My Life as a News Guy: "The Love of the Game"

     No matter what your "profession", which is hopefully the same as your "passion"; reflection is a healthy exercise.  

      Sometimes, as in my case, that opportunity is provided for us.  When a different broadcast chain bought our TV station, they did a super sweet-extreme News Department makeover: new set, new lighting, new studio cameras, new music, new logo, new slogan--and a new Male Evening Co-Anchor.   I was out.

     It wasn't personal.  In our business, it's not.  Sometimes a new look, a different brand so to speak, a change, is what the company feels can turn the tide: and they have that option.  You understand that when you decide to play the game.  And it allows us, as displaced broadcasters: or whatever career path we've traveled, to re-evaluate.  Is it time for me to make a change too?  Maybe a different career? 

     I'm not generally good with dates.  But the picture above is from the 10 o'clock Show on March 15th, almost 2 months ago now, and I was savoring every moment of my last Evening Newscast for my former employer.   Truth is: I knew full well the new set, new music, new lighting, new everything-- would be rolled out the next night.  I would not be part of it.  And, that's ok.

     As a child, being a TV guy, was my dream.  Some folks want to be an Astronaut, or a Firefighter, or a Teacher.   I wanted to be a Broadcaster.  And, for many years, by the grace of God, I've been blessed to live that dream.  I've had the opportunity to Anchor thousands and thousands of newscasts, and been lucky enough to receive more than 30 awards for excellence in journalism.  I'm thankful, because I know not everybody gets to live their dream.

     So, after getting my unemployment set up, my insurance coverage in place through healthcare.gov, and catching up on sleep after years of working goofy late hours:  I've done that reflecting.  And I think any of us, no matter what we do, could ask these same questions.

1.  Do I still love the job?  Yep, I still can't imagine a job that offers the variety, the adrenaline rush, and fulfills my natural curiosity about human behavior more than anchoring and reporting.

2.  Do I have the right motives?  I'm certainly not in it for the money...some folks are surprised to learn that, local TV, for the most of us, is a low pay: long hours profession.  You have to do it for passion to survive.  At this point in my career, my motives are more clear than ever.  I love the opportunity to meet extraordinary people, and share their stories.  I cherish the chance to bring recognition to subjects that need attention.  I savor the opportunity to be an active participant in so many incredible community events and causes.  I feel like over the years I've learned at least a few things, and one my favorite parts of the job now is mentoring teammates with less experience.  What a joy it is to share, to encourage, and hopefully help propel them to places in this business I'll never reach.

3.  Can I still do the job?  I was ready to at least try to hang up the jersey.   I've always said I would keep doing this job until nobody would let me do it anymore.  Evaluation of TV anchors is subjective.  A News Director I will always respect and cherish, taught me that early on. He taught me that some people may think somebody is a wonderful anchor while others would rather watch somebody else.  Almost daily, kind folks are encouraging me to keep pursuing my dream.  And that's enough for me.   

4.  What else would I do?  I thought maybe PR, or Media Relations, or something like that.  Turns out my talents aren't, I guess, as readily transferable as I thought.  Despite launching many resumes into cyberspace and beyond, I've received very few: ok-- no bites.  And at this stage in my particular life, I can't afford to go back to school and get trained in something else anyway. 

So, I have my answer.   And, it's so doggone clear.  If I had a different answer to any of those questions, it might be well worth reconsidering--but I didn't.   And maybe if you ask yourself those questions, who knows, it may add clarity and a fresh perspective to your career path too.

But for me, I know it's a cliché, and I know it's the title of a movie, the answer is simple, it's: "For the Love of the Game".

I still love the game. 

If no one puts me on their team, I guess I'll have to tuck away the cleats, put my glove on the shelf, and set my bat in the corner.

But, until that day, to borrow another well known line, "Put me in coach, I'm ready to play."