Sports give us a lot. For one, entertainment value; watching the world’s best athletes doing things we dreamed of on the playground is exhilarating. They’re pretty fun to play too, even out of our prime. Sports are also a means by which we can understand life around us. Cliche as they might be, there are lessons – communication, sportsmanship, humility, perseverance – found in sports that can be applied to life. But most importantly for me right now, sports offer a nostalgic look back at who we shared the moments with.
My grandfather passed away Saturday. After eight days of fighting, Papap left this Earth with his family at his side. It is a moment I will never forget, and one I will forever cherish.
See, being with my grandfather was one of those special things. I’ve been blessed to live about five miles away from he and my grandmother, and see them on almost a weekly basis.
Papap was unbelievable; never a dull moment is an understatement. His personality and sense of humor were legendary and his stories so crazy they couldn’t go unquestioned. He ribbed me continuously and I loved it. Papap openly debating my sex life was commonplace at birthday dinners and big gatherings. This was a term of endearment from the man who proudly gave my siblings and I the nickname “the DHK’s” aka “the Damn Homan Kids.”
We have a huge family; he and my grandmother have 13 kids, 29 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. My grandfather bestowed so much wisdom and teaching upon us all, and the memories we’ve taken away from the time we spent together is all we have until we see him again.
So where are the sports in this?
Papap was a big sports guy. He played semi-pro football, boxed professionally and loved watching his Pittsburgh Steelers and Ohio State Buckeyes, but above all, he was family guy. And this is where sports were most special.
One of the last times I spent with my grandfather was Jan. 8. I remember the look he gave me when he smelled the alligator I had heated up in his microwave. I remember our fevered celebration after the opening kickoff, and I certainly remember the shock on his face midway through the third quarter. It was a night I definitely wanted to forget.
I’ll never forget it now, and for the right reasons. My perspective of that night has changed even from what it was two weeks ago. Jan. 8 will be remembered as the last extended time I got to spend with my grandfather. I could have been a million places that night, but I was with him. I am forever grateful.
I had spent time with Papap after the national title game and before Feb. 16, when he was admitted to the hospital. They were awesome times as well, but on Jan. 8, sports paired us together for a time where otherwise, we wouldn’t have been together.
Sports are important, but I get tired of people equating sports to life, and paralleling the two in identical language. I can think of things far more courageous in life than driving a golf ball 320 yards. And don’t tell those fighting bravely for our country that the game was a “battle.” And I know I’m guilty. Sure, I get too caught up and watch more games than I probably should. But the sobering reality of tragedy teaches you things. In this case, it’s not how you spend the time, but who you spend it with. In athletics there is always the proverbial tomorrow.
I want to have a fresh perspective. I will always be passionate about sports, but recognizing and appreciating those whom I spend those hours with is where I want my focus. And no, I don’t want to light incense and sing “Koom-bi-ya” every time I watch football game, but I do want to appreciate it. Defeating Michigan 42-39 in one of the all-time classics was amazing. Even better was experiencing it with my brother and friends.
It’s sad that it takes tragedy to teach us lessons we should already know. Even sports offer us insight – and that’s the beauty of it.
Papap made me a better person. For that, I’m grateful.
Kevin Homan is a Lantern sports writer and can be reached for comment at [email protected].
