I remember using a week’s vacation every year so I could watch the first round and second round of tournament basketball. I carefully filled out my brackets. I was so excited to watch my team advance and so heartbroken when their run was cut short. March madness was a big damn deal in my house. The whole season was a big deal and I would do silly things like stand in the corner because somehow that sacrificial act helped propel my team to a win. Things like throwing my shirt on the floor, talking my wife into going into the next room, turning the tv off and a million other things, all to try to help my team win. I loved basketball and I loved University of Kentucky. Then something happened. I suppose several things happened really, and the magic was gone. Players that were around for three or four years that you grew fond of over time suddenly left after one season, maybe two if you were lucky. Some seasons to be honest, I never learned all their names. And then these kids right out of high school, and with the full backing of their adult coaches, who should have known better, became political pawns of some bad people who definitely knew better. They took a knee. I turned it off. I left it off for years. I tried to watch a game here and there, and every single player who took a knee has been gone for years, but the coach is still there. I just don’t care for the game now. I’m not mad anymore, I just no longer care. But I remember when it was so very big for me and I miss that time. It’s not the same game I once loved, and I’m not the same man. Life goes on though and in a few weeks somebody will be cutting down the nets. I’m sure I’ll hear about it but I’ll be keeping my shirt on.

ws