Why do we love sports? Here are some best memories of that first spark

It's been a long time since we've had a full schedule of sports. And we're really missing the action. It made us think: what is the reason we first fell in love with sports?

So we put out the call to staff and to our readers to tell us their stories. What was the moment or reason that you first felt “that” connection.

These are those stories:

WHY DO I LOVE SPORTS? ...

Because I was allowed to stay up late to watch Monday Night Football ...

I was sound asleep when I felt a soft tap on my shoulder. “Hey,” my dad whispered, “football's on.” I groggily climbed out of bed and followed him downstairs as I began to realize what a momentous occasion this was. The year was 1973. It was the day after my birthday. My one request was to be able to stay up late and watch my favorite team, the Washington Redskins, play the hated Dallas Cowboys on Monday Night Football. But Monday was a school night and 8:30 was my bedtime. football. And with a small basket and a glove or helmet slung over the handlebar, that bike was perfect for carrying all the equipment needed.

The time was 1952 and I was 14. It was just me and a slew of guys that came to the playground for a pick-up game of the sport in season. Didn't always have a full team, but somehow that never mattered. Just adjust the rules a bit and played on. The best two players were captains and then they shot fingers to select the team. We played the positions we were known for and filled in where there was a need. The goal was to get playing.

If no one was available, we just umpired ourselves and, except for rare occasions, no fisticuffs interrupted play. We played on into the late shadows, congratulated all on a good game, and raced home right about the time our parents were calling us in for dinner.

Sports were everything because it gave me the opportunity to be with friends, play to exhaustion, learn how to quickly organize a game, and then dive right in. After a time, organized sports became my love in my high school years, a bit in my college years, into my military service years and then working years. At some point playing was replaced by being a fan.

Now at 82 years old, I can still watch a TV sporting event and remember those good old days. Yes, sports have been a lifetime love.

Because one Olympian made me want to represent my country. And I did.

It was during the 1976 summer Olympics. I watched Caitlyn Jenner, formerly known as Bruce, win the decathlon. I loved the red, white and blue and watching him run around with our flag.

I remember running outside in my backyard with a small US flag playing make-believe that I had just won. I told myself that I would go to the Olympics – I didn't know in what sport – but I would go and represent my country. I did. my Dad and I sitting in front of the TV watching our beloved Yankees battle the dreaded Red Sox. Righetti had struggled the year before but he looked like a new man that day and struck out seven of the first nine he faced.

I remember how excited my Dad was becoming at the possibility of a no-no and naturally that excitement jumped to me because I had never witnessed a no-hitter before and to see it done by my favorite player and on July 4th no less...so much fun for a six year old. Righetti would ultimately walk four, one in the 9th to really put the feat in jeopardy but would work out of it and get Wade Boggs of all people to strike out to end the game.

Righetti would have his second shutout in as many starts and had just no hit the Sox!! I truly fell in love with sports that day and still love them today.

Because I’ll never forget my first look at the field...

Born in 1951, my father first took me to a Cincinnati Reds game in the mid1950s. After we parked near the stadium, I don't remember the walk to Crosley Field. Nor do I remember getting into the stadium or walking under the stands. What I do remember so vividly it is burned into my memory, as much as my first view of my newborn son, is walking through the tunnel into the stands and seeing the field for the first time. The lights were illuminating the field, so the field was swimming in the darkness of the night.

Because Willis Reed put it all on the line...

Willis Reed for the New York Knicks in the 1970 NBA final against Los Angeles. I was 14 years old and he gave what he gave for the team with no thought about himself. His actual performance didn't matter as much as the devotion to not giving in or giving up. So much more than inspiration and it lives so large in my memory.

Because sports meant everything to my childhood...

I don't remember there being one magical, clear-eyed moment when I fell in love with sports. I just always remember being obsessed. Playing sports. Watching sports. Reading about sports. When I was little, my house had a heavy front door that would stick when it was locked at night. Mornings, I woke before my parents did. So, I went out the manageable back door, ran around the side of the house and went out front to grab the Sports section. Sports on TV were good. Sports in person were best. Many of the teams and leagues don't exist anymore. Neither do some of the venues. The obsession remains.

Because I wasn’t allowed to play sports...

My moment doesn't include a famous sports star or an immaculate reception but rather a moment in my life being the only girl with four big brothers back in 1972 when I was 4.

My father was sports nut and coached youth sports like it was a necessity of life. It was his air. He was coaching a little lads basketball team with a couple of my brothers and I went to a practice with him.

I quietly grabbed a ball and started walking to my own hoop to try and throw a ball up to it when I was abruptly stopped and given one rule and a quick instruction on mechanics. I was then told until I could shoot it correctly and make my first shot, I was only going to be allowed to shag balls... what??? Only shag balls??? The horror of being excluded. Needless to say, that moment changed my life and love for sports. I became a 10-time All State Athlete in the state of Florida in three different sports and in Clearwater Central Catholic HS Hall of Fame. I received multiple scholarship offers but went with basketball obviously, was team MVP at Columbus State University (Ga.) and also the Female Athlete of the Year for my college as well.

It was the moment I wasn't allowed to play sports that my love for sports began and still lives to this day!

Because sports is my soundtrack...

For most of you, I suspect your favorite sports memories replay in your mind for you like a photo or a film clip – a `spectacular catch, a majestic home run, a monster dunk that put at least two guys on posters. Well, for me, sports have a soundtrack – the crack of the bat, balls bouncing on courts, the thwacking of pads – and oh yeah, the whistles. Always the whistles.

Because of the awesome memories I have of my late brother...

I lost my brother to a car accident on

June 11, 2007, so this time leading up to the anniversary of his death is always tender. But it always brings up awesome memories of our shared love of sports. My brother, Lee, was 20 when he passed away. I was 17 and about to enter my senior year of high school. As I reflect on the time I had with my brother so many memories involve sports. He is gone now, but no one can ever take away all the memories we made watching our sports heroes, rejoicing when our teams won, and playing pickup in the driveway. These cherished memories are the reason I love sports! (Read more of Bryce's story here.)

Because my dad’s devotion to a losing team was infectious ...

I grew up in New Jersey, the daughter of a lifelong Cleveland Browns fan. In the heart of New York Giants country, my dad, David Rosenberg, rooted for a team that had never even made it to the Super Bowl. But his dedication and devotion to his team was infectious, and I found myself rooting for the Orange and Brown, too. My love of my team keeps me close to my dad and every time I go to a game, I wear one of his old hats or jerseys so he is there with me.

Because I grew up at the perfect time for baseball in LA...

I grew up as a Jewish boy in the San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles and my four years of Little League were 19631966. Of those years, the Dodgers were in the World Series in three of them and won the championship twice. Also, the best pitcher on the planet was Sandy Koufax and he was also Jewish and lived near my neighborhood so I had an idol + local MLB team + world championships + Little League = WHY I LOVE SPORTS!

Because sports gave me an outlet...

As early as I can remember I was always playing some sport involving a ball, stick, or puck. When I began team sports at 4 years old I poured my heart and soul into every practice and game as much as a 4-year-old could. As time passed the joy a simple practice, scrimmage or a game brought to my life was amazing. Growing up within an unstable home environment I sought refuge in sports. Sports saved me from a life that would have ended in despair as many of my childhood friends ended up incarcerated or dead due to unwise choices and unwise time decisions.

Sports teaches us all about hard work, dedication, teamwork, and discipline. You cannot be successful in sports without hard work, and I think us former athletes appreciate and respect that the most. Sports gives us the sense of achievement and the agony of defeat. Every human emotion is revealed in sports. I fell in love with sports because it allowed me an escape from reality at home and taught me the value of life's most precious gifts: time, love, and desire. Sports made me the man I am today. A husband, father, teacher, professor, coach, mentor, and fan. I fell in love with sports because it created the best version of myself through teaching me how to fail, succeed, and continue to apply myself every day until I became a champion of life. And I hope to get the next 86,400 seconds to try it again.

Because I can’t fathom my life without sports...

I grew up attending Milwaukee Braves games with my father. During the late '50s, my dad and I sat in the right field extension and saw the future Hall of Famer, Hank Aaron. I collected baseball cards just like any other child who fell in love with the game. And in 1960, I watched the Green Bay Packers in the NFL Championship Game, losing to the Philadelphia Eagles, 17-13, as Green Bay was driving when time expired. From that game until today, I became an avid Packer fan, not missing a game on TV or radio for going on 59 years now. And as a 7th grader, I began attending Marquette Warrior games at the old Milwaukee Arena, with the late Coach Al McGuire pacing the court. I say all this to give one an idea of what sports has meant to me. I love sports because it's been my escape from the realities of life, which today are hard to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Not having any “live” sports since the first week of March has been hard to deal with. I've already lost the NCAA Tournament, The Masters, Kentucky Derby and Preakness, the NBA playoffs, and the Indianapolis 500. Sports has, and always will be my number one love. I can't fathom my life without sports to watch.