May 2018

Pros Versus Casuals

One of my favorite events at the NFL Combine is when NFL Network’s Rich Eisen runs the 40 yard dash.  He uses the Run Rich Run event to raise money for St. Jude’s.  It also helps give perspective to just how talented the athletes at the combine are.  Viewed on the field of play, athletes usually don’t look all that different from one another so when someone sees that Denzel Ward is 5’11” and 180 pounds, they may be tempted to think, “I could compete with that guy!”  No, you could not.  Eisen runs a 6-second 40.  Ward is at 4.3 seconds.  Rich provides the average fan a service that should be available in every sport.  I want to see an average guy swim against Michael Phelps or a group of randoms take on an Olympic curling team. Seeing the difference between a professional and an amateur on screen is helpful. …