Sports have always been a special place for me and many others. Growing up in my small town in Mississippi, sports were a huge part of our rural life. Everyone wanted to know your name, your church, and who you rooted for on Saturdays – each answer determined how the relationship would go. For me, I looked forward to ball game nights, practices, and the opportunity to play with my friends more than anything else. I longed for Saturdays with my Grandad watching Alabama football (back then) while listening to Eli Gold on his old radio/cassette/record player. Sports gave me the chance to prove myself, meet new people, and learn a plethora of life lessons. They gave me a chance to grow both physically and emotionally, to learn to lean on my teammates l, and step up when it was my turn to make a big play. Each season stretched me differently and surrounded me with different friends I wouldn’t have made otherwise. In those formative days I developed a love for all things sports that would only grow as I did. Now that my playing days are long behind me, talking shop keeps that fire alive and open up new ways I can still use sports to grow.

Sports have a way of connecting people across cultures and communities in ways few other things can. Fall Saturdays at my house growing up were special. Momma would make gameday foods like sausage balls or nachos, Grandad would record the game but you better only talk during commercials, and we would all circle around to root for our team. Sports debates are great icebreakers when meeting new people as well. Asking someone who they follow can break through walls and open up friendly conversations. I love to talk about the teams I love amongst friends who share that passion. I equally love to defend my opinions on how the Memphis Grizzlies would’ve won the NBA Title in 2014 had ZBo not been unjustly suspended for game 7, my alma mater the Mississippi State Bulldogs, and Chicago Cubs with those on the other side. Sports connect passionate people, probably more so when they disagree. My closest friends root for the bitter rival of most of my favorite teams and some of our best conversations are when we are adamantly defending our chosen team.

A dream of mine has always been talking about sports outside of my circles. My family has always joked/leaned about my ability to recall obscure stats, facts, and stories about different players and teams over the years. I often get calls from my mom or dad on fall Sundays asking “Hey where did so-so play college ball at?” or “Whatever happened to that first baseman from the Braves?” Even though my math skills aren’t the best – insert Mississippi education joke here – sports stats are second nature to me. I’m sure you can relate if you are a diehard sports fan.
Back a few weeks ago the Two Bucks Sports Podcast was launched as a way to chase that dream. My good buddy Drew Gann, aka Uncle Buck, and I decided to share our sports takes with the world. Not that they are better than anyone else’s, we just typically have spirited debates and have been told we could entertain a few of y’all with those. We hope our antics generate a laugh or bring up a nostalgic moment for you as it has us.

So this blog is born out of that love for sports. It will be published alongside our podcast with articles from myself and Drew. This will serve as a way to touch breaking news, game breakdowns, and anything hot in the sports world. Once a week podcasts are slow to breaking news, so this will help us connect faster and with more people. We hope it sparks conversations and when you think we are wrong – let us know in the comment section! I guarantee we will have an opinion on it and would enjoy the debate. Please give us a follow and share with your friends.