If you want to see a sport you love be debased on television, there's never any shortage of opportunities. But this one is especially rich. Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin will appear on The Price Is Right on Monday, along with Jeremy Roenick, to promote the Winter Classic.
↵↵↵With retired star Jeremy Roenick, they'll introduce an NHL-themed showcase that includes a trip to Pittsburgh for the teams' New Year's Day meeting outdoors at Heinz Field.
↵The three will join host Drew Carey to present a showcase that includes VIP passes to the league's New Year's Eve bash, plus ice-level access during the Dec. 31 practices at Heinz Field. A 2011 Honda CR-Z hybrid car also is one of the prizes.
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It's all in good fun, I know, so I don't mean to make too much of the "debasement" angle, but it's funny. Whenever I see sports stars doing stuff like this, especially alongside a rival, I have to wonder what they're thinking. While two rivals might respect one another, they still have to muster some sort of intensity to play each other, and how do you do that when you have to appear together on just about the cheesiest game show ever? Do you remind yourself that sports is just show business anyway, and find a way to put your feelings aside and have a good time? Or is it more like this?
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