Just for you, Peggy

One comment on one of my blogs caught my attention. I blogged that I encouraged a couple of coaches to “go for the gusto” back in the day when I was a sports writer. They were both female coaches of women’s team, and though their teams were obviously comfortably ahead, I told them to leave their starters in and to go for a national record for points scored. Though it may sound as if I was thinking of myself, because it would give me more to write about in my game story, easier for me to get quotes, all that stuff, etc., I was also thinking of the players being able to say they played on a team which set some sort of national record. You know, give them some “bragging rights” and personal satisfaction. The coaches didn’t listen to my reasoning, instead taking the starters out, for fear the opposing coaches/players would think it wasn’t very fair, or very sportsmanship-like, or some such mumbo-jumbo.

The blog concerned an undefeated team in the state tournament here in Texas, which had broken several scoring records along the way. By the way, Houston Yates did go on to win the state championship. I don’t remember the exact score, because it wasn’t that important to me, anyway. Several comments were placed at the bottom, including some that were in my favor, yet one was not. It was by Peggy Kelley, and here it is, “I have one question for you, John. How would you like for your grandson to be playing on the opposing team?” I thought it deserved one comment in return. Besides, it would be another blog I could add to my list.

Peggy, what would my grandson be doing playing for a women’s team? No, I’m not the kind of person that would leave a smart alec answer like that. At least, not every time. My comment would be, well, if my grandson thought he honestly played his very, very best, then I would be happy with the outcome, no matter if he won or lost. And that’s all I have to say. Or, at least, write. Thank you, however, for commenting on it, Peggy.