Recently, disgraced radio show host Don Imus returned to the airwaves.  Now when I say “disgraced,” it was his words and actions that caused him to fall out of favor.  Well, his appearance really is a disgrace.  I mean, wasn’t Leatherface from all those chainsaw movies based off Imus’ facial features?  C’mon, the guy has seen way too much sun in his youth.

For those who have been under a rock for the last six months, Don Imus made some racially sensitive remarks toward the Rutgers women’s basketball team.  I won’t get into that part of it at this time.  Maybe in a later column I’ll delve into the subject as I’ve got some definite opinions on that whole issue.  No.  My main beef is not with his ignorance.  God knows my ignorance has no limitations.  What I take exception to is how this old, cranky, wrinkly fart single handedly made women’s basketball relevant.  Not once, but twice!  Obviously the first was when he originally made those comments, but by coming back he reignited some interest in the so-called sport.

Please don’t mistake my disinterest in women’s basketball for sexism.  There are plenty of other things about me that point to that.  Infact, I gave women’s basketball a chance.  When Portland had a women’s professional team I rooted for them.  I kept track of their scores and standings.  The difficulty comes from how inferior a product it is to its male counterpart.  Oh, I can hear the screams of sexism now.  “Women’s basketball creates more opportunities for girls to be involved in athletics and can provide a chance for a continuing education.”  Fine, leave it at that.  Don’t make it out to be something that it’s not.

Here’s where I will venture into defending my caveman mentality when it comes to women’s sports.  The U.S. women’s soccer team’s success has provided so much more opportunities for girls than basketball has.  Women’s soccer is far more entertaining than women’s basketball…even though it’s still soccer.  Women’s softball has some of the best athletes playing. 

 There are not a lot of men who can compete with those women.  I’m not down on all women’s sports, just basketball.  It’s almost a travesty to the game.  Don Imus gave the “sport” some legitimacy that wasn’t earned by the competition.  Until the players can dunk on most plays, or be more fluid, women’s basketball will be the red-headed stepchild of the much better men’s game.

So, thank you Don for the double-dose of ignorance.  I tell you what.  Crawl into a hole and stay there.  Real sports fans, and your skin, will appreciate it.