It’s the greatest job in the world, if you let it.
The rush consuming ever cell in your body when the light turns red can be your greatest power, if you allow it.
It’s the easiest job there is, if you do it right.
To put it in the simplest of terms, going on TV and talking sports is every fanatic’s fantasy at some point. Sounds great but beware the sacrifices; low pay, exhausting hours, starting your career in the middle of nowhere.
Those issues pale in comparison to the biggest issue there is. An opponent so unlikely and daunting the challenge of outlasting it can drive people straight out of the business for good.
A power that is greater than Superman’s kryptonite with burns that heals worse than one’s on Freddy Kruger’s face.
That opponent is you. Not your boss, your coworkers, the competition. Just you.
But here’s the beauty of everything, if you can defeat “you” everything I promised in the first couple of paragraphs become true.
Still not sold? Follow me on this one.
We’ve seen the bright lights on the SportsCenter set. The ones illuminating the work of our favorite sports anchors (my allegiance to Scott Van Pelt), and we feel that same power from the first run-through on your campus newscast.
Mine was SportsBuzz at Sacred Heart University, and that show sucked you know what. It wasn’t anyone’s fault; we were like Average Joes without Peter. Misfits if you will. (I was Steve the Pirate)
But the craziest thing happened after that first show. It’s what’s called a critique (duck for cover). It’s a time where you take turns sinking lower in your chair and the thought of stabbing yourself in the eye with a pencil crosses your mind a handful of times. Why? Because your professors, professionals, and classmates rip your work to shreds.
Your catchy Drake lyric on a highlight read was tossed aside while your pacing, posture, appearance, and personality are violated like the shadow monster did to Will Byers in Stranger Things. It’s three hours of “no”, “never do this again”, and “what the f#$% were you thinking?”
By the way, this doesn’t stop. A highly-regarded mentor of mine just torched me so bad, for 10-minutes after our conversation I almost threw in the towel.
Are you ready for the light at the end of the tunnel? Yes? Okay here it goes.
This will be the best thing that happens to you, if you let it. Can you take the critique or will you fold? Is it someone else’s fault or will you learn from your mistake?
We all say we want to get better, but at what cost? No one likes getting scolded especially in this day in age. Kid get used to it because tough love runs this business, especially in sports.
That’s round one. Embrace the criticism and learn from your mistakes.
Round two is something different. The stakes are raised and this is where you separate from the pack.
You’re willing to do whatever is necessary. Get better. Talk not read. Write tighter. Shoot better video. Put together that reel and apply to every job you can think of.
Here’s where “you” lands a jab-cross combo from hell. Almost every professional or mentor will give you a different piece of advice, most contradicting what the other has said.
It’s the subjectivity that can drive a man insane. Who should I listen to? What should I do?
“You” is toying with your head. Sinking doubt deeper and deeper into your mind while confusion sets in and you don’t know whether or not you’re ready for the evening news or a 3x5 solitary cell at the state asylum.
Kid, wrap your knuckles and fight back. Trust yourself and the wisdom of the mentors you trust most. Listen to what everyone has to say but you determine what’s most important.
Because guess what, it only takes one. There will be one person willing to give you a shot. One person who likes your stuff and wants you to join their team.
For me that was WGXA, the #2 station in the Macon market which ranks in the 120’s out of 212 media markets across the nation. Not a bad place to start.
(To any aspiring sports anchor, Macon is an awesome market. Great high school athletics, awesome local college scene, rich sports history, plus UGA-Tech-Masters and ATL sports. Trust me there are worse places.)
So like all my mentors stressed before, I finally got “my foot in the door.”
And now we’re in round three. The two best and worst years of your life.
Small market television can be a lot like a college party. Your first few you’re rocking your best kicks and going all in until the cows come home. By the homestretch you feel like throwing on sweats and a vintage NBA jersey while drinking straight from your fifth of fireball.
Basically what I’m trying to say is it can get old pretty quick, if “you” let it. Racing around hitting lifeless softball games and dueling wing-t high school football games might put you too sleep. You’ll mess up a name in the teleprompter on more than one occasion, mess up a catchy line, get scolded by your news director for forgetting to read an email, and I PROMISE your live shot will die.
I’m not done. You’ll work with people you aren’t fond of and be told on more than one occasion, you aren’t good enough to move up.
Round four is here. What are you going to do? Are you going to be drug down by the mundane and negativity that you give up for good? There’s nothing wrong with tapping out at this point. You’re going to deal with some crap and for a lot of really good and talented people, it’s best for them to pursue something else.
I have know plenty of people who switched to a different aspect of news or have gotten out of the business for good and it was the right decision for them. Not because they didn’t have it, but they knew they could be happier doing something else.
So that brings us back to the young sports anchor. Ready to make some lemonade?
It’s sports. You get to film, write, talk, debate, laugh, love, read, and deliver sports every night. How is that not the best job in the world?
Do you know how many people are sitting at a bar right now wishing they were you? Do you know how many people bribe you for credentials? Dude you’re getting paid to do this.
Compartmentalize the bull. It won’t go away and sometimes it will get ugly. Be strong in your stance but be willing to admit our mistakes.
Back to the good stuff. Every night you’re talking football, hoops, hockey baseball, soccer, track, and even the weird sports no one thinks about. We’re seeing lives change on signing day, athletes make once in a lifetime plays, and fans that sometimes tip toe the line of “oh my god that’s hilarious” and “dear lord you need Jesus in your heart.”
You get to tell the story off the field. The inspirational anecdote that lifts all of us up.
If you’re like me, you can’t get enough of this stuff. You’ll care about it so much you’ll want to get better. And trust me, that taste of humble pie you were served in grad school won’t taste as bad this time around.
If you work hard enough, smart enough, act professional, let your personality shine, and love what you’ll do, you’ll get the reward.
I got my reward, twice actually. Two job offers in larger markets that were great opportunities for some, but not right for me.
That’s why I write this today not out of bitter but out of inspiration. My next step will come. Why? Because all it takes is one. Like that cheesy line in Little Giants, “one time.”
It’s going to come. For that kid out there reading this. Don’t be scared and don’t cry for me. I’ll be okay. Every now and then “you” comes back for a sparing match, and sometimes I’ll need a hand (thanks Karli and my family for the help).
At the end of the day I believe in myself. I’m still standing. I’m not going anywhere. I tip my cap to the Wes Blankenships and Patrick Welters of the world, storytellers who don’t realize the impact they’ve had on my career. I tip my cap to the thousands of people who have offered me feedback on clips, reels and stories (I’ve fixated on your words). I tip my cap to the sports anchor in market whatever grinding just like me.
I know what you’re going through. Keep your chin up bro.
My final word to anyone in this business or thinking of getting into sports media is this; Believe in yourself when others won’t and always look for ways to get better. At the end of the day it is sports. Don’t overthink it.
P.S. I’m available for hire.
Inspiring!
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