Sports Blog: 08/27/21 – Radically Rational

Sports Blog: 08/27/21

I’m not sure any other AFC team can beat the Buffalo Bills. But COVID-related internal division can.

“Breakthrough” infections (as much as I dislike that misleading term) are really stressing NFL teams. Nine Titans, including fully vaxxed QB Ryan Tannehill, have been placed on the COVID reserve list. Tennessee opens up Sept. 12 in Nashville against the Cardinals. This is going to impact that game. This kind of thing is going to impact a lot of games. All season long.

The NFL wants to stay ahead of this. The league now wants to test vaccinated players every seven days, instead of the current 14. That proposal needs approval from the NFLPA. The players association wants all players—vaxxed or unvaxxed—to be tested daily. I’m not sure where I stand on this. That’s what rational people often say when confronted with a complex question. I WILL get back to you.

Sony Michel to the Rams. Hmmm. That’s an interesting move for L.A., seeking an explosive RB after losing Cam Akers for the season.

Saquon back full-speed with the Giants. That’s good. The league needs Saquon.

Koepka and DeChambeau say they are going to bury the hatchet, presumably not between each other’s shoulder blades. Why? That feud is one of the best things golf has going for it! “Increase the Peace”? Hell, no. I say, “Propagate the Hate”!

Apparently this kumbaya bullshit is prompted by the upcoming Ryder Cup. Brooks and Bryson are gonna be “teammates” on the American team. Just for future reference, I really like golf. But there is nothing on Earff about which I care less than the Ryder Cup.

Immaculate is as Immaculate does. Red Sox pitcher Chris Sale struck out three Twins hitters on nine pitches last night. That’s known as an “immaculate inning.” It’s the third time Sale has turned that trick, equaled only by Sandy Koufax in major league history. So, in the Immaculate Annals, Sale has now passed Franco and pulled even with Sandy. Nobody will ever catch Mary.

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Paul's Bio

I clearly have the attention span of your median fruit fly.Look! Airplane!

Sorry. I’m back.

It’s both a curse and a blessing. I’ve never bought this stuff about, “He who dies with the most toys wins.” But I do think that a wide range of life experiences helps us grow as people, and helps us better relate to other people. I’ve been fortunate. And I am beyond grateful.

I show up on time. I go like hell. I’m a good listener. I hold myself accountable. I own my mistakes. And I have a natural and an insatiable curiosity. I’m never afraid to say, “I don’t know,” when I don’t. But then I try to find out.

The flip side is I’m a lousy ballroom dancer and my clothes sometimes fit me funny.

Stuff matters to me. I care. But while I take that stuff seriously, I try hard to never take myself seriously. As a result, I have sometimes been told, “Paul, it’s hard to tell when you’re serious and when you’re just having some fun. Which is it? Serious or fun?”

My answer is “yes.” But I think that is a legitimate criticism. I promise I’m going to work on that.

This has been the quickest and strangest half-century I’ve ever experienced. During that period, I’ve been afforded amazing opportunities in news and sports journalism across all platforms. I have taught wonderful students at the high school and collegiate level. Always, I learned more from them than they did from me. I’ve been a high school administrator. I spent ten seasons as a high school varsity football coach. I’ve been an advertising executive. I’ve hosted nationally syndicated television entertainment shows. In maybe the biggest honor I ever received, I was selected by NASA to be “Chet The Astronaut” for the “Land The Shuttle” simulator at Space Center Houston. (All I can say there, is “Do as I say, not as I do.” I put that thing in the Everglades more often than not.) Most recently, I just wrapped up a decade as a television news director, during which time our teams distinguished themselves in holding the powerful accountable, achieving both critical and ratings success.

What does all that mean? It means I am profoundly grateful. It also means I’m ready for “next.” So here we are. Radically Rational. It’s an idea I woke up with in 2017. I scribbled “Radically Rational” on a piece of notebook paper and used a magnet to stick it on our refrigerator. I saw it every day, and it just would not leave me alone.

I am second in charge at Radically Rational, LLC. My wife, Jo (also known as BB), is the president. Clearly, I have failed in my attempt to sleep my way to the top of this organization.

I hope you will learn that I’m loyal as a Labrador. But I will admit that this doggie can bite every now and then. My promise to you? I will show up on time. I will go like hell. I will listen to you earnestly and attentively. I will hold myself accountable. I will never be the least bit hesitant to say, “I don’t know,” when I don’t.

But then I’ll try to find out. Let’s do it.