Athletes and Twitter

Yes it’s rare that I post two blogs in one day but what the hell. A friend of mine whose blog can be found here touched on Twitter and its purpose. It got me thinking a little about athletes and how Twitter has given them a voice. Athlete’s always had a voice in the media, but the press could spin it however they would like. Twitter has allowed us to see a side of athletes we do not normally get to see. On my post about Chad OchoCinco I talked about how he does trips with his fans and gives stuff away. I follow a ton of athletes and sports personalities on Twitter and it is interesting to see how they interact among each other. They clown each other and usually exchange in friendly banter. I find myself rooting against players because they are Duke or Michigan fan. Last year I was discussing back and forth with Bernard Berrrian about the NBA playoffs and I have talked with Sean May about student athletes and if they should be paid or not. This is where Twitter is at its best allowing athletes to connect to their fans. I think sports leagues should embrace Twitter and use it to there advantage instead of fighting.

Top 3 Sports or Not Sports

Here are my top 3 sports that people do not consider sports and I am not talking about curling. If it is in the Olympics then it is a sport, these are just less mainstream sports or not sports…

3. Fishing – The top fishermen in the world make million’s of dollars and lure makers pocket big dollars off of this sport or not sport. Now anyone can take a reel and a rod throw it in a puddle and consider it fishing, but to make a living off of fishing requires a little bit mental work. I like to fish but apparently am terrible at it, but I hear things like “you need to read the water” and “look to see where the fish are hiding”,  I didn’t know the lake, pond or river was a book cause I don’t  see any words, I look see water and throw my bait. Catching fish is easier said then done.

2. Bowling – Fat guys sitting around smoking and drinking beers while throwing a plastic ball as hard as they can. Yeah I thought the same thing until I joined a league and seen how competitive bowlers can be. The key to bowling is repeating the same approach, delivery and release time after time. Then you have people talking to you about “staying behind the ball” along with “axis rotation and revolutions”..Umm can’t I just throw the ball? Come to find out bowling is one of America’s fastest growing sports or not sports. Bowling is just starting to reach big time with a tv deal on ESPN which broadcast tournaments throughout the year.

1. NASCAR – I’m gonna go straight and then I’m gonna turn left (Cartman voice). Nascar is the ultimate redneck/tailgating sport or not sport. I mean people park their rv’s in the middle of the track and some tracks allow you to bring in your own beer. Sign me up!! But is it a sport? Drive in a circle at high speeds while trying to avoid 30+ other cars with no A/C yeah you get my “sport” vote. I don’t think you need to be a finely tuned athlete to be a race car driver, but I do believe there is a great deal of driving skill required and at the end of the day if you don’t include it as a sport, you should at least respect the drivers for the risk they take.