It's Okay to Cry!

After winning the 500 & being the first woman to do so, Danica Patrick cried. Then later apologized for crying, calling it "Girlie."

Um excuse me, but when Brett Favre retired, was that girlie? When Michael Jordan cried after winning the championship, after coming out of retirement, was that girlie? When the Sox won in 04 and every man woman and child in New England cried for their rewarded faith, and for their parents, grandparents, great grandparents, great great grandparents up in heaven finally smiling, was that girlie?

No.



People cry in sports. Especially when it's because benchmarks were made or perseverance paid off big. That's one of the many beauties of sports, of athleticism -- it's never just the game. It's the triumph of mind over matter; it's the hope of breaking barriers and forging new milestone in history. And, yes, it is the grace, skill & strength we like to watch from those people fortunate enough to be gifted in ways we admire and sometimes envy.

Right now, people are at least thinking about Tibet, because of sports and the besieged Olympic torch. Women are making records. Minorities are breaking down barriers. Etc Etc Etc. The story behind the story, the passion portrayed, it's all part of why we watch, why we care.

So, girl, cry cry cry. You earned it!