Thankful Thursday | January 5, 2023

WRITE THIS WAY
Hello and welcome to the first ballot of Thankful Thursday for 2023. Rest assured you do not need 218 votes to continue reading. Sit back, relax and let the good news flow.

THANKFUL FOR THIS
One of the first times I saw proof of how violent football could be was when I saw Lawrence Taylor tackle, and break, Joe Theisman’s leg in 1985. Theisman never played again, but the horrific injury was replayed dozens of times in slow motion during the broadcast. I am not going to link to it, but I can still remember it. While the game of football has certainly changed for the better in terms of player safety, Monday Night Football reminded us that it is still violent.

Damar Hamlin of the Buffalo Bills collapsed after a seemingly ordinary tackle Monday against the Cincinnati Bengals. The game was halted. Medics, including the heroic efforts of Bills’ athletic trainer Denny Kellington, performed CPR on Hamlin on the field. The game was canceled. As of today (Jan. 5) Hamlin remains hospitalized in critical condition, but according to a Thursday press conference has demonstrated remarkable improvement in the last 12 hours. 

What I am thankful for is the way the sports world has embraced Hamlin. Stadiums and arenas across the country have showcased his name and number as a vigil. In the three days after his injury, NFL players and fans, numbering over 219,000, have donated more than $7 million to Hamlin’s charity which is focused on buying toys for underprivileged children.

BEST THING I SAW ON THE ‘GRAM TODAY
All buzzer-beaters are not created the same. Trust me… →  CLICK

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BEST THING I SAW ON THE TWITTER TODAY
There are hunting stories and then there are hunting stories… Infamous New York Yankees manager Billy Martin explains it all in this clip from David Letterman. → WATCH

TIKTOK YA’ DON’T STOP
This is one of the most touching moments of holiday kindness I’ve seen. Feliz Navidad indeed! → WATCH

REASON NO. 3,432 THAT I LOVE SPORTS
TCU football defeated Michigan to advance to the national title game where it will face defending national champion Georgia. Entering this season, the Horned Frogs were picked seventh… in the Big 12 preseason poll after posting a 5-7 record in 2021. This year, TCU went 13-1, won the conference title en route to the College Football Playoffs.


ON THIS DATE – BENEDICT BURNS RICHMOND
American traitor turned British Brigadier General Benedict Arnold led a force of 1,600 troops up the James River into the nearly undefended capital city of Richmond in 1781. Virginia governor and  Declaration of Independence author Thomas Jefferson was forced to flee. While occupying the city, Arnold wrote Jefferson stating he would spare Richmond if he could help himself to the city’s tobacco and arms stores. A livid Jefferson refused and an enraged Arnold burned the city.

BONUS! Fearless Armchair General Analysis: This was not the best decision Jefferson – the executor of the Louisiana Purchase – ever made.

WHAT I WATCHED
I have been watching lots and lots of C-SPAN. The one-time poli-sci major in me is absolutely transfixed and mesmerized by the congressional circus. I was very tempted to use a phrase other than “circus” but I elected not to do so… which leads me to… 

TODAY’S SIGN OF THE APOCALYPSE

QUOTABLE
“When I knew nothing, I thought I could do anything.” 
– Robert Duvall, actor *turned 91 today (Jan. 4, 2023)

MIND THE GAP
Thanks for reading. Tune in next Monday for another edition of the Work In Progress newsletter.