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“Teddy” is me, Ted Panos, lifelong Lowell/Dracut resident, former WHDH-TV (Channel 7) Sports Producer and WNDS-TV (Channel 50) Sports Reporter/Anchor. For the last 13 years, I’ve had the privilege of getting paid to do a job I would have gladly done for free. (Bet my former employers wish I’d made that comment sooner!)
Every great sporting event involving our area sports teams and athletes, I’ve been there. The Patriots first Super Bowl victory? I kissed the Superdome turf! Micky Ward-Arturo Gatti’s fight of the century? Close enough to get blood on my shirt! The Red Sox first World Series victory in 86 years? Who’s your daddy now, Yankees! In short, I’ve lived a dream and I have no intention of waking up anytime soon!
Which in essence, answers the question; “Why should I want to talk sports with Teddy?” Because if you’re a sports fan, you just do. You’ll talk sports with anybody. Sports are the great unifier; the reason total strangers can sit side-by-side at a game or in a bar, talking or arguing for hours. We all have opinions. It’s just that sports fans, much like political junkies, are more than ready to share them anywhere, anytime.
And that’s where LowellSun.com and “Sports Talk with Teddy Panos” come in. The internet is for sports fans what the red carpet is for celebrities; a place to strut our stuff, no matter how legitimate or outlandish we appear. (Speaking of which, does anyone have the latest Joan Rivers facelift count?) Anyway, web logs, or blogs, are but the latest entry into the arena, giving sports fans and media types throughout the world a forum for reporting news and expressing opinions.
“Sports Talk with Teddy Panos” combines the best of both worlds; an experienced reporter bringing you a behind the scenes look, while the life-long sports fan in me adds my own twist, cutting through the public relations spin and clichés to let you know what’s really going down. With help from the Lowell Sun Sports Department, we’ll update you not just on Boston’s pro teams, but all the local favorites as well; from the Spinners and Lock Monsters right down to the colleges and high schools. If there’s a local athlete young or old, famous or infamous, making news, let the debate begin!
Think we’re talking about your run of the mill blog? Think again! As technology and resources expand, so will “Sports Talk,” offering video and audio links to enhance the experience. But we won’t stop there. We’ll give you, the reader, a chance to join in the fun, offering the opportunity to express your thoughts. Like what you see? Be sure to let us know. Feel like telling me what to do with my opinion? Bring it on! Only be ready to back it up with facts and a reasoned argument, and don’t be surprised if I come right back at you!
And finally, be prepared to have some fun. Those of you familiar with me or my days in television will remember a bit of a goofball, always looking for the humor and off-beat happenings in what some perceive as life and death. While living and loving sports since childhood, I’ve never once lost sight of the fact games are supposed to be fun. And if nothing else, “Sports Talk with Teddy Panos” will be fun for me. I hope it is for you, too!
So follow the links and come along for the ride!