Thank you, sports

Sports has the power to make you smile like an idiot.

Bloopers and amazing plays, no-hitters pitched and broken up, diving catches, ridiculous dunks, moves that can’t even be described. Favorite teams winning championships after long draughts (a Cubs fan can dream, can’t he?). Little else can make us grin from ear to ear as consistently. Or as stupidly.

There’s so much crap in the world, and there’s plenty of it in the world of sports. But for the most part, sports saves us.

So I forgive this spot all of its faults and thank EA sports for making me smile.



I forgive the cliched track, and the poorly obscured faces, and some pretty shaky mattes and composites.

Because I love the magic they created. Especially the casting and the wardrobe.

I love the mother and daughter who beat the Williams sisters and I love their Sunday-at-the-public-courts outfits. Ditto with Steve Nash and his hoodie-wearing teammate who couldn’t win a game of HORSE at a nursery school. And the kid skating with unbridled purpose and joy in the Red Wings sweater and blue jeans.

Nobody in the cast would’ve made it anywhere near callbacks for a Gatorade commercial but they’re perfect for a spot that makes us all believe we can play with the big boys and girls.

It all just makes me feel good.

I admit that the music, while cliched, gets the goosebumps going. And there are inspired effects-created moments, like when Ben Roethlisberger rubs his hand on our bearded friend's head.

And the way the product is introduced is smart, especially snuck into the middle of all the feel-great celebrations.

We could all use as much joy as possible these days. I want me as much as possible. Thank you, sports. Thank you, EA.