Why I am going into sports journalism

I could tell you that I am getting into sports journalism because "I was raised on sports" or "the games just fascinate me."

But the truth is, I want to become a sports journalist because of Shaquille O'Neal.

In fifth grade, my brother explained to me the idea of professional sports by showing me a Lakers game on NBC. Before then, I had never known the world of sports extended beyond college. I knew that the Tennessee Volunteers existed, and I knew the teams they played existed, but beyond that the world of sports did not exist to me.

But Shaquille O'Neal changed that.

As my brother explained to me that players could leave college and make sports their job, I watched the biggest guy on the t.v. dunking on everyone in his way.

From then on, I couldn't get enough of the NBA. I woke up early to get the paper in. I lived and breathed the sports headlines.

From there, I read every article I could get my hands on. I didn't care if it was women's basketball, major league baseball or ice skating. I was going to read it.

I studied the pages and pages of standings and statistics. I learned all the abbreviations.

I developed opinions. I argued sports with my brother and grandfather all the time.

I still have a picture I cut out of the USA Today the morning after the Lakers got past the Trailblazers in the 2000 playoffs. The photo shows Shaq running down the court with both fingers pointing towards the sky after one of the most memorable dunks in NBA history.

The passion that Shaquille O'Neal helped to uncover never went away.

I can't get enough.

I went to Bristol Motor Speedway before I even followed racing. I went to a preseason NFL game before I was a Titan's fan.

I just can't fall out of love with sports.

Talking it and breathing it are a part of my passion, and I want to spend my life enjoying the world of sports.