Sports has long been the sanctuary for the hard working American. Sports are an escape from the grind of daily life—our jobs, our troubles, and the troubles of the world. They have stood as a sanctuary away from the real world.
In this past presidential election however, politics clamored into the sports arena with the greatest force seen since perhaps the 1936 Summer Olympics in Nazi Germany.
Candidates in the previous election recognized a massive voting bloc in this country that tends to go untapped. Whether it was the candidates on Monday Night Football or Sarah Palin dropping a puck at a hockey game, the political world was unabashed about its invasion of sports.
Players came out in support of candidates in record numbers; even pushing some teams, like the Cleveland Browns, to put a gag order on political discussion in the locker rooms.
Now that the election is over, I and many of my fellow sports fans were expecting to be rid of politics (at least for four years). Unfortunately, we were sadly mistaken.
In a recent 60 minutes interview, president-elect Barack Obama claimed that he would “throw his weight around a little bit” to get a college football playoff system enacted.
I, for one, am tired of politics in my sports, and thought that it would only be fair to turn the tables. If politics can intrude in sports, let’s take sports to politics and return the favor.
Since Obama is so interested in college football, why don’t we take a look at his potential cabinet… on the sole condition that he must pick from college football coaches.
7 comments Last one added 7 months ago — Leave a Comment
SportMonk 7 months ago
Notre Dame might have the highest graduation rate overall, but Nebraska has the highest graduation rate among athletes in the NCAA.
Great write and interesting idea. It looks like you did your research. Keep writing, man! You've got a great style.
Edit Comment Cancel
Joseph Durst 7 months ago
Not among all student athletes, just among football players.
Thanks for the feedback.
Edit Comment Cancel
Daniel Gorter 7 months ago
great read . . . keep writing.
Edit Comment Cancel
Brad Frank 7 months ago
Good work, Joseph.
If Obama somehow forces the BCS committee to enact a playoff system of some sort, that would be one of the greatest blunders in presidential history. As a huge college football fan, I would be crushed if a politician changed the sport's structure. I intensely follow college football because of its current format.
I truly wish Obama does not follow up on his thought of an ideal postseason system. I love our new president-elect, but he has no right to force his policy into the sport just because he is a mild fan.
Edit Comment Cancel
Daniel Howie 7 months ago
Good stuff. I'll suggest two edits though. Boise State or any football team doesn't recruit British dignitaries. I believe you mean barren recruiting that is Idaho, not baron. Also, I really like your forward thinking, but OU is 59-2 at home under Stoops. If we win tonight, it will be 60.
I really like the coaches you picked for department heads and your reasoning for them. And like, SportMonk up there, I like your writing style too.
Edit Comment Cancel
Joseph Durst 7 months ago
I'll be sure to change those two things. Thanks for the feedback.
Edit Comment Cancel
Cameon Shiflett 7 months ago
I, for one, am very sick of hearing about politics and football in the same sentence. Obama has bigger things to worry about than the college play off system.
Anyway, this was a great article. I can tell you definitely did some research. Although, the Nick Saban thing was rather a jab I think. Haha.
At any rate, again great article and please keep writing and let me know when you get new stuff out. :)
Roll Tide,
Bama Chick
Edit Comment Cancel
Leave a Comment
You must register to post a comment.