It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way – in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only.
I’m not the best when it comes to handling tragedies or loss of life as I’m not the praying type nor is it my opinion (key word) that words mean much to those who are feeling unbearable heartbreak. If you’re reading this blog you’re probably my age, or a little older, and can remember the terrorist attacks or tragedies that have defined (or plagued) our generation. In 1993 there was the World Trade Center bombing; 1995 the Oklahoma City bombing; 1996 the Centennial Olympic Park bombing; 1998 the Embassy bombings; 2001 the September 11 attacks; Fort Hood, Virginia Tech, NIU and now the Boston Marathon.
As the “who, how or why” is unknown and not necessarily fitting for discussion on a Big Ten football/basketball blog, I’d just like to say that all of us feel not only for the families of those who lost someone yesterday but also for those people who were injured, maimed or traumatized. Many will need rehab, physical and (probably) years of emotional therapy to move on. Terrorism is cowardice. And we’re all really f’ing tired of it.
On a MUCH lighter note, Bill Iffrig. Many of you have probably seen this photo taken immediately after the second explosion by Boston Globe photographer John Tlumacki. It depicts Boston police officers drawing guns and trying to get a grasp on the situation, as well as an unidentified marathon runner who was knocked to the ground by the blast. That runner was 78-year-old Bill Iffrig who was only 10 or so feet from the finish line when the first bomb detonated. Via Deadspin and the Herald:
A race official came to check on him and helped him up.
Then, accompanied by the official, Iffrig walked the last 12 feet or so across the finish line.
"I ended up second in my division," he said. "After you've run 26 miles you're not going to stop there." His timing chip marked his finish at 4 hours, 3 minutes, 47 seconds.
Dedication. Not only by the marathon runners who finished the race but also those who continued on to the hospital to give blood to those injured; the Boston police officers and everyone who ran TOWARDS the blast; the first responders; and everyone who disregarded their own safety to help others…those are the stories we’ll remember from yesterday.
Here are some brief links:
- This isn't Illinois related so much as it is Tom Fornelli going on a rant about things he hates on Twitter. That's ok though, as it's hilarious.
- Tom Dienart thinks Indiana is a program on the rise.
- Horace E. Cow of BHGP predicts Iowa's 2014 basketball lineup. 2013-2014 lineup, that is.
- Michigan got a commitment from Drake Harris, who originally said he was going to play for MSU. Conspiracy?
- Le'Veon Bell has been called one of the NFL Draft's most overrated prospects by KC Joyner of ESPN.com. While I agree that I think Bell is overrated a few things: 1) MOST overrated is probably a stretch; 2) Who the fuck is KC Joyner?
- Mike of Corn Nation asks what the impact on sports is when terrorists strike a sporting event.
- Ohio State is more hungry than just 12-0.
- Boiled Sports with a great piece on America being America after yesterday.