Books by Rob J. Quinn
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A Mask Question, Super Bowl Thoughts, and USFL Curiosity

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(Transcript below)

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Hey Everybody, it’s Rob J. Quinn. They say nobody reads anymore, so I thought I’d try something new with a video podcast. This could be the worst idea ever for a guy with a speech disability, but I recently turned 50 and I figured it’s time to shake things up.

I have a couple topics I want to cover, and I’d love to have you chime in with your thoughts in the comments. Let’s start with an issue around mask wearing. I was recently harassed by an old woman at the Y, who was angry that I wasn’t wearing a mask. First she refused to get on the elevator with me, opting to use the stairs even when I offered to let her go first. Didn’t seem like a smart move for a woman using a cane, but her call. I use a wheelchair, and I’m using the elevator. A week later, we again meet at the elevator. This time she starts yelling at me. Literally wagging her finger, yelling, “You should be wearing a mask. Blah, blah, blah.” She again refuses to go first, but keeps yelling. As the elevator doors close after I get in, she says, “It’s people like you who keep the pandemic going.” That was enough for me. I stopped the doors and went back at her. I told her that I’m vaccinated (and boosted) and I rather emphatically suggested she shut up. She wanted to tell me about her science degree and how I didn’t have one. I’m sure she’s on the cutting edge of the virus research. Quite frankly, I wanted to shove her cane somewhere for her and I was done being polite. For the record, masks aren’t required at the Y. And, by the way, I’m quite confident she’s not yelling at anyone else at the Y, most of whom aren’t also wearing masks. I think she saw me as an easy target, and that doesn’t work with me. Now, here’s where I’d love to get some response. How would you react to someone yelling at you for not wearing—or wearing—a mask? Some people feel just as strongly that we should be done with masks. I’m not asking for your opinion on masks. My feelings are that if a gym or restaurant wants to require masks, fine. I’ll either wear a mask or go elsewhere. But someone getting in my face about it, especially if I’m following the rules, is BS. You don’t want to be around people not wearing masks—stay out of places where they’re not required. Or keep your mouth shut.

Ok, next topic. It’s Super Bowl week. Should be a big week for a guy trying to make sports gambling a career. But I’ll likely be sitting this one out unless I get a last-minute feel. I had a last-minute feel on the Chiefs last year…that went well. I got crushed in the last calendar year. Nothing that impacts real life—the bills are getting paid. But sometimes you just gotta take a step back.

I don’t have much of a feel for the game anyway. I think I bet on the Bengals once all year, and I don’t think I did anything with LA. The Rams are actually in their home stadium…as Tampa Bay was last year…and I think they have a better defense. But, unfortunately for me as a Steelers fan (and if you don’t know that story, I was an Eagles fan for 40 years and just couldn’t take Andy Reid anymore), I think Joe Burrow is going to be a great quarterback for a long time. I was leaning toward a small Cincinnati upset, but I heard their pass catching tight end is out. I don’t quite buy into Matthew Stafford for the Rams, however. So…bet on the coin flip! The odds might be the same.

But here’s what I’m really wondering. Is anyone else—football fans—looking forward to the USFL? I am. I really hope they’re aggressive about getting the best players and competing with the NFL. If they’re just trying to be a minor league for the NFL, I’ll pass. I think there’s an opportunity for them with the baseball season already in jeopardy due to a lockout, and the NBA could be in one after the Finals. I know it would take a miracle for the USFL to succeed. But they have Fox and NBC airing their games. If they can have competitive games and avoid endless replays and let a catch simply be a catch—something the NFL has completely over complicated—maybe they got a chance. Or maybe I just like the idea of the underdog prevailing. And, hey, I can root for a Philadelphia football team again in the Philadelphia Stars! Tell me what you think.

If you’re not already on my website, check out robjquinn.com and my books Reach Past Your Limits and The Birth of Super Crip. Let me know your thoughts on what I discussed and the podcast in general. Thanks for watching and listening, and have a great day!

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