There are few things in life that feel better than goosebumps. I just finished watching ESPN Classic's showing of the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team's Miracle On Ice 25 years ago this day.
You know what's going to happen. Still, you scream when every goal is scored. You're still willing the team to win. And suddenly you step back a quarter-century and remember how much the nation needed this result. No nostalgia is necessary. It's a moment that still matters and always will.
I was in college at the University of Maryland watching the game on WJLA-TV. ABC showed the game on tape delay. Many of us who had been caught up in the U.S. march toward the Soviets avoided hearing the result. We didn't count on Rene Poussaint.
Poussaint was one of WJLA's weeknight anchors and one of the better-known faces on Washington TV news. As is custom, she came on during a station break with one of those teases before returning to the Olympics. Nothing out of the ordinary. Except for her tease at 10:30.
"U.S. Beats The Soviets! At 11!'
Only problem: As far as we knew, the score was tied 3-3 at the time. Rene Poussaint: Party Pooper. She came on at the top of the news and profusely apologized. Not heard was a producer, who obviously let her read the tease live rather than pre-tape, which often happens.
Sports anchor Tim Brandt helped Poussaint lick her wounds by telling her even if you knew what happened, it was still exciting. Funny thing: He was right. Miracles have a way of doing that.
2 comments:
utirem areI (another UMD graduate) was at home watching this and remember not believing she actually did this.
I (another UMD graduate) was at home watching this and remember not believing she actually did this.
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