Every now and then, the world of sports does a funny little thing to wake you up and remind you what's really important. It did that twice in the last two weeks.

So while it's nice to talk about the never-saw-it-coming Rams-Titans Super Bowl, it's not really that important. Los Angeles and Houston fans might think that this game is rightfully theirs as these two relocated franchises battle it out, but that doesn't really matter either.

We should recognize that more readily than ever now. On Jan. 12, Bobby Phills was killed as he raced teammate David Wesley in their Porsches. He was going 107 miles an hour, Wesley 110. Last Sunday, Derrick Thomas became a paraplegic and a passenger in his car died as they slid off an icy road.

The two accidents aren't identical, but the lessons they teach mutually reinforce one another: life is a lot more than what takes place on the court or field, and it can change awfully fast. It makes the advertising slogan "Life is short. Play hard." seem dreadfully vacuous.

Phills is no martyr. I'm sure he was a great guy, as everyone was quick to point out when he died. I feel terrible for his wife and two kids as well.

But racing a teammate and going 107 is stupid, reckless, and even worse, could have gotten somebody else killed.

It's terrible that he died, but it would have been even more terrible if he had killed an innocent party and lived. How would you feel if some NBA hot shot, driving his Porsche 107 miles an hour, had killed your father, mother, brother, sister, buddy, significant other, or spouse?

It would just reinforce all your stereotypes of the arrogant, out-of-touch athlete who thinks he's above the law. What makes Phills's death different from that of any other guy who kills himself speeding? The answer should be nothing.