Recently I've ranted, on a couple of occasions, about the indifference and often inspiration-deprived work of a large part of the sports reporting industry. In one of those posts, however, I conceded that there were still hundreds of great sports reporters who really make an impression with thought-provoking and relevant work that isn't just the same old formula. I think too often sports reporting is relegated to an X's and O's category and people tend to forget that it's OK for a sports story to be about something outside the lines, if you will.
This piece by ESPN's Wright Thompson is one of those works that wonderfully draws the parallels between the success of a small-town high school basketball team and the inevitable failure or success of the town itself. Nazareth's story is one that might never be known to people outside of Texas but Thompson brings that story to light with an engaging look that proves good writing is good writing, and that sports writing doesn't have to be a side category in that discussion.
It is a piece that reminds me that sports writing is allowed to be utterly great and that I wish, if even just occasionally, I could have the chance to write the same such stories that move people to wish the end of words didn't come.
Thursday, February 08, 2007
Renewal of faith
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2 comments:
If it's any consolation, I wished that this post wouldn't end.
That's probably not a consolation at all, is it?
All you have to do is decide who or what you want to write about and get on with it...you have enormous talent in writing, sports and every other subject [ that's what people have told me ], so it's just a matter of doing it.
Go!
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