Think of everyday language. Sometimes we use metaphors in an attempt to explain a situation that we are confronting in our daily life. Writers aren't the only ones who rely on metaphors to describe objects and events. Historians and scientists use them, too. There are other themes that inspire sportswriters, such as tales of fellowship or leadership.
Sportswriters often make references to fairy tales and heroic stories in their articles.
This imagery refers back to the Bible story of David and Goliath, a story in which the much-smaller David outwitted the giant Goliath. The genre of sportswriting is also flooded with references to Cinderella stories. Listen to a televised sports event or one on the radio. After all, sports enthusiasts probably watch the games on TV or listen to them on the radio. Our job was to tell them how and why and to bring out the color and interest behind the game or the athlete.