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9.30.2003
Packers Open Soldier Field the Way They Closed it: No active quarterback has beaten another team as much as Brett Favre has beaten the Chicago Bears. He is now 19-4 against the denizens of Soldier Field, beating them badly on Monday Night Football, 38-23. And it wasn't that close. Ahman Green set the tone early, busting a 60-yard run for a touchdown just three minutes into the game. While the Bears had high hopes for the rededication of Soldier Field, they should have known better with Kordell Stewart at the helm.
Brenda Warner Trusts God: Brenda Warner sounded off on "Steve and D.C." that she and her husband, deposed Rams quarterback Kurt Warner, would be anxious for a trade if things kept up the way they are in St. Louis.
"We're open for anything. We've always said we trust God in everything that happens for us. This is one of the things that we've got, again, to put our trust in Him and know that He'll take care of us."
Brenda Warner is best known for her absurd hair, absurd clothes, and absurd statements about God, her husband, and whatever else she decides to open her mouth about.
9.29.2003
Gay Old Time in Chicago: Received this note from a friend who was at Wrigley Field in Chicago on Saturday when the Cubs won their first division title in 14 years: ?The Chicago Gay Men's Chorus, sang the National Anthem at beautiful Wrigley Field and, lo and behold, the Cubs won a doubleheader (the third in last 17 over 10 years) and I'm sure you know the rest. Ah, what a
glorious day!?
The Cubs will play the Atlanta Braves in one National League playoff series. The other pits Florida against San Francisco. In the American League, New York plays Minnesota and Boston plays Oakland.
NFL Week 5: Sunday was another wild day in the NFL. Check out our weekly look at all the doings in the league.
9.27.2003
Holy Injuries! If you're in a fantasy football league, you are very aware of the injuries to running backs in the NFL. Four of the top ten fantasy running backs - Priest Holmes, Clinton Portis, Travis Henry and Edgerrin James are all listed as questionable for the upcoming week. Plus, Corey Dillon is also questionable and Marshall Faulk is out. We can't remember so many running backs being so banged up so early in the season.
The Marlins Are Back: Six years ago, they went from chumps to champs and back to chumps again. Now, the Florida Marlins have nearly come full circle, making the MLB playoffs for the first time since winning it all in 1997 by beating the New York Mets, 4-3, on Friday night. The Mets are now eliminated from contention.
9.26.2003
Bosox in Playoffs: The Boston Red Sox won the American League wild-card slot on Thursday and made the baseball playoffs for the first time in 1999. This means once again that Red Sox Nation, which has waited for a World Series title since 1918, will once again have the pleasure of suffering through a playoff series. And yes, Red Sox fans do enjoy their suffering and wear it as a badge of honor. Boston will play Oakland in one AL playoff series, while Minnesota plays the New York Yankees.
Four Leave Park: Carlos Delgado of the Toronto Blue Jays hit four home runs against Tampa Bay, becoming the 15th player in history with that many in a game. Delgado?s first blast was the 300th home run of his career. His amazing day came despite his battling a cold.
9.25.2003
Playoffs Take Shape: Baseball?s postseason took a big step towards clarity after Wednesday?s action. In the National League, the Florida Marlins all but eliminated the Philadelphia Phillies and should join San Francisco and Atlanta in the postseason. The closest race is still in the Central, where the Cubs hold a one-game lead over Houston with three left.
In the American League, New York, Minnesota and Oakland are division winners, while Boston has a comfortable 3 ﾽ-game lead over Seattle for the wild card.
On the Shelf: For those of us who play fantasy football or are just NFL fans, this could be a bleak week. Some of the stars who might miss NFL action (though some are on the bubble) includes: Running back Edgerrin James, Marshall Faulk, Clinton Portis and Travis Henry, along with quarterbacks Daunte Culpepper and Kelly Holcomb. We imagine a lot of fantasy players are already combing their league waiver wires, though the pickings will be slim.
9.24.2003
Marlins Rally for Win: The Philadelphia Phillies led the Florida Marlins, 3-0, in the seventh inning and were closing in on sending the National League wild card race into a tie. Then the roof caved in. Jeff Conine?s three-run home run off Kevin Milwood was the big blow in a five-run seventh as the Marlins stunned the Phils, 5-4. Florida now leads the wild card race by two games with only five games left and Tuesday may be remembered as another day of infamy in Philadelphia baseball history.
Meanwhile, the Minnesota Twins and New York Yankees clinched their respective American League divisions?the Twins the Central and the Yanks the East.
9.23.2003
Cubs Catch Houston: The Chicago Cubs, one of baseball?s historic doormats, are now tied for the lead in the National League Central after Houston lost Monday to San Francisco. The Cubs and Astros are both 84-72 and each has six games to play. Chicago may have a slight edge in the remaining schedule, with games against sub-.500 Cincinnati and Pittsburgh. The Astros close with last place Milwaukee but still have two more with the elite San Francisco Giants.
Lost Night for the Raiders: The Denver Broncos crushed the Oakland Raiders, 31-10, Monday night, dropping the defending AFC champs to 1-2. The Raiders are old and slow, with a line that can?t give 2002 league MVP Rich Gannon any protection. It will be a long season in Raider Nation. The Raiders did play thug kicker Sebastian Janikowski, who was arrested Saturday night following a bar fight in the Bay Area. He was arrested on suspicion of misdemeanor assault, misdemeanor vandalism and public drunkenness. Several people told officers they had been assaulted by Janikowski, who according to police was "very intoxicated,'' according to AP.
9.22.2003
Wild Weekend in College Football: There were two outstanding performances and several big upsets in college football this weekend. Antonio Perkins of Oklahoma set a record by returning three punts for touchdowns in the Sooners? 59-24 rout of UCLA. Perkins? 277 return yards were also a record. A player at another Oklahoma school, wide receiver Rashaun Woods, set his own mark with an amazing seven touchdown receptions in the Cowboys? 52-6 drubbing of SMU.
Six Top 25 teams were upset on Saturday-- #3 Michigan; #6 Kansas State; #7 Georgia; #9 Pitt; #16 Arizona State and #21 Alabama. The two biggest shockers were Toldeo?s win at Pitt and Marshall upset at Kansas State. Michigan losing was not a huge surprise, since they fell at Oregon, a notorious tough place to play. This all shows how meaningless early-season polls are.
Dubious Achievement: The Detroit Tigers lost to the Minnesota Twins, 6-4, and in the process tied the American League record for losses in a season with 117. The Tigers are closing in on the all-time mark of 120 set by the New York Mets in 1962.
9.20.2003
Races Get Tight: Baseball?s division and wild card races continue to heat up with about nine games for each team left. In the National League, the Philadelphia Phillies have passed the Florida Marlins to take the lead in the wild card race by a mere half-game. The Cubs (2 back) and the Dodgers (2 ﾽ back) are still breathing. The Cubs actually have a better shot of winning the Central, being only 1 ﾽ games back. Things are less tight in the American League, with the Yankees, Twins and A?s in great shape, while Boston leads Seattle by 2 ﾽ for the wild card.
9.19.2003
Man Arrested For Offering to Kill Kobe's Accuser: A Swiss bodybuilding coach has been arrested for allegedly offering to kill the accuser of Kobe Bryant for $3 million. Patrick Graber reportedly made the offer to Bryant's security director, then met with undercover detectives. Graber, 31, is being held on $1 million bail.
Virginia Tech Blows Away Texas A&M: While Hurricane Isabel was losing strength, the Hokies were just heating up. Virginia Tech dominated Texas A&M Thursday night, posting five touchdowns in a 35-19 victory as Hurricane Isabel dumped rain throughout the game. Kevin Jones led the Hokies with 190 yards rushing and three touchdowns.
9.18.2003
Butting In: German pole vaulter Tim Lobinger faces a fine of up to $5,000 by world track officials after showing his buttocks to the crowd at an event in Monaco last weekend.
Lobinger did his Semi-Monty after judges had disallowed an earlier vault (he won the competition nonetheless). The German dropped his track pants and ran around the track wearing a g-string. "I felt it was funny," he told reporters in Monaco. "It's not something you plan in advance. It just happens. I knew I had underwear on.?
Track officials, though, thought the display was inappropriate and Lobinger could be fined. "We all know Tim's showmanship qualities," a member of the German track federation said "But even with all the tension of such an important competition, something like that doesn't belong there, it's rude, unsportsmanlike behavior."
Gee, lighten up. Brandi Chastain ripped off her soccer jersey to reveal his sports bra a few years ago and it was well-received and got her endorsements. But Lobinger shows a little cheek (click here) and he?s fined? We sense a double standard.
9.17.2003
Shock Finally Bring Respect to the East: The Detroit Shock won the WNBA title on Tuesday, becoming the first team from the Eastern Conference to do so. In fact, in beating the Los Angeles Sparks, 83-78, in the third and final game of the Championship series, the Shock became the first Eastern Conference team to win any professional basketball title since Michael Jordan's Chicago Bulls in 1998. Ruth Riley scored a career-high 27 points in leading the Shock.
Phils Draw Closer: The Philadelphia Phillies beat the Florida Marlins, 14-0, on Tuesday to draw to within one-half game of Florida in the race for the National League wild card. The 14 runs represented more points than the NFL?s Philadelphia Eagles have scored in their first two games.
9.16.2003
Shockey Gets Laughed At Last:"Let's see how much Parcells wins this year. I'll make him pay when we play them. The homo."
Those were the brash words of the NFL's dumbest farmboy from Oklahoma, Jeremy Shockey, just a month ago. Two dropped passes, a slip that resulted in an interception, and an embarrassing loss later, and Shockey doesn't want to talk anymore.
Yes, he had a touchdown catch. And that was good. But, for a guy to mouth off in the press about the former head coach of his team - who brought two Super Bowl Championships to New York - and then to have as bad of a game as Shockey, a touchdown was far from redemption.
This should not be news to anyone. While he's put some great hits on defensive players in his first year of playing, his downfall is his hands. He dropped a touchdown against San Francisco in the playoffs last year (a game which his team ultimately lost) and he dropped a touchdown Monday Night (another game his team ultimately lost). He has, and will, drop many more. Yet, he'll find time to flap his gums about gays, sex with women, and Hall of Fame coaches. A little more time on the practice field may do him well.
The ultimate slap in the face came in overtime. After the Giants choked away a three-point lead with 11 seconds remaining, they failed to score on their lone overtime possession and watched the Dallas Cowboys, whom Shockey had mocked, march down the field and kick a chip shot field goal.
Now, who's the homo?
9.15.2003
Records Were Meant to be Broken Jamal Lewis of the Baltimore Ravens broke the record for rushing yards in a single game on Sunday, carrying the ball 30 times for a whopping 295 yards against the Cleveland Browns. That was more than the combined yardage of the entire Browns team. The record had been held by Cincinnati Bengal Corey Dillon, who rushed for 278 yards on Oct. 22, 2000, against Denver.
Some in the press are saying that Lewis predicted his feat. In Lewis' words: "[Cleveland linebacker] Andra [Davis] told me he wanted me to get the ball 30 times. I told him if I get the ball 30 times it's going to be a career day. I'm not going to say I predicted it. It was lucky."
The Ravens won the game in Baltimore, 33-13.
Sister of Serena & Venus Shot to Death: Yetunde Price, 31, was shot to death in Los Angeles on Sunday in suburban Los Angeles. An older sister of Serena and Venus Williams, Price reportedly got into a confrontation with local residents in the early morning. Price is survived by her three children, mother and father, and sisters Serena, Venus, Lyndrea (an actress and singer) and Isha (a lawyer and singer).
9.14.2003
Dude Looks Like a McGrady: NBA star Tracy McGrady thinks that 5% of the NBA is gay. At least, that's what he told Stuff magazine in an interview about everything under the sun, set to hit newsstands in October. McGrady also says that he played with a gay teammate in Orlando. Let the sleuthing begin.
Michigan Stomps on Notre Dame: There really aren't too many ways to spin this one. The Notre Dame Fighting Irish were embarrassed by the Michigan Wolverines, 38-0, in Ann Arbor on Saturday. It was the most lopsided game in the series' 21 game history.
9.13.2003
Duh - Warner Ready to Go: Did Kurt Warner really have a concussion? When teammates found he had been taken to the hospital after their embarrassing loss to the New York Giants in Week 1, they were surprised to hear that Warner had a concussion. Of course, coach Mike Martz was quick to say how confused Warner was with the plays - the players, for the most part, found him no more confused than usual.
After a good look-over by the doctors in the hospital, Warner has been suddenly cleared to play on Sunday. In a backup role, of course. Was Warner ever injured, or was it Martz's plan for a quick, easy out from a quarterback in whom he had lost faith? We can only know this: if he doesn't have Bulger hand the ball to Marshall Faulk more than he did with Warner, he'll have to dig deep to find another player on whom to pin a loss.
9.12.2003
Halladay Wins 20: Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Roy Halladay became the majors? first 20-game winner, posting a 3-1victory over the Tampa Bay Devil Rays with a five-hitter. Halladay (20-6) came close last year, winning 19 games. Halladay entered the game with a 23-inning scoreless streak as he cemented his chances of winning the American League Cy Young award. ''He's amazing,'' Blue Jays manager Carlos Tosca said. ''If there's a better pitcher out there right now, we haven't seen him. He's the whole package.''
9.11.2003
A Date That Will Live in Infamy: It's been two years since four planes crashed in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania and the lives of every American changed just a bit. That day, and those that followed, were a time of bonding for the readers of this Web site as we came together to share our thoughts and stories of patriotism and the men and women who lost their lives in the attacks.
It may be two years ago, but these stories still resonate today - which is why we encourage you to take a step back in time and remember the stories that we, the community at Outsports, shared with one another about that day.
9.10.2003
Gay Day in Texas: Gay groups are hoping to sell 1,000 tickets to Sunday?s Oakland A?s at Texas Rangers baseball game in Arlington. If this many tickets are sold, the team will block off a section of the stands so the group can make a giant rainbow flag in the stands, according an article in the Dallas Voice.
Andy Silverman, the Rangers? vice president of ticket sales, told the Voice the ?sheer earning potential? of the gay community was a factor in the team?s decision to sponsor Gay Day. The gay community has tremendous buying power, and ?we can?t ignore that.? The Rangers rank 18th out of 30 in Major League attendance this season.
The event continues what is becoming a trend in some baseball markets. The Chicago Cubs have had a gay day for the past three seasons, the Atlanta Braves had one last season, while this year?s event in Philadelphia received national attention. Baseball teams, which have to sell tickets for 81 games, are realizing that gay dollars are as green as any other group?s.
The Texas event has prompted an anti-gay group to start a Web site encouraging people to protest. The group declares ?We are protesting the homosexuals for using a family institution such as baseball, the Texas Rangers and our Ballpark in Arlington to legitimize their perverted lifestyles. The homosexuals ARE NOT simply going out to watch a baseball game with their buddies. They are going to push their perverted homosexual agendas.?
Here?s hoping the protestors are a small group who get ignored, and this is one more reason for gays, lesbians and their straight friends and family members to turn out in force on Sunday. Jim Buzinski
9.9.2003
Coaches Getting Cutesy: Bill Parcells has made getting "cutesy" an art form. Whether it's going for it on fourth down in your own territory, or trick special teams plays, Parcells has been the master of surprisingly unique coaching calls.
Andy Reid tried one on Monday that cost his team the game. With the chance of going up, 3-0, against a team that's defensively minded, Reid opted to fake a 20-yard field goal and attempt a pass. Not such a bad option, except that the pass was thrown by backup quarterback Koy Detmer to backup rookie tight end L.J. Smith from Rutgers. The outcome: a dropped wobbly pass that left the Eagles scoreless. That was as close as they'd get to scoring the rest of the game.
Instead of putting up an easy three points, Reid essentially opted to take his three points off the board in a needless attempt to get cutesy. Maybe he should win the Super Bowl before trying that again.
Author Looking for Gay Male Athletes: Eric Anderson, a sociologist at the University of California Irvine (aka CoachGumby), is looking for male athletes and coaches to interview for his upcoming book: In the Game: Sport, Homophobia, and Gay Male Athletes with SUNY Press.
He is looking for openly gay high school, collegiate, and professional male athletes, as well as heterosexual athletes from the NBA, NFL, MLB, or NHL that are willing to be anonymously interviewed. This is university-approved research, and he is obligated to protect the identity of those he interviews.
You can reach Eric Anderson at coachgumby@aol.com.
9.8.2003
Roddick Wins It: Andy Roddick was dominant in routing Juan Carlos Ferrero in straight sets to win the U.S. Open on Sunday. Roddick is the eighth different man to win the men?s title in the last nine years, but at only age 21, this will not be his only major.
Amazing: Still hard to believe Miami came back from 33-10 down to Florida to win 38-33 in Saturday's college football. The win boosted the Canes past Ohio State into second place in the AP college poll, behind Oklahoma. The Buckeyes looked anything but impressive in squeaking by San Diego State, 16-13.
NFL Kicks Off: Football heaven is Sunday with the Direct TV NFL Sunday Ticket Package and the ability to watch 13 games. Carpal tunnel from all the remote control work is a problem, though. For Cyd?s and Jim?s take on Week 1, including the latest homoerotic gem from Phil Simms and the latest stupid comments from homophobe Jeremy Shockey, check out our take.
9.6.2003
Stirring Match at the Open: Justine Henin-Hardenne was near exhaustion, fighting fatigue and cramps. But somehow the Belgian rallied to beat Jennifer Capriati 4-6, 7-5, 7-6 (4) in the semifinals at the U.S. Open.
It was an amazing match that ended after midnight and saw both players drained after exchanging thrilling point after thrilling point. could hardly stand by the end, bending over to stretch her cramping left leg between points. Capriati, who led 5-2 in the third set and served for the match twice, was devastated afterwards.
?When I came off the court, I felt the whole world was coming down on me, and that my heart was being ripped out,'' she said. ?It hurts.? About all Henin-Hardenne could say was ?I need sleep.? Bravo!
Dubious Record: Detroit Tigers pitcher Mike Maroth made history on Friday, but he rather forget. Maroth blew a 5-2 lead and lost to the Toronto Blue Jays, 8-6. It was his 20th loss of the year and he became the first pitcher since 1980 to lose that many in a season. Ouch.
9.5.2003
Bimbo Eruption: It was obvious that ABC hired Lisa Guerrero as its Monday Night Football sideline reporter for attributes other than intelligence or football knowledge. Her posing in lingerie for FHM magazine will tell you what those attributes are (not that they do anything for us). But we never thought she would so totally suck.
Guerrero was lame in her regular season debut Thursday, as the NFL season kicked off with the Washington Redskins defeating the New York Jets, 16-13. In a post-game interview, Guerrero said to ?Skins QB Patrick Ramsey: ?I saw you talking to Lavenenous Coles, your ex-teammate [before the game]. What did he say to you?? Puzzled, Ramsey replied: ?What?s that?? She repeated the question and he gracefully answered about Coles, helping her save face.
The problem? Coles is not Ramsey?s ?ex-teammate.? He?s a new teammate who came over from the Jets in a highly publicized trade. ABC said it hired Guerrero in part for her entertainment value. At this rate, we?ll be laughing each week, though not for the reasons the network intended.
9.4.2003
Wild Races: The playoff race in the American League has been fascinating, especially watching the Boston Red Sox. Every time they get close to the New York Yankees in the East, the Yanks pull further ahead. The Sox then rally and bring hope back to New England baseball fans. It?s happening again. A few days after losing two of three to the Yanks, the BoSox used late-inning dramatics to beat the Chicago White Sox and win their third straight. Combined with the Yankees losing their second in a row, Boston now is within three games (and tied with Seattle for the wild card). Up this weekend: another Yankees-Red Sox series.
Elsewhere the top three teams in the A.L. Central are tight, with Chicago and Minnesota tied and Kansas City a game out. It?s even tighter in the N.L. Central, where Chicago trails Houston and St. Louis by a mere half-game. The N.L. wild card race has as many entrants as the California governor?s race, with seven teams bunched within five games. Should make for a great stretch run.
NFL Starts Up: America?s favorite sport, pro football, begins its annual season tonight with the New York Jets playing at the Washington Redskins. We?ll take the Skins, 13-10. The big news was the Buffalo Bills signing New England Patriots safety Lawyer Milloy, cut for salary-cap reasons this week. This could alter the balance of power between the two teams and if Buffalo wins the division, this could be the chief reason. --Jim Buzinski
9.3.2003
Clarett Now Done. Again.: Ohio State running back Maurice Clarett has been banned from practicing with the team (a reversal of a decision from 10 days ago) and Ohio State athletic director Andy Geiger says it is doubtful Clarett will play for Ohio State at all this year. Clarett is being investigated by the NCAA for a lack of forthrightness in regards to his dealings with improper benefits from his college football career. With Clarett doing little more than cheerleading on Saturday, the Buckeyes beat Washington, 28-9.
9.2.2003
Barry Leaves MVP Calling Card: Just hours after being released from a Phoenix area hospital, Barry Bonds reminded all why he's one of the best players in the League - and leaving notice that he is becoming more and more of a clutch player.
Bonds hit a bases-loaded single in the top of the ninth inning to lead his San Francisco Giants to a 2-0 victory against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday, handing Curt Schilling a no decision after eight innings of no-run baseball.
One Final from Flushing Meadows: Only one match was able to finish at a rain-delayed US Open on Monday. The crowd on hand spent their Labor Day watching Jennifer Capriati finish off Elena Dementieva in straight sets, 6-2, 7-5.
9.1.2003
When will the Pac-10 Get Respect? Each of the last several years seems like the same thing for West Coast college football teams. They are buried in the preseason polls, then post great wins in September to vault them into the national spotlight, only for that preseason East Coast bias to put them too far behind to qualify for the big game in January.
Last year, it was USC - this year, it's USC. Southern California went into #6 Auburn and demolished them in every aspect of the game, beating them 3,000 miles from their Los Angeles home, 23-0. Now we'll see how far the Trojans climb in the polls. When will the biased voters realize that some of the (if not THE) best football is being played west of the Rockies?
Steeler in Serious Condition: Pittsburgh Steeler Joey Porter was in serious condition after being shot following the Colorado-Colorado State game which he attended. Porter's gunshot wound is not life-threatening, though one of the other five people shot in the incident has died.
8.30.2003
My US Open Debut: I went to the US Open today - the first time I'd ever been to a Major tennis tournament.
Strangely, it felt a lot like a baseball game. The matches - being the second round of the men's draw and the third round of the women's - seemed to lack the drama that a finals would have. We spent most of the time in the stands talking (softly, of course) about the people around us and gossipping about the players. I imagine the later rounds - when you have two seeded players going at it - could be fun and dramatic. But, watching Mark Philippoussis beat up on Anthony Dupuis was lacking (though, several of Philippoussis' serves garned oohs and aahs from the crowd - he's still got it).
The highlights of the day for me were threefold: 1) seeing my good friend Aldene, who works for the USTA, in her element - it's always neat seeing an event like that through the eyes of an insider; 2) seeing my great friend, Chris, a longtime tennis nut, experience his first major - like watching a diehard NFL fan walk through the Hall of Fame for the first time; 3) watching Amelie Mauresmo.
Mauresmo may not be flashy, but she's all the gays and lesbians have right now in pro tennis; and, she's surely the best openly gay athlete in the entire world right now. The woman is stunning - today in a great red onepiece that contoured her every curve. It was particularly cool to watch one obviously gay man holler out from the crowd (between points, of course), "go Amelie." You wonder why this Web site at times "clamors" for an athlete to come out - this guy, obviously finding so much pride in a great professional athlete who is comfortable with her homosexuality - is my exhibit A. -Cyd Zeigler
8.29.2003
Big College Upset: The college football season is not even a week old and we already have a major upset, with Northern Illinois shocking #15 Maryland, 20-13, in overtime. The Huskies scored first in OT to take a seven-point lead and iced the game when Randee Drew snagged an interception in the end zone on a ball that bounced off a teammate. ''Everything was in slow motion,'' Drew said. ''One of them fell and kicked the ball and it came right to me. I guess (they) just put me in the right spot at the right time.''
Form Holds at the Open: The U.S. Open continues to play to form. Of the 11 highest-seeded players (men?s and women?s) who took to the court on Thursday, all 11 won.
8.29.2003
My US Open Debut: I went to the US Open today - the first time I'd ever been to a Major tennis tournament.
Strangely, it felt a lot like a baseball game. The matches - being the second round of the men's draw and the third round of the women's - seemed to lack the drama that a finals would have. We spent most of the time in the stands talking (softly, of course) about the people around us and gossipping about the players. I imagine the later rounds - when you have two seeded players going at it - could be fun and dramatic. But, watching Mark Philippoussis beat up on Anthony Dupuis was lacking (though, several of Philippoussis' serves garned oohs and aahs from the crowd - he's still got it).
The highlights of the day for me were threefold: 1) seeing my good friend Aldene, who works for the USTA, in her element - it's always neat seeing an event like that through the eyes of an insider; 2) seeing my great friend, Chris, a longtime tennis nut, experience his first major - like watching a diehard NFL fan walk through the Hall of Fame for the first time; 3) watching Amelie Mauresmo.
Mauresmo may not be flashy, but she's all the gays and lesbians have right now in pro tennis; and, she's surely the best openly gay athlete in the entire world right now. The woman is stunning - today in a great red onepiece that contoured her every curve. It was particularly cool to watch one obviously gay man holler out from the crowd (between points, of course), "go Amelie." You wonder why this Web site at times "clamors" for an athlete to come out - this guy, obviously finding so much pride in a great professional athlete who is comfortable with her homosexuality - is my exhibit A. -Cyd Zeigler
8.28.2003
Gay in the NFL: There are 100 to 200 gay or bisexuals playing in the NFL, a closeted player tells the author of a new book.
In ?Bloody Sundays? by Mike Freeman of the New York Times, the player (given the pseudonym Steven Thompson) says there?s no way he would consider coming out given the homophobic nature of the NFL. According to review of the book in Sports Illustrated, Thompson (given an entire chapter) once considered telling a teammate he was gay but reconsider after hearing the teammate say about a gay couple: ?Somebody should kill those fucking faggots.?
Thompson dates women to throw teammates off the scent, though he tells Freeman he dated a player on another team for a year. This player, according to the SI review, told Thompson he had dated four other players.
Freeman considers the estimate of 100-200 gay players to be high, though it?s not clear how he would know. There are more than 1,500 active players and if 10% were gay that would equal 150. Even at 1%, there would be 15 gay NFL players and if that many ever came out imagine the shock it would cause.
Thompson?s story rings true. We?ve heard from at least two partners of NFL players (both said to be high profile) who describe how hard it would be for the players to come out. These partners were even too nervous to let us tell their story, even anonymously. When it comes to being out in pro team sports, there?s still a depressingly long way to go. (Jim Buzinski)
8.27.2003
Another Tennis Retirement: A day after Pete Sampras? stirring retirement ceremony at the U.S. Open, another tennis star has called it quits. Michael Chang, who never reached the dominating heights of tennis yet still had a fine career, retired after losing his opening round match at the U.S. Open. Both Chang and Sampras were classy individuals whose cared about the sport and they will be missed.
Romo Apologizes: Oakland Raider linebacker Bill Romanowski, who once caused a racial incident by spitting in the face of a black player on national TV, has apologized after seriously battering teammate Marcus Williams during a fight in practice on Sunday.
?I hold myself accountable,? Romanowski said. ?It was a classless move by me.?
?Classless? is not the word to describe how Romanowski ripped the helmet off of Williams then punched him, breaking his eye socket and ending his season. In the real world, the Raider thug would be looking at charges for assault. Williams has hired an attorney and is considering suing Romanowski.
In an example of the macho mentality that dominates pro football, linebacker Eric Johnson was blas￩. ?I don't see it as a big problem. It's just something that happened. Bill is a part of the family, and so is Marcus. Brothers fight all the time.?
8.26.2003
Tie in the West: The Oakland A?s have been a predictable team the past few seasons?they start slow, pick up steam in midsummer then kick it in as September rolls around. This baseball season is no different. By beating Toronto, 8-6, behind the bat of Miguel Tejada, the A?s have tied Seattle for the lead in the American League West, the first time since May 15 they?ve been in first. Seattle has cooperated by losing six straight. The race in the West and for the wild card (Boston is in the thick of it) will be something to watch.
No Longer the Fastest: A streak ended in Paris as American sprinter Maurice Greene?s reign as the world?s sprint champ came to an end. Greene pulled a quad muscle in his semifinal heat at the world championships in Paris and finished next to last. The U.S., a traditional power in the 100 meters, was shut out. The gold went to Kim Collins of St. Kitts and Nevis (a Caribbean island), the silver to Darrel Brown of Trinidad & Tobago and the bronze to Darren Campbell of Britain.
8.25.2003
Tokyo Wins (Yawn): Everybody is supposed to love the Little League World Series. But, have you watched a Little League game? They're terrible. Boring as can be. And the level of play is, obviously, lower than low. Watching kids showboat around the bases, parading like they just closed the gap between themselves and Hank Aaron - it's absurd.
In the last (thank God) Little League game of the year, Tokyo knocked out Florida to win the Little League World Series, 10-1 (yawn), their third title in five years. Now, we don't have to see these 12-year-olds playing on ESPN again for another year. Hip hip hooray!
Clarett Back - in October: Ohio State running back Maurice Clarett, seemingly associated with a dozen infractions, got Jim Brown to throw his weight around and, instead of missing the entire college football season, will be back in mid-October. Clarett will be forced to miss Ohio State's first six games this season - just enough to keep them well out of National Championship contention.
8.24.2003
Footballers Keep Falling: A second starting quarterback in the National Football League will miss his opening game due to a preseason injury. The New York Jets' Chad Pennington fractured his non-throwing wrist against the New York Giants on Saturday. He had immediate surgery and it is not yet known how long he will be out. Atlanta Falcons' quarterback Mike Vick will miss the first month of the regular season after an injury last weekend against the Baltimore Ravens.
