Avid sports fans, like me, always have an athlete they describe as their favorite. Of course, over time this “favorite athlete” changes because the impact that person has on their sport wanes, and their importance to the team becomes less. They no longer generate media and fan attention like they used to. First, it was Bill Russell of the Boston Celtics. He was so dominant it was hard not to like him. Then, for years, Pete Rose, the Cincinnati Reds and Philadelphia Phillies first baseman, and the guy known affectionately as “Charlie Hustle,” held that coveted honor. Rose holds multiple baseball records, among them the most career base hits, the most at bats, and the most games played. When he played, he gave his best every time. To keep him out of the baseball Hall of Fame would be a travesty.
Since 2023, my favorite athlete, not surprisingly, has been Caitlyn Clark. She has excited more fans than any athlete, male or female, since her senior year at Iowa when she set the scoring record for college basketball. Her 3951 career points surpasses every other player, male or female, especially the great Pete Maravich (3667). Since graduation and since she was drafted by the Indiana Fever of the WNBA, she has done wonders for the popularity of the league, and has improved the salaries of other players and the bottom lines of other teams. They are all far better off now than they were over the previous 30 years of the WNBA’s existence. I was never in to the WNBA until Clark came along, but since she has played professionally, I’ve watched every game she has played. She has changed women’s basketball, and the WNBA in more ways than I can mention.
However, like all good things, my attraction to Clark has faded. I still enjoy watching her, but she has been replaced by the face and name of a new favorite athlete. This athlete is a male, and a wide receiver in his third year for the National Champion Indiana University Hoosiers. Yes, you’re right: it is “number 80” in red, Charlie Becker, the 6’4” phenom from Nashville, Tennessee. He is the best pass receiver I’ve seen in several years. His performance in the College Football championship game against the University of Miami, brought his talents to everyone’s attention. He made several catches that defy the imagination and helped Indiana win the title. It seems impossible catches are his forte’.
Playing behind Elijah Sarratt for two years, he was overshadowed by the very talented upperclassman until Sarratt suffered an injury that gave Becker the starting role. He has done nothing but play high level football since, making catches that seem impossible. Today’s game against Howard, was a perfect example. Although Becker caught only three passes, they were all for touchdowns—Three pass catches, Three touchdowns!
The first TD catch was in the end zone with the defender’s arm in Becker’s chest and face, blocking any attempt to catch the pass—but he caught it anyway. The second pass was a 10-yard toss in the end zone. He was wide open standing just over the goal line. The third pass was caught as Becker’s ran out and cut to the inside. The pass was perfect. Becker caught it just in front of the defender, and outran him to the end zone. TOUCHDOWN!!
In each case, the important thing is he caught the ball. I have never seen him drop a pass—NEVER. If the ball is close, he will catch it. He’s tall, strong, fast, and sure-handed. In the news stories about his performance today, there was early talk about him being a Heisman trophy candidate. That would be amazing—an IU player winning the Heisman two years in a row.
For now, though, it’s enough just to catch passes and score touchdowns, and Charlie Becker has shown he can very capably do both. He is my new favorite athlete and will remain so as long as plays like he played today. I think he will.
Reference: www.google.com/article/charlie-becker.
