The Sports Sermon would like to take a timeout and pay tribute to one of the greatest men of our generation. He didn’t play sports but played around with enough major sports teams to make it seem like he could have. If he actually had played for all those teams, it would have taken a special Congressional committee to decide what team’s jersey he would wear in the Hall of Fame. He had that special determination and no fear mentality that champions are made of. Any sports team could benefit instantly from having leader like him on their side.
He had fame fit for a sports star. He traveled the seven seas and continents. Televisions broadcast this captivating character’s antics more often than updates on the Barry Bonds investigation. ESPN even had him star this past year in one of the network’s great commercials that have featured the likes of Lebron James and the Manning family.
Several sports teams have had the distinct honor of having him play with them. But reptiles were his specialty. He wrestled with the Florida Gators so much that the Georgetown Hoyas and every other college basketball team could have used his help last March during the Gators’ run to a national championship. He has wrangled Arizona Diamondbacks, Coker College Cobras and Florida A&M Rattlers, and survived nasty bites from every one of these dangerous snakes.
He was a true Portland Trailblazer when it came to animals. He even made a special appearance with the Pittsburgh Penguins in Antarctica. The Jacksonville Jaguars, Carolina Panthers, Cincinnati Bengals and Detroit Lions and Tigers of Africa and Asia would have been no match for this stud. His khaki ensemble and tan Timberland boots would have been a great uniform redesign for any sports team. If he could go back to pre-historic times, I have no doubt that he would be right in there running wild with the Toronto Raptors.
However, it was while he was snorkeling with the Florida Marlins, Miami Dolphins and San Jose Sharks on the Great Barrier Reef on Monday that he met his end. And it was the Tampa Bay Devil Rays’ cousin that did him in. That stingray could not have known what it was doing. This man had encountered and lived with some of the most harmful animals on the planet and would never dream of harming a single one. He performed death-defying stunts with all. Maybe the stingray thought there was no way its barb could harm this apparently indestructible man.
Now he will have to be content with wrestling the New Orleans Saints and Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim as he watches over all of his beloved animals on this earth. Every animal that ever met him will definitely miss him. Whatever you do though, do not blame that stingray. I have no doubt the Crocodile Hunter will be waiting for it with open arms when its time comes. Rest in peace, Steve Irwin.
