For the Love of the Games by Othniel Watson

Originally published in the October 2006 issue, Reflections Magazine

There are all types of sports, hockey, football, soccer, baseball, basketball, but if I keep on going I would probably be here all day. Everybody has some sort of gift from God which most of the time leads to sports. These are the Michael Jordans, the Tiger Woods, the Barry Sanders of the world. Those that don’t have God’s gift are the ones who love to watch, read and talk about sports: you know the fans, the press, the business people of the world. Sports is also a good type of exercise, for you can burn calories and stay in shape with the sport of your choice. Even if you are not good you can still go out and play the sport of your liking and get a good work out. Furthermore, sports are a big piece of our life especially mine. I love sports. My number one sport is football and my second is basketball.

I love sports especially football. This is the greatest game ever invented. I really like to play football. I am one of the best players in my neighborhood. My friends call me to come play with them. I am pretty excited when I touch the ball. I get my skills from people like Barry Sanders, Peter Warrik and Chad Johnson. Some even call me the next Terrell Owens. The biggest thing I bring to the game is my competitiveness. When I am not playing, I love to watch my favorite players play. Every once in a while I might bring out my Barry Sanders tapes just for fun. I make sure I catch all the Bengals’ games when ever they are on television. I have to see what Chad is going to do next. Also, I like to teach little kids about football. I like to watch the kids play and whenever they do something wrong, I show them the right way to do it. I just give them tips on little things to make them better players. They love to learn how I do my shakes; it’s funny when they try it. There are a lot of sports I like, but football is just number one to me.

Last but not least, basketball is my second favorite sport. Basketball games are very exciting. I really like the highlights of the games, the dunks, the crossovers and the blocks. The close games are the best ones to watch, especially the ones where anyone could win. I rather play basketball than watch it. I like to emulate the best player in the game, which is Allen Iverson. After every move or shot I take I always scream A.I. The last time I played organized basketball my team won the championship. My coach wanted me to play on his traveling team because he said I was really good and I had potential. I couldn’t play because I was too old, but he told me to keep working hard and playing basketball. I love to watch Iverson. I make sure I watch all his games that come on television. Everyone calls him a ball hog, but I just tell them when you are as good as he is you do what you have to do to win. My favorite moment in sports is when Iverson shook Jordan. That’s right. Iverson shook the best player ever to play the game. This is one of the biggest reasons I like to play basketball.

In conclusion, what ever sport you like is up to you. There is always going to be a sport for you, no matter what your skill is. You might just want to watch the sport you like. That’s ok too. God’s gifts towards sports are getting even better. For example, take a look at Reggie Bush and Lebron James. These guys are bigger, stronger and even faster than every one else. Even the little kids are rising above their age group. Remember whenever you need a little work out, you can look towards sports. Most people don’t like to exercise, but who doesn’t like a good game of baseball or basketball. Furthermore, sports are a big piece of our life especially mine. I love sports especially football and basketball.