To me, that means that stupid people do stupid things.
That does not mean the people doing these things are stupid. Most of them are not. But, they are doing stupid things.
Some of the stupid things I have done were in sporting events that I participated in. One summer when I was 16, I was playing for an American Legion baseball team and was on first base. A pitch went into the dirt and, thinking I was being a smart baserunner, I took off for second. Approaching the base, I could see the second baseman covering the base, so I slid in safely when the ball arrived a second or so later. I got up and dusted off my pants, proud of myself.
“You’re out!”, the umpire who suddenly found his voice bellowed.
Professional athletes, the huge majority of them who are not stupid, have done many stupid things. Gus Frerotte, a quarterback for the then Washington Redskins in 1997, had to leave a game and go to the hospital when he sprained his neck while celebrating a touchdown he scored. Frerotte’s celebration was head butting a padded cement wall. Clara Morris wrote 23 years later that usually athletes sacrifice their bodies in order to score, not because they scored.
When Pete Rose was managing the Cincinnati Reds, Pete Rose bet on his own team. I guess it could have been worse-he didn’t bet against his own team. Even though the bookie produced written gambling slips from Rose, the all-time hit leader denied for several years what seemed to most people to be very obvious. When Rose finally admitted his offense, he was ostracized by nearly everyone connected with the National Pastime. Many were more angry at Rose for admitting his transgression than they were for betting on his own team.
Las Vegas native Marty Cordova had a nine-year professional career in which he missed several games one season because he fell asleep on a tanning bed and got a very bad sunburn. At least he was trying to look good.
In 1980, Rosie Ruiz thought she could somehow trick thousands of spectators, officials, runners, and cameras by jumping out of the crowd during the Boston Marathon and joining the race. She finished first in what was for her an abbreviated race, but was later disqualified.
And of course, the list of dumb athletic moves would never be complete without at least mentioning Leon Lett. Lett was a two-time Pro Bowler during his 10-year NFL career who will be forever remembered for two of the most famous football gaffes of all time. The first came during Super Bowl XXVII when Lett recovered a Buffalo Bills’ fumble and began running for what seemed to be a glorious defensive touchdown. Or at least, it must have seemed glorious to Lett, because he started celebrating 10 yards or so short of the endzone. While Leon was dancing and holding the ball like it was the Super Bowl MVP Trophy, he didn’t notice Bills receiver Don Beebe coming up fast behind him. Before he crossed the end line and eternal glory, Beebe swatted the ball out of Lett’s hand and his glorious TD turned into a lost fumble that has been ridiculed for almost 32 years now.
But as the Cowboys celebrated and the TV camera focused on the ball spinning crazily on the frozen turf, a white jersey flashed into the screen and attempted to recover the football that already belonged to the Cowboys. That jersey was being worn that day by Leon Lett and when he touched but could not secure the ball, there was a Miami Dolphin there that could. The Dolphins then made their second attempt at the winning field goal and Leon Lett gained more fame than his bountiful talent ever did.
Who knows, maybe Amani Oruwariye will be like Steve Lyons and use a messup to gain heights of fame his ability couldn’t. Or maybe, 20 years from now, some guy who thinks he’s pretty funny will bring up this play along with other dumb things I just wrote about.
Here are this week’s picks against the spread. Lines are from espn.com on Wednesday, Dec. 11.
Cleveland Browns
Miami Dolphins (+3) at Houston Texans: The Dolphins are not hot, but something is wrong with the Texans.
Denver Broncos
Detroit Lions (-2 ½) vs Buffalo Bills: This one should be good, but I think the Bills are weaker against the pass than the Lions, and the Lions have more weapons to exploit that advantage.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Last week 3-2
Robert’s picks
Bowl games: I don’t have a play in either of the first four bowl games that are scheduled between now and next Thursday, but the key thing to look for in these early bowl games is players opting out or entering the transfer portal. There have already been significant line moves in the first three games as players have entered the portal and coaching changes have been announced. But don’t be afraid to go against the grain in certain situations. Remember USC last year, when Caleb Williams opted out, but Miller Moss threw six touchdowns and 372 yards in the Holiday Bowl. Some teams will be gutted and competing at far less than full strength, but other teams will have guys step up. Gather as much info as you can before you stick your hand in your pocket.
Jaguars (+3) over Jets: Yes, the jaguars are 3-10, Trevor Lawrence is out and Mac Jones is in. But the Jets are 1-9 in their last 10 games, 2-8 against the spread. What have they done to deserve laying a field goal on the road?
Bills/Lions over 54 ½: This is a high total for an NFL game, but the Lions’ last five home games have averaged 60.6 points per game and the Bills have scored at least 30 points in seven straight games. I can’t see how this game is anything other than a shootout.
Colts (+4) over Broncos: The Broncos went into last week’s bye with four straight wins and covers and they’ve covered all six times they’ve been favored this season. But the Colts are 4-1 against the spread as a road underdog, and they also come off a bye. Eleven of the Colts 13 games so far have been decided by one score. This game comes down to the wire.
Last week
College 3-2
NFL 3-0
Season
College 32-29
NFL 27-13-1
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