Instead of watching SNL last night (below), I stumbled upon the latest 30 For 30, entitled You Don't Know Bo. The subject: who many call the greatest athlete we'll ever see in our lifetime - two-sport star Bo Jackson.
In another stirring documentary from ESPN, You Don't Know Bo dives into the upbringing through Bo's career as the only MLB All-Star and NFL All-Pro in history, before a dislocated hip (and subsequent hip replacement surgery) derailed his career(s) from reaching further heights. But beyond the facts of his sporting accomplishments, we also get an examination of the mythology surrounding Bo Jackson as a super-hero.
Bo was widely seen as such because of his athleticism that we haven't seen before or since, combined with the iconic "Bo Knows" Nike campaign and stories of his incredible athletic feats (hit the crown of the KC Royals logo in center field in his first swing at batting practice, jumped over a Volkswagen, you know, those sorts of things). Plus, Bo was so naturally gifted, and he didn't talk about himself or that openly to the media, that there was a sense that he didn't care like he could - for example, in the sense that he famously referred to playing football as a "hobby", hah! Consequently, we got a captivating look at the legend of Bo, which was just as fascinating as the reminder of his awe-inspiring athletic feats.
It's another must-watch 30 For 30, ripped to the interwebs above (shouts 2 Yardie), and to further reel you in, enjoy this Bo Jackson highlight montage below.
One last note: I couldn't help but think of our own personal experience with Bo back in 2010 when watching You Don't Know Bo. The same humility that was described and seen in the documentary is something we can backup first-hand as well. Check that throwback interview and our experience here. Bo Knows!
Last night, ESPN's 30 For 30 premiered the powerful tale of "Benji" - Ben Wilson, ranked the highest rated high school basketball player going into his senior year at Simeon High School (later Derrick Rose's alum). Wilson was sadly gunned down before the senior season started and it was a tragic end to a promising career that was felt not only in Chicago, but across the country in 1984. The documentary, directed by Coodie & Chike, not only tells the story to a new generation of people, but can also help illustrate and draw parallels to some of the same issues going on in our city, and the country, in 2012. Join me in watching above and for even more on the topic, read the magnificent article on Ben Wilson from the homie Scoop Jacksonhere.
Had to show some love to ESPN's latest masterpiece in its 30 For 30 series with 9.79* premiering last night. It told the story of Ben Johnson's world-record setting 100m Final at the 1988 Seoul Summer Olympics, and his subsequent disqualification just days later after testing positive for steroids. The documentary also dives into his rivalry with Carl Lewis in the years leading up to the Olympics and the impact the race and awareness of PEDs in sports has had on the participants and to the general public. Interviews with both Ben Johnson and Carl Lewis helped give us that direct perspective on the story that anyone under 25 was unable to witness in 1988. Even if you're a mere casual observer of track and field, you'll be intrigued from the start. I highly suggest you scour your ESPN listings to find the next airing. Above is the trailer to further reel you in, and below: the actual race itself - crazy to watch this raw piece of history.
I, among many other sports documentary enthusiasts, am of the highest of excitement for the return of ESPN's 30 For 30 series. (Sidebar: Kuda & I watch about one a week at the office, hah.) The second documentary slated for release this October (the 9th to be exact) is '9.79*' - the story of Ben Johnson's world record 100m race at the '88 Olympic Games, only to be asterisked after he tested positive for anabolic steroids just days later. The trailer above was released today and it's already, as expected, riveting. (Full synopsis below).
ESPN's 30 For 30 returns on October 2nd, making it a trifecta for sports-loving hip hop fans everywhere. If you're keeping track at home, that's 30 For 30, NBA 2K13, and Kendrick Lamar's Good Kid, m.A.A.d. city. Ladies, plan for a ladies night.
The 100-meter men’s final at the 1988 Seoul Games was the fastest and perhaps most thrilling sprint in Olympic history. But within 48 hours, gold medalist Ben Johnson had tested positive for anabolic steroids, and scandal reigned. This one race still haunts the eight men who took part. But what brought them to the starting line? And what happened to them since?
