This summer's World Cup 2010 in South Africa was chock full of interesting twists and turns. Some were sad, such as the unexpected passing of Nelson Mandela's great granddaughte. Others were in line with a typical TMZ newsflash, like Paris Hilton's marijuana incident. Heartbreak on the field for Ghana and mutiny off the field for France. No one can say that this global competition lacked in drama.
I was under the impression that the buzz of activity would remain solely within the confines of the host nation. However, I guess a bit of it decided to come my way.
I received a unique opportunity to cover the American team for a radio sports program. This was my first foray into serving as a correspondent of sorts.
On the first scheduled date to go on the air, the station tower was struck by lightning. It was a no go, and so as national players took the field to begin play, my dreams of giving my World Cup comments over the air would have to be put on hold.
The next week, I was determined to let my voice be heard. Another invitation to weigh in on the US Men's National team was accepted. However, I couldn't be present at the station for the interview.
My solution at the time was to simply call in from my cellphone while riding shotgun in a car. Unaware that I broke two cardinal rules in radio interviews (using a cellphone and being in transition), I patiently waited for my time to shine.
The radio hosts brought me on the air, and everything was going fine until the car that I was traveling in was pulled over at an out-of-the-blue police check point. Let's just say it made for two crazy minutes in my radio career...
Fortunately, the hosts were great sports about it, and the following week I gave my World Cup insights in studio, minus the lightning/police barracades!
