One of the best ideas ESPN has ever had is the 30 for 30 series chronicling the last 30 years of ESPN and the stories they have covered.  From Reggie Miller to Ricky Williams to Jimmy the Greek to Len Bias to The U, these documentaries have been nothing short of spectacular and informative.  Tonight’s episode, #16 in the series, should be no different.

I have to admit two things:  One, I know absolutely nothing about Rugby except for the fact it looks as violent as football.  And the guys playing it have to be the toughest SOBs on the planet.  I don’t even have a frame of reference for how important an international event this is for the participating countries.   And two, I never saw Invictus, the movie version of tonight’s 30 for 30.  Once I heard that ESPN was doing a story on this, I lost all desire to see the movie.  The Hollywood version is generally all fluff.  The 30 for 30 version is all facts.

It’s no secret that the end of the apartheid was one of the biggest stories of its time.  In fact, equality for all is still a major subject.  However, I think tonight’s episode is about sports, how it can unite a country to achieve a common goal, and how it can take people from all walks of life on a journey of solidarity as their country seeks to achieve that which no other country will achieve.  For proof of this, look no further than this year’s Olympic hockey tournament.

Since the NHL has decided that only one game will be aired on national TV, I am looking forward to this documentary as I watch the Red Wings score roll in.

If you’re familiar with the series, you know what to expect tonight.  If you haven’t watched, ESPN is only halfway through and there’s plenty more to come.  You might as well get started tonight.