Wow. The Toy Department we call “sports” may be the hottest location in the News Store today.
I am not without empathy for American sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson. She’s human. She made a mistake. She owned it. (At least initially.) A failed marijuana test cost her a shot at Olympic gold in the women’s 100 meters. But because her 30-day suspension ends August 5, there appeared to be an opportunity for her to run on our 4 X 100 relay team in Tokyo. That was dashed yesterday when United States Track and Field left her off the American roster for the Games. I think the decision was correct. Had she been chosen for the relay team, it would have eliminated an opportunity for another American sprinter who competed legally at the trials. Beyond that, her presence under these circumstances would have created a distraction and a circus that the American team just doesn’t need. Sha’Carri says she will come back strong, and win the world championship in the 100 next year. I hope she’s right.
One more thing. I’m hearing outrage expressed that marijuana is a banned substance by the USOC. In some ways I understand, as mores, attitudes and laws regarding pot evolve. But let me just throw this out. I’m not expert on marijuana, although I have a PhD in Doritos. But the idea that the active ingredient in weed could be a “performance enhancer” is not completely preposterous. As counter-intuitive as it is, sprinting is all about relaxation.
I don’t know if Aaron Rodgers is going to stick it to the Packers. But he stuck it to Mickelson and Brady yesterday in Big Sky Country. Impressive. It was almost like DeChambeau was just along for the ride. I’m pretty sure it’s good to be Aaron Rodgers.
Chris Paul is why I love sports. Smooch.
Ohhhh-kay. Television networks are pretty much glorified daycare centers (exceeded only by local television newsrooms—trust me). Man, this thing at ESPN is tawdry. I always love it when I get a chance to use “tawdry.” But I do think there are some headlines out there that mischaracterize this tawdry issue. They all refer to “Recorded remarks made by Rachel Nichols that disparaged Maria Taylor.” No. Nichols did not disparage Taylor. In fact, she expressed her respect and admiration for Taylor. Rachel’s beef is not with Maria. It’s with her bosses at ESPN. Truth is the ultimate defense. Beyond that, this was a private conversation in a hotel room, recorded and leaked without Nichols’s knowledge. You want more “tawdry”? That would describe the actions of the ESPN (former) digital producer who leaked the recording. Kayla Johnson was initially suspended for two weeks without pay. She has since left ESPN. Maria Taylor is really good, and I have heard no one deny that. Taylor’s ESPN contract is up in a couple of weeks. Don’t feel too sorry for her. Cha-CHING!
Tomorrow…A booster of the University of Miami is about to rock the college football world like a hurricane…
