Estimated read time: 1-2 minutes
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THE ALLEY — Trick shots have become a viral sensation, mostly thanks to the guys at Dude Perfect.
For those unfamiliar with the YouTubers, Dude Perfect is a group of college friends who decided to make videos of themselves doing trick shots with basketballs and other sports equipment. Then the next thing you know, they are millionaires with billions of views. I may be missing a detail or two, but my point is people love trick shots these days.
Turns out, however, that trick shots are not just a recent phenomenon. I mean, obviously, that's true considering me and every other kid on the planet who ever had access to a hoop and a ball was also trying to pull off trick shots. But trick shots were also popular back in the 1940s — at least bowling trick shots were thanks to Andy Varipapa. The man was a maestro with bowling balls and pins.
This video is about nine minutes, but it's worth the time. Especially when you can skip the first minute showing a notarized letter that all of Andy's trick shots are real.
Andy's shots are pretty incredible, but the real hero of the video just might be the narrator. That man had a talent, and he shared it with the world. My personal favorite spot is when he says, "Mama Varipapa needn't worry. Papa Varipapa hasn't popped one yet."
True genius right there.
Enjoy some bowling trick shots, an amazing voice-over and some great acting work from Papa Varipapa himself.
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