How do you report the end of the world? Good question. I decided to have some fun with the idea, soliciting comments from staff members as well as readers online on what they would miss about sports if the world did indeed end on Dec. 21, 2012.
Published Friday, December 21, 2012, Orlando Sentinel Sports section
By Roger Simmons
Orlando Sentinel
Depending on whom you believe, the world will end today.
Or, maybe not.
The only thing we know for sure is that — to borrow a sports expression — we’re all “day to day.”
But for the sake of argument, let’s say the Mayans are right and the world does end today. Bummer.
So, we wanted to know: If the world ends, what will you miss most from sports?
We asked our sports staff and our readers to tell us some of the things they will miss if we all go bye-bye.
Here’s a sampling of the comments. Read them quickly … time may be running out!
George Díaz
NFL Red Zone on Sundays. No more chances to rip on Dwight Howard for leaving Orlando for Los Angeles.
The opportunity to see Tim Tebow become an NFL Hall-of-Fame quarterback. Chatting with Doc Rivers about anything.
No more A-Rod implosions during the playoffs. All the “How Loud Can You Scream” shows on ESPN.
The kid in right field playing in his first organized baseball league. Jon Gruden calling Peyton Manning “the Sheriff.”
The long ball.
Josh Robbins
I would miss the feeling of hitting a line drive in baseball, of making a running catch on a fly ball to the outfield and of scooping a ball thrown from shortstop out of the dirt.
I’d miss the swishing sound a basketball makes when it goes through the hoop without hitting the rim.
I’d miss the first glimpse of the interior of stadiums and arenas as you walk around a concourse.
I’d miss the band concerts at halftime of college football games.
Iliana Limón Romero
I’ll miss March Madness. For me, that includes college basketball conference tournaments and the NCAA Tournament. College football is wonderful, and the BCS Championship Game between Notre Dame and Alabama should be fun to watch, but nothing tops the drama of players at small schools with odd names hitting buzzer-beaters to win huge postseason games.
Yes, I am aware NBA players are better athletes and can play the game at a higher level. No, I do not care. I am pretty sure Creighton is on track to be the next Butler or VCU, and I don’t want to miss it.
Joe Williams
I’ll miss seeing South Lake/UF grad Jeff Demps getting his first NFL regular-season carry, the Tampa Bay Rays winning their first World Series, the Orlando Magic winning their first NBA title before the Los Angeles Lakers win another one and soccer becoming America’s national pastime.
Matt Murschel
A 99-yard pass completion for a touchdown involving your starting fantasy quarterback and one of your wide receivers.
I would miss tailgating at a big college football game.
Drinking beer, eating brats and enjoying watching football with 80,000-plus of my closest family and friends.
Coley Harvey
Game 6 of the 1995 World Series (Atlanta Braves clinched championship over Cleveland Indians) was the moment I’d remember. I’ll stick with it. But there’s so many that I’d miss.
Fingers crossed, there will be some memorable sporting events on Dec. 22, 2012 … and Dec. 23 … and Dec. 24 …
Brant Parsons
I would miss the unscripted drama that sport brings. Movies and TV shows can try, but nothing matches the highs and lows that only sports can provide.
Shannon Owens
I will miss nothing because I plan on watching NBA games all day on Christmas. Forget the stupid Mayan calendar.
From our readers
Smith & Carlos at the 1968 Olympics. Generational defining moment. Gutsiest defiance of prejudice in sports history. … The Choke in Doak. … Ron Zook’s firing. … Jesse Owens’ medals at Berlin Olympics. … Cassius Clay defeating Sonny Liston. … Urban Meyer leaving the Gators to spend time with his ESPN family. …
Gators beating FSU in Sugar Bowl … Tim Tebow’s birth. … UCF beating Georgia in 2010 Liberty Bowl. … 1980 Team USA hockey gold medal. … Buster Douglas beating Mike Tyson …I will miss my friends posting on Facebook during the Giants games. They love Big Blue. … Frank Deford’s weekly ramblings on NPR. And crisp autumn football Sundays. … Sitting in the family’s “Lambeau Leap” seats for Green Bay Packers’ games in Titletown, USA. … Steve Spurrier — as a player and coach. Always entertaining.