As the time-honored holiday of Thanksgiving approaches and students begin to make holiday travel plans for tomorrow, my mind can only drift to the abundance of turkey and hotly buttered rolls that await me Thursday.
It has been a long-standing tradition in my family to sit along the table and give one item you are thankful for this year.
It keeping with this solemn practice, I would like to break my three-year tradition of naming ESPN as my item and give a few things that I am thankful for this season in the sports world.
̢ۢ I am thankful DeAngelo Williams decided to attend The University of Memphis instead of The University of Arkansas. Even though No. 20 may still be reeling from the criticism of his absence during the game against the University of Tennessee, he is still the most phenomenal player in our football program's history and an absolute pleasure to watch. When Williams takes the field Saturday for the last time at Liberty Bowl Memorial Field, he will give Tigers fans every where one more reason to be thankful to be a Memphis fan.
̢ۢ I am thankful defensive coordinator Joe Lee Dunn only calls plays on defense.
̢ۢ I am thankful Memphis is finally allowed to have its school logo in the center of Rex Dockery field.
̢ۢ I am thankful Ole Miss and Mississippi State have arguably the worst programs in the entire state. If only Avery could have started the season...
̢ۢ I am thankful that for the first time in U of M basketball head coach John Calipari's tenure, Memphis has yet to lose a recruit to the NBA or academic ineligibility. Whether it be the NBA's new age rule or the tutors at Laurinburg Academy, Memphis is currently ranked 11th in the Associated Press poll with a chance to make this season truly special.
̢ۢ I am thankful for every Rodney Carney dunk.
̢ۢ I am thankful for the FedEx Forum and every second I get to watch sporting events in that spectacular building. With a world-class arena set on world-famous Beale Street, every college student should be as well.
̢ۢ I am thankful that despite going through four quarterbacks this season, Memphis still has a chance to make it to a bowl game with a win over Marshall. Wide receiver Maurice Avery has risen to the call of quarterback after The U of M lost both Patrick Byrne and Will Hudgens to broken legs and freshman Billy Barefield struggled to make an impact. Even though I am confident Avery is not thankful for the media, I can truly say in the name of the Thanksgiving spirit, I am thankful for his performance this year.
̢ۢ I am thankful The U of M finally has a softball team.
̢ۢ I am thankful that for the first time in 14 years, The University of Tennessee's football program will not attend a bowl. With a 4-6 record and a real chance of going 4-7 on the road against Kentucky on Saturday, you can bet Thanksgiving in Knoxville will be filled with quiet prayers of thanks and a few mild curses. This Memphis native can't help but be a little thankful grandmothers all over east Tennessee will use their small orange Volunteer oven mitts with a little less pride.
̢ۢ I am thankful there are no Terrell Owens references in this column. Wait...
̢ۢ I am thankful for the Blue Crew. Where do I get one of those shirts?
̢ۢ I am thankful hockey is finally back. Actually, I'm not. Hockey only takes up highlight time on SportsCenter.
̢ۢ I am thankful for every minute Antonio Burks gets to play for the Memphis Grizzles. "The Blur" is still one of my favorite players.
̢ۢ I am thankful that nearly a month into the NBA season, there has yet to be a riot in an NBA game.
