Title Belts Are The New Sports Bling

There’s nothing quite like it. The feel of 20-plus pounds of leather and metal, draped over the shoulder or tightly snug around the waist. It’s even wife-proof.

Sure, she’ll stroll into the family room, as you sit there watching television, feeling like a king in his throne. She’ll flash that look of disdain in your direction, pausing for a moment afterward to finally ask, “Why are you sitting on our couch with a championship belt on … what exactly are you the champion of?’’

Of course you have the answer. You’re the champ.

You hit the mute button on the flat screen, look her in the eyes, and calmly reply, “I’m the champ of being me.’’

Welcome to my mid-life crisis.

It’s all about “The Belt’’ these days. Or as the people at the WWE will constantly correct you on, “It’s a title. Belts are what you buy at the store to hold your pants up.’’ Semantics won’t change what’s going on in the culture of sports.

There’s Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who has done for the “Championship Belt Touchdown Celebration’’ what former Michigan great Desmond Howard did for the “Heisman Pose.’’ The gesture is simple, yet catchy. Rodgers scores? The hands drop down to his waist, and are pulled back simultaneously, gesturing to the crowd place belt here. Bears fans have seen it a few times, and might get another look at it on Sunday when the Packers travel to Soldier Field.

So when the Packers and Rodgers won Super Bowl XLV last season, what rested comfortably over the shoulder of Rodgers in almost every photo op? A championship title....More?

source: suntimes.com