The Sports World Then and Now: Missing the Good Old Days

Remember when Michael Jordan sank that game winning jump shot against the Utah Jazz to secure his sixth NBA Championship in 1998? (Yeah, he pushed off of Byron Russell, but that's not the point here.)

How about Kirk Gibson's home run in the 1988 World Series?

"I don't believe, what I just saw!"

Or maybe Adam Vinatieri's game winning field goal to propel the New England Patriots over the favored St. Louis Rams in the Super Bowl?

Those were the good ol' days. Fast forward to today, and look at the mess the sports world is in. It seems that every major sport has some sort of blemish.

Major League Baseball is in complete disarray because of steroids, the NFL has Spygate, and the NBA has referees who are betting on games.

Growing up, I found sports to be one of the most pure things in my life. I could always count on a game being on TV, and, no matter what was going on in my life, it would make me feel better.

It was a way out, a chance to forget all of the bad things that were out in the real world. I would spend three hours in front of the TV, or in a stadium, and just be content. It was a release. Sports to me was like shoe shopping for high school girls. It made me feel good, and I couldn't get enough of it.

Now, however, I feel like I have to be careful what I cheer for when I am watching.

How do I know that the home run that was just hit by Justin Morneau wasn't because of steroids? How do I know that the Peyton Manning isn't receiving signals from some spy allowing the quarterback to tear apart defenses the way he does? How do I know that the Timberwolves’ NBA worst 10 wins isn't because the officials have money on the game?

(Ok, to be honest, I can't even believe that last one.)

It's even reached our college campuses. Indiana basketball head coach Kelvin Sampson is now under investigation because he violated the NCAA "telephone recruiting regulations."

How long before this hits the high schools? I can't wait to find out that my brother's cross country ski team has to forfeit the state tournament because their top five skiers tested positive for steroids. Then we haul away our danceline coach for illegal betting during dance meets.

The Mitchell Report, Spygate, illegal betting—this is what the sports world has come to. You can't turn on ESPN anymore without some legal analyst talking about the days hearings on Capitol Hill.

I'm sorry, when did ESPN turn into Court TV?

I want to see Kobe score 80. I want to see six touchdown passes in a game and web gems. I can’t even watch Sportscenter half the time because it physically hurts me to see.

I have been a die hard sports fan since birth, and I have had my fair share of heartbreaks. Luckily for me, they had all been on the field, and not off. Now, when my team goes down, I can't help but think in the back of my mind; "Was this legit?" It's a terrible feeling, much like getting punched in the stomach.

Believe me, though, when I tell you that not all of the sports world is like this. You still have stories that are real, and true to what the games are all about. How about the Rockies making it to their first ever World Series, or Eli Manning finally playing like, well, a Manning? 

Unfortunately, with every great story you find, you can find another that just makes you want to dip your fingers in acid.

When I become a father, I want to be able to sit my son/daughter down on the coach, point to the game and say, "That's one of the most pure things in life." It's a shame that I can’t bring myself to believe it anymore.

It is up to all those that are associated with the sports world to fix this. Athletes, coaches, referees, scouts, trainers, water boys, it's up to you to make my favorite thing in the world clean again.

As the cliche goes, the ball is in your court.