T.J. Donegan's Sportswriter Profile

T.J. Donegan joined December 2008

Syndicated Writer

35,330article reads
Rank: 644
47articles written
Rank: 1,018
116comments written
Rank: 1,994

About T.J. »

I don't know how these things are really supposed to go, but I'll give it the old college try. I grew up in Massachusetts, south of Boston. (Not to be confused with South Boston, although everyone always does) I went to school at Northeastern before transfering to The George Washington University, where I graduated in 2009 with a B.A. in Journalism. That's the where.

The when, why, and how are a little harder. I've always loved sports, for as long as I can remember, and the writing thing has just sort of happened as I got older. But looking back, it seems like the most natural progression in the world.

I grew up reading about and watching sports. The horn to end the second period of Bruins games was my bedtime for about as long as I had one. I can still remember my first game at Fenway when I was no older than seven or eight. (against Oakland) I still remember walking on the floor of the old Boston Garden and feelin the ice that peeked up around the edges of the parquet. I remember my first Patriots game (against Indianapolis) in the freezing snow on those old metal benches. These are the days that just stick out above all the rest, the days when, for better or worse, you became a fan.

But I also remember when they tore down The Garden; I remember when Cam Neely took the cheap shot from Ulf Samuelsson; I remember when Aaron Boone hit a Tim Wakefield floater into the night sky; I remember when Ray Borque finally left after the fans plead with him for years to just get one before he retired; I remember when the Patriots finally turned the corner under Parcells, made the Super Bowl, and got blown out; I remember finding a Reggie Lewis rookie card on my dad's bureau maybe five years after Lewis died, and I remember how I could never get a straight answer as to why that was the only card he ever owned as far as I know.

These are the days I learned sports are so much more than just games -- that they can hurt, bad. Sports are always finding new and interesting ways to break your heart. Through that, though, I learned that these silly games we love are more than just white lines and numbered shirts and wins and losses -- they're people's lives, and life isn't all roses and Stanley Cups. These are the moments that, as a writer, I find fascinating. That is what really hooked me.

So now you know a little bit more about me and why I'm here. There's more, to be sure, but hang around, read what I've got to say, and you'll pick up a lot more of what I'm about.

I guess that's the who.

The Shortlist »

Favorite Athletes

Tecmo Bowl Bo Jackson
Favorite Sports Teams

Grew up watching Boston teams and Arsenal FC
Favorite Coaches

Player-Coach Jordan in Space Jam; Michael's Secret Stuff? Why didn't Red Auerbach think of that?
All Time Sports Moment

The moment Jordan found out he didn't make the varsity squad. Dude was so competitive that when told he was too short, he grew four inches.
Most Memorable Game Attended

Arsenal-Newcastle, 2005 at Highbury. Sang until I lost my voice. The most intense college basketball games are the only thing close to that.
Most Unbreakable Sports Record

Shaq Diesel, 1993. I've thrown that thing against the wall dozens of times and it won't break.
Ruth or Mays?

Mays
Unitas or Montana?

Montana
Jordan or Russell?

Jordan
Gretzky or Orr?

Orr
Pele or Maradona?

Garrincha. Ask a Brazillian over 30.
Federer or Sampras?

Sampras
Tiger or Nicklaus?

Tiger
Petty or Earnhardt?

Yoshi always wins in my game. I'm always Yoshi.
Schumacher or Senna?

Schumacher
Pac 10, Big 12, Big 10, SEC, ACC, or Big East?

No A-10 love?

Latest Articles »

Decade of the Quarterback? Why Passing in the NFL Is As Solid As Ever

11/18/2009

271 reads 4 comments 3 likes

Bill Belichick, Fourth and Two, and the Decision of the Decade

11/16/2009

1324 reads 20 comments 3 likes

Breaking Down Patriots-Colts: Key Personnel Matchups To Watch

11/10/2009

466 reads 3 comments 1 likes

The Fun Part's Over: Tom Brady and Patriots Now Face Real Test

11/08/2009

919 reads 12 comments 2 likes

View T.J.'s full archive »

View:
All Activity
Only Comments

C Douglas Baker said...

Delete

This is not the best written in the world but I had to my thoughts on the Pats game done.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/292566-bill-belichick-is-afraid-of-peyton-manning

4 days ago

Alex Johnson said...

Delete

Pats/Colts, Brady vs. Manning, a possible NFC upset and much much more in Week 10!!!

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/290840-sunday-morning-under-the-helmet-what-to-watch-for-in-nfl-week-ten/show_full

7 days ago

Bryant Wilson said...

Delete

Your thoughts on Maroney and Green-Ellis?

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/288939-maroney-and-green-ellis-new-englands-tandem-of-years-to-come

9 days ago

C Douglas Baker said...

Delete

My comments on Week 9

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/288610-2009-nfl-football-season-week-9

10 days ago

JW Nix said...

Delete

I HAD to get this rant out :

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/288641-the-redskins-discover-their-problem-no-testicles

10 days ago

Bryant Wilson said...

Delete

What you think? Will the Patriots or Colts win this week?

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/287532-the-patriots-should-be-talked-about-as-much-as-the-colts

11 days ago

Alex Johnson said...

Delete

Packers/Vikings, Sleepers, an upset pick and more!

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/282249-sunday-morning-under-the-helmet-what-to-watch-for-in-nfl-week-eight/show_full

21 days ago

Nick Adamo said...

Delete

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/276403-without-kris-jenkins-rex-ryan-and-jets-will-continue-nose-dive?just_published=1

31 days ago

JW Nix said...

Delete

now may be the the time to : http://bleacherreport.com/articles/274477-let-the-mutiny-begin-in-redskins-nation

34 days ago

Scotty Kimberly said...

Delete

How deep do you think the Pats are?

This article will test it.

I really want some Patriots fans input.

I appreciate it.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/266993-it-could-happen-to-you-the-ballad-of-the-2009-seattle-seahawks

sk.

47 days ago

JW Nix said...

Delete

this man belongs in Canton :

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/265091-crazy-canton-cuts-don-coryell

50 days ago

Akash A said...

Delete

Hey!

I just wrote this article about how the Pats really don't have a major cause for concern:

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/259862-patriots-fans-it-is-not-time-to-panic

I would love for you to read and comment,

thanks,
Akash

59 days ago

T.A said...

Delete

Game Plan: New England Patriots v. New York Jets

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/257512-game-plan-new-england-patriots-new-york-jets

64 days ago

Adrian Staehle said...

Delete

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/252862-adrian-staehle-presents-project-99

68 days ago

Paul Salman said...

Delete

CHeck out this pats preview. Also on my blog

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/253805-new-england-patriots-season-preview

http://pasiksright.blogspot.com/

69 days ago

C Douglas Baker said...

Delete

This is not the best written in the world but I had to my thoughts on the Pats game done.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/292566-bill-belichick-is-afraid-of-peyton-manning

4 days ago

Alex Johnson said...

Delete

7 days ago

Bryant Wilson said...

Delete

Your thoughts on Maroney and Green-Ellis?

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/288939-maroney-and-green-ellis-new-englands-tandem-of-years-to-come

9 days ago

C Douglas Baker said...

Delete

My comments on Week 9

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/288610-2009-nfl-football-season-week-9

10 days ago

JW Nix said...

Delete

I HAD to get this rant out :

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/288641-the-redskins-discover-their-problem-no-testicles

10 days ago

Bryant Wilson said...

Delete

What you think? Will the Patriots or Colts win this week?

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/287532-the-patriots-should-be-talked-about-as-much-as-the-colts

11 days ago

Alex Johnson said...

Delete

Packers/Vikings, Sleepers, an upset pick and more!

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/282249-sunday-morning-under-the-helmet-what-to-watch-for-in-nfl-week-eight/show_full

21 days ago

Nick Adamo said...

Delete

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/276403-without-kris-jenkins-rex-ryan-and-jets-will-continue-nose-dive?just_published=1

31 days ago

JW Nix said...

Delete

now may be the the time to : http://bleacherreport.com/articles/274477-let-the-mutiny-begin-in-redskins-nation

34 days ago

Scotty Kimberly said...

Delete

47 days ago

JW Nix said...

Delete

this man belongs in Canton :

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/265091-crazy-canton-cuts-don-coryell

50 days ago

Akash A said...

Delete

59 days ago

T.A said...

Delete

Game Plan: New England Patriots v. New York Jets

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/257512-game-plan-new-england-patriots-new-york-jets

64 days ago

Adrian Staehle said...

Delete

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/252862-adrian-staehle-presents-project-99

68 days ago

Paul Salman said...

Delete

CHeck out this pats preview. Also on my blog

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/253805-new-england-patriots-season-preview

http://pasiksright.blogspot.com/

69 days ago

T.J.'s Achievements & Awards »

Great Debate

Great Debate: Silver Medal

A Hit Show: One Play Helps Tom Brady's …

Received 50 comments • September 15, 2009
Hot Read

Hot Read: Silver Medal

Five for Fighting: When These NFL Backu…

Received 2,000 Reads • July 16, 2009
Hot Read

Hot Read: Silver Medal

Tracking the Trend: The Resurgence of t…

Received 2,000 Reads • June 09, 2009
Hot Read

Hot Read: Bronze Medal

Bill Belichick, Fourth and Two, and the…

Received 1,000 Reads • November 16, 2009
Hot Read

Hot Read: Bronze Medal

Brett Favre And Company: the NFL's Five…

Received 1,000 Reads • November 04, 2009
Great Debate

Great Debate: Bronze Medal

Tom Brady's Six Scores Power Patriots T…

Received 25 comments • October 18, 2009
Hot Read

Hot Read: Bronze Medal

Braylon Edwards Trade Adds New Dimensio…

Received 1,000 Reads • October 07, 2009
Great Debate

Great Debate: Bronze Medal

Why Wes Welker Isn't the Answer to Tom …

Received 25 comments • October 02, 2009
Hot Read

Hot Read: Bronze Medal

4-3 or Bust? The New England Patriots a…

Received 1,000 Reads • August 22, 2009
Hot Read

Hot Read: Bronze Medal

Nine Lives: Could Michael Vick Return a…

Received 1,000 Reads • July 22, 2009
Great Debate

Great Debate: Bronze Medal

Nine Lives: Could Michael Vick Return a…

Received 25 comments • July 22, 2009
Great Debate

Great Debate: Bronze Medal

Five for Fighting: When These NFL Backu…

Received 25 comments • July 16, 2009

What's this? View more »

T.J.'s Communities »

New England Patriots

T.J.'s Fans »

T.J.'s Favorite Writers »

<form action="/accounts/create_from_facebook" class="new_facebook_user" id="new_facebook_user" method="post">	<input id="facebook_user_proxied_email" name="facebook_user[proxied_email]" type="hidden" />
	<input id="facebook_user_profile_pic" name="facebook_user[profile_pic]" type="hidden" />
	<input id="facebook_user_facebook_id" name="facebook_user[facebook_id]" type="hidden" />
	<input id="facebook_user_profile_url" name="facebook_user[profile_url]" type="hidden" />
	<ul>
					<li class="fb-question">
				<div class="input">
											<div id="facebook_placebo_submit">
							<img src="/images/shared/submit.png" />
						</div>
										<div class="fb-first-name" id="fb-email">
						<p><strong>Email Address</strong></p>
						<input class="signup_text_input" id="facebook_user_email" name="facebook_user[email]" size="30" type="text" />
						<img alt="Small" id="facebook_email_indicator" src="http://assets3.bleacherreport.com/images/shared/spinners/small.gif?1258789804" style="display:none" />
						
					</div>
				</div>
				<div class="input" id="facebook_password_container" style="display:none">
					<div class="fb-first-name notice">
						<p>This email address matches an existing user profile. Please enter your password to connect your accounts.</p>
						<p><strong>Password</strong></p>
						<input class="signup_text_input" id="facebook_user_password" name="facebook_user[password]" size="30" type="password" />
						
					</div>
				</div>
			</li>
				<div id="facebook_questions" style="display:none">
			<li class="fb-question" id="facebook_full_name_container">
				<p class="question">
					<label for="facebook_user_use_full_name">Use your full name <strong class="full_name"></strong> on Bleacher Report?</label>
					<br />
				</p>
				<p class="options">
					<input name="facebook_user[use_full_name]" type="hidden" value="0" /><input checked="checked" id="facebook_user_use_full_name" name="facebook_user[use_full_name]" type="checkbox" value="1" />
					<label for="facebook_user_use_full_name">Yes</label>
				</p>
				<div class="input full-name-edit" style="display:none">
					<p>Edit your name for Bleacher Report:</p>
					<div class="fb-first-name">
						<label for="facebook_user_first_name">First Name <em>(required)</em></label>
						<input class="signup_text_input" id="facebook_user_first_name" name="facebook_user[first_name]" size="30" type="text" />
						
					</div>
	
					<div class="fb-last-name">
						<label for="facebook_user_last_name">Last Name <em>(required)</em></label>
						<input class="signup_text_input" id="facebook_user_last_name" name="facebook_user[last_name]" size="30" type="text" />
						
					</div>
				</div>
			</li>
			<li class="fb-question">
				<p class="question">
					<img src="/images/default-user-icon-medium.png" class="profile_pic" />
					<label for="facebook_user_use_profile_pic">Do you want to use your Facebook profile picture on Bleacher Report?</label>
				</p>
				<p class="options">
					<input name="facebook_user[use_profile_pic]" type="hidden" value="0" /><input checked="checked" id="facebook_user_use_profile_pic" name="facebook_user[use_profile_pic]" type="checkbox" value="1" />
					<label for="facebook_user_use_profile_pic">Yes</label>
					
				</p>
			</li>
			<li class="fb-question" id="facebook_interested_in_writing_container">
				<p class="question"><label for="facebook_user_interested_in_writing">Are you interested in covering your favorite teams and sports?</label></p>
				<p class="options">
					<input name="facebook_user[interested_in_writing]" type="hidden" value="0" /><input id="facebook_user_interested_in_writing" name="facebook_user[interested_in_writing]" type="checkbox" value="1" />
					<label for="facebook_user_interested_in_writing">Yes</label>
					
				</p>
			</li>
			<li class="fb-question">
				<p class="question"><label for="facebook_user_share_activity">Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity in your Facebook activity feed?</label></p>
				<p class="options">
					<input name="facebook_user[share_activity]" type="hidden" value="0" /><input checked="checked" id="facebook_user_share_activity" name="facebook_user[share_activity]" type="checkbox" value="1" />
					<label for="facebook_user_share_activity">Yes</label>
					
					<br />
					<a href="#" id="share_facebook_activity_advanced_link">Advanced Sharing Options</a>
				</p>
				<p id="share_facebook_activity_advanced" style="display:none">
					<input name="facebook_user[share_activity_article_writing]" type="hidden" value="0" /><input checked="checked" id="facebook_user_share_activity_article_writing" name="facebook_user[share_activity_article_writing]" type="checkbox" value="1" />
					<label for="facebook_user_share_activity_article_writing">When I write a new article</label>
					<br /><input name="facebook_user[share_activity_comment]" type="hidden" value="0" /><input checked="checked" id="facebook_user_share_activity_comment" name="facebook_user[share_activity_comment]" type="checkbox" value="1" />
					<label for="facebook_user_share_activity_comment">When I post a comment</label>
					<br /><input name="facebook_user[share_activity_like]" type="hidden" value="0" /><input checked="checked" id="facebook_user_share_activity_like" name="facebook_user[share_activity_like]" type="checkbox" value="1" />
					<label for="facebook_user_share_activity_like">When I like an article</label>
					<br /><input name="facebook_user[share_activity_poll_vote]" type="hidden" value="0" /><input checked="checked" id="facebook_user_share_activity_poll_vote" name="facebook_user[share_activity_poll_vote]" type="checkbox" value="1" />
					<label for="facebook_user_share_activity_poll_vote">When I vote on a poll</label>
					<br /><input name="facebook_user[share_activity_fan]" type="hidden" value="0" /><input checked="checked" id="facebook_user_share_activity_fan" name="facebook_user[share_activity_fan]" type="checkbox" value="1" />
					<label for="facebook_user_share_activity_fan">When I become a fan of another member</label>
				</p>
			</li>
			<li class="fb-question">
				<p class="question"><label for="facebook_user_fan_friends">Become fans of your Facebook friends connected to Bleacher Report?</label></p>
				<p class="options">			
					<input name="facebook_user[fan_friends]" type="hidden" value="0" /><input checked="checked" id="facebook_user_fan_friends" name="facebook_user[fan_friends]" type="checkbox" value="1" />
					<label for="facebook_user_fan_friends">Yes</label>
					
				</p>
			</li>
			<li>
				<a id="facebook_connect_submit"><img src="/images/shared/submit.png" /></a>
			</li>
		</div>
	</ul>
</form>

Sign up for Bleacher Report

Already have an account? Log in now » As a member you can get the latest on your favorite teams, post comments, write your own articles, and much more.

Join Bleacher Report

You must register in order for that functionality to work!

Sign up through Facebook

Follow your Facebook friends on Bleacher Report
Share your articles, comments, and more with friends

Great, , you're signed up!

i.e. San Francisco Giants, SEC Football, NFL, Golf

Selected Tags:

Yes, I'd like to receive an email newsletter for the topics I selected.

T.J. Donegan joined December 2008

T.J. Donegan's Stats

About T.J. »

The Shortlist »

Latest Articles »

Decade of the Quarterback? Why Passing in the NFL Is As Solid As Ever

Bill Belichick, Fourth and Two, and the Decision of the Decade

Breaking Down Patriots-Colts: Key Personnel Matchups To Watch

The Fun Part's Over: Tom Brady and Patriots Now Face Real Test

C Douglas Baker said...

Alex Johnson said...

Bryant Wilson said...

C Douglas Baker said...

JW Nix said...

Bryant Wilson said...

Alex Johnson said...

Nick Adamo said...

JW Nix said...

Scotty Kimberly said...

JW Nix said...

Akash A said...

T.A said...

Adrian Staehle said...

Paul Salman said...

C Douglas Baker said...

Alex Johnson said...

Bryant Wilson said...

C Douglas Baker said...

JW Nix said...

Bryant Wilson said...

Alex Johnson said...

Nick Adamo said...

JW Nix said...

Scotty Kimberly said...

JW Nix said...

Akash A said...

T.A said...

Adrian Staehle said...

Paul Salman said...

T.J.'s Achievements & Awards »

T.J.'s Communities »

T.J.'s Fans »

T.J.'s Favorite Writers »

About B/R

Writing for B/R

Explore B/R

Popular Topics

Sign up for Bleacher Report

Log in to Bleacher Report

Join Bleacher Report

Log in to Bleacher Report

Sign up through Facebook

Log in through Facebook

Great, , you're signed up!

Selected Tags: