Bad sports, good sports: no post-goal celebration here

Bad sports, good sports: no post-goal celebration here

Posted on March 23rd, 2009 by Alan Spoll

This week’s Bad sports, good sports starts with the bad. About as bad as you can get, actually. Imagine you are playing soccer, and you have gotten loose for a breakaway. Heading toward the goalie, you start to make your move. Do you score? Umm…. no. At least, not if you’re in Iraq, apparently. Instead, you get shot in the head and killed.

There is so much that can be said about this, and yet it seems hardly necessary to elaborate. If you are ever feeling bitter toward the government, or having any anti-American feelings at all, think of this story. It immediately paints a clear picture of how different things are elsewhere in the world. Not everywhere, of course. And I am not suggesting that this is an everyday occurrence in Iraq. I am sure many goals are scored without death being involved. Plenty of bad things happen here, too. Still, it makes me appreciate what we have in this country.

Bad sports, continued:

2) As Oklahoma was blowing out Morgan State in the NCAA basketball tournament, Ameer Ali of Morgan State decided to grab Blake Griffin, Oklahoma’s best player, and flip him over his back. Seriously. I am not exaggerating.

3) OK, this actually happened last week, but now it turns out that Cleveland Browns receiver Donte Stallworth may have been drunk when he hit and killed a pedestrian with his Bentley.

Honorable Mention: OK, this is only loosely a sports item, but who knew a beginner ski lesson could kill you? R.I.P., Natasha Richardson

Good sports:

1) Looking like this year’s Cinderella team, the Vikings of Cleveland State not only beat Wake Forest in the first round of the NCAA tournament, but they beat them soundly.

2) After nearly slicing his fingers off with a circular saw 2 years ago, Cubs catcher Koyie Hill is back.

3) Mark Martin gets the pole at Bristol at age 50. This makes the list, as I am always aware of my own advancing age.

Bad Sports, Good Sports appears every Monday.

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Alan Spoll

Alan Spoll is a software quality assurance director from the suburbs of Philadelphia where he lives with his wonderful wife and children. He has spent his entire life as a passionate fan of the Eagles, Phillies, Sixers, Flyers, and Penn State. Recent Phillies success aside, you will understand his natural negativity. Follow me on Twitter - @DocAlan02