An article from 2014.
It doesn’t take more than a quick Google search to tell Steven Jackson and Rob Dyrdek apart. Sure, they’re both professional athletes; Jackson is one of the
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Steven Jackson – An athlete’s appreciation
I have to admit it. I used to think horses were just animals. I never thought of thoroughbreds as athletes. But as I have gotten to see them up close since first being introduced to the sport five years ago, that has changed in a big way.
These horses truly are athletes, and I see a likeness of my life in theirs. They train and work hard, often in the early morning hours. They compete and hate to lose. They rise to the occasion. They have strengths and weaknesses. They even watch how they eat. You can’t help but admire them, especially when you see them up close the way I have.
My best experience in the sport so far was going to the Breeders’ Cup Classic in 2012. That is the Super Bowl of horse racing, and the access I had at that event was incredible. To be down there right at the finish line with the greatest horses in the world was amazing. I’m thrilled that our bye week with the Falcons this year is the same weekend as the 2014 Breeders’ Cup. We are booking our rooms and will be there again.
I have always had a variety of off-the-field interests, and now that I have come to know and love racing the way I have, owning a horse is among them. I already have a name picked out. I can’t tell you what it is, but I can tell you about the inspiration—a teaser horse I once watched. The teaser horse has a very tough job, to say the least, and I watched and admired this teaser horse’s dedication. I hope to honor him one day.