A Grip on Sports: Sunday’s tragedy reiterates how life has a way of taking unexpected turns
A GRIP ON SPORTS • Where were we? Not expecting to miss out on the most tragic sports story in years, that’s for sure. But that’s what happened.
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• When the doctor’s office recently asked for a good day to lock-in a morning appointment, Monday, Jan. 27 seemed just about perfect. After all, the only thing scheduled for the day before was the Pro Bowl, which isn’t the type of event people are clamoring to rehash the next morning.
But life isn’t always scheduled. That’s one thing we’ve been taught the past week. In fact, the lessons have been driven into our minds (and hearts) with the force the nuns in my Catholic elementary school used to exhibit with rulers and knuckles.
Kobe Bryant’s death (along with eight other people, including his 13-year-old daughter Gianna) in a Sunday helicopter crash, has elicited a depth of response unseen in my lifetime.
Roberto Clemente, Thurman Munson, Len Bias, Hank Gathers, Derrick Thomas, Dale Earnhardt. All athletes whose death at a young age shocked. There have been many others.
But the outpouring of grief the past couple days has surpassed that. And it’s not just due to the times we live in, in which we can connect with like-minded folks so easily and seamlessly. This is genuine grief for someone whose skills, among the best in the history of the game, thrilled a generation. Though it’s more than that. It’s for someone who also seemed to have made the transition from star to supporting parent with the same amount of ease he exhibited while making a 12-foot fallaway.
At 41, Kobe Bryant was no longer on your TV screen lifting the Lakers to victories nearly every night. Instead he was seen lifting his daughters on his shoulders, guiding them through a life that had to be dominated by way-too-much attention.
From afar, he seemed pretty darn successful at it.
Which is part of the reason the outpouring of grief seemed to spread far beyond the world of sports. And made the events from what-should-have-been a lazy Sunday even harder to comprehend. Or deal with.
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WSU: It looks as if Nick Rolovich’s first staff at Washington State is complete, after the hiring of Andre Allen as wide receivers coach. Allen already has had an impact on the Cougars from his time at San Francisco City College. Theo Lawson has more in this story. … Elsewhere in the Pac-12, Arizona has yet to win a true road game this season. The Wildcats will get their next chance this weekend in Washington. … Speaking of the Huskies, their recent collapse is mind-boggling. … If you want to watch the women’s Final Four, you may have a short trip later in the decade. Portland is a finalist for a couple of them. … Oregon and Oregon State will probably still be competing for spots, if Sunday’s game is any indication. … In football news, some are touting Jayden Daniels as a Heisman candidate. That’s hard for me to believe. … USC is losing another player via the transfer portal. … Oregon State is moving forward with plans to update Reser Stadium even more. … Former Stanford quarterback K.J. Costello is visiting Washington today. … Arizona has added another assistant coach.
Gonzaga: The Zags are No. 2 in both polls, after dropping behind Baylor in the coaches’ poll yesterday. Jim Meehan has all the particulars in this story. … Jim also spoke with Larry Weir yesterday for the latest Press Box pod. … We think it’s a good idea to pass along Jim’s rewind of Saturday night’s win over Pacific, if only to make sure you’re aware of Damon Stoudamire’s comments. … The women moved up a spot in the polls after two home wins with a roster limited by injuries. The Bulldogs have won 18 consecutive games. Jim Allen has more in this story. … Around the WCC, time is running out on BYU this season. If the Cougars don’t do well this week, there is no chance for a conference title this season.
EWU: They haven’t made it easy, but the Eagles found a way to win two home games over the weekend, the latest last night in overtime against Northern Colorado. Ryan Collingwood was in Cheney and has this game story.
Idaho: The Vandals are struggling and it really showed Monday night at home against Southern Utah. Peter Harriman has coverage of the 73-45 debacle. … The women won again last night, the seventh time in eight Big Sky games.
Preps: There was big news on both sides of the border yesterday. It concerns school classifications and league makeups. Let’s start in Washington, where next year’s classifications were finalized in WIAA meetings. The Greater Spokane League is going to grow into a three-classification behemoth. There will be 4A, 3A and 2A schools, with the Great Northern League fading away. Dave Nichols has the news in this story, which lists which schools will be in which classification next season. … Dave also has a story on the changes in the 5A and 4A league structure in Idaho, a change brought about in part due to the GSL’s growth and a limited number of non-league games available for the larger schools closest to North Idaho.
Seahawks: Richard Sherman made a smart bet. … Jadeveon Clowney may do a similar thing.
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• There will be a few more days like yesterday over the next few months, as I travel an unexpected path. When they arise, I will always give you a heads up so you can plan your morning accordingly. It won’t happen often – and let’s hope it doesn’t happen on days like yesterday ever again. It’s important to me to be here each day for you. Over the past decade (well, almost), we’ve developed a routine and a bond. It’s one I want to continue. Until later …