A Reminder That Comes Around Only So Often—This is Just Football

In the moment, these games can seem like everything. Maybe not every game, but certainly some of them, like the 2017 National Championship or the Super Bowl that same year, for example. 

But for each of those moments, we also experience the inverse. Oftentimes though, the inverse is more sudden. It hits you in your core. It reminds you that sports, for as much stress, anxiety and frustration we pour into them at times, are irrelevant. 

On Saturday, most of us spent our time critiquing Georgia’s offense, questioning the decisions of Kirby Smart. Personally, a lot of my headspace went to thinking about what UGA needed to do to beat Florida. 

That same night, Richard LeCounte nearly lost his life in a motorcycle accident. 

After that story broke, everything else regarding Georgia football seemed irrelevant—at least in that moment.

“It doesn't matter what kind of player he is. It’s one of our players, one of our family members,” Kirby Smart said. “When you get news like that, it’s crushing, it’s disheartening. It makes everything flash before you...  It makes you hug your kids a little more at night for sure.”

It’s a point that we all know, but always seem to forget about—myself included. There is so much more that matters in life outside of these games, especially the health and safety of these kids. 

Sadly, it often takes tragic moments like this to remind us of that fact. While we are caught up in this moment though, let’s be thankful. Thankful that Richard’s accident didn’t end up worse than it already was. Thankful that despite what this year has thrown at us, we still get to watch football.

So tonight, do hug your kid a little more, or remind your family members or friends that you love them. And when the game comes this weekend, yell at your TV, complain about the calls—that is what sports are about. But before you throw that remote at the TV, or let a bad performance affect your night, remember the things that really matter