We spend a lot of time and a lot more ink debating the items, interest and the intent of the storylines and the key figures in the sports world.
We do this because it's fun, and because we care and because of the passion sports can deliver to all of us. Be you a fair weather fan or a fanatic, there comes a time -- be it a college football miracle or a Monday afternoon -- when the magic of sports can inspire, infuriate and infiltrate all of us.
With that as the mistletoe motivation, let's make a Christmas list for the big names and teams in the sports world. (And feel free to offer any that we missed.)
For Tiger Woods, may you get a comfort level with the club in your hand that you have not know in almost seven years. This exile has been more than enough karmically, and from the biggest Tiger hater to the biggest Tiger homer, we all can admit that golf is much more intriguing with Tiger in the mix.
For Roger Goodell, may you get a comfort level with the truth that you forgot in 2014. Your complete and total butchering of arguably the biggest sports story of the year left your legacy in question and the conversation in whispers. The conversations since and the NFL's place in leading the discussion about domestic assault happened despite your lack of leadership not because of it, and no matter how many extra point rules or playoff additions you pitch, we all know it.
For the Tennessee Titans, may you get a player -- any player -- around which to build. This is a franchise that is as exciting as a tax audit and as inspirational as a safety pamphlet. The Titans need star power more than playmakers and that's saying something for a team that Jacksonville has spanked.
For Peyton Manning, may he pull one more January rabbit from his helmet and land that second Super Bowl. And if that happens, well, here's hoping he buys the Titans and rescues the mess in Nashville all by himself. Then he could be the Governor of Tennessee.
For LeBron James, may he get the ovation he deserves today when he returns to Miami. James made the Heat relevant again, and that, despite the jagged break-up, should be the lasting memory of his time on South Beach.
For John Smoltz, may he know first-ballot inclusion into the Hall of Fame this year. Dude was an ultimate ace, a shutdown closer and a first-class gentleman.
For the rest of the Braves organization, well, may you have a better finish to 2015 than you did 2014, where you dealt your best hitter, your best young player and the most recent free-agent signing was leaked by manager Fredi Gonzalez at the Honeybaked Ham store. Yes, the Honeybaked Ham store. The only way that gets funnier is if Cheech and Chong were in line behind Fredi G. at the Hneybaked Ham store.
For the sports department of the TFP, may they know that their efforts are appreciated by those that need to know what's happening and love the games with the same fervor and commitment as we do. This is more than a job, folks, it's a way of life. And to a person at the TFP, we would not have it any other way.
For the UTC football program, may you get another shot on the quarterfinal stage and may the next one be without a double-reverse flea-flicker screen pass that goes for a 61-yard TD. Losing stinks, but losing to a foe you are better than is way worse.
For the Vols football program, may you finish the drill and land a bowl win that delivers the program's first winning record since Lane Kiffin was still beloved in Knox County. Plus, a bowl win could springboard UT into a preseason Top-20 discussion next August.
For the rest of the college football fans out there, may your returning quarterback be much improved (or your new quarterback be much better than you think) and may your coaching staff return with the passion of William Wallace (unless you want that coaching staff gone and then may they flee like they were chased by Marsellus Wallace).
For sports fans in general, may you know the joy that comes with pure competition and the fun of watching a team improve like the 6-year-old Bulls did this year. After losing a doubleheader on opening day by a combined score of 23-1, the Bulls were one out from winning the championship, which was won -- and deservedly so by all measures -- by the Thunder.
It was a thrilling roller coaster to go from Chico's Bail Bonds Bears to the edge of winning it all, and much thanks to for the unyielding spirits and the boundless energy of Rob, Lee, Jack, Brady, Charlie, Dane, Landon, Douglas, Brayden, Mitch, and Ryan (and their parents). Want to know the true joy of sports? Catch the look in a kid's eyes when he makes contact for the first time or the smile on his face after receiving a game ball, and those experiences speak to the greatness and potential and pleasure in sports.
It's why we all come back and why we are willing to have our heart broken over a game, because the potential payout is priceless.
Merry Christmas everyone, and may you win the ones you should and enjoy the rest as best you can.