Yes! Yes! An ideological victory, an upset for the ages, one of the greatest sports games in history? All that and more. The Miracle on Ice epitomizes why we love sports. It represents everything great about the game. For those who won it there is likely nothing closer to a moment that will last forever.
As always, happy Wednesday and happy reading.
This Day in History
1980 - The United States Mens Hockey Team defeats the Soviets in the 1980 Winter Olympics. Although it was not the gold medal game, the 4-3 upset was shocking - the Soviets were considered the best in the world - and the Americans went on to win gold over Finland. More than a hockey game, the Miracle on Ice was a psychological victory in the Cold War.
Sports Science
Sports are first and foremost defined by raw athleticism, but games are won through planning, practice, and technique. So this is what happens when an athlete like Steph Curry meets a system like that of the Golden State Warriors (from NYTimes). The ubiquity of sports can be partially explained by how many different things there are to love about the game, and the Warriors are what that looks like when those aspects are woven together. When sports are at their most fun.
Sports Pseudo-Science
Though the application of strategy and science produce winners, their misuse can be detrimental or perhaps only silly (from Science Based Medicine). Those dark spots on Michael Phelps's back and shoulder are a caused by a special type of treatment designed to increase blood flow. Anything to give the athlete an edge. But the edge is only in Phelps's mind. The "cupping" treatment isn't a scientifically-proven technique. But it is a placebo, so just because it's ineffective doesn't mean it can't be explained scientifically.
Future of Football Pt. 1
A conversation between Malcolm Gladwell and Bill Simmons could cover myriad different topics. This particular conversation covered football, or more accurately, speculated on the future of a sport that has been struggling with sagging interest, horrific injuries related to the game, and off the field issues that have sullied the league's reputation. So what's next for football (from The Ringer)? It seems to me that the off the field issues - including domestic assault, cheating, and even murder - have already largely been swept under the rug. As best I can tell, no one cares enough for these issues to affect the league's bottom line. But the concussion issue is a far more serious matter. The NFL, like any sports league, is only viable as long as it is entertaining. If and as the best athletes gravitate away from a game that is rightfully seen as increasingly dangerous, will the league be able to create compelling athletic events, or will the caliber of the game decline so much that no one is interested?
Future of Football Pt. 2
If the aforementioned issues weren't enough, professional football has another glaring problem: overtime rules that decrease the level of competition and excitement. This is especially sad given that a game in overtime should be even more exciting than a normal game. Alas, in the NFL the rules are so skewed that - based on a statistical analysis - the Economist isn't even comfortable counting the Patriots overtime Super Bowl win as a full victory (from the Economist). Alas, because of these twisted rules, the quality and caliber of football is even lower still.
I love football. I really do. But it seems only appropriate comeuppance that a league that has for so long put profits before player safety and ignored serious moral violations on and off the field should suffer financially. There is no excuse for covering up the concussion issue. There is no excuse for failing to address domestic abuse and rampant cheating. An organization that does not protect the integrity of its gameplay or the safety of its players does not deserve to succeed. Unfortunately the NFL is such a league.
Belle and the Beast
Size doesn't matter when it comes to friendship. That's the lesson that Emma and Belle can teach us. Hailing from Mississippi where they live with their human Brenda, Emma and little sister (literally and figuratively) Belle are active outdoorswomen, and love being in the sun, futilely chasing squirrels and rabbits. Unsuccessful though they are, these two never tire, and they keep each other and their loving humans very active. Big thanks to Brenda for sharing Emma and Belle.
Will's Weekly Trivia - Spread the Word!
My goal in 2017 is to increase readers by 100. If you know someone who you believe might enjoy the digest, the dogs, or the trivia, please be sure to share Willful Intent's new opt-in form! And don't forget to submit any thoughts and dog pics via the feedback form!
IF you choose to answer the question, respond to staton.will@gmail.com with your answer. Please note that by competing you are giving me permission to publish your first name in the trivia leader board each week.
Last Week:
1. What type of ship was the USS Maine? ONE POINT
2. Osama bin Laden's terrorist group is called al Qaeda. What does al Qaeda translate to in English? ONE POINT
3. Many scholars speculate that Judas Iscariot was a member of an ancient Jewish assassination squad called the Sicarii. What does Sicarii mean? TWO POINTS
Answers:
1. The USS Maine was a battleship.
2. The name al Qaeda means the Base.
3. Sicarii are curved knives.
This Week:
1. In which city did the 1980 Winter Olympics take place? ONE POINT
2. How many teams were initially part of the NHL? ONE POINT
3. The Atlanta Braves were previously located in which two cities? ONE POINT APIECE
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