With Thanksgiving just past and Christmas around the corner, now is the time of the year that many people take the time to recognize what they are thankful for.

While it is understood there are more important things in life than athletics, there is no problem with taking the time acknowledge some of the best things in sports. Whether it is a city thankful for a player or a league thankful for a rule, there should be recognition given where it is deserved.

Here is a short list the people in sports who should be most thankful this holiday season and realize just how lucky they are.

5. Jim Tressel is thankful for Lloyd Carr

Before Jim Tressel arrived in Columbus, Lloyd Carr owned the Buckeyes. Former coach John Cooper compiled a record of 2-10-1 against Michigan and Tressel was a name no one had ever heard of. In 2001 things changed. Tressel took over and immediately transformed the mindset in Buckeye Nation. Since that time, Tressel has had his way with Carr, putting together a record of 6-1, including a current four-game win streak. It might not be entirely correct to say that Tressel’s domination of Carr lead to his retirement, but it sure had a big part in it. Tressel is going to miss seeing Carr on the opposing sideline, and he can only hope to have the same success against the next Michigan head coach. However, Buckeye fans should always be thankful for Jim Tressel.

4. College Basketball is thankful for the NBA Age Limit

Whether or not you agree with it, the new age limit to the NBA has added excitement to the college game. Last year we witnessed the first ever freshman to win the national player of the year and watched two other freshman lead their teams to the title game. The constant argument of the season was, who is better: Kevin Durant or Greg Oden? This year the names have changed, and it’s Derrick Rose, Eric Gordon, and O.J. Mayo sweeping the nation. The argument is over who the best freshman guard in the nation is, and it only adds excitement for the average basketball fan. So while there is no doubting players like Kobe Bryant, Kevin Garnett, and LeBron James made the right decision to jump straight to the NBA, college basketball is now benefiting from the new restriction forcing high school basketball players to spend at least one year in college. Look for a new wave of exciting players to leave their mark next year.

3. Fantasy Football Participants are thankful for the Internet

Before the Internet fantasy football was hardly played and only had a few statistics to keep track of. One unlucky person in the league would have to spend hours putting together the scores after the weekend. There were no e-mails trash talking back and forth and there was no adjusting your roster five minutes before the game because you have the latest scoop on an injury. Then came the Internet. Now millions of people play fantasy football, and there are a number of sites you can set up a league for free. There is no more tallying up scores, and adjusting your roster is as simple as a click of the mouse. It might be naïve to say that fantasy football is the one thing that benefited most from the Internet but there is no denying the impact. Fantasy football is a huge industry and there is no sign of it slowing down any time soon.

2. New England is thankful for Bill Belichick

Like him or not, he is one of the greatest coaches of all time. What he has done with the Patriots franchise is nothing but spectacular. Together, he and Scott Pioli have built the franchise up to one of the most powerful in all of sports, as well as one of the most hated in all of sports. Not only are the Pats undefeated and looking for their fourth Super Bowl in the Belichick era, but they are in excellent shape for the foreseeable future. They have arguably the best quarterback in football hitting his prime and enormous talent around him. If that isn’t enough, the Patriots own the rights to the San Francisco 49ers’ first-round draft pick, which at this point is looking like it is going to be one of the top five selections in the draft. Any fan of the NFL would love to support a team that had the consistency the Patriots do. With three Super Bowl rings and headed in the direction of a fourth, the fans in New England have plenty to be thankful for. The Red Sox World Series title and Celtics rebirth are a whole other story.

1. The City of Cleveland is thankful for LeBron James

What can be said about LeBron James? He has accomplished so much, and he is still only the ripe old age of 22. After carrying the Cleveland Cavaliers to their first NBA Finals appearance ever, he had an excellent summer with USA Basketball and is now playing at another level. Before LeBron arrived in Cleveland, the Cavs were one of the worst franchises in the NBA and had a hard time getting anybody to come to their games. However, ever since the ping-pong balls fell the right way for the city of Cleveland, things have changed dramatically. The Cavs now sell out every home game in addition to being one of the top draws on the road. Everyone wants to get a glimpse of the chosen one. His jersey is one of the best sellers in the NBA, and he has endorsements from the likes of Nike and Powerade among many others. As the hometown hero, the only way he could contribute more to the Cavaliers organization would be if he could sell popcorn in the stands. There is no question LeBron is one of the most talented players in the NBA on the court, but there is so much more to him. The value he brings to a franchise and city is unmatched, and as the years progress, his star is only going to shine brighter. The only worry in Cleveland is whether he’ll be a Cavalier for life.