100 Days and Counting...

Webster’s defines time as a dimension that enables two identical events occurring at the same point in space to be distinguished, measured by the interval between the events; a system measuring intervals.

Time is precious. And the clocks that keep track of time for us are almost equally valuable. As the final second ticked off the clock in the early evening hours of January 7th, a beleaguered Colt McCoy walked to the locker room being consoled by his coach and mentor Mack Brown. The $4 Million Man (Nick Saban) hoisted the sacred Crystal Football over his head for the 2nd time in his career. The tears in the eyes of the Burnt Orange Longhorn fans was a complete contrast to the bright smiles and laughs of the Houndstooth-Clad Crimson Tide faithful.

A King was crowned. A legend defeated. A program redeemed. A coach relieved. A season… over.

On January 7th, as I lay in my bed around midnight, I closed my eyes and started to think. I thought of Lagarette Blount’s “Punch Heard Round the World”. I thought of seeing Sam Bradford writhing in pain on the carpet of Cowboys stadium during Week 1. I thought of Tim Tebow’s concussion that left Gator-Nation on pins and needles for 2 weeks before his triumphant return in Baton Rouge. I thought of Tate Forcier and the Wolverines 38 point coming out party against Notre Dame. I thought of the moment I heard that Jasper Howard of UConn had been slain on campus. I thought of Ndamukong Suh throwing Colt McCoy to the turf like a rag doll. I though of CJ Spiller running, catching, and returning his way towards a record breaking All-Purpose year. I thought of Mark Ingram’s tears during his Heisman acceptance speech. I thought of Bobby Bowden throwing down Chief Osceola’s spear in the Gator Bowl (his last game on the Seminole sidelines). I thought of tackles and sacks and big hits. I thought of coaches throwing headsets and quarterbacks throwing touchdowns. I thought about the entire season. And then, I slept.

In the blink of an eye, a whirlwind of events took place in the arena I adore. The “Who-dats” (aka New Orleans Saints) won their first ever Super Bowl Title. Shortly thereafter, a certain Blue-Devil cut-down the nets to celebrate his fourth NCAA title, while a certain group of Huskies won an unprecedented 78th straight game. A certain golfer returned to the tee-box in Augusta, while a certain “lefty” put on his 3rd Green Jacket. A certain Cavalier won his 2nd MVP award, while a certain young Celtic outplayed him in the 2nd round. Pacquiao won. Mayweather won. There is a Laker chasing his 5th ring. There is a U.S. Soccer team chasing international respect. There is a Stanley cup final right around the corner. And the “Biggest Summer in NBA History” (highlighted by the Lebron/Wade/Bosh/Wall sweepstakes) is on the horizon.

But amidst all of the wins, losses, drama, awards, tournaments, and fun of the Spring Sports slate… a clock was steadily ticking.

On September 2nd at 7:27pm, the South Carolina Gamecocks and Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles captains will meet at midfield. The referee will flip a coin. The players will shake hands. The band will play. The crowd will cheer. The kicker will place a ball on a tee, then drop his hand signaling for his teammates to charge down the field. And then that same clock that ticked off the final seconds in Pasadena on January 7th, will tick off the first seconds of this new journey.

Tick-tock… tick-tock…

Only 100 days left until Kickoff of the 2010 College Football Season.