Definition of Sport, update

A few of you pointed out to me that the AP named Jimmie Johnson its male athlete of the year last week. I agree this is a historic feat, kin to a team winning the Super Bowl four years in a row. However, I respectfully disagree with the AP because Jimmie Johnson is not an athlete, per my definition. Props to him on his accomplishment, but an athlete, he not be, because NASCAR is not a sport, it is a "circuit," brought to you by dictionary.com as "a league or association." Done, and done.

Here is my hypothetical ballot for male athlete of the year:

1. Kobe Bryant
2. Derek Jeter (gag me, I hate the Yankees).
3. LeBron James

Honorable Mention, in no particular order: Evgeni Malkin, Albert Pujols, Tim Tebow, Peyton Manning, Charlie Weis (I don't care how fat and out of shape he is, he made my year just so I could make fun of a certain best friend of mine each week and point out how bad Lou Holtz is).

Random Note - Have any of you watched the NFL Network coverage, with Matt Millen on color commentary? He does not shut up! Ever! It would be one thing if he said anything of intelligence, but he's not even close! Yet another example... last night, on an obvious pass interference call, even in real time, he goes, "whoa, I'm not sure about that one." On replay, the DB jacked the WR three yards out of bounds before the ball got there. Yeah, REAL close, Matt. Just like the Lions were REAL close to being good while you were there. Go away. Retire. Please.

Full post tomorrow.