills and current President John Dramani Mahama.
Since you happen to be the 15th appointment, clearly, before I even start, you are not likely to have as much time as you would want to put your ideas across because the average life span (in terms of...
2,320
Hi Coach:
I wanted to let you know how my son is doing. It's been more than a decade since we've spoken and I can recall our last encounter like it was yesterday. I will never forget when you described how my son's journey would unfold.
I think the words you said were, "Your son will never SUCCEED in football." Do you still have magical powers that allow you to see into the future?
As I sit here watching my son at college football recruiting day, I reminisce about times past. It wasn't long ago my son suited up for football practice and arrived at the field ready to work hard under your charge. Coach, your words of advice, "Arrive on time, prepared and ready to deliver a best effort," were met with an eager-to-please attitude from my 10-year-old son. When other young players...
2,642
Dear AB,
You might have picked up that pre-tournament my head predicted you boys to win this baby, while my heart, naturally, is dressed in black.
Don't be sad, AB. So far you've dropped a few backers, looked pretty ordinary at times, but I'm holding fast. And if I had a quiet moment with you, then this is what I would offer, for what it's worth.
Firstly, and most important of all, any success of the highest order is down to bold, courageous leadership. You guys should know; you had one of the best of all time — Nelson Mandela. So my first little tip is to acknowledge that bold leadership is your domain. This is your time to march them out, take them home. The skipper in black has already assumed that role and is mounting an assault, just as Edmund Hillary did. On your side, if I were...
2,194
Dear Ottawa Senators,
Just couldn't let this season end without offering up a genuine and heartfelt thanks for what you've given this city.
From diehard Sens' fans, late-to-the-game fans like myself -- and most everyone else who just loves the team -- this has been an incredible ride.
It was your ride, of course, but we all watched from the sidelines, cheering you on with every play.
No one wanted the season to end this soon.
But in truth, you guys gave us far more enjoyment than was ever expected, more nail-biting, edge-of-our-seat moments and times of sheer pride.
So, many thanks."
This has been an absolutely amazing season -- and something incredibly special for this city.
The story could make a movie -- a going-nowhere team that most everyone had discounted...
2,249
Dear Vincent,
One of the worst seasons in the history of Cardiff City FC finishes after Saturday’s match at Nottingham Forest. For the club’s vast army of fans, so many of them disillusioned and disengaged, the end cannot come quickly enough.
Nine months ago, back on a sunny August day, the Bluebirds you spent a fortune in assembling were quite rightly ranked as overwhelming favourites to bounce straight back up into the Premier League.
David Marshall, Fabio, Bruno Manga, Sean Morrison, John Brayford, Anthony Pilington, Kagisho Dikgacoi, Mats Daehli, Ravel Morrison, Peter Whittingham, Kenwyne Jones, Adam Le Fondre, Federico Macheda, Javi Guerra. Lots more on top, too.
This group of players – dubbed ‘the best in Championship history’ – couldn’t fail, could they? The misery of...
2,161
Dear UGA fans,
Let me first say that this is 100% honest, and accurate to the best of my knowledge. I genuinely hope that UGA and /r/CFB fans don’t get upset about the contents of this “letter,” as it is intended to be a genuine request for those fans who frequent /r/cfb, and who I know to be – for the most part – class acts. Please – PLEASE – read this, and correct these wrongs when you see them happen in Athens. I know /r/cfb regulars enjoy posts about how fanbases are good hosts, but this is sadly not one of those posts.
The experience we (my group of friends) had in Athens this weekend was – in a word – awful. Not because of the game, but because of the way we were treated. I am asking UGA fans to remedy this as best they can in future games.
First, it’s important to detail...
2,283
Dear Stanley,
Hey, man. Tough loss against Wisconsin in the Elite Eight.
Losing any game in the NCAA Tournament is difficult, but I know being that close to the Final Four only to be sent back to Tuscon after some sick Sam Dekker shots hit nylon increases the pain exponentially. I’m sure the competitor in you is screaming for another shot at the Badgers which would’ve given your Wildcats squad the chance to end the other Wildcats squad’s perfect season. You wanted to play spoiler on your way to a title, and it didn’t happen. That’s okay.
But please, for the love of Isaiah Austin, don’t let that painful feeling stick with you in your quest to decide whether or not to declare for the NBA Draft.
According the CBSSports.com’s Jon Rothstein, you are having a tough time deciding if...
3,137