We've all lived with fear at some point in our lives.
I remember being a kid (yes, it was a long, long time ago) and how scared I'd get of being alone in the dark. I dreaded sleeping in a room that didn't have a nightlight.
Now that I'm old (I'll let you make the old man joke here... I'll wait), I've gotten a lot better about rationalizing my fears, challenging them and not letting them have a negative influence on otherwise healthier things, like a good night's sleep, some peace of mind, whatever you want to call it.
I have the privilege of being very close to someone who (unfortunately) has to live with fear every single day. She's scared of you, she's scared of getting hurt, she's scared of things that most of us haven't even considered.
These are not irrational fears, these are not unfounded fears.
They are as real as experiencing the sense of touch, sight and hearing.
And when I say touch, I mean the feeling of a man's hand injuring a woman.
And when I say sight, I mean being able to see a man enact his rage on a woman.
And when I say hearing, I mean processing the sound of a man's voice threatening the life of a woman or an innocent child.
(Forgive the Kanye West vs. Taylor Swift "interruption timeout").... I know you came to this page today to read up on some silly sports topic, and I'm gonna get there in a moment, but before you continue on with this blog post, I'd just like a virtual nod or some kind of "awareness emoji" (if one really exists) that demonstrates your acknowledgment that hitting a woman, injuring a spouse or loved one and threatening bodily harm to a child means you're a pretty lousy excuse of a human being.
Can we do that, for just one single moment?
Because my friend goes to sleep at night fearful for her life, for the safety and health of her boys and the security of her home.
And if we as a society cannot simply want to protect those fundamental things, if we as a rational species cannot agree that those basic things aren't afforded to those who live their lives with some semblance of honor, discipline and common sense, then maybe it is truly time to just cash out and move on.
Because I hate seeing this person cry. And I'll do what I can to always provide a nightlight. But wouldn't it be better for all involved if she could just not need one?
Oh social media, how I loathe to be in your clutches.
It's the 24-hour, 7-day-a-week, never ending drive-thru menu of nonsense, bad decisions made on impulsive reaction and regret.
Lots and lots of regret.
According to multiple reports, Golden State Warriors All-Star Kevin Durant acknowledged a controversial Twitter incident and apologized for comments that were critical of his former team and coach, calling the tweets "idiotic" and "childish."
The tweets on Sunday were in response to a fan who questioned Durant's reasoning behind leaving the Oklahoma City Thunder to join the Warriors in July 2016. Durant, speaking in third person, responded by saying he didn't like the organization or playing for Billy Donovan and that the roster "wasn't that good."
Durant told USA Today Sports on Tuesday, "To know that I affected Billy Donovan and the Thunder -- like I love those people and I don't never [want to hurt them]."
He told the newspaper that he sent a note of apology to Donovan, but Durant knows that he deserves whatever criticism is coming his way.
And if that weren't enough.... a spat between former NFL teammates appears to be headed down the viral highway into a snowbank of nonsense on the long journey through social media's roadmaps.
Again, according to multiple reports, quarterback Robert Griffin III celebrated when the Washington Redskins fired coach Mike Shanahan, former teammate Santana Moss said Monday. However, Moss told a local radio station, Griffin's giddiness hurt him in the end.
Griffin denies having done so and, via Twitter on Tuesday, told Moss that "to openly lie about me is a betrayal."
After Shanahan was fired, reports trickled out that he was not firmly in favor of trading up to draft Griffin in 2012. Washington won the NFC East in Griffin's rookie year, and he was voted to the Pro Bowl.
Moss said his anger about this topic stems in part from his respect for Shanahan, who moved him to slot receiver to help extend his career.
I'd tell you to stay tuned to this topic, but it should be fairly obvious by now that you'll have no choice but to pay attention, because it'll be a trending topic on a newsfeed near you.
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