Wayne Rooney shows why we watch sports

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                                                Most of us watch sports to escape from life -to see a great play, moment or performer. I call sports the original reality show. After more than 40 years of viewing games, I am at the point that very little gets my attention or out of my seat. Soccer Star Wayne Rooney did both this weekend. All the elements of why I love athletic—effort, toughness, speed, team work, skill and clutch play—happened in about 20 seconds. The play speaks for itself. 


                                                Wayne is 32 years old, and coming over from England to finish his career in the MLS with DC United. Look how much ground he covered to run down his opponent. After his tackle, he was so tired from sprinting that he did not join his teammates to celebrate. The play itself was incredible under the circumstances. This was in extra time and for the win. To my Boston friends, he went Bill Russell and Bobby Orr in 20 seconds. SMH.
                                                I have been a Rooney guy most of his career. Hell, I owned his Everton jersey and watched probably 200 of his games with Manchester United. I live and die (mostly the former) with the England National team. This is my type of guy. All you need to know about him is the last three tweets on his twitter account: 1. A replay of this goal with him thanking the goal scorer 2. Wayne posting about a young fan he met who passed away last week and 3. Pictures with his family visiting sites in the Nation’s capital. This is an easy guy to root for. And Wayne Rooney showed us why we watch sports.