This was a really interesting post, Matt! I can’t help wondering if there might be a book in this topic for you. Not sure of the angle, off-hand, but I can imagine a title like: “I Struck Out Babe Ruth!” or “I Was a Harlem Globetrotter!” and a subtitle like “The True Stories behind Fake Sports Legends” or something. I think it’s particularly interesting that it doesn’t seem like the folks you mention in your post were exaggerating or embellishing the truth; it seems like they were just making it up entirely. I would have thought there’d at least be *nuggets* of the truth there.
Good thoughts there, Bob. Yeah, I am sure it comes in all forms. One inverse reality, and something that another friend conveyed via email after reading my column: those people who are very accomplished athletically (or in any field, for that matter), but downplay it or outright don't talk about it at all. One sign of a "stolen valor" phoney baloney military person: they boast about their supposed military service. Meanwhile, the real heroes are often tight-lipped.
Here's my story: I played 16" softball in the 80s at Loyola Park on the far north side of Chicago. I played for a team sponsored by a bar named Helen and Gabby's (long gone). I played with a man named Jim Hobson, a decorated Viet Nam war hero. We were very good players. One year Jim told me that we received an invitation to try out for a semi pro softball team. That try out fell through. Bet you can't disprove that! The part about Hobson is true, though. He went on to run some Chicago Park District facilities with great success.
I cannot figure out why people embellish, er lie. But obviously I, like you have seen some doozies over the years. When you're younger and without a journalism background, I guess I probably took longer to figure this crap out. Because my life and job I only make factual statements, or I don't comment. I checked the combination in the poll because I think it's an all of the above type of situation.
My sports brag is one of my kids. Lisa, who played for Bartlett High, taking 3rd in the State in her senior year. After telling her to enjoy it, that she wouldn't ever experience something like that again, she went on to start for UW Whitewater and was a starter in her freshman year. She enjoyed giving me a hard time when she played for a national title (D3) in Holland Michigan). They lost to DePauw but not only do I have the memory, I have her on the front end (rebound) of an ESPN Top Play when they won the semifinal game. I've told that story a few times and now wonder after reading your column if anyone checked my brag!
Please send me the video clip, Dan! I believe you....and simply want to revel in the moment. Thanks for sharing, and aren't you glad you were wrong when you said that she'd never experience anything like her high school success?
Here's the Youtube. Though I have a file saved, this is faster. You'll hear her name called and see her outlet pass right at very beginning. Though Mary Merg is the star with two, count em, two, buzzer beaters to tie and then to win: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZlTNqU27QQ
And the ESPN version which in review only shows my daughter running up and setting a screen on the first buzzer beater. Also shows it was the top play that day: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RcB_vtMewLs
That's remarkable....so joyous! And your daughter on that screen--a pretty wide stance. Good thing the defender didn't trip over her foot, which would've put a ref in the tough spot of deciding whether to blow the whistle :-). I also saw young Palmer dashing down the court on the first buzzer beater--she caught the ball as it swished through. She was a hustler! I shot video of a remarkable 3 point shot by a middle schooler (when my son was on the team) and it all began with a key rebound by another friend of Zach's off a blown layup on the other end that would've sealed the other team's win. The shooter's family had left the game, so I was able to share the video with them later. Because I shot it on Facebook, it pops up most every year, which enables me to re-enjoy the wild sequence. I submitted it to ESPN for consideration of top plays, but it didn't get picked up.
Those sports memories of our kids and their friends are among some of the best memories. And it's not all the performance on the field either. It's the time spent with them and other parents, especially the ones who have become long time friends.
And the sharing of the video is very cool. Bonus it's Facebook. Though many loath it, it is a way to relive memories year to year. And dare I say, leave a memory trail of your existence for those who care about you.
Luckily, I have no personal insight into the motivation for the exaggerations/inventions. What is more interesting to me, and this I can sadly attest to, is that they give us something we very much want. Believe me, many of the people these people trust with their phantom greatness run off and shortly tell someone else. We are so desperate for relevant lives, that even a brush with fame makes us feel good. The related psychological phenomenon of enjoying bragging about one's friends is called "Basking in the Glory" syndrome. I mean, just tell, and I kid you not, I'm excited that Tom Steury has replied! I know someone who knows Tom!
Tom, I love seeing your free throw numbers---amazing consistency (and accuracy....I mean, someone could be consistently 55%, but that's not so impressive, right?). I know what you mean about the long-ago memory....we remember the flubs more than the fine plays, often. I am also pulling for Purdue---glad they're playing tonight!
Yeah. The old fabulist in the WH seems to be afflicted with the same false football hero contagion:
"At a stop in Ohio (in 2012), Biden seemed to imply that he was on the football team when Delaware beat Ohio University and Biden joked that he almost “got arrested” for trying to visit a women’s dormitory. Gateway Pundit checked yearbooks from Biden’s era and found, not surprisingly, that Biden never appeared in the football team photos."
This was a really interesting post, Matt! I can’t help wondering if there might be a book in this topic for you. Not sure of the angle, off-hand, but I can imagine a title like: “I Struck Out Babe Ruth!” or “I Was a Harlem Globetrotter!” and a subtitle like “The True Stories behind Fake Sports Legends” or something. I think it’s particularly interesting that it doesn’t seem like the folks you mention in your post were exaggerating or embellishing the truth; it seems like they were just making it up entirely. I would have thought there’d at least be *nuggets* of the truth there.
Good thoughts there, Bob. Yeah, I am sure it comes in all forms. One inverse reality, and something that another friend conveyed via email after reading my column: those people who are very accomplished athletically (or in any field, for that matter), but downplay it or outright don't talk about it at all. One sign of a "stolen valor" phoney baloney military person: they boast about their supposed military service. Meanwhile, the real heroes are often tight-lipped.
Here's my story: I played 16" softball in the 80s at Loyola Park on the far north side of Chicago. I played for a team sponsored by a bar named Helen and Gabby's (long gone). I played with a man named Jim Hobson, a decorated Viet Nam war hero. We were very good players. One year Jim told me that we received an invitation to try out for a semi pro softball team. That try out fell through. Bet you can't disprove that! The part about Hobson is true, though. He went on to run some Chicago Park District facilities with great success.
I wouldn't expect any curveballs from you, Marty!
I figure you're enough of a screwball....
How'd you like the eclipse?
I cannot figure out why people embellish, er lie. But obviously I, like you have seen some doozies over the years. When you're younger and without a journalism background, I guess I probably took longer to figure this crap out. Because my life and job I only make factual statements, or I don't comment. I checked the combination in the poll because I think it's an all of the above type of situation.
My sports brag is one of my kids. Lisa, who played for Bartlett High, taking 3rd in the State in her senior year. After telling her to enjoy it, that she wouldn't ever experience something like that again, she went on to start for UW Whitewater and was a starter in her freshman year. She enjoyed giving me a hard time when she played for a national title (D3) in Holland Michigan). They lost to DePauw but not only do I have the memory, I have her on the front end (rebound) of an ESPN Top Play when they won the semifinal game. I've told that story a few times and now wonder after reading your column if anyone checked my brag!
Please send me the video clip, Dan! I believe you....and simply want to revel in the moment. Thanks for sharing, and aren't you glad you were wrong when you said that she'd never experience anything like her high school success?
Here's the Youtube. Though I have a file saved, this is faster. You'll hear her name called and see her outlet pass right at very beginning. Though Mary Merg is the star with two, count em, two, buzzer beaters to tie and then to win: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZlTNqU27QQ
And the ESPN version which in review only shows my daughter running up and setting a screen on the first buzzer beater. Also shows it was the top play that day: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RcB_vtMewLs
That's remarkable....so joyous! And your daughter on that screen--a pretty wide stance. Good thing the defender didn't trip over her foot, which would've put a ref in the tough spot of deciding whether to blow the whistle :-). I also saw young Palmer dashing down the court on the first buzzer beater--she caught the ball as it swished through. She was a hustler! I shot video of a remarkable 3 point shot by a middle schooler (when my son was on the team) and it all began with a key rebound by another friend of Zach's off a blown layup on the other end that would've sealed the other team's win. The shooter's family had left the game, so I was able to share the video with them later. Because I shot it on Facebook, it pops up most every year, which enables me to re-enjoy the wild sequence. I submitted it to ESPN for consideration of top plays, but it didn't get picked up.
Those sports memories of our kids and their friends are among some of the best memories. And it's not all the performance on the field either. It's the time spent with them and other parents, especially the ones who have become long time friends.
And the sharing of the video is very cool. Bonus it's Facebook. Though many loath it, it is a way to relive memories year to year. And dare I say, leave a memory trail of your existence for those who care about you.
Luckily, I have no personal insight into the motivation for the exaggerations/inventions. What is more interesting to me, and this I can sadly attest to, is that they give us something we very much want. Believe me, many of the people these people trust with their phantom greatness run off and shortly tell someone else. We are so desperate for relevant lives, that even a brush with fame makes us feel good. The related psychological phenomenon of enjoying bragging about one's friends is called "Basking in the Glory" syndrome. I mean, just tell, and I kid you not, I'm excited that Tom Steury has replied! I know someone who knows Tom!
Keen insights, David. Glad I could facilitate a Tom-David moment--two of my favorite people.
Thanks!
I have you and your family in my thoughts.
Maybe I can come up with a good one about myself, then someone will write about me too?
JQ -- I'll be writing about you, one way or another, one day or another :-) Thanks for reading.
Good article Matt.
Here are two of my athletic memories that you will not be able to verify. So you will just have to trust me on this (or not).
First, this morning I was successful on 96% of my 500 freethrows.
Second, about 67 years ago I missed a freethrow at the end of a highschool JV game which was the deciding play in a game that we lost.
Actually, third is I am definitely pulling for Purdue today in the Final Four. You can verify that claim if you phone me during the game today.
Tom, I love seeing your free throw numbers---amazing consistency (and accuracy....I mean, someone could be consistently 55%, but that's not so impressive, right?). I know what you mean about the long-ago memory....we remember the flubs more than the fine plays, often. I am also pulling for Purdue---glad they're playing tonight!
Yeah. The old fabulist in the WH seems to be afflicted with the same false football hero contagion:
"At a stop in Ohio (in 2012), Biden seemed to imply that he was on the football team when Delaware beat Ohio University and Biden joked that he almost “got arrested” for trying to visit a women’s dormitory. Gateway Pundit checked yearbooks from Biden’s era and found, not surprisingly, that Biden never appeared in the football team photos."