Sports betting might become the national pastime now that the Supreme Court has erased the federal law against wagering on games. It will not turn me into a profligate gambler, for if there’s one thing I’ve learned as a lifelong fan and chronicler of games, there are no sure things. The invention of point spreads has made the most prohibitive favorites less than sure.
I do like to see gambling within a game, like going for it on fourth-and-two, faking a punt, or stealing third or home. As a fan of the original L.A. Rams, I suffered from the conservative tactics of Chuck Knox, who coached them to the brink of the Super Bowl three times in the 1970s but came up short in the NFC championships. The 1976 game at Minnesota went north (rather than south) when the Rams had the ball fourth-and-goal inside the two, and Knox decided to settle for a field goal. The kick was blocked, and Vikings cornerback Bobby Bryant ran it back 90 yards for a touchdown.
Known as “Ground Chuck” because of his preference for the running game, Knox died last week. He brought a lot of pride to L.A. when he coached the Rams and also to Seattle, where he won with the Seahawks. I’m sorry I had that bitter memory from four decades ago. Rest in peace, Chuck.