Mar15

About the NCAA bracket…

Hey friends,

I will host a group on Yahoo, but when I pulled up the brackets this morning, I started thinking about the choices – of course I am naturally USC biased – but while contemplating the options I realized that I have a philosophical dilemma with choosing one athlete over another; I like to pull for all the athletes to achieve at their highest level regardless of outcome. When you think about how many factors go into a win or loss: how many hours of dedicated training of the mind and body each of these young athletes has committed to and endured, how many little bounces of the ball that might ultimately make the difference in the outcome, how many outside decisions from coaches, refs, fans, camera operators, flash bulbs – an endless stream of outside forces – I cannot help but want to pull for all of the athletes to win. Choosing one team over the other is too difficult for me. Each of these guys is laying it on the line: emotional courage, physical fortitude, spiritual engagement. I take great joy in the struggle of competition, and in this I’ll choose to honor all the efforts of these young men.

Despite the fact that I won’t choose a bracket, I will host a group over at yahoo and I will enjoy watching you guys compete! There will be several prizes to be won. Take pride in your choices – I’ll be watching, judging, honoring! And I am sure that we might even get my hair to compete with you – it’s incorrigible.

Stay tuned to twitter and facebook tomorrow, about midday. My brother will be posting details about where the yahoo group is and what the giveaways will be.

You all are great, thanks –
TP

46 Comments

Leave Your Own
  1. Duane Wilson

    Reply

    Sounds like a plan Troy…I look forward to it. DW

  2. Tiffany

    Reply

    I LOVE this message. This is so true. I know nothing about college hoops, I also hate picking one over the other because I root for all athletes who compete with everything they have in them. I will however be in this contest.

  3. Karen

    Reply

    Totally understand. Thanks for hosting!

  4. Chris

    Reply

    Could I participate?!

  5. Hamani

    Reply

    Awesome! Thanks troy!

  6. Jerry Basurto

    Reply

    HI troy i think you and your people are doing a cool thing you are one of the best if not the best def. players around make some calls get your word in and end this lock out thanks

  7. tish

    Reply

    Troy
    you are such a classic and all around genuine team player.if i was in Cali i’d love to participate in your Yahoo get together. I know everyone will be a winner regardless just because your presence exudes this all the time.
    stay blessed,
    T.Payne

  8. David Mendoza

    Reply

    I just filled out my bracket on Yahoo Sports and I have no group.
    I’m playing against Snoop Dogg on another site and joined his group.
    I look forward to see what you have planned.

    FIGHT ON!!

  9. Cristy Perfetti

    Reply

    I would love to do this bracket.

  10. Terena Miller

    Reply

    Awesome ~ can’t wait!!!! You ARE the absolute best!!!! :) Takes a fabulous athlete to recognize the unending talent of others!!! :)

  11. Marsha Crawford

    Reply

    Hey Troy! Definitely interested!!! Marsha

  12. Zach

    Reply

    Sounds good man i will join

  13. m mays

    Reply

    Good luck to everybody and thanks TP for doing this :)

  14. Trina Marie

    Reply

    Awesome, I can’t wait. Not doing it for the prizes as much as I am doing it for the fun of watching the games. Like you said, its hard to choose one team to win it all. Oh and I would love for your hair to compete against us LOL!!! : ) Just let us know when its ready!
    Trina Marie, Proud CWO5 USMC Wife 4 Life

  15. ZAFranks

    Reply

    TP–43? omg u r soooooooooooo beautiful…will u marry me? if ur already married gud 4 her if not…grrrrrrr8 news 4 me!!!! whooo hoo…”pick me n all ur wildest dreamss will come true…- thank u” *bows n walks off stage* Lol

  16. Tammy Wise

    Reply

    Troy I just wanted to say your an awesome man & my family & I just love watching you play football, as far as the NCAA I have to go with them KENTUCKY WILDCATS. GOO WILDCATS!!!

  17. Mickel Perkins

    Reply

    Should be good fun, and take our minds off this labor/cba thing ;/

  18. Jackie

    Reply

    Troy is the greatest football player we have

  19. Bill Ericsson

    Reply

    Hey Troy, It doesn’t matter what the the prize is, if you are putting it on, I’m in! You are an amazing person and a phenomenal athlete. I am so glad you play for the team that I’ve been a fan of since birth 1973. Go Steelers!!!

  20. Erin Schnaible

    Reply

    hey how do u cetch all the footballs . u are my favorite person

  21. Laurie Anderson-Albrecht

    Reply

    Let’s go Buckeyes!

  22. Ele Paolino

    Reply

    Thanks a bunch Troy – I’ll be looking for the bracket.
    And I think that your reasoning for not picking a bracket is a show of real sportsmanship on your part. It is very tough to pick, especially when you look at all of the players as individuals rather than looking at the team as a whole, but the ability to play well with others is just as important. You are a stellar example of that reasoning.
    ~peace~
    ele paolino

  23. Mark Halischak

    Reply

    Ready to go

  24. Beth

    Reply

    You truly are a good sportman Troy! Well said.

  25. Daver

    Reply

    I respect that, Troy!

  26. Cindy J White

    Reply

    Kudos to you! This doesn’t surprise me at all that you take this stand. Such a respectable man and player you are!! In fact was talking about you in our Sunday School class this week! Yes we can all enjoy the hard work of the players and coaches!!

  27. Christi Laney

    Reply

    Come on Troy Mike and Mike can do a bracket why can you. Are you one that has to pick USC cux they are in it..Come on. Live dangerous do a bracket…Ha ha ..Thats ok if you dont The Steelers still ROC>>>>>>

  28. colleen Atwell

    Reply

    I love your football playing. I would love to starting a basket ball poo

  29. Thanks for the info , Troy...My husband is a former basketball coach and is glued to the TV every day. I will relay the info to him. God Bless you!

    Reply

    You are the greatest!

  30. Dolly Ulica

    Reply

    Ok, I want to play, I’m TOTALLY clueless on most of the teams, but hey it’s all about luck right….where will I look for the brackets??? Um can we do one together so I don’t look totally incompetent…..hahahaha Just kidding….. :)

  31. Kim Lynn

    Reply

    Hey there Troy,
    Thanks for an awesome football season! Your mine and my girls favorite! We are praying for a quick and happy resolution for the players and the owners….don’t know what we would do without watching you and our steelers every week! Can’t wait to fill out some brackets!
    God Bless!
    Kim Lynn in Kentucky

  32. Rose Smith

    Reply

    Hiya I should win cause I do

  33. Kevin Lanergan

    Reply

    Very honorable thing to do. You make all us Orthodox Christians proud that you and your family live your faith for all to see. Thank you brother.

  34. nate

    Reply

    sorry this isn’t related to this topic but troy please do what u need to do to stop the lock out remember ur coca cola commercial hey thats my coke? say hey thats my game

  35. Steve W.

    Reply

    Doesn’t the tourney start early???? I know you’re pulling for USC.

  36. Patty

    Reply

    Ahhh great fun! A little competition of the competition!

  37. Christine La Fleur-Recore

    Reply

    Troy, you & the Steelers are the best team ever in the NFL..
    Thanks..

  38. Ken Walsh

    Reply

    Yes, very honorable. Your unbelievable talent and humility is an inspiration. However, for the rest of us common folk who don’t posess your skill set to compete professionally, I look forward to the bracket:)

  39. janet

    Reply

    Yes, I would like to joinyour pool.

  40. Pat McKenna

    Reply

    Thanks Troy, for a great football season and the opportunity to join in the March Madness, it should be fun. Looking forward to the next football season and watching you and our great STEELERS…

    Pat in Oregon

  41. Doris Relko

    Reply

    I entered one already, but I would be happy to enter your’s also. I like all sports, and watch them all when possible.

  42. Beth

    Reply

    Let’s go Trojans and San Diego ST….FIGHT ON!

  43. sharon1017

    Reply

    Go Buckeyes!

  44. Steve S

    Reply

    Yea , go (home) Buckeyes :)

    Where do I sign up? I’d like to be part of the Big East domination of the NCAA’s” … Pitt and WVU to Final Four :)

  45. reid furman your biggest fan

    Reply

    OSU is gonna win the bracket if not Duke might or Pittsburg

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