The Birth of a Champion: When Sports and Life Overlap

by Tim Pollock (Senior Writer)

23

713 reads

Sports

June 18, 2008

Today's Must Reads

Last night I watched the final game of the NBA Championship with my son.   

Well, we watched as much as a three-day old can handle...which is to say the time between his feedings. 

For nine long months, I waited for this little dude to be born.  Along the way, some days were great, others were terrible.  There were tears of pain and tears of joy.  My wife and I grew closer, and our dream of having a family was finally realized this past Saturday.

Then on his first night home, my little man and I watched history take place as the “Boston Three Party”  helped the Celtics capture their first title since 1986—in the most convincing Finals history fashion, no less.

I have always been a sucker for the three-ball, especially when a textbook shooter like Ray Allen has a hot hand, and my son appears to share those sentiments. 

My little human creation, who is now still only 96 hours old as I write this during one of his naps, is fond of holding his hands upright to the sides of his head—as if he is saying, “It’s good!” as he sleeps.

While my son wasn’t around for the end of the game, I could tell he knew who was going to win, as he zonked out before the fourth quarter of this yawner began. 

And I am here to tell you, fellow droogs, the clichés are true: There is nothing greater in this world than holding your newborn son to your chest. 

So the analogy goes… 

I imagine the experience of my wife’s pregnancy and then the birth and arrival of our child is similar to an NBA team’s successful nine-month season. 

The ups and downs.  The injury scares.  The joys of a big road win.  The chemistry. 

All of it.   

As the clinching game came to a close last night, the Celtics—realizing all the hard work and patience had finally paid off—were able to grasp the ever elusive Larry O’Brien Trophy.

Their journey was over.  Their baby had arrived in Beantown. 

And that’s when the tears came flowing. 

With KG’s scream of “Anything is possible!” roaring in the background, Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, and the rest of the C’s—especially a suddenly romantic “Big Baby” Davis—took turns fawning over the trophy, holding it close, kissing it, and dumping champagne everywhere.  

And so here is the part where I am supposed to make the connection from sports to life.

But that, my friends, I simply cannot do, I’m afraid.

Because as I watched these grown men grope a trophy—a stupid, shining golden trophy!—I couldn’t help but think how foolish the whole situation was. 

I have grown up playing and watching basketball. I often still adjust my schedule to watch my favorite teams, both college and pro, battle on the court; March Madness is hands-down my favorite part of the sports season. 

But when all is said and done, it boils down to this: The Larry O’Brien Trophy means nothing.

The only trophy I need is the little guy bundled up in his crib.

Sports

713 views

comments (23) write a comment »

1. reply to comment by Zander
   5 months ago

   A truly heart warming piece Tim—we're so happy for you man.

   How long till the little guy starts writing on B/R you think?

   1. by Joe
      from 5 months ago

      My over under is a week...Great article as well.

   2. by Andrew
      from 5 months ago

      Nah, I bet he already is.

   3. by Justin
      from 5 months ago

      Congrats, Tim!!
      A great addition to the dirty dirty. And with all the diapers you'll be changing get used to the "dirty dirty"

      And you and your wife had sense enough to give birth in June away from SEC Football and Bball.

      I'm not as smart, as my wife is due Nov. 6th but hopefully we can make our little one's first football experience a win over Bama.

      May God Bless your family.

   4. by Ben
      from 5 months ago

      Wow, Tim, that's amazing! I'm so glad everything has gone well thus far. I was born 3 months premature and am now 6'2" and healthy! Congratulations and best of luck!

      Ben

2. reply to comment by Saraswathi
   5 months ago

   A beautiful and touching piece. Great work. Thanks for the article!
3. reply to comment by Casey
   5 months ago

   What a touching piece Tim. It sounds like you are going to make a great father.
4. reply to comment by Eric
   5 months ago

   Very true, Tim.

   But give it some time. One day he's going to ask you what it will take for him to win one of those shiny trophies and you're going to want to answer him. Maybe that's where the connection is.
5. reply to comment by Kelly
   5 months ago

   Congratulations are due my friend. Here is to you, your wife and your son. Even though I was a little older than your newborn, having been born in 1977, I watched my first basketball game ever with my father. It was Lakers vs. Celtics in the finals and I'll never forget it or the many Celtics games that followed including last night. Thanks for the, time-machine-like memories.
6. reply to comment by Tim
   5 months ago

   Thanks for the comments, guys.

   Glad I could help with the memories, Kelly...
7. reply to comment by Big
   5 months ago

   You have your priorities in line and you write a moving piece when you want. Thanks for sharing it with me and the BR world.
8. reply to comment by Todd
   5 months ago

   As a new father also, I can attest to it putting life in perspective. There is nothing better than seeing the world laid out before a little piece of you.

   That said, in no way can you or I *ever* comprehend what these players have been through, day in and day out, since they were in their early teens. They have busted their collectives asses to get to that point, To put that much effort into something and have it *finally* pay off, is something more than the common person will ever understand. The emotions you witnessed were all very real and authentic. Maybe that trophy is silly to you, but to the players who gave their all, it embodies everything they have worked and sacrificed for... So what if it for basketball? Its still a career for them. To downplay that as "a stupid, shining golden trophy" shows you have no comprehension of what it really means.

   >Because as I watched these grown men grope a trophy—a stupid, shining golden trophy!—I couldn’t help but think how foolish the whole situation was.

   What a stupid comment to make. Do you have any awards that you cherish and worked for? Ones that are important to you, but no one else? I'm glad you have your perspective, but please, spare us all the condescending attitude because YOU have your little opinion. Those players have spent their entire lives working towards that moment,.

   1. by Joe
      from 5 months ago

      Please don't yell at somebody for being condescending while you yourself are being condescending.

   2. by Zander
      from 5 months ago

      Well put Joe.

      And honestly, I don't think Tim was being condescending at all. He's just saying that as a father he finally has something in life he cares more about than his sports obsession...

9. reply to comment by Lisa
   5 months ago

   Wow....nice. My pick of the day. Beautiful read, and you so get get life. Congrats on your little boy. We can't wait to read here on B/R. You remind me of Ric Reilly, former SI.com, my highest compliments I can give a writer.
10. reply to comment by Tim
    5 months ago

    Thanks so much, Lisa.
11. reply to comment by Big
    5 months ago

    Todd, I should ignore your comments like most other BR folks, but your calling Tim's opinion stupid goes beond the pale. A three day old son makes any award look like foolishness. I hope your father felt the same way. Maybe you were abused and not loved growing up, if so my sympathy goes out to you. I have a feeling Tim's little boy will never feel that way. NBA players are in it for the money. Awards just make the fame and fortune more vain glorious. They also, on average, like to collect babies by different mommies. It is refreshing to hear about a husband and wife with a newborn starting the family life that is so much a part of the American scene. Tim's comments may not be of the same opinion as yours, but there is nothing stupid about them.
    Well said, Tim, keep up the good work.
12. reply to comment by BabyTate
    5 months ago

    Good piece. Congratulations on being a Father and good luck in your journey as a Dad. Nothing gives you joy equal to having your own children. Just realize there's a chance that little man of yours comes up 7 years from now and says " I like the Tigers". You're rerally going to test your Dad skills at that point..............
13. reply to comment by Tim
    5 months ago

    Thanks.

    Let's hope the Tiger conversation is one I never have to have...
14. reply to comment by Sean
    5 months ago

    Hey, congratulations!
15. reply to comment by Tim
    4 months ago

    Tim! Congrats on the new addition to the family and for putting things in to perspective. The trophy will, eventually, go to some else who will fondle and cradle it but a new life - a little piece of you and your wife - is yours forever. THAT is a true legacy.

    1. by Tim
       from 4 months ago

       True indeed. Thanks for the kind words, Tim. Well put.

16. reply to comment by Uncle Rico
    4 months ago

    Tim,

    With a story like this, I'm surprised you are so full of bitterness on some of the comments you have left for others.

    Much success to your little guy.

    Perhaps he has many lessons in store for you.

    All the best to you and your family.

About the Author Tim Pollock (senior writer)

Want to write for Bleacher Report

We are a community of fans who write about sports. And we're growing.

Learn More and Sign Up »