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The Pacers Can’t Hurt Me Anymore
On growth as a sports fan and a man
The last time I held a microphone to an athlete’s face, it was evident I didn’t care much about sports anymore.
God, what a childhood dream it was. To be in college, covering the NBA at a semi-legit level (for no money but I had access). I interview Damian Lillard. Lonzo Ball. CJ McCollum. Victor Oladipo. Doc Rivers.
It was unreal, really. I went home and wrote what I thought were the best stories of my “career.”
I went to college for sports journalism. It was what I wanted to do since I was in middle school. I felt like I was so far ahead of the pack.
Then I decided it wasn’t for me.
As I progressed in college, I started to care less and less about pro sports storylines. The more I read, the less I felt fulfilled indulging in the content.
I’d listen to NBA podcasts on my commute to classes. I’d read ESPN and The Athletic and whatever else I could get my hands on during down times. I wanted to know everything about the league.
Then I started reading less, and listening less, and watching less. My final moment as a sports reporter was covering the Big Ten Basketball Tournament in Indianapolis. It was March, 2020.
