Because we’ve always been committed to giving it our all at RandBall, we’ve decided to enlist the services of Don Powell, aka Dr. Cliché, who penned “Best Sports Clichés Ever.” The Good doctor was kind enough to respond to some questions in the midst of the busiest week of the year for cliches: Super Bowl week. Sadly, it does not sound as though he’ll be heading to the party celebrating rappers of a bygone era. Still, let’s get this started, shall we?

RandBall: When you wrote the cliché book, did you feel like you gave it your all?
Dr. Cliché: When I wrote Best Sports Clichés Ever, not only did I give it my all, but I brought my A game while giving it 110%. Hopefully, the book has Super Bowl Hall of Fame party gift written all over it.

RB: How did you get Mark Cuban to write the foreword for your book?
DC: I went to the Dallas Maverick website and emailed Mark Cuban. He did not know me from Adam, but responded within 10 minutes saying that it sounded like a fun book and to send him the manuscript. One month later, he provided the foreword which in part said that he wished all sports writers had a copy of Best Sports Clichés Ever and when they interviewed him did not use any clichés from the book. That way, he would never have to answer any questions.

RB: From what major institution did you earn your doctorate in cliché?
DC: I received my doctorate in psychology from the University of Michigan - “the leaders and the best,” except for this year in both football and basketball.

RB: In a great cliché-off between Bull Durham’s Nuke LaLoosh and Bill Belichick, who wins and why?
DC: Bill Belichick wins hands down in a cliché off with Nuke LaLoosh. That’s because Belichick is “a student of the game,” LaLoosh “wants to show that he belongs in this league,” but is “still learning the ropes.” Crash Davis, however, is in “a league of his own” and would “win hands down.” You would have known this had you read the rookie and veteran cliché sections of Best Sports Clichés Ever.

RB: Is a game ever NOT won in the trenches?
DC: Most football games are won in the trenches, but occasionally one is won on the scoreboard.

RB: You’re headed to Glendale for the Super Bowl. How likely is it that you’re going to hit Dan Majerle’s party featuring Tone Loc, Young MC and Digital Underground?
DC: I believe Dan Majerle’s restaurant is called The Tres. I have many clichés in the 3 point section within my basketball chapter, including “he drained a 3,” “it’s raining 3s,” “he threw it up from beyond the arc,” and “he’s hitting them from downtown.” Since I don’t know who any of the people you mentioned who will be at his party, I guess I am not inclined to go.

RB: Why do you think so many sports figures rely on cliched answers during interviews?
DC: Sports figures rely on clichés because they are the easiest thing to say.  They tend not to inflame the competition by staying under the radar screen.  The last thing you want a player to do is to give trashés (trash talk) as that provides fodder for the opposing team’s locker room like Plaxico Buress is doing.

RB: Tom Brady: Too handsome for cliches?
DC: Clichés do not discriminate against handsome or ugly people. Tom Brady puts the ball where only his receiver can catch it, takes what the defense gives him, hits the receivers in stride, and is the closest thing to Joe Montana we have seen.  He rarely throws the ball up for grabs (you would know all this if you read the quarterback section of Best Sports Clichés Ever).

RB: If you could pick one all-time favorite cliche, what would it be?
DC: The most popular cliché of all time is “he gives 110%.”  My favorite is “their chances are slim and none and slim just left the building.”

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