YouTube has some truly amazing videos that are thrilling, awe-inspiring, incredible, and amazing. Here are a few recommendations: All of these videos can be found on youtube.com.
Pete Maravich was the greatest college basketball player of all time, averaging over 44 points per game. He epitomized what the game of basketball should be. He was exceptional at passing, dribbling and shooting. In a 1977 game against the Knicks, he outplayed Bob McAdoo, Bill Bradley, Walt Frazier, Earl Monroe and Phil Jackson. To see it, search “Maravich 68 points vs. Knicks.”
At the 2008 Indoor Big Ten Track Championships, a University of Minnesota girl fell during the 600 meter race (three laps around the track). Incredibly, Heather Dorniden got up and rejoined the race, still finishing in first place. Search “Dorniden falls and wins race.”
If you want to see something that will bring a good-hearted person to tears, you have to see a great act of human kindness and decency. At an NBA game in Seattle, a teenager was chosen to sing the national anthem. With the crowd, players and TV cameras trained on her, Natalie Gilbert forgot the words and couldn’t finish. Alone in the glare of the worst moment of her life, a white knight came to her rescue. Coach Mo Cheeks stepped forward and put his arm around her shoulders to the thunderous cheers of the crowd who finished singing along with her. What a great and glorious moment for humanity. Search for “Mo Cheeks national anthem” to see this moving video.
Don’t try to outdo Rick Ankiel. Rick Ankiel emerged as a rookie pitcher for the Cardinals in 2002. As a left-handed pitcher, he threw in the high 90s and a 12-6 mph curveball that froze hitters at the plate. But he developed the yips in a playoff game against Atlanta, which ended his pitching career. Luckily, he returned to the team as an outfielder. He was one of the best in the league at getting runners out. In an away game at Colorado, he made two spectacular throws in one game to get a runner to third base. Search for “Ankiel shows off his prowess with two plays.”
To see the best opening credit sequences in movie history, type “Walk on the Wild Side – Mr. Cat” and click on the top list. With Elmer Bernstein’s amazing music working its magic, the enchanting black cat roams the streets of New Orleans. He walks with confidence, calm and regularity. When he encounters a rival, he chases them off in a ferocious feline fight. Then he calmly carries on with his duties. Many who have seen this episode believe that Mr. Cat should have received an Academy Award.
Taysom Hill plays for the New Orleans Saints in the NFL. He is so versatile that he has been nicknamed “Swiss Army Knife.” He can play quarterback, running back, or tight end if the coaches decide to use him. Taysom has made a lot of great plays over the years that are very entertaining. Try searching “Taysom Hill best plays of his career.”
Two more really fun videos feature Silky Sullivan, the thoroughbred who won at Santa Anita in 1958, and Austin Reeves, the undrafted free agent with the Los Angeles Lakers who fans hailed as the MVP a year earlier. Sullivan won the race despite being 41 lengths behind at the halfway point. Reeves, a skinny kid from Arkansas, shows off some incredibly slick basketball moves and a killer three-point shot. Type in “Silky Sullivan wins at Santa Anita in 1958” and select the color version. Then type in “An hour with Austin Reeves.”
Bill Nunez is a retired EHS teacher.