Warning:
This column is “for all the marbles” and full of clichés that may not be suitable for everybody.
Yes, Sports Cliché Week has arrived for another year. But this doesn’t mean we won’t hear them again until next summer. On the contrary, sports enthusiasts have been accustomed to hearing clichés for many years, and they are solidly embedded in the fabric of sports culture. After all, “there is no tomorrow”.
According to a poll (1618 respondents) on http://www.sportscliche.com/poll.html the six most overused clichés are:
–We’re taking it one game at a time. (39 %)
–We have to give 110 percent. (24 %)
–We have to stay focused. (19 %)
–We have to go out and execute. (7 %)
–We have to take it to the next level. (7 %)
–We have to play with intensity. (4 %)
Next time you watch a game take notice if it’s a real “pressure cooker” that goes “down to the wire”. Of course, it is certain that each team “will control its own destiny”. Keep in mind that when a team is winning “they can’t afford to get lackadaisical” “because no lead is safe” even if they’re “hitting on all cylinders”.
On the other hand, when a team is losing they look “out of synch”. However, as long as they “maintain their composure”, and keep that “never say die” attitude, “it ain’t over ’til it’s over”, especially since “stranger things have happened”.
After the game, the winners are “tickled to death” because “they came to play” and “brought their “A-game” to prove they were the better team. In other words, “they knew what they had to do” and went out and did it, although “it wasn’t pretty”.
Of course, the losers are the first to say that “the final score is the only statistic that matters”, and “it’s a bitter pill to swallow”. Naturally, “nobody is going to point fingers” it’s just “they wanted it more than we did”.
Once playoffs start, most teams will “face a must-win game”, especially if they have been “behind the eight ball”. Yes, “they may be down, but they’re not out” as they try to “stave off” elimination.
There’s no joking about this weekend’s game (GO @RamsNFL!), but comedian @BrianReganComic has a few thoughts on sports clichés. Laugh the night away on Apr. 5 #FunnyFriday https://t.co/DBDKptKItU pic.twitter.com/97pafjgCnl
— Segerstrom Center (@SegerstromArts) February 2, 2019
“At the end of the day” 10 of the top sport clichés of all time are:
- You can’t stop him; you can only hope to contain him.
- They have to take it one game at a time.
- Records are made to be broken.
- He’s really been in the zone.
- This team must rise to the occasion.
- They have to stay focused.
- He thrives under pressure.
- This team has overcome a lot of adversity.
- They control their own destiny.
- This team sent a message today.
At the end of the day, we’ve put 110% into this football cliches video
Watch here: https://t.co/BKReeOjmGu pic.twitter.com/85amTep1PK
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) January 7, 2017
No question about it. I will be the last one to make excuses about the pros and cons of sports clichés. It’s time to move on. I just hope my comments were not taken out of context.
FROM THE QUOTE RACK:
LSU president offers National Spelling Bee winner Zaila Avant-garde a full scholarship. Wow, this is an honor for 14 year olds usually reserved for football players.
*Comedy writer Janice Hough of Palo Alto, California www.leftcoastsportsbabe.com
The bad news for ESPN’S Stephen A. Smith is that he’s in hot water over some ill-advised comments on Shohei Ohtani of the LA Angels. The good news for Stephen is that I hear he’s been offered the lead in Lost in Translation 2.
*Contributor Bill Littlejohn of South Lake Tahoe, California
I had to start off today’s show by apologizing to the Asian and Nigerian communities. pic.twitter.com/m2Jlu9UQxH
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) July 13, 2021
A British artist was reportedly raising money for charity with a wallpaper featuring 1,000 photos of women’s bare breasts. It’s the biggest collection of boobs this side of the Toronto Maple Leafs.
*Western Canadian comedy writer RJ Currie www.Sportsdeke.com
Hartley Miller is the news and sports director/supervisor plus morning news anchor for 94.3 the GOAT and Country 97fm. He also is the radio color commentator for P.G. Cougars’ home games.
Hartley has been on the Prince George airwaves since 1979 and is the author of You Don’t Say (sports quotes).
His column appears Fridays on myprincegeorgenow.com.
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