What is wrong with the athlete today? For some reason they think of themselves as unstoppable as Superman. They run around town visiting bars and clubs on game nights, carrying guns and drugs, and think that nothing will happen to them because they are rockstars. Well guess what, YOU ARE NOT A ROCKSTAR! You are an athlete. Someone who kids look up to. A person that has more opportunity to do some good in the world than a damn president could, and what do you do, abuse it. I'm so sick and tired of it.
With the sentencing of O.J. Simpson today I am reminded of what are sporting world has become, a joke. A punchline on late night TV, distraction for their teammates, and much more than this writer has the time to explain. I would like to ask Plaxico why? Why must I see you on TV months after a Superbowl win, not in game uniform catching touchdowns, but in a suit outside of a courtroom. Why are you going to clubs with a gun. How dumb are you? Dumb enough to shoot yourself in the leg and receive the infamous nickname "Cheddar Bob"(a reference to the movie 8Mile). You are probably going to be banned from New York, and that probably won't be enough.
And what about Miami's McClinton? Here you have a up and coming star in college basketball leading a ranked Miami team into the ACC/Big Ten Challenge on national TV, with 19 pro scouts at the game watching you and what do you do? Hit four 3-pointers in a row during the first 8 minutes of the game and then take a swipe at an opposing player. Your ejection of that game could not be more dis-heartening and yet pleasurable at the same time. What a waste of great talent. And that is what it is, great talent wasted. Thousands of people can only wish to be in your shoes for a mere moment and you slap us all in the face with your actions. He will still go on to a pro career and make millions while I for one sit at home watching and wishing.
Athletes today are as careless as a crack head in a grocery store, and believe me, not much separates them besides talent and opportunity. They need to realize this. People look up to you, respect your gift, and watch you daily. Quit F-ing it up!
I would like to give kudos to all athletes that give us hope, give us reasons to continue to watch sports, and give us reasons to love sports because that is what I do. I love sports and watching it all the time. Names like Tebow, Manning, and Wade come to mind. These athletes plus much more are the reason I watch. Why? Because they care. Because they play the game like no one else, and actually take pride in what they do on AND off the court/field.
Thank you to the athlete today that cares, because in times like these, we need your heroics more than ever.
How funny is that? How in the world can this teacher give out a detention notice for this? This kid should be hoisted up of fellow students shoulders and carried away...like Rudy. Nice work son.
This is it...the final day of the 2008 Presidential Election. The two year process of electing party representatives and the eventual Commander and Chief will be coming to a close. I, like many other Americans look forward to completing this journey and moving on, whether it be Senator John McCain or Senator Barack Obama. With the current president's approval rating dipping below the number of beers I can drink in one sitting, it seems this has come at the right time.
Although for me, today is the culmination of two years of intently following the primaries and general elections. This is the first time I've wanted to understand the process by which the most powerful person in the world comes to term. I have diligently watched the different pundits continue to miss fire on what direction this process will take. And I have enjoyed every step along the way. (ed. note: according to the movie "Finding Forrester" it is OK to use "And" at the beginning of a sentence.") Over the past two years I've seen a drastic change in my personal political views...I have even donated (what little money this site has generated) behind a political campaign for the first time ever. I became glued to watching MSNBC each night to satisfy my election news craving. In a way, today is bittersweet.
I have been a registered Republican my entire life. Although I have never felt the need to vote that way on every presidential election. The first vote I cast actually went to H. Ross Perot. I liked the way he talked, never really understood his message though. My qualifications for the president have changed since then...somewhat. I voted for Bill Clinton and Bush 41 as well. This year was different in a different time. I feel the country has reached a crossroads.
In 2004 I caught myself watching the Democratic National Convention, for no reason mind you, I never cared for John Kerry. But then something truly amazing happened before my eyes...I was all the sudden transfixed at what I was witnessing. A young Senator from Illinois had seized my full attention with his keynote address. He was talking from the heart and was saying what I was thinking. What I want to hear from a politician. That we are not a country of red states and blue states...but the United States, and with that one line I became a interested in what the future may hold for him...I thought, "I am watching a guy who could become president one day?"
That is why on this election day I am excited to hopefully witness Barack Obama become the next President of the United States.
Obama does not look like the typical candidate for president and I understand that. I actually embrace that. His last name is not "Bush" or "Clinton" and I love that. This guy has won me over, made me want to become a small part of what he was doing. I'm moved while watching his speeches. Now that may make me a sheep, but I feel I'm in a vast heard. But this sheep keeps the wolves clothing very near... I seem to feel alone with my view points in the circles I carry myself.
At the end of the day, I want to see America do this. Prove to me that we can look past the color of his skin, his unorthodox middle name, and take this historic step. It concerns me that these may cause some voters to lean the other way. I hear stuff like "he didn't wear an American flag pin on his lapel so he must be unpatriotic," or "he's Muslim" or "he doesn't cover his heart during the Pledge of Allegiance." To me it is simply someone grasping at straws to cover up something ingrained within them. A last ditch effort so to speak. I do not enjoy arguing politics of any kind...typically because I don't know all the facts to make a valid point. I realize this...the problem is arguing political views with another person who has yet to realize this. I feel we're not all informed enough to make a clear specific point when generalizing topics. But that is neither here nor there, leave that discussion for a different day.
But I feel very comfortable saying that Barack Obama is the right person to move the United States in a new and exciting direction for the next four years.
I see this as a chance to bring new life to a stagnant pond. I view Mr. McCain as just more of the same. It seems many Republicans are starting to lean more towards the Illinois Senator in this eleventh hour of the campaign. A man that I have admired for quite some time is former Secretary of State Colin Powell. I thought his leadership during Desert Storm was key to it being finished before the weekend was over. His endorsement of Senator Obama was the icing on the cake. On NBC's "Meet the Press" Powell had this to say about Obama when asked who is best to become president now:
"And I come to the conclusion that because of his ability to inspire, because of the inclusive nature of his campaign, because he is reaching out all across America, because of who he is and his rhetorical abilities--and we have to take that into account--as well as his substance--he has both style and substance--he has met the standard of being a successful president, being an exceptional president. I think he is a transformational figure. He is a new generation coming into the world--onto the world stage, onto the American stage, and for that reason I'll be voting for Senator Barack Obama."
With that, I am anxiously awaiting what unfolds tonight once the polls close. At the end of the day we will witness history. We will either have our first African American President or our first Madam Vice President. It should make for some great television. I leave you with this and a simple message...please get out and vote.
Well folks, there is only about a month's worth of games left in college football I would like to cast my vote now for a heisman winner...Michael Crabtree. With over 900 yards and 15 touchdowns this season he proved again, against Texas, that he is the #1 reciever in the game! A last second effort turned into a 30 yard touchdown to upset the #1 team in the land. Has he proved that the state of Texas belongs to Texas Tech? Only time will tell as they still have a strong schedule left to play, but I believe with #5 on the roster, they have a chance to beat anyone. Crabtree might very well have the strongest hands in college football, and the most disire to win as well. Clearly everyone expected him to get out of bounds with 3 seconds left and on the sideline to set up a game winning field goal. But not this guy. His second effort and will to win slid into the endzone and ended #1 Texas's plan for a national championship game. (you can see the game winning touchdown at the bottom) Though this writer has dubbed Earl Clark of Louisville "Superman" of the hardwood, I am now giving the nickname to Crabtree to share with him as well. He may be #5 in your programs at Texas Tech, but he should be #1 in your hearts.
Season seven of Family Guy is only three episodes old and each one has kicked ass so far. If you are not watching the show, you need to stop it, then go rent the first six seasons tonight. Or just watch TBS and you can be caught up in no time. Don't tell me you still watch those skanks on Desperate Housewives instead of the Sunday night Family Guy. Good lord. If you are, and you're male...turn in your balls. The show covers all the bases, here is a quick sample of what your missing. If you do watch the show, then you will recognize some of these Oscar worthy scenes...
With only seven games left in another unproductive football season, my attention has already turned to Saint Rick Pitino and the Louisville hoops team. This could be the season we have waited for folks. The coronation of a life spent waiting for another National Championship. I was a spry little ten year old when we last cut the nets down after a Final Four. The wait has been far too long.
Louisville recruiting was back in the news this week with the commitment of 6'9" power forward Jeremy Tyler. Tyler is ranked in the top ten by most services in the 2010 class, and could easily be the top dawg after his junior campaign. Here is a quick look at "Big Jeremy." He looks like a bigger Garnett coming out of HS.
Another Louisville recruit who's tearing up the scene is PG Peyton Siva. He will be in the next class to arrive on campus, following big men Samardo Samuels and Terrence Jennings this year. The Cards look solid for the years to come. Nice work Richard. Here's a refresher on my boy Siva...
The Cards will hold its Red-White scrimmage on Oct. 26 at 6 p.m. in Freedom Hall and will play an exhibition game against Georgetown College on Nov. 1. U of L opens its regular season against Morehead State in the Billy Minardi Classic on Nov. 22. Let's Drink.
Former Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner, Big Brown, is finished...and all of the sudden the 2008 Breeders Cup looks like a 15K maiden claimer on a Wednesday at Ellis Park. Dammit. The Classic was starting to take on an Ali/Frazier feel. Two super horses going hoof to hoof to crown an overall champion. That was until yesterday when Big Brown almost ripped off his hoof. Michael Iavarone of IHEA Stables said that a three-inch piece of flesh was torn off the bulb on the back of Big Brown's right front foot. That's not good.
"We don't have a choice but to retire him," Iavarone said. "It's gut-wrenching, but it's the harsh reality of an injury like this. Not life-threatening, just terrible timing."
Real terrible timing. Big Brown had just finished working six furlongs with Breeder's Cup Mile winner Kip Deville in a blistering 1:12 4/5. That is rolling.
"We all were excited," Iavarone said.
Have fun at Three Chimneys, Big Brown. Can't wait to see what you produce in three years.
The Classic will be nothing but a victory lap for Curlin now. With the win, Curlin will become the all time leading money winner in North American history. This is a great horse...but it would have been one hell of a race.
