Skip to main content

Sunday Sundown Rundown - 12/22/20


 
3 Up 

1. Keyontae Johnson - In what could have been an utter tragedy, news of Keyontae Johnson's health improving brought a huge sigh of relief to so many. The horror that is a young 21-yeard old suddenly collapsing during a contest, even entering a coma for a brief time, is not welcoming, to say the least - especially in this horrific year that has been 2020. Here is to hoping Keyontae continues to improve and returns to the court and classroom soon. 

2. Negro Leagues Identified - I touched on this news earlier in the week - I'm very excited about the acknowledgment of forgotten history as well as getting to know the names and accomplishments of so many amazing black ballplayers who were never given their chance due to sheer racism.

 3. Tara VanDerveer - Kudos to Coach VanDerveer who surpassed the great Pat Summit for coaching wins and became the winningest coach in women's basketball history. 1,099 wins is an example of consistency and greatness - two attributes so hard to put together in sports. 

3 Down

1. Russian Hacking - Well, this is bad. And a big deal. What our government plans to do about it remains to be seen. But, I don't have a lot of confidence that it'll be a significant response. That's just how I feel about our leadership right now...which leads me to...

2. Stimulus Relief Package - $600 for everyone! That should solve all your problems! If you ask our government to come up with Billions of dollars to save big business in bailouts - consider it done! If the American people need relief from the Coronovirus shutdowns - ehhh, that's too much money. Gotta watch that deficit! Ugh - SMH. Shame on both sides. 

3. Police Investigations - It is so difficult in today's environment to have a nuanced conversation about law enforcement. With that said, it is troubling to see the following reports and evidence from around the country: a wrongful warrant in Chicago that included a woman detained naked for up to an hour; newly released footage that shows officers who arrived on the scene did not attempt to help Ahmaud Arbery, who was still breathing at the time, and finally; an investigative report determined that NYPD behavior and lack of training incited or instigated tensions in NYC during May protests responding to George Floyd's murder. All of it coming out this week definitely brings the topic back on the table - are we getting the best law enforcement possible? Can we be better? 

1 Debatable 

1. Vaccine Order - Look, it does bother me to watch politicians who ignored mitigating standards and did not follow the (easy!) protocol of mask-wearing and social distancing, receive the COVID vaccine before those who did everything asked of them. I won't even get into what I think of vaccine receivers who called the virus a HOAX at some point.

But I guess that's part of the privilege. While it does bother me, I really do want everyone to get vaccinated, so finally, we can kick this thing. 

1 Damn

1. Binghamton, NY - 41 inches of snow! Damn, ya'll. I'm hoping for easy snow blowing for all of you. 

Recently Read Posts

A Product of Us: Thoughts on Durant Trade

I said back in July when Kevin Durant rocked the NBA world with his trade request, that he "showed us who he was".  It wasn't a negative comment, but one that encompasses his entire career being a product of our current sport climate - success and focus on legacy. We emphasize the value of a career on rings, and thus, Durant has too. Why wouldn't he?!  Upon waking up and realizing that Durant will don the purple and orange for the Phoenix Suns in what is clearly now a team to watch come the NBA Playoffs, I find myself further pondering if Kevin Durant is the prime result of what we - yes, us! - have done to the modern athlete.  Today, Durant is one of the greatest basketball players I've ever seen. EVER. The dude is rare. He's a seven-foot magician which makes defending him even more difficult based on how damn efficient he is on the basketball court. It's downright poetic and beautiful to watch Durant play. And yes, I'm romanticizing his game. I belie

Sunday Sundown Rundown - 2/19/23

3 Up 1. India's Tap Water Access - This is a rather remarkable story. It's a story that offers humility wrapped in the extraordinary. India's Jal Jeevan Mission provided almost 79 million - 79 MILLION! - households with tap water. Just tap water!  2. Jordan Make-A-Wish Record - MJ is often loved through nostalgia, narrative, and remembrance for being politically neutral - even in giving. MJ these days has made some influential contributions, including this latest $10M donation to the Make-A-Wish foundation.  3. WWE Elimination Chamber - A tremendously entertaining pay-per-view on the road to Wrestlemania. The best storyline in pro wrestling continues to evolve between Sami Zayn and the Bloodline.  3A. City of Montreal - Give it up to the city of Montreal for what made a few nights of pro wrestling an awesome experience. Can we get this city more events?  3 Down 1. Michigan State Shooting - We're broken. Very broken. My thoughts and prayers are with those friends and fam

Impact No Surrender 2023 Review: "Interested in where the Product is Going"

I've fallen behind on my Impact Wrestling viewing, but honestly, that's okay. For viewership and enjoyment, yes. Not so well for posting a review for readership long after it's noteworthy or relevant. But whatevs, that's just where I am in life. Wrestling is much more fun removed from the restraints and influence of the criticism and impact (no pun intended) of the current time. That's just me. You can probably thank social media. Moving on, No Surrender 2023 continues Impact's progress into the new year. The product is still solid and consistent with a nice blend of characters and wrestlers moving in and out of the main event scene, along with a fresh batch of a resurgence of characters and occurrences. Nothing says that more than Rich Swann vs. Josh Alexander.  No Surrender was a solid event, but it does leave me extremely interested in where the product is going, or should I say planning, for 2023. I don't want to say that Alexander's title reign has

Sunday Sundown Rundown - 1/8/22

3 Up 1. New Year - Happy New Year to you all! I've written it in a bunch of emails, mainly to be courteous, but I really do wish you the best for you. I hope 2023 is a great one for all of you DP readers.  2. Buffalo Athletic Trainers - Let's give it up for the Athletic Trainers of the Buffalo Bills who performed with courage, steadfastness, and urgency in regard to Damar Hamlin. We should be celebrating those trainers more.  2A. Athletic Trainers - And because I'm always around them, let's give it up for Athletic Trainers in general. They do so much and very much go unnoticed in the space of sports, athletics, and performance.  2B. Damar Hamlin - Praying for Hamlin and his family... 3. Broadway Bounceback - We all like to believe we're back from COVID, but we're not. But it's news like Broadway having its biggest week of sales since the pandemic began is some nice news. Everyone in the theatre industry deserves it.  3 Down 1. Damar Hamlin Situation - Horri