Giving thanks this Thanksgiving

By Nick Lilja

The Forest Grove News-Times, Nov 27, 2009

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Jim Murray, former Los Angeles Times writer, is my inspiration. He has been since my 13th column. And trust me, that column was as unlucky as the number it represented. Jim cleaned my slate. Set me straight. Taught me how to write again.

I never got the chance to thank Jim for everything he did for me. All I can do is write in his honor. So today I’m putting a new twist on a classic.

Jim, on the day before Thanksgiving, I just want to let you know I’m thankful, but ...

I’d be more thankful if women’s sports received as much national publicity as men’s sports. Sure, it’s fun to joke when WNBA highlights come on SportsCenter but for every 9-year-old girl that can beat her brother in a game of one-on-one, it’s a dream.

I’ll be more thankful when Gaston quarterback David Carr goes to Fresno State. When it does happen, it’s a good thing Carr wears No. 11. Turns out Fresno State already retired No. 8.

I’d be more thankful if Major League Baseball went to a salary cap and the NFL didn’t go a season without one.

I’ll be more thankful when I can sit down to cover a basketball game. There is nothing quite like the atmosphere of good football, but basketball is, you know, indoors. Where it isn’t 35 degrees and raining.

I’d be more thankful if that 35-degree rain was falling as snow.

I’ll be more thankful when Twitter falls out of popularity. It’s ruining the English language. “LOL! BENGULS LOST! GIMMIE A BRAKE!” That was from a Portland State graduate – a school my children will no longer attend.

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