I’m old enough to remember the end of the 1970s, when kids routinely stretched out in the back window of their parents’ sedan, people chain-smoked cigarettes on airplanes and the thought of wearing a helmet while riding a bike was laughable. This was a time when the Pet Rock was a legitimate toy and everybody seemed thrilled with having four television channels to watch.
It was somehow simultaneously dangerous and boring. But I’d argue the ’70s were better in a few ways. And I’ll use the world of sports as exhibit A.
Sure, the athletes are much more physically gifted these days, and below-average players would probably blow the stars of the ’70s off the field/court/ice. And sure, we can watch nearly any game in the world on our TV, laptop, iPad or phone.
However, I’m sticking with simpler times in this hypothetical matchup. I’m reminded why on a daily by @Super70sSports — the finest follow on all of Twitter.
The man behind the keyboard is a 44-year-old sociology professor from Chicago. If he ever wants to change professions, we’d hire him as a copywriter without even conducting an interview. His Twitter account would serve as the best portfolio I’ve ever seen.
It’s the perfect blend of humor, snark and nostalgia to celebrate a decade of sports that was equal parts awesome and absurd.
If you’re 40 or older, you’ll laugh out loud reliving this stuff. And if you’re younger, I think you’ll get a kick out of the fact that NFL kickers used to think it was an advantage to play barefoot, bullpen cars drove relief pitchers to the mound and a buxom blonde named Morganna regularly ran on the field in the middle of games to plant a sloppy kiss on players. And nobody thought twice about any of it.
Beware: the language on Super 70s is a bit salty, but here’s a sampling that keeps the cursing to a minimum.
C’mon, this helmet couldn’t have even seemed like a good idea at the time. pic.twitter.com/1ncxQgBbQP
— Super 70s Sports (@Super70sSports) January 20, 2017
The house just went up like a match head but Jimmy is strolling around casual as hell in his FLAME-RETARDANT pajamas pic.twitter.com/GRyQ8roDYJ
— Super 70s Sports (@Super70sSports) January 14, 2017
John Riggins rushed for over 11,000 yards in his career despite looking like some guy Joe Gibbs met in a liquor store parking lot. pic.twitter.com/RBvLQ0hcQd
— Super 70s Sports (@Super70sSports) January 8, 2017
What’s better: Jerry Tarkanian looking like a cast member on Barney Miller or his assistant looking like a drug dealer Kojak brought down? pic.twitter.com/AGUzOB7ejX
— Super 70s Sports (@Super70sSports) January 6, 2017
Ed Podolak scored 40 touchdowns for the Chiefs during the 70s but did his best work as Spinal Tap’s bass player. pic.twitter.com/tioPqJZWck
— Super 70s Sports (@Super70sSports) January 31, 2017
People made fun of Mark Lee’s glasses, but a pitcher is never exactly the same after having Elton John Surgery. pic.twitter.com/aPnZg4LPlB
— Super 70s Sports (@Super70sSports) January 1, 2017
This man deserves more than 72,000 followers. Do the right thing and add @Super70sSports immediately.