When I first sat down to write this column, I figured I would reflect on the major sports stories of 2012. Oh, and Happy New Year everyone! Did you really think we weren't going to make it to 13W? I mean, for one, nothing was stopping me from finally reaching "nonnerdom," and definitely not some awful prediction from the Mayans. Yeah, I told you the Trojans were going to win the Bowl Championship Series. But the world ending? C'mon, man.
I sat on the plane returning to campus, pondering what I should write about and it hit me that I don't need to look back on all of last year's headlines. Instead, with this insanely long winter break, there's ample material to cover since my last moment in Hanover. Can you believe that it was Thanksgiving literally seven weeks ago?
So let's dive into what went down during our long recess, and no, it wasn't just Mark Sanchez's complete failure against the New England Patriots on Turkey Day. And if you thought for a second that I wasn't going to connect these events to my personal life, you're crazy.
For every mind-boggling Tony Romo interception or Javon Belcher tragedy (R.I.P), there is an equally spectacular play or story that mirrors it. Did you see Johnny Football's performance in the Cotton Bowl? It's funny, because the Heisman Trophy winner actually reminds me a lot of Romo. He is a playmaker, has great feet and you can see he really loves the game. The only difference is that Manziel doesn't make you constantly scratch your head.
And just look at Chuck Pagano and the Indianapolis Colts. I urged you guys to follow the story back in the fall and I really hope you did. Pagano beat cancer and returned to the sidelines for the regular season finale against the Texans. Watching Pagano's reaction after Andrew Luck took the ball on the first possession and drove it right down the Houston Texan's throat was so moving truly priceless.
Can we talk about luck for a second, though? And no I'm not talking about the guy who I think deserves to be Rookie of the Year. I'm talking about Lady Luck. At the beginning of the break I was fortunate enough to go to Las Vegas with some of my fraternity brothers. And let's get something straight. What happens in Vegas does not stay in Vegas. Rather, what happens in Vegas will be aggressively uploaded to Instagram. Therefore, I have no qualms about telling you guys about my experience.
Anyway, we were all so excited to be in Vegas. I mean I'm finally allowed to gamble, right? I'm T-Swift "22," but the NCAA prohibits student-athletes from gambling. So before I hit the sportsbook, I made a pit stop at the roulette table. Most of you don't know this but before I was Vann Island, I was "CV7" revered Xbox 360 gamer who was at one point the fourth ranked player in "College Hoops 2K8." Google it. So naturally I'm putting money down on red seven. And I hit it! That was awesome I was on cloud nine. But just like the New York Giants, when you think they've finally figured it out, they collapse. And let's just say much like my lucky number on the roulette table, I left Vegas in the red.
I wish I had the good sense while I was in Sin City to bet on the Clippers winning 17 straight games. But look, I finally made a good prediction when I told you "Lob Angeles" would be the best team in Los Angeles. But did I think they would be this good? No way. However, now I am a firm believer that the Clipshow is not just the best team in L.A., but the best team in the entire NBA. LeBron might have something to say about that come June though.
Much like the Clippers, I had my own little winning streak going this break. With the extended holiday, I finally had the time to travel to Israel. I was there for 10 days, and it was the trip of a lifetime. I wasn't winning basketball games, but seeing all the sights such as Masada, the Dead Sea, the Western Wall and Yad Vashem definitely felt like a nice streak of victories. And I think Johnny Drama would agree.
Unfortunately, when I returned to the United States,w I became ill with a stomach infection from my travels. I like to say I live in the moment and try not to take things for granted, but you never really know if that is true until you face adversity. I am better now, and could not be more fired up for my last winter in Hanover.
