The Vents of Sammy Brent

It’s only June and it’s been quite a year, especially in my sports world.  Never have I been more excited (with plenty of reason) to be a fan of my favorite teams: Pittsburgh Steelers, UNC Tarheels, and the Los Angeles Lakers.  Two professional sports teams, one college basketball team and three championships won all in the same year.

As a diehard fan, this is the thing most sports fans can only DREAM of…your favorite sports teams all winning their respective championships.  From conversations at the barbershop to small watercooler-talks at the job, there’s always more leverage for the fan whose team is either expected to win or on some ridiculous winning streak.

By the time my beloved Steelers won the Super Bowl back in February (with that dominating defense & incredible catch in the final seconds by Santonio Holmes) my Tarheels were one of the top teams in the country and were closing in on the ACC regular season championship (although we ended up losing the ACC tournament semifinals…NO BIG).  Also, my Lakers were kicking butt in the western conference and playing with a determination lacking last year.

March Madness arrives and my Tarheels looked poised from the first game. Ty Lawson returned after a foot injury and in the championship game, my boys destroyed Michigan State (it was actually over by halftime).  Two of my top teams with championships and we were only in early April.

The NBA playoffs could not come quick enough.  Most of my friends were already aware of my excitement in talking about sports and knew I was dying to run my mouth about the Lakers.  I felt it was my obligation to be as vocal and aware of everything in Laker-land.  It only helped me when the games ended up being some of the best in recent playoff memory.  Once it became clear that the Kobe-Lebron finals would have to wait another year, I prepared myself to be fitted for my imaginary championship ring.

God knows I wish diehard fans were rewarded with rings when their teams won the championships.  I’d have three this year…the year I turn 40!  This is what being a sports fan is all about.

Thanks guys for the experience & the many memories to come!