JEFF CAPLAN'S MY MINUTE OF NEWS
Jeff Caplan’s Minute of News: For the love of the game!
Nov 21, 2024, 7:00 AM
FILE - Airmen with the 436th Aerial Port Squadron use a forklift to move 155 mm shells ultimately bound for Ukraine, April 29, 2022, at Dover Air Force Base, Del. The Pentagon will provide Ukraine with another $200 million in weapons and ammunition to help sustain its counteroffensive as troops on the front lines face significant hurdles against a well-entrenched Russian defense. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)
Credit: ASSOCIATED PRESS
(AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)
Editor’s note: This is an editorial piece. An editorial, like a news article, is based on fact but also shares opinions. The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author and are not associated with our newsroom.
SALT LAKE CITY — The best players in baseball, football, and basketball now make $40 million a year or more. They have mansions, chefs, chauffeurs, and thanks to their on-field or on-court exploits, their children’s grandchildren will never need money.
So if pampered athletes have spoiled your enthusiasm, I’d like to suggest a different sport. A sport chock full of heart-stopping excitement and relatable everyday athletes.
Of course, I’m talking about forklift driving.
The first barrier is it’s in German. The other is if you want to watch it live on TV, it’s at 3 a.m.
Forklift driving challenges the best drivers with tests of skill speed and precision. Imagine a forklift moving a wobbly tower of different-shaped objects. The driver has to negotiate around a slalom course and then go up a ramp that seesaws as they balance the teetering load and deliver the goods. Then the driver runs to the finish line to press a red button.
In another part of the competition, drivers use their forklift to pick up a Hot Wheels car, along with five big pieces of rebar. The precision, the nerve-endings involved.
The entire season takes place in Germany where they love the drama and the precision of the sport. It gets great ratings on TV as these athletes vie for the Stapler Cup. Stapler is the German word for Forklift.
So if you’re looking for athletes who play for the love of the sport, the champion forklift drivers get the cup and a grand prize of $1,200. It’s not even cash! The winner gets a gift card.
Jeff Caplan is the host of Jeff Caplan’s Afternoon News on KSL NewsRadio. Follow him on Facebook and X.
