Forty-six years ago (to the day, actually!), I was a 12-year-old in my family’s Michigan living room watching a tape-delayed prime time broadcast of the USA-USSR men’s hockey game from Lake Placid, NY.
We, of course, know how that ended.
It was the stuff of Hollywood.
Today, I watched the first USA men’s hockey gold medal victory since that 1980 team bested Finland a couple nights after defeating the Soviets.
I did not view it from the comfort of my recliner, but rather from 35,000 feet above the U.S. on Delta Airlines Flight 523 bound for Los Angeles where later today I’ll see LeBron James and Luka Doncic’s Lakers host their longtime rival, Boston Celtics.
If I could hop into Bill & Ted’s phone booth and head back to that living room and tell myself I’d be watching an Olympic gold medal victory by the USA from an airplane … well, I’m convinced I wouldn’t believe it.
And, further, if I’d tell myself that I was in that Italian ice arena where the game was played just six days ago watching the USA Women win its semifinal game …
Here’s hoping my fellow passengers didn’t notice me delicately dabbing my napkin at the corners of my eyes.
To say the past two weeks have been special would be a gross understatement.
I am blessed❤️
Watching this on an airplane having just left that country en route to another major sporting event in our own country is the ultimate sports fan junkie move. I aspire!
It *can* happen and I wish it upon anyone who chooses to pursue such goals.
Wow, what a crescendo to the past 2 weeks – really enjoyed following your journey and your recaps – amazing!
Thanks, Rob. I hope our paths intersect one of these days to take in something together.
Very, very interesting reading.
I’m glad you enjoyed it.