So, over the past weekend, I got hit with a cold. With the feeling of motivation equal to that of the Packers and Steelers defenses, I spent most of my time resting up in my room. This is the sports editor’s guide to spending a sick day the sport’s way.
Netflix: ‘D2: The Mighty Ducks’
Nothing beats going on a nostalgia trip when you are sick. “D2” is a great example of that. The first “Mighty Ducks” movie will go down with five-year-old me as the best movie ever.
Sadly, the original is not on Netflix, otherwise that would make the list. “D2” at least is a decent sequel, even watching it now it makes no sense. Still, it harkens back to a simpler time, when students worried about what they had for snack time and not what exam was coming up.
Amazon Video: ‘The Grand Tour’
What do you call three old men on a car show that really don’t talk about cars? That would be “The Grand Tour.” The old “Top Gear” presenters Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond are back with their usual antics.
It is a good joy to watch, and the cars aren’t bad as well. Just in the first episode, they get the “Holy Trinity” of the Ferrari LaFerrari, Mclaren P1 and Porsche 918. Not bad, not bad at all.
Xbox: ‘Forza Horizon 3’
I’m sorry PS4 owners, but this is just my preferred console. And “FH3” is the natural progression from “The Grand Tour.” It is perfect for the sick because you don’t need to think about what you are doing. That is the beauty of an open world game. You can choose to not actually do anything, so hoon around in pretty much any car.
Set in Australia, I personally prefer to hop into the Group B Audi Quatrro and hop around the Outback. My only goal, see how big of a skill chain I can get.
Xbox and PS4: ‘Madden 17’
Now I got you PS4 owners. Now, I am not saying that you should play All-Madden Franchise Mode or Ultimate Team. No, because you need to be operating at 100 percent cognitively to do those, and you are not if you are sick.
No, stick it down to semi-pro and play as the Patriots against the Browns. See how many points you can but up, just for the fun.
TV: ESPN’s ‘Happy Hour’
Remember the good ole days when ESPN was at the height of its power? Those day are past, and why SportsCenter doesn’t make the list. The fact that each hour of SC has its own theme (and theme song) annoys me more than it should, but I digress. But the “Happy Hour” of “Around the Horn” and “Pardon the Interruption” are still quite good.
“ATH” is good for argument’s sake, and Woody Paige’s blackboard often gives sound advice. “PTI” also lets a pair of writers talk, and it often is a good conversation. The most enjoyable shows on ESPN in my book.
Podcast: ‘Men in Blazers’
The perfect “I am going to take a nap, and need something to block out the noise.” If you pay any attention to the English Premier League, this is for you. All you need to know is that it is two bald men in a panic room talking about soccer. There are jokes and references galore.
Do you agree that Jose Mourinho would get squashed by the giant, Teutonic, care-bear Jürgen Klopp’s hug? If you even partly understand that sentence, take a listen to this pod.