Sports unleash the beast
There’s something about sports that brings out the beast in people.
Notice how I didn’t say the worst, because getting a little lively while in support of your favorite team is only natural given how big sports are — especially football — in the South.
I have been known to get a little rowdy while cheering on my favorite team — the Auburn Tigers — and my brother is worse than I am, believe me.
The people that you don’t expect to ever raise their voices are the true marvels of my argument.
My three biggest examples around here are all basketball coaches: Greg Watson, head coach of the Belgreen boys, Donnie Roberts, head coach of the Red Bay girls, and Richie Hester, head coach of the Belgreen girls.
These are some very nice folks, and they have been more than helpful in my quest to get acquainted with my new job as sports editor around here.
I have noticed that all three of these men are laid back off the court. Coach Watson is likely the most laid back basketball coach in my coverage area, and I spoke with him about this just last Saturday.
However, once they are put on the court in their head coaching roles, they become not different people, they just have a different demeanor.
The Belgreen coaches Watson and Hester go through the biggest transformation, becoming men who yell out instructions to players across the court and animate their opinions with every call or missed opportunity.
Take them off the court, and they return to their mild-mannered ways.
Coach Roberts seems to only ever get loud while on the court as well, but he doesn’t undergo such a large transformation.
He is, however, the kind of guy that will build a bonfire at a softball tournament because it’s chilly.
That was the very first story I was told about Coach Roberts when I took the job, and let me tell you, the man matches the description.
Again, these are all nice guys, you’re just more likely to hear them during a basketball game is all.
J.R. Tidwell is sports editor for The Franklin County Times. He can be reached at (256) 332-1881, ext. 31.
