Ricky Bobby

“Here’s the deal I’m the best there is. Plain and simple. I wake up in the morning and I piss excellence.”

Pissing excellence. The phrase that changed the lives of teenagers and adults across the world in 2006 when “Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby” was released.

The story of Ricky Bobby, played by Will Ferrell, follows the rise, the fall and then re-rising of one of the most talented NASCAR drivers in the nation.

The arrogant and misguided world-class driver bases his entire life off the words his father told him back when he was young.

“If you ain’t first, you’re last.”

Yet another quote in a long list of memorable one liners from Ricky Bobby, but outside of the humor, what did Ricky Bobby teach us?

Ricky Bobby did more than just debunk South Park’s theory that only poor and stupid people like NASCAR.

Talladega Nights, is a story about self-discovery and learning how to live for one’s self.

When Ricky was winning in hopes of making his dead-beat father proud of him, he was empty. He had a materialistic marriage and out-of-control kids. Later when he won for himself, he became a man with a close circle of loved ones around him.

Ricky Bobby taught the world that in life, winning for yourself is what matters and sharing those sweet victories with your loved ones is what is fulfilling. Not the other way around.

At the end of the day, Ricky Bobby stands as a symbol of hope for any lost soul.

No matter how dark the days, praying to the eight pound six ounce, newborn infant Jesus prior to a KFC dinner and living life for yourself, can help one find their way in the world.

— Ellis Williams, Sports Editor

Ron Burgundy

“I’m Ron Burgundy?”

Who is Ron Burgundy?

He is a man of legend. A journalist of low ethical standards, but unprecedented charisma, confidence and charm.

A man who gave the world the perfect explanation for when the world as you know it is falling apart, a feeling that can only be described as being “trapped in a glass cage of emotion.”

But most importantly, Ron Burgundy is an anchorman!

In 2004, Will Ferrell created an alternate persona, known as Ron Burgundy, that went on to generated him millions dollars, countless cameos and a 2014 sequel, when “Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy” was released.

But Ferrell’s proven a handful of times, his movies are about more than mindless humor, and Anchorman is no exception.

The story of Ron Burgundy is a lot like all of Will Ferrell’s movies. Burgundy is on the top of his field, falls in the face of adversity and by the conclusion of the film he finds himself back on top, but what separates Anchorman is team comradery.

Without Ron Burgundy, the team of lead field reporter Brian Fantana, sportscaster Champion “Champ” Kind, and intellectually disabled chief meteorologist Brick Tamland falls apart.

The once highest-rated news program loses its direction without Ron, and that is the message behind the beckon of leadership Ron Burgundy stands for.

He is the glue behind a highly-dysfunctional, substance abuse loving and ego driven team succeeding.

And remember, without the legacy of Ron Burgundy, none of us would ever ask our dog to bark twice if they are in Milwaukee.

— Ellis Williams, Sports Editor