On Crossovers.

 "Sports? Not all that important."

"Hey, we're dropping your sports story."

"Breaking news is in, so we need you to take less time in sports."

"I mean, who really cares about that game?"

When you choose the TV sports journalist life, these are things you tend to hear--your subject matter is an afterthought, unimportant, irrelevant in the grand scheme of life. Unless your heels are dug so far into your career plans that you can ignore this (and you strongly believe in what you do)... you can become discouraged by flippant remarks like that.

Sometimes, you'll even find yourself pitching in to report on absolute carnage like, say, catastrophic flooding that triggers a state of emergency.  When in media, it's best to prepare for the unexpected, and if sports is your forte, it may even be beneficial to really understand life outside your sunshine and touchdowns.

Should you find yourself discouraged, take heed. 

I chose the life of a TV sports journalist for specific reasons. I've seen what tragedies do to people. I've understood how some resort to the darkest of humors to cope. Scandal, death, destruction all factor into daily life, and it can be soul-crushing.

I took a sociology of sport class in college, and it reaffirmed my decision to pursue my particular niche. It can be argued that sport is merely entertainment, sure, but consider the man laid off from his job. For a moment of escape from his stress, a football game will work wonders. A mother and/or father can take pride in seeing their child's athletic prowess shown off to the community. Sports give people something to rally behind when all looks bleak.

I couldn't take lightly being taken from my usual work in sports to watch as entire towns were cut off from each other. Families unable to leave home or check on loved ones. For a moment, I needed to forget myself and try to help ensure safety and explain what is to come as nature's wrath descends.  It's a spirit-wrecking experience to see some in despair, knowing that in a few hours, you'll be back in the comfort of your own home.

When you, displaced sports personality, return to your niche, you're left with the understanding that for a few minutes a day, you are the calm amid chaos. 

Try not to let the pressure sink in. ..or let it swell your ego.