NBC could have given us a break...instead they gave us Trump

NBC had a chance to make us all feel a little better this Sunday. They had a chance to give us the escape we all craved.

They failed.

Things are crazy right now, as they have been for months. We are anxious, stressed, scared, and frustrated. Above all, we are all just sick...sick of this virus. Now, I don't mean sick as in we can pretend it doesn't exist, or that we can just go back to normal and hope for the best. I mean sick as in sick of how much it has disrupted our lives. The worst part for many (and I mean the people not infected. Those infected or dealing with someone infected have it much, much worse) is that we have nowhere to turn for relief. Stores are closed or are just beginning to open. Restaurants are take out, and gatherings are prohibited. And, unfortunately, many people are stuck at home without the one thing they typically turn to for a distraction: sports.

NBC and Golf Channel finally offered us a beautiful gift. Four of the top golfers in the world would play a nationally televised round of golf where they got to look just like the rest of us. We would get to watch them carry their own bags, clean their own clubs, fix their own divots, and wear shorts like the rest of us; best of all, they would be mic'd so we could finally get some insight in to the on-course interactions. Couple that with a setup designed to give massive amounts of money to Covid-19 relief, and NBC had a surefire hit on their hands.

Until they answered the phone.

See the best part about this event, other than it featured very popular golfers, live sports, healthy competition, and a chance for us to relate to some professionals, is that it would be politics-free. Sure these guys were playing for Covid relief, but other than that, there was to be no politics, no virus, and no doom-and-gloom for 4 hours. This was to be the get-away that we all wanted and desired, and for the first hour, it was.

And then, just like that, it wasn't. Who should call in to the broadcast? None other than the golfer-in-chief himself, President Trump.

Do I understand why NBC broadcasted it? Sure. He is not only the president, but also an avid golfer that has played with several of these guys. Plus, you don't just ignore the phone when the president calls. However, by answering that phone, NBC effectively ruined the event they tried so hard to create.

Regardless of where you fall on the spectrum, few can deny that Donald Trump is these most polarizing figure on that planet. Most either love him or hate him with no in between, and golf fans are no different. By putting him on the broadcast, NBC alienated half of their viewing audience for an interview that was really not that important.

In addition, at this point, you have to know the individual that he is. As president, he immediately brings political baggage just because of his position; this is political baggage that had no place in the broadcast. Plus, you have to understand that typically when he opens his mouth, he is going to sow discontent. What did he do? Exactly that. By complaining about the lack of live entertainment alone, he knew he was stoking the fires of unrest that many already feel. But then, you left him an opening to talk about the virus, testing, and the like which has already been shown to not be his strong points. Yes, this event was for charity related to the virus relief, but the people watching wanted golf. We see and hear enough for the virus itself every day; this was to be the relief.

NBC had a chance. They had a chance to help us, to offer relief, and to give us a break that we desperately needed. We wanted golf and good sport. We wanted entertainment and good-natured banter. We wanted to see live sports for the first time in months, and we wanted to leave behind the virus and all its complications, conspiracies, tragedies, and political baggage for just a few hours. However, Trump and NBC couldn't let us have that, and so what could have been the perfect relaxing Sunday for many turned in to just another frustrating afternoon spent in this hell that continues to seem never-ending.