Summer Olympics

Now, at my favorite time in the sports calendar, I often reflect upon the amazing nature of sports. It is something that can be totally unifying, and at the same time, completely divisive.

Some people quite literally live and die on the success of their teams.

It is something that transcends all of the normal boundaries that are set for us in life. A young man can grow up on the streets, but die a hero to his country because he excelled at a sport.

A strange thing happened to me a few weeks ago during my stay in Cambridge, Ontario. While enjoying a nice dinner out at Applebee’s, I noticed what appeared to be a Blue Jays shrine at the back of the restaurant.

In 1984 when I was 13-years old, my shoe size finally caught up with my age. To say I was clumsy was an understatement. I could barely drive to the basket for a layup without tripping over my own feet. Even walking on the sidewalk was a challenge as I struggled to adapt to my body that had sprouted up over the summer.