How To Have An Intelligent Conversation About Sports

If you don't know very much about sports, there are ways to still have a successful conversation with those who do.
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Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker Ray Lewis, right, celebrates with Vonta Leach after the NFL football AFC Championship football game against the New England Patriots in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013. The Ravens defeated the Patriots 28-13 to advance to Super Bowl XLVII. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker Ray Lewis, right, celebrates with Vonta Leach after the NFL football AFC Championship football game against the New England Patriots in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013. The Ravens defeated the Patriots 28-13 to advance to Super Bowl XLVII. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

When HuffPost Live host Ricky Camilleri approached me about doing a segment on helping out guys who don't understand sports, it only made sense. Guys and sports often come together, and talking about the game is a really convenient way to connect. With the Super Bowl less than two weeks away, it's time to prepare.

Ricky opened up in a big way about his lack of sports knowledge, and how it makes him feel when talking to other men: "There's nothing you can contribute. You're lost; you're humiliated."

I immediately thought about all the times I've been in conversations about the ozone layer, or Iraq or even gun control -- subjects I'm passionate about discussing but not especially familiar with.

But if you don't know very much about sports, there are ways to still have a successful conversation with those who do. Studying a bit beforehand helps, but just like the games, sports conversations change on the fly. In other words -- as you'll learn from the segment -- you just need to recognize your flaws and adapt.

Email me at jordan.schultz@huffingtonpost.com or ask me questions about anything sports related at @Schultz_Report.

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