To Be Announced...

When I saw this story in the Cedar Rapids Gazette, I had to read it twice to make sure it wasn't an April Fools story early.

I've never heard of this before...much less seen anyone actually sporting ashes on their forehead.

Ashes forbidden on wrestlers when tourney opens Wednesday

IOWA CITY — Ashes must turn to dust before Catholic wrestlers step onto the mat Wednesday at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines.

Iowa’s state wrestling tournament begins ‘‘There’s too much danger of ashes getting into their opponent’s eyes or mouths,’’ Anderson said. ‘‘We’ve started on Ash Wednesday previously, but it’s never been an issue. No wrestler has come to the mat wearing ashes.’’

Yeah, sweat...saliva...hair gel...deodorant...snot...OK. Ashes? Why that's dangerous. How does something like this become a story?

Seriously. Is this why we have story after story about Anna Nicole Smith - because they can't think of anything else to write about? And when we finally reach the breaking point in the coverage...this is what they have in reserve?

Dave Anderson, an Iowa High School Athletic Association assistant executive director, said injury prevention is a top concern and that wrestlers cannot wear ashes applied to their foreheads at Ash Wednesday services.

The Rev. Kenneth Kuntz of Iowa City’s St. Mary’s Church said he doesn’t agree with the association’s reasoning but won’t challenge it either.

‘‘If they think it can get into somebody’s eyes — I think that’s kind of strange — I don’t think that would be a factor,’’ Kuntz said. ‘‘But if that’s what they think, I guess that’s up to them.

If the link above works, you may have to read the story twice too.

-----------
-----------
Sign up to the new GregSays Newsletter. Weekly highlights, unique insider information and valuable extra content delivered right to the email address you provide. Your Privacy guaranteed.