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1.31.2004
No Fun League: We offer a few short items in anticipation of this weekend's Super Bowl between the New England Patriots and the Carolina Panthers.
One of the more lighthearted controversies in the National Football League is the touchdown celebrations of players that have gotten increasingly elaborate (or silly) over the years. The nadir was possibly reached this year when the Saints Joe Horn pulled a cell phone out from a pad covering the goalposts and called, or pretended to call, someone. NFL owners, and if they are to believed, a majority of coaches are more than eager to clamp down on excessive celebrations, possibly adding heftier fines, more yardage to unsportsmanlike conduct penalties and even suspensions as deterrents.
Some people are less than excited about the matchup in this year's Super Bowl. For example, Brett Favre, the great quarterback of the Green Bay Packers. "Who's playing?" he told reporters in Houston. "I won't watch it. I really don't care. No offense to the two teams, but I'm sure there'll be enough people watching." If you're not going to watch the game, what are you doing in Houston then, Brett? Or is it just sour grapes that the upstart Panthers are playing this Sunday and your Packers aren't?
Programming note: we suspect Favre was being sarcastic, but for those who really don't care, NBC and Bravo are counter-programming with repeats of Queer Eye for the Straight Guy and, in the evening, Bravo is continuing the counter-programming with repeats of the fine Gay Weddings series. Wonder how many gay men will watch those programs, tune in the Super Bowl halftime show featuring Janet Jackson and then return to NBC/Bravo?
1.30.2004
Dodgers Sold: It became official on Thursday: the Los Angeles Dodgers were bought--partially--by Boston real-estate developer Frank McCourt. Bought by Rupert Murdoch's News Corp. in 1998 from longtime family owners the O'Malley's, their tenure was riddled with mistakes, the biggest one being trading franchise icon Mike Piazza. Murdoch only bought the team because he intended to launch a national sports channel to rival Disney's ESPN and needed a draw in the 2nd largest TV market in the country. That idea fell through and he, and Dodger fans, were stuck with each other. McCourt actually has a family history of baseball ownership: his grandfather was a part owner of the Boston Braves.
Frank McCourt will pay $430 million for the team, the second highest total for a baseball team sale ever, the Red Sox going for $660 million a few years ago. The $430 million buys McCourt and his wife Jamie, who will become Vice Chairman, 52% of the team; News Corp. will retain the rest as non-controlling partners. There was much speculation in the run-up to the sale about whether McCourt had that level of liquidity; apparently Major League Baseball thinks so. Another major mystery is what exactly McCourt intends to do with Dodger Stadium. Rumors are rampant that he plans to level the venerable stadium, build yet more luxury apartments and retail space (just what Los Angeles needs more of! NOT!) on the valuable real estate and use part of the money to build a new, state-of-the-art stadium in downtown near Staples Center. At the press conference announcing the sale, McCourt said the Dodgers will remain at Chavez Ravine "for the long term" but we don't believe him. He's a real estate magnate and real estate magnets don't generally sit tight on a 200-300 acre parcel of land valued at close to a billion dollars. Dodger fans are mainly concerned with whether McCourt's other promise--to rebuild the team's anemic offense so that they make the playoffs soon--is kept.
1.29.2004
The Apolitical Tom Brady: When New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady appeared at the State of the Union speech last week, it got tongues wagging about Brady?s political leanings and a future run in office (he has expressed a desire to run for Senate). It would be a start if the guy, who will play in Sunday?s Super Bowl, decided to vote once.
The folks at The Smoking Gun have revealed that Brady hasn?t voted in California since registering in July 2000 (he declared no party affiliation) . He missed the 2000 presidential election, the 2002 gubernatorial race and the 2003 gubernatorial recall race. In addition, Brady, 26, is also ?is also currently registered to vote in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where he played for the University of Michigan,? the website reports. ?He registered there in September 1996, with the sophomore giving his address as a dormitory where football players resided. ? Brady, whose Ann Arbor registration remains ?active,? never made it to the polls during his college years, missing the Clinton-Dole presidential race and assorted local, state, and federal contests, according to a records review conducted by city election officials.?
1.28.2004
Player Sorry for Doing Gay Porn: Cleveland Indians minor leaguer Kazuhito Tadano is asking for forgiveness for what he called a one-time mistake -- his appearance in a gay porn video in which he engaged in a homosexual act, AP reported.
"All of us have made mistakes in our lives," Tadano said, reading a statement in English. "I was young, playing baseball, and going to college and my teammates and I needed money. ? Hopefully, you learn from them and move on." The video was made three years ago while he was a college student.
Tadano, who is trying to make the Indians roster as a pitcher (not sure what position he played in the video), then felt compelled to tell the world?s he?s a 100% heterosexual: "I'm not gay. I'd like to clear that fact up right now."
A Frank Success: Lawrence Frank, the 33-year-old assistant plucked from obscurity to coach the New Jersey Nets, won his debut Tuesday, 94-76, over the Philadelphia 76ers. Frank replaced Byron Scott, who was fired despite taking the team to the last two NBA Finals.
1.27.2004
Bonehead Boone: Athletes are rarely regarded for their intelligence, but this may be just about the dumbest thing any of them have done - in the last week, anyway. New York Yankee third baseman Aaron Boone may miss the entire 2004 season because he decided to play basketball in violation of his contract.
Sources told CNNSI.com that doctors believe Boone tore his ACL playing basketball. As many athletes, Boone has a clause in his contract that prohibits him from participating in sports outside of baseball; the prohibitions in his contract, reportedly, specifically includes basketball.
Raiders Turn to Turner: Norv Turner will be the latest guinea pig to head to Al Davis' Oakland Raiders. Davis named Turner the Raiders' 14th head coach on Monday, nabbing him from the Miami Dolphins, where he was offensive coordinator.
This is Turner's second stint as head coach in the NFL. He helmed the Washington Redskins for seven seasons, accumulating a 50-60-1 record and advancing to the playoffs once. Turner made a name for himself as the offensive coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys, winning consecutive Super Bowls in 1992-93.
The odds will be stacked against Turner in Oakland. Only two of the Raiders' last six coaches have garnered winning records; the other four didn't last longer than two seasons. The Raiders finished the 2003 season with a 4-12 record, which was bad enough to land them the second pick in the 2004 NFL draft.
Turner will spend the next two months praying to God that Eli Manning turns out to be as good as Troy Aikman.
1.26.2004
Mickleson Gets Win: Phil Mickelson, the ?Best Golfer to Never Win a Major? won his first tournament in 18 months with a playoff win over Skip Kendall in the Bob Hope Classic.
"It's terrific. I can't wait to do it again. I want it next week," said Mickelson. "I just have so much fun when I'm playing well. Not having been there last year, I realize how much I missed it."
A-Rod to Stay a Ranger: The Texas Rangers finally squashed trade rumors about sending Alex Rodriguez to the Boston Red Sox by naming him their captain Sunday night.
It was a weird event, held in New York where A-Rod was getting the American League MVP award. The shortstop met with owner Tom Hicks, general manager John Hart and manager Buck Showalter in a ceremony where they all wore tuxedos. ''I definitely think I'm going to be here for a long time,'' Rodriguez said. ''I'm probably pretty sure it will work out for the best.'' Rodriguez is heading into Year 5 of his 10-year, $252-million contract.
Brady in Demand: With the New England Patriots arriving in Houston for Super Bowl week, many are still talking about quarterback Tom Brady?s appearance at the State of the Union address.
Wrote Tony Kornheiser of the Washington Post: ''The Patriots have one star, their quarterback, Tom Brady, who highlights his hair and carries a man purse. Brady was invited to the State of the Union address last week, and was strategically seated near Laura Bush -- a sort of anthropomorphic symbol of the Patriot Act. But it's unlikely Brady will be a Republican prop only. It's hard to imagine the junior senator from Massachusetts, John Kerry, not trying to put a move on Brady. Given that they're the "New England" Patriots, it's hard to imagine Vermont's Howard "Can We Just Pretend I Didn't Shriek Like A Banshee So I Can Have My Campaign Back?" Dean and Connecticut's Joe Lieberman not courting Brady as well. ''
1.24.2004
We Like It, Of Course: Style mavens might want to check out what's going on the world of sports uniform design. The Africa Cup of Nations is Africa's premiere event for the continents national football (soccer) teams; it starts this weekend. Already the Cameroonian team is in the news but not for their play on the pitch but for their new uniforms. Sports apparel maker Puma has designed and provided a one piece uniform that, according to FIFA President Sepp Blatter "..goes against the laws of the game". He's correct: rules state that a footballer's uniform must consist of socks, shorts and a shirt. It seems a bit pedantic, to insist on the strict letter of the law at this point, but Blatter is clear in how he feels. ""They cannot do it. You cannot play a game against the laws of the game. We are the guardians of the laws of the game - the laws are universal." Well, okay then!
The Cameroonians have been down this road before: two years ago they tried to use a sleeveless shirt, but the spoilsports at FIFA, the governing body for the world's most popular sport, smacked that one down too. It's difficult being on the cutting edge of fashion, but we're glad that Cameroon are willing to put up with the expense of having to redesign their uniforms if it means progress.
1.23.2004
Well, Duh!: In one of the least shocking new items, like, ever, former NFL quarterback Joe Namath announced he was seeking counseling for alcohol abuse issues. During a December New York Jets game, Namath was interviewed by sideline reporter Suzy Kolber, one of the better practicioners of that tough job. Broadway Joe was slurring his words and twice told a stunned Kolber that he wanted to kiss her. Female reporters in sports have enough obstacles to cope with without having former players leer at them. Mr. Namath was profuse in his apologies in the announcement and we hope that he gets the help he says he needs.
The Lakers Suck: Living in Los Angeles, we are subjected to a lot of media hysteria about the Los Angeles Lakers. For example, the Los Angeles Times usually has two or three pages of coverage each day, in a style similar to the format they use for the playoffs. Every move is scrutinized and chewed over ad nauseum. But without Shaquille O'Neal and Karl Malone in the lineup and with Kobe Bryant both hurt and in a world of serious legal trouble, the Lakers look awful. Their "B" team got demolished 106-87 by bitter rivals the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday, adding to their woes. The result points out the blindingly obvious: without Shaq and Kobe, they are a seriously mediocre team. The only consolation is that the NBA season lasts forever and there's still plenty of time for O'Neal, Malone and Bryant to get healthy again and make an impact. We just wish that the local media would give the Lakers the coverage the Clippers get: buried deep in the Sports section.
1.22.2004
The New York Nets: The New Jersey Nets won't be in New Jersey much longer. Brooklyn developer Bruce Ratner reached an agreement to buy the team for about $300 million. Ratner's proposed Brooklyn Arena and Brooklyn Atlantic Yards would seat 19,000 for basketball, and include 4,500 units of residential housing and 2.1 million square feet of commercial office space. The arena is expected to be ready for the 2006 NBA season.
And Then There Were Two: The Cincinannti Bearcats fell from the ranks of the unbeaten Wednesday after a 93-66 drubbing at the hands of the Louisville Cardinals. That leaves No. 2 Stanford and No. 3 St. Joseph's as the only two remaining unbeaten teams in Division I men's basketball. Next up for Stanford is UCLA, while St. Joseph's visits last year's dark cloud for NCAA basketball, St. Bonaventure.
1.21.2004
President Bush Calls for End of Steroids in Sports: In a larger segment of his State of the Union address about drugs, President Bush on Tuesday urged people in professional sports to stop the use of performance-enhancing drugs.
"The use of performance-enhancing drugs like steroids in baseball, football, and other sports is dangerous, and it sends the wrong message that there are shortcuts to accomplishment, and that performance is more important than character. So tonight, I call on team owners, union representatives, coaches and players to take the lead, to send the right signal, to get tough, and to get rid of steroids now."
Several NFL players have tested positive for steroid use and others from track to baseball have followed suit.
Billy Bean, The Movie: First "The Reagans," now a gay baseball player. Openly gay directors Craig Zadan and Neil Meron are teaming with producer Alan Poul ("More Tales From the City") and Sony Pictures Television for a Showtime movie based on the story of gay ex-Major League Baseball player Billy Bean.
The movie will be based on Bean's autobiography "Going the Other Way: Lessons From a Life in and Out of Major League Baseball," co-written by Chris Bull.
1.20.2004
Stud Buff Puts NCAA to the Test: Two-sport standout Jeremy Bloom will openly defy the NCAA this year when he accepts skiing endorsements and plays football for the University of Colorado. The NCAA has previously told Bloom that he cannot accept endorsements if he intends to play football.
"From the time I was 9 years old I've dreamed of winning a gold medal for our country in the Winter Olympics," Bloom said, according to CNNSI.com. "Unfortunately, at this time, I can no longer realistically attempt to follow this dream with the restrictions that exist under current NCAA bylaws."
Bloom landed on the national scene in the 2002 Salt Lake Olympics with his winning smile and strong showing in the mogul event. He also made a splash last season returning kicks and playing wide receiver for Colorado.
Bloom simply wants the NCAA to play its role - and let him do his job.
"The NCAA has not allowed me to be a professional skier for two years now. I only want what is fair, for the NCAA to control my amateur career and the International Olympic Committee to control my ski career. I hope the NCAA will finally realize that my desire to win in skiing is not criminal and that my pursuit of a gold medal doesn't warrant expulsion."
1.19.2004
Australian Open is Bottoms Up: Three seeded players in the women's draw of the Australian Open were bounced out in the first round on Monday (make that Sunday in the States). Seventh-seeded Elena Dementieva, tenth-seeded Nadia Petrova and 31st-seeded Tamarine Tanasugarn were all ousted not long after they landed in Melbourne. Given that it's now summer Down Under and the shopping in Melbourne's hot, we guess losing has its positives.
Cut: In American professional golf, there's long been a fairly strict divide between the men's and women?s games; never the twain shall meet on the course. In recent years, though, the women have been slowly making inroads in to the men's game.
While the legendary Babe Didrikson Zaharias played in a men's tour event in 1945 and, amid much fanfare and controversy, Annika Sorenstam did it last year, it's still a rare event. We can now add a third name to that very short list: Hawaii resident Michelle Wie.
What makes this story even more newsworthy than it already might be is that Wie is all of 14. At the Sony Open in Honolulu this week, Wie missed the cut by all of 1 stroke, despite playing well on the back nine.
By some mysterious formula that we don't understand, the number of strokes under par that's needed to make the final two days of a tournament is calculated, but according to that forumla, Wie didn't make it. The feisty high schooler was mad that she didn't make the cut but, hey, she's only 14. Michelle seems to have bags of talent and is sure to make another run at qualifying for the last two days of a men's tourney soon.
One issue that needs to be addressed though is this: If an increasing number of women qualify for men?s tournaments, whither the LPGA, the women?s tour? The trend of women qualifying for men?s tournaments would seem to signal the death of the LPGA in the long term and, apart from the implications for the premiere lesbian circuit party (i.e. the Dinah Shore tournament in March 2004 at Mission Hills near Palms Springs), it's an issue with many interesting storylines that impact the LBGT community. But we have to repeat this: 14 years old??? Let's hope that Michelle Wie doesn't burn out by the ripe old age of 18, like many a female tennis player, and that whichever tour she plays on, she flourishes.
1.16.2004
Expos Still Homeless: After being bought by the other 29 owners of Major League Baseball in 2002, the Montreal Expos basically became lame ducks in the city of Montreal. The scenario descended in to farce during the 2003 season, with the team splitting time between Montreal and "home games" in Puerto Rico. MLB commissioner Bud Selig has announced that the Expos will definitely have a new home city in 2005. Possibly. Maybe. Groups from Las Vegas; Monterrey, Mexico; Norfolk, Virginia; Northern Virginia; Portland, Ore.; San Juan, Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C. have apparently held talks with baseball officials about getting the team. The city that wins the bidding will have to be far along with getting a stadium built for the Expos or whatever they'll be called in their new home. With the pricetag for stadiums running in the $300-400 million range these days, that city is probably going to have to appeal to the taxpayers for at least a portion of the funding. In the current economic climate, that might be a very hard sell for any politician to make.
1.15.2004
Garcia Arrested: We?ve always liked San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jeff Garcia. He was the rare athlete both well built and well spoken, with a voice suggesting he?d fit right in with TV?s Fab Five. So we were dismayed to hear that Garcia was arrested early Wednesday on suspicion of drunk driving.
Garcia was pulled over on the campus of San Jose State (his alma mater) after being observed driving erratically. A preliminary blood alcohol test found him over the legal limit, though conclusive results won?t be available for two weeks. He was driving with another man and two women.
Garcia, in a short statement, said he was "extremely embarrassed" about the incident. "I regret that I am standing here in front of you in this type of situation. I'm extremely embarrassed for my family, for the San Francisco 49er organization and for the Bay Area for having put myself in this situation."
1.14.2004
Unbeaten Falls: Wake Forest started 11-0 in men?s college basketball and was ranked #4, but the Demon Deacons? run ended Tuesday in a Texas buzzsaw. The Longhorns (10-2) beat Wake Forest, 94-81, to win their 24th straight win at home.
Laettner suspended: Washington Wizards forward Christian Laettner was suspended by the NBA for five games for violating the league?s drug policy. A player has to fail three drug tests before drawing a five-game suspension. The league would not identify what Laettner was taking, but it is expensive?the suspension will cost him $312,500.
A contrite Laettner issued this statement: "I accept full responsibility for my actions. I have elected to seek professional assistance to fully educate myself as to the consequences of my behavior to assure that these issues never interfere again with my career and my obligations to my team, my teammates and our fans."
Aussie Open No-Shows: What if they held the Australian Open and nobody came? It seems that way, at least on the women?s side, as three former champions have pulled out because of injury or concerns over their fitness, Serena Williams, Jennifer Capriati and Mary Pierce. And top contender Kim Clijsters says she may miss the event if her hurt ankle hasn?t sufficiently healed.
1.13.2004
Can?t Stay Away: Athletes can?t seem to stay retired these days. Last week, Joe Gibbs came back as coach of the Washington Redskins after being gone for 11 years. On Monday, Roger Clemens and Dan Marino came back.
Clemens, who had a farewell tour mere months ago as a New York Yankee, came out of retirement to sign a one-year, $5 million contract to pitch with the Houston Astros. Clemens, 41, went 17-9 for the Yankees last season, so he still has a chance to be productive. Clemens lives in Houston, which made his decision easy. ''I took to heart what Wayne Gretzky told me and Michael (Jordan) and Emmitt Smith and even Johnny Bench,'' Clemens said. ''It's great to come home.''
Marino, the Hall of Fame quarterback, isn?t coming back to play for the Miami Dolphins. Instead, he will be their vice president of football operations. We don?t know exactly what Marino will do since he doesn?t have the final say over personnel moves, but his coming back lends an air of class to the Dolphins.
A Loss? Economic Impact: Green Bay Packer fans in Wisconsin were still in a state of shock Monday, hours after the Pack lost in the NFL playoffs to the Philadelphia Eagles, 20-17, in overtime. No one could believe the Packers allowed the Eagles to complete a fourth-and-26 pass in the final minute to stay alive.
The hangover was felt by everyone, including Kristen Lake, a Milwaukee waitress. "My tips were lousy today," Lake told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. A psychologist told the paper that "sudden loss can lead to mild dysphoria, a depression that can interrupt normal eating and sleeping patterns. That leads to rumination." We prefers Lake?s more clinical explanation--"People were very crabby."
1.12.2004
Shutout Streak Ends: Brian Boucher, Phoenix Coyotes goalie, gave up a goal Sunday night. This is big news. Boucher had been on an incredible role, setting a modern-day mark for shutouts minutes. He had five straight shutouts and ended with a streak that lasted 332 minutes, 1 second, until the Atlanta Thrashers Randy Robitaille scored 6:18 into the game that ended in a 1-1 tie.
''I'm happy that it's over. It was a nice run, something that I'll never forget," said Boucher (pictured). "But we're talking about one goal. I think it's good for the team that we don't have to answer questions about it anymore.''
Wild NFL Playoff Weekend: All four of the NFL playoff games this weekend came down to the end and two road teams won. Check out our complete recap, including homoerotic comment of the weekend and the Packers epic fourth-down collapse.
1.10.2004
Recycled: It sometimes seems that the biggest obstacle to becoming a coach or a manager in sports is just getting your first job. Once you have that on your resume, it seems as though you'll be considered for jobs elsewhere. Case in point: Bill Callahan. He lead the Raiders to the Super Bowl in his first season as their coach, but a 4-12 record and lockerroom dissent in 2003 meant he got bounced from the job after this season. Overall, he was considered a failure during his tenure with the Oakland Raiders but that didn't prevent the Nebraska Cornhuskers from hiring him on Friday. Mr. Callahan may have thought he felt pressure working under Al Davis, but that was childs play compared to the scrutiny he will face as Cornhuskers coach. The Nebraska football coach is one of the most heavily scrutinized sports jobs in the country and it will be interesting to see if Callahan can make the transition from the pros to the college game.
Just Play: The Williams sisters, Venus and Serena, are without question the most exciting players in either men or women?s tennis. Unfortunately, Serena has pulled out of the first of the Grand Slams, the Australian Open, because she is still recovering from knee surgery. The Australian Open organizers are now faced with the prospect of having almost none of the leading women's players in the world playing at their tournament. Monica Seles hasn't entered at all, while Jennifer Capriati, Kim Clijsters and Jelena Dokic are doubtful. It's somewhat difficult to run a first-class tournament when a good portion of the best players don't show up.
1.9.2004
Great Idea: It's such a good idea that it's no wonder it won't happen. After the unsatisfactory conclusion to the NCAA football season, it was also somewhat inevitable. While the Bowl Championship Series format decreed that Oklahoma and LSU played in the title game, with LSU winning, the AP writers poll gave the vote for the #1 college football team in the country to USC. Thus, the announcement that a lot of money was being offered to USC and LSU to play a "real" title game sounded appealing.
Ted Waitt, CEO of the computer maker Gateway, offered a package of incentives totaling $31 million to try and get the two schools together on the field to settle the split-championship deadlock. Each school would have gotten $10 million worth of scholarships targeted to disadvantaged students; the winner would have received an additional $10 million in scholarships and $1 million of Gateway products. It's sounds better to us than putting his name on a building on either campus. But, of course, the NCAA, having made their bed with the BCS, wasn't going to allow any such game to take place. They had a reason, but we tuned it out when we heard it. The whole deal almost could be a definition of a "win-win situation" but it's not to be. So, a split title it is then.
1.8.2004
Back to the Future in Washington: Politicians come and go, but the Redskins are a constant unifying force in Washington DC. That?s why the nation?s capital is on a high after the team announced the hiring of Joe Gibbs as its next coach ($28.5 million over five years).
Gibbs, the Skins? coach from 1981-92, was wildly successful, going to four Super Bowls and winning three. Gibbs seldom had superstars, winning titles Joe Theismann, Doug Williams and Mark Rypien at quarterback, none of whom are in the Hall of Fame.
Since leaving the NFL, Gibbs has been a success as a NASCAR owner. He is a tremendous organizer/manager, a key component of being a successful head coach. Expect the Redskins back as a serious playoff contender within two years.
1.7.2004
Molitor, Eck in Hall: Two great stars of the 1980s and ?90s, Paul Molitor and Dennis Eckersley, were elected Tuesday to baseball?s Hall of Fame. Molitor played for Milwaukee, Toronto and Minnesota and was the MVP of the World Series with the Blue Jays in 1993. Eckersley, a starting pitcher who transitioned to the game?s top reliever, won a World Series with the Oakland A?s in 1989.
The two players battled each other many times. Eckersley recalled the last time they faced each other in 1998. ''I was 43 years old,'' Eckersley told AP with a laugh. ''He dropped down a bunt and, guess what, it worked. He's a little weasel, that's what he is.''
Classless: Sports Illustrated?s Peter King gave his Goat of the Week to worthy recipients:
''Collectively, the 11 Texas Tech offensive players, for their actions after scoring against Navy last week in the Houston Bowl. After a Tech touchdown, the Red Raiders players gathered in a circle in the end zone. The ball was thrown in the air and when it hit the turf, all the players fell to the ground, as if the ball were a bomb. A pretty stupid and unfeeling celebration regardless, but against Navy? When the seniors on that team, some of them anyway, are about to be sent into the conflict in Iraq? That was bush-league all the way.''
1.6.2004
Rose Admits He Lied: The shocking (?) news that Pete Rose bet on baseball should surprise no one. His story was never believable before and his admission only confirms what everyone long ago suspected. There is also no doubt that Rose belongs in the Hall of Fame for his tremendous baseball accomplishments. His gambling should have nothing to do with it.
Frankly, it?s hard to see that many people caring and Rose is obviously in the news now as he tries to sell a book. Our Discussion Board, which is a pretty good barometer of what people are talking about, has had very few posts about this issue. Let?s hope he disappears quickly.
1.5.2004
LSU Wins Sugar Bowl: LSU beat Oklahoma, 21-14, to win the Sugar Bowl and a share of the college football national championship. Contractually, the winner of the BCS title game is crowned champion by the coaches, even though USC had been No. 1 in the last regular season poll. USC, which won the Rose Bowl, is No. 1 in the Associated Press writers' poll, so we have a split title.
The Sugar Bowl was a boring dud, with two inept quarterbacks--LSU's Matt Mauck and Oklahoma's Jason White--combining for four interceptions and only 229 total yards passing. White, the Heisman Trophy winner, has stunk in his last two games, which shows again why the award is pretty meaningless. Let's hope the powers that run college football come up with a better way to crown a champion.
The Man Who Forgot He Was Traded: When the Seattle Seahawks won the coin toss to start overtime, quarterback Matt Hasselbeck declared, "we want the ball, and we're going to score." Apparently, Hasselbeck had a 15-minute loss of memory.
It wasn't so long ago that the young quarterback was backing up Brett Favre in Green Bay. There, he got a strong reputation looking like Brett Favre . . . in preseason. Former Packer coach brought Hasselbeck to the Seahawks not long after he landed in Seattle in 1999.
After the bold prediction on Sunday, Hasselbeck led his team to a punt on their first overtime possession. On their second overtime possession, Hasselbeck threw a short out to a green jersey. The problem with that: he's not supposed to throw to green jersey in Lambeau anymore. The result was Packer cornerback Al Harris dancing down the sideline to a screaming Green Bay crowd as he returned his interception for the game-winning touchdown.
Titans, Panthers Win NFL Playoffs: The Tennessee Titans beat the Baltimore Ravens, 20-17, and the Carolina Panthers drilled the Dallas Cowboys, 29-10, to win Saturday?s NFL wild card games.
In the Ravens? game, the key play turned out to be a stupid personal foul penalty against Baltimore?s Orlando Brown late in the game. The 15 yards pushed the Ravens? punting team back and gave Tennessee great field position. The Titans took advantage and won on a 46-yard field goal by 44-year-old kicker Gary Anderson with 29 seconds left.
"It wasn't anything intentional," Brown said. "I just see my man [Tennessee?s Javon Kearse] choking one of my boys [Baltimore?s Terry Jones], and I was like, 'Get off.' I heard my man hollering." Brown should know that they always catch the second guy in the scuffle and he?s been around enough to know not to retaliate. It was his second personal foul penalty of the game.
It was great to see the Titans? Eddie George (88 yards rushing) play a key role. In the macho world of pro football, the word was that George was afraid of the Ravens, especially linebacker Ray Lewis. George is all man and showed it by playing the entire second half with a separated shoulder. Check out a quite buff George in Picture This.
The Carolina game was not very competitive as Dallas registered a measly 204 total yards and scored its only touchdown already down, 26-3. Look for the Cowboys to totally reshape their offense.
1.3.2004
BCS Disaster: What the Bowl Coalition Series (BCS) said could never happen has happened: a split National Championship. Their hopes of a single champion died on Thursday with a 28-14 victory by USC over Michigan on New Year's Day in the Rose Bowl
The National Championship is decided by two polls: the AP Poll (voted on by members of the press) and the Coaches Poll (voted on by college football coaches). The Coaches have a contract with the BCS to vote for the team that wins the BCS Championship game. The members of the press, however, can vote for whomever they want; and it seems they are going to do just that.
Ryan White of The Oregonian told CNNSI.com: "I'm switching to USC, and I can't see a Sugar Bowl scenario that would change that. The Trojans have earned half the title, so they should get half the title."
Now, the USC players who a month ago were disappointed by their snub from the Sugar Bowl are snubbing the BCS.
"We came in as the No. 1 team in the country and we won our bowl game, so we're still the No. 1 team in the country," said USC receiver Mike Williams. "That's all I need to know. BCS, Oklahoma, LSU, whatever, that has nothing to do with us. We're going to enjoy this win. That's all that matters."
NFL 'Pulls a BCS': The NFL followed the BCS' stalemate on Friday with one of their own: two quarterbacks will share the League MVP Award.
Indianapolis' Peyton Manning and Tennessee's Steve McNair will share the Award for 2003 - only the third time there has been a tie in the voting. Patriots quarterback Tom Brady was third, followed by Baltimore running back Jamal Lewis, Kansas City running back Priest Holmes, and Baltimore linebacker Ray Lewis. All six players getting votes led their teams to the playoffs and three of them - Lewis, Lewis and McNair - will be facing off on Saturday in the Wild Card round as the Titans visit the Ravens.
1.2.2004
A Traditional Rose Bowl: Ah, New Years Day in Los Angeles. For sports fans here, that means the Rose Bowl. The weather today was gorgeous, as usual. It doesn't fail: no matter how much it has rained the previous week or how much it will rain next week, game day will find weather that the TV cameras and people stuck in frozen locations love. The game this year was also a return to a traditional Pac 10 v. Big 10 matchup. When the Rose Bowl opted to join the Bowl Championship Series, it surrendered one of their big marketing points, a matchup between West Coast and Midwest powers. Big 10 fans are always a lively part of the game, but with the rotation system being used by the BCS, the last two Rose Bowls have featured such matchups as the dud Miami vs. Nebraska game in 2002.
The game this year had an extra storyline going in. With all the controversy about the BCS and USC being declared Number 1 in the AP poll, USC needed to make a statement, winning easily over a good Michigan team to say "We deserve to be #1". They emphatically did that on Thursday, cruising to a 28-14 victory over the Wolverines. USC quarterback Matt Leinart was the MVP and deservedly so. The lefty threw 3 touchdown passes and, thanks to a great play by USC, caught one as well. USC receiver Mike Williams was a stud as well, making great catches all day and, after getting the ball on a reverse, tossing the excellent pass to Leinart that put a punctuation mark on a decisive 'SC win.
While there is no chance for USC to be either the BCS champion or even a consensus #1 (the coaches have to vote for the BCS winner), USC is in many minds outside the state of Oklahoma the best college football team in the country. Too bad that there is not a format for them to prove that on the playing field.
1.1.2004
Have a Happy 2004: As Outsports finishes four years as the online home for gay and lesbian sports fans and athletes, now is a good time to reflect on how the landscape has changed.
The issue of gays in sports is maturing and is no longer considered on the fringe. Mainstream media deal with the subject regularly, including trendsetters like the New York Times, ESPN and HBO. No one disputes any more that there are gays in major team and individual sports (only the numbers are in dispute); the question has shifted to when an active player will come out and what the reaction will be. Not even we can hazard a guess.
Bringing the subject to light, largely in a sympathetic way, has made it more conceivable that an athlete can come out in a largely positive fashion. When athletes like Jeremy Shockey and Garrison Hearst and executives like Matt Millen utter anti-gay slurs, they are quickly forced to apologize. On the other hand, apologizing is all they must do; so far, no one in sports has been fined or suspended for making anti-gay remarks. And the dynamics of a locker room, where fitting in is paramount and any sign of weakness is pounced on, show what a struggle it would be for a gay jock to declare his sexuality publicly.
At Outsports, we will strive to continue to be a vehicle for pushing positive change, no matter how incrementally. There are many battles left to be fought, but we hope our coverage can provide a weapon against the bigots still among us. Play on and Happy New Year!
Jim Buzinski
12.31.2003
Spurrier Out in DC: Here?s how miserable Steve Spurrier was as Washington Redskins coach?He walked away and left $15 million on the table. That was what he was due to be paid in the final three years of his five-year contract, money he forfeited when he abruptly quit Tuesday.
"The whole thing wasn't working," Spurrier told the Washington Post. The man who once ruled the college football roost while at Florida now leaves his legacy as a 12-20 bust who team got worse over time instead of better. All the college coaches and teams he humiliated while at Florida must have popped open the champagne. Spurrier said he will take a year off, but expect him back in the college ranks two seasons from now.
12.30.2003
Tis the Season: Like egg nog and mistletoe, the holiday season is a time for NFL coaches to get fired. Three felt the ax Monday, the day after the regular season. Out are Dave McGinnis (Arizona), Dick Jauron (Chicago) and Gregg Williams (Buffalo). They join Jim Fassel, who was told two weeks ago by the New York Giants that he would not be back. Of these four, only Fassel ever won a playoff game. More coaches are expected to be sacked in the coming weeks. Quick turn-around artists like Bill Parcells in Dallas and Marvin Lewis in Cincinnati showed how much of an effect a coach can have.
New Year?s Date: We know it has nothing to do with sports, but ? Angelina Jolie is the woman most straight American males would like to date on New Year's Eve, according to a survey by movie rental chain Blockbuster Inc. Ashton Kutcher was the male lead most women wanted to see under the New Year's Eve misteltoe, garnering 31% of responses. Personally, we?d prefer a night with the Denver Broncos receiving corps -- Shannon Sharpe, Ed McCaffrey, Ashlie Lelie, etc.
12.29.2003
Miracle in the Desert: It must have been divine intervention. How else to explain the miraculous way the Green Bay Packers made the playoffs? Check out our weekly look at all the doings in the league.
Holmes Sets Mark: Three seasons ago, Priest Holmes came to the Kansas City Chiefs as an unheralded free agent, but he?s now one of the game?s superstars. On Sunday, he set two NFL records that may last a while. Holmes scored his 26th and 27th touchdowns, the first setting the mark for rushing touchdowns in a season, the second for total TDs.
Holmes is a very quiet star, who seldom toots his horn, but his teammates love him, especially his blockers. ''It's an honor just to be blocking for the guy,'' said left guard Brian Waters. ''Twenty years from now I'll be able to tell my kids, `Daddy was out there.' ''
Spurs Win Again: The San Antonio Spurs started the NBA season 8-10 and thoughts of defending their title seemed silly. After Sunday?s win over Milwaukee, however, the Spurs have won 13 in a row, on the strength of great defense, and look like they?ll be one of the league?s top teams again.
12.27.2003
Forgiveness: One of the saddest stories of the year was a car crash that left the Atlanta Thrasher's rising young hockey star Dan Snyder dead. Unfortunately, car crashes killing pro athletes are far from rare but what made this one a little different is that a teammate, NHL All-Star Dany Heatley, was driving--and survived the crash.
Heatley suffered a broken jaw and torn knee ligaments in the late September crash. He was allegedly going 80 mph on a two-lane road, spun out of control and after spinning off the road, crashed his Ferrari in to a wall. Heatley has started to skate again and should be playing for the Thrashers again fairly soon. On Friday, he held an emotional press conference, his first meeting with the media since the crash. The most amazing thing to come out of the tragedy is that one of Heatley's biggest supporters are people that would understandably be considered the least likely candidates to express forgiveness: Dan Snyder's family. Even so, Dany Heatley is not out of the woods yet legally. The Fulton County, Georgia district attorney's office still hasn't made a decision about whether they will proceed with a case against Heatley. One factor in their decision is that Dany Heatley, had a roughly .01% alcohol level at the time of crash. It's well below the state legal limit of .08%, but the prosecution could decide to proceed on that basis. In any case, one man is dead, a family has lost a son and sibling and another man's life will never be the same. With the incredible gesture of support by Snyder's family, maybe there will be a measure of closure for all the survivors.
12.24.2003
Happy Holidays! Jock Talk is taking a brief holiday break. Hope you all are enjoying the season.
