Cool Terry Brands Article

[goferphan]

I think you can be brutal and take losing poorly in this sport and still be considered an ambassador of faith based organizations. What other sport pits you in a straight up head to head "I am going to kick your butt" mentality. That doesn't really lend itself to being in a frame of mind right after a loss of conciliation. I'm not comparing it to combat but I imagine its one of the closest things you will find it sport.

I have rarely found either Brands brother to be hot headed when outside of competition. In interviews after matches you can still see they are intense. Often times I have seen a lighter side of them, they can be engaging, even funny. But I think you dismiss too much when you say you can't see them being ambassadors for christian athletes.

[dback_5]

I agree. There are many people out there that dont see anything besides the Brands that they saw on the mat when competing and on the side of the mat when coaching. Even more people will mistake Terry Brands for Tom Brands which is very common too, but Terry is much more animated. Its competition though, and its competition at the highest level. You can be intense and mad after a match, but I have seen nothing but class from those two outside of the sport or on the mat. They truely are ambassadors for the sport, and are a huge asset for the sport of wrestling. People that may or may not even like Iowa have come to respect and even like the Brands brothers after meeting them or seeing them in interviews. This story and Herkeys are just two examples of the countless things they have done for people and for the sport.

[goferphan]

All that being said, they still have some work they can do in regard to getting above the fray. I think however its part of the reason I ultimately like them for the sport. It pisses you off when its at your teams expense and its funny when its at Iowa's expense.

[arm-spin]

But I think you dismiss too much when you say you can't see them being ambassadors for christian athletes.

You're probably right about this.

[ODH]

Terry Brands vs Dabir Pt2 (2000 Olympic Semifinals) - YouTube
Terry Brands vs Dabir Pt1 (2000 Olympic Semifinals) - YouTube

Dabir scores big early and gets tired late... Brands turns him with a reverse legride at the end but it is waved off. I'm not quite sure what the rules are regarding that move and potentially dangerous situations (I know our coach was very wary of us trying it in practice); I do know the US protested the match but without success.

I'd always wondered how the Brands brothers were ambassadors for Athletes in Action and other faith based initiatives given their reputation for brutality and poor sportmanship; I guess stories like this explain why. I'm glad to know they are both good guys.

Thanks for the video linnks. I watched the match again and I didn't remeber Brands closing the close like he did, although I think the final score makes the match look closer than it was. I am not familiar with that leg turn, but it loks butal and very dangerous. It would be interesting if this match would have been wrestled with current rules with the best 2 of 3 periods. and I think the pushout rule would have helped brands and Dabir wa cintent to back out of bounds a number of times to slow down Brands.