Sports Blog: 12/23/21 – Radically Rational

Sports Blog: 12/23/21

On, Brave Old Army Team! Thanks, Black Knights. I needed that. But I will tell you that loss is not going to play well in Columbia, Missouri.

Thanks and congrats to the UTSA Roadrunners for a magical, unforgettable season. It helped salvage the general stench that has been 2021. Much more Roadrunner reflections and projections on this blog in the days and weeks to come.

Frisco, Texas must be a really cool place. It hosts two bowl games, two days apart. Norff Texas vs. Miami of Ohio today. I’ll go with the Mean Green, if only because UNT alum Dave Barnett is my buddy.

It got pretty real yesterday when the Aggies had to pull out of the Gator Bowl, didn’t it? Looks like 5-7 (yes, 5-7) Rutgers is going to get the band back together and play Wake Forest in that New Year’s Eve game in Jacksonville.

I’m told that Cincinnati residents go out at night and paint the town beige. Actually, they largely just stay home. That’s a good thing! Bengals QB Joe Burrow says Cincy’s lack of nightlife is a big reason why the Bengals have largely avoided COVID. Interesting.

I LOVE the way the 49ers play. SmashMouff, but anything but primitive. In its unique way, that is a very sophisticated style and system. The Titans could be in a world of hurt tonight. The entire left side of their starting offensive line is out with injuries. Good luck in handling the Niners’ Nick Bosa, he of the 15 sacks. Look out, Ryan!

Five ‘Boys on the NFC Pro-Bowl team, including Magic Micah, Diggs Me Some Trevon and an Angry Punter. Got to love a team that has a punter with Anger issues.

“Next Man Up”? Yeah, that’s the code. But the Bucs are in real trouble. Chris Godwin (the team’s second best offensive player) is out for the duration with a torn ACL. Mike Evans (the team’s fourth best offensive player, behind Gronk) is out TFN with a hammy. That’s a problem when your hammies resemble sequoia trunks. Leonard Fournette (the team’s fifth best offensive player), will be lucky to get back for the playoffs.

The Bucs are not going to get the top seed in the NFC. Neither are the Cardinals, who appear to be in free-fall mode. That leaves the Packers, Rams and Cowboys. Put your green on the green.

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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.