I have been added to the list of sports media journalists who are given a preview copy of HBO’s Real Sports With Bryant Gumbel.  The next edition of the show premiere’s tonight (10pm eastern).  Here’s a look at the show’s segments along with my comments…

- A New Era: Andrea Kramer introduces us to DeMaurice Smith, the newly hired executive director of the NFL Players Association.

One of the first things I came away from this segment was how impressive Smith is personally.  Even though he never played football professionally, he appears to bring a high level of energy and enthusiasm to the job.  Members of the NFLPA were equally impressed with Smith’s credentials and his plans to lead the organization.

Kramer did a good job on her profile of Smith.   I would have liked the segment to delve more into Smith’s ideas  on how to deal with the plight of retired players, an issue that dogged former NFLPA head Gene Upshaw until his death.

- Thrill Ride: Correspondent John Frankel takes us behind the scenes into the world of professional bull riding, a sport that is gaining in popularity and risk taking.

I thought the piece described well the dangers of the sport, and how the Professional Bull Riders Tour uses that angle to sell the sport.  The riders themselves can be seen as both courageous and stubborn through their insistence to continue to partake in the sport despite the constant threat of serious injury.

- The Next Level: Frank Deford delves into the issue of sports parents and their obsession in driving their children to excel in athletics.

Those of you who know me know I am a softy.  Even though Deford’s piece did not really break new ground, I was saddened by the stories of the lengths parents go to live their lives through the success of their children.

One of the focal points of the piece is on a 6-year old boy who is a competitive wrestler (he actually started wrestling at age 3 see comments below) and his father’s drive for his young child to succeed.  I don’t know what was worse for me when the young boy lost…seeing him cry or hearing his father ride him for his lack of strategy in losing the match.  I have a 6-year old daughter.  I could never put that burden on her.

- Running for Their Lives: (VIEWER ADVISORY- Graphic images of slaughter may not be suitable for all audiences) Bernard Goldberg updates his Emmy Award winning segment on the slaughter of non-productive race horses.

The segment does a great job in reviewing the practice of “slaughter for profit” and updates how the horse racing industry is trying to end the practice by encouraging the adoption of thoroughbreds who are no longer productive.  If you didn’t see the initial segment, make a point to watch.