First To Third may have predicted the New York Giants victory over the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Championship, but Prince Akeem of Coming To America fame saw it coming back in 1988.
The fact that Dwight Howard had a baby in November is not the big news I want to write about. Why should I care if he had a child with a former Orlando Magic dancer?
What I like about this story is that she is hot, and makes wacky videos on YouTube such as this one:
I found that video when I searched for her picture on the Interweb. It is eight minutes long, but you can tell she is a freak that Howard could not resist.
For those of you who missed the LA/Phoenix game, a funny story about Barbosa. Apparently he received a phone call to his hotel room asking him to come to the front desk and he received “word” from Kerr that he was traded to the Knicks. He immediately went and found assistant coach and mentor Dan D’Antoni who saw how upset Barbosa was and asked him what was wrong. Barbosa responds by saying, “I thought you guys liked me”, and then tells him about the “news”. Dan tells him there is absolutely no truth to the rumor and that the next time he checks into a hotel he should use an alias rather than his real name
Of course the thought of being traded to an Isiah Thomas-led New York Knickerbockers team is no laughing matter. But anytime a Phoenix Sun is seen, or heard whining is indeed a laughing matter.
It is like when I was in eighth grade and I found a beautiful vixen to "date" at the time. After couple weeks of heavy hand-holding, I found out that she liked another guy. My reaction was similar to Barbosa's: "What did I do wrong? How could this have happened?"
Anyway, if you happen to find out a Suns' players alias on the road be sure to tell him Mike D'Antoni hates his guts.
This is from a few days back, but we now have video evidence that Bud Selig is abusive towards his wife. The video is from a press conference he held on January 17, 2008 regarding the state of baseball. He is interrupted by his cell phone, and well, just see for yourself...
Three more games. Two of which will be played this Sunday. Super Bowl XLII is coming.
We had two upsets last week (sort of). The San Diego Chargers defeating the Indianapolis Colts was definitely an upset. And many were surprised that the New York Football Giants were able to defeat Tony Romo, Terrell Owens, Jessica Simpson and the Cowboys.
New York Giants @ Green Bay Packers Single digit weather. The Frozen Tundra in full effect. Destiny for Brett Favre?
Eli Manning and the Giants have made a improbable run in these playoffs. No one thought Tom Coughlin could get this team as far as they have gone, especially with an inconsistent Eli Manning as their quarterback. But, the team has become a strong unit and are looking to upset the Packers in Lambeau.
I am taking the Giants in this one. Do not get me wrong, in my heart I want Favre to get a ring this year, but I think the Giants have caught lightning in a bottle.
Manning is handling the football like his older brother, their defense is solid, and they are confident in what they are doing. The cold weather may get to Manning in the beginning of the game, but Brandon Jacobs will help Eli by carrying the load.
The Giants defensive front line will be chasing Favre all day, more than the Seahawks did last week. But expect to see them have success in chasing him down.
Hey, if you cannot have the older Manning in the big game, then why not have the younger?
Giants win 27-23.
San Diego Chargers @ New England Patriots Philip Rivers may be out. LaDanian Tomlinson is banged up. Antonio Gates is probably out.
The Chargers are trusting Billy Volek in this one? Sure, he was able to take out the Indianapolis Colts, but he will be going up against the juggernaut offense of the Patriots.
The Patriots are on a mission and I think the only hope of stopping them is in one of the NFC teams. The Chargers are too beat up despite the talent on their team. I have not watched any of the Patriots games recently because it depresses me to watch them pull out victories week after week.
Serena Williams may get all the love when it comes to booty compliments among me, but Venus got recent commentary love from a broadcaster during the Australian Open.
Roger Rasheed, a former coach of Lleyton Hewitt, made some comments about Venus' backside during her match against Yan Zi.
"Take a look at this now. Make or think as you will, ladies, but for me, that's a pretty good sight,'' he told co-commentators Tracy Austin and Nicole Bradtke.
The network will not place any disciplinary action on Rasheed despite numerous complaints.
Here is the video:
I wonder what he would say during one of Serena's matches; she has the real booty of the family. His arms shrug owns after he makes the comment.
Distasteful comments during match play? Yes. The producer should carry the same blame for allowing that replay to air at Rasheed's request.
Being a dude, I think it is funny. But I guess I can be all sensitive and mention that it might be sexist. Might.
I grew up playing soccer, and I immediately know what you are thinking if you are reading this and live in America. Wuss.
You have seen some of the players. Flopping, complaining, flopping, whining, hot wives, and more flopping.
The funny thing is that the flopping, complaining and whining works in the game.
I found a dude that is taking it to the next level: off the field.
Premier League soccer player Rob Malcolm was recently found in a drunken sleep behind the wheel of his car in the middle of a highway. Who did he blame? A referee from a match that he played the day before.
Malcolm, 27, a Scottish international player, later apologised for the bizarre incident before apparently offering every player's favourite excuse - blaming the ref.
He told fans he was "very upset and frustrated" by official Steve Bratt's handling of a match on Boxing Day, the day before Malcolm was arrested.
Malcolm appeared before magistrates in Chesterfield, Derbyshire charged with driving with excess alcohol.
He blew double the legal limit when he was given the breathalyser.
Another car almost ran into him while he was passed out on the highway.
Hey he was not driving, he was just sleeping. He had this to say: " "I would also like to stress that at the time of the incident, I was not driving my car.
I had pulled over to the side of the road and was sleeping. Once again, I apologise for what has been a major error of judgment."
When he says "pulled over to the side of the road," what he really means is that he had ten scotches and decided the best place to pass out was the middle of the road. Safe right?
And when he says that he "was not driving my car," he means that he drove to that location to pass out and did not pass out while the car was still running.
Ah if life were that easy.
"Yes, I did not do that report boss. And what of it? My old lady pissed me off the night before with her meatloaf. Hey, at least I decided not to do the report on a Friday. We will not have to worry about it until Monday."
I really do not know why many soccer players are injected with wussbag-itis, but the reputation never seems to get away from the 'ballers.
We would not have a Rasheed Wallace in the NBA world if he reacted like Malcolm.
Pacman Jones is making a strong case for him to be reinstated into the NFL by Roger Goodell. Keeping his nose clean would be the best thing for him to make a case to get back into the NFL, but he chooses to take a different route.
A woman is seeking an arrest warrant against suspended Tennessee Titans cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones, claiming he punched her at an Atlanta strip club.
Fulton County Magistrate Court officials told The Associated Press on Tuesday that Wanda S. Jackson asked for the warrant after a Jan. 3 altercation at the Body Tap Strip Club.
"Mr. Jones, according to Ms. Jackson, was at the Body Tap Club and she and Mr. Jones got into an argument at the club and Mr. Jones struck Ms. Jackson in the left eye, causing a bruise around her left eye," according to the police report.
He has been arrested six times since being drafted in the 2005 draft.
Jones had told Goodell that he planned on avoiding clubs to stay away from situations like the one that happened this month, allegedly.
I do not get how a Pro Bowl-caliber player throws away a career by seeking out trouble. And I do not want to hear the "trouble is after him" argument because that is hogwash.
If an alcoholic wants to stop drinking he stays away from his drinking buddies and bars. If a stoner wants to stay away for the hippie lettuce he stops stays away from his dealers and pothead friends.
Jones could avoid all this. He has money. Make your own damn club in your house! I know you have a stripper pole in your house, Jones. A dude like you who frequents strip clubs like you without a doubt has one in his crib. Shoot, you are considered a sports celebrity, you could hook up a party at your place with Elizabeth Hurley being the celebrity stripper.
Lock yourself in your room and get back on the football field. Or not, you always have a jail mate in #7.
Midway through your week and I bet someone in your office uttered the words, "happy hump day," to you already. That is just as bad as someone proclaiming that you have the "Mondays," like in Office Space.
Well I bring you Kim Kardashian to take your mind off that jackass in your office that you want to punch. She is currently linked to New Orleans Saints running back Reggie Bush for the moment.
Yes, you probably already have seen this broad all over the internet already. And yes, you may be sick of her, or she may disgust you. But my eyes somehow get fixated with her when she is in front of them.
Click here to see her Playboy pictures that I have personally never looked at. Ever.
The over/under on the timetable until she dumps Bush is 3 months. I am taking the under.
Any New York Giants fans that will be visiting Lambeau Field for the NFC championship game better be prepared to be surrounded by different body odors.
Green Bay Packers fans choose not to shower due to the cold conditions at the Frozen Tundra.
It's so cold in Wisconsin that cheeseheaded Packers fans don't even shower if they're going to the game - it keeps protective oils on their skin to prevent windburn.
That's a tip straight from the frostbitten brain of a lifelong Packers fan, one you should heed if you make the trip to Lambeau Field this Sunday to see Big Blue.
Maybe Eli Manning should follow suit. The predicted game-time temperature is expected to be in the single digits. And that is something the Giants may worry about with their newly confident quarterback.
In Manning's previous cold weather outing on December 23rd against the Buffalo Bills he went seven of 15 on passes for 111 yards and two interceptions. He was also responsible for five fumbles, two of which were recovered by the Bills.
More on the AFC and NFC championship games to come...
"This is the most beautiful sight these eyes have ever seen!" - Daniel Ruettiger in the movie Rudy.
Rudy's father said that upon entering Notre Dame Stadium in the movie.
The following is a list of what I would do in a year to make me say that (keep in mind I am leaving off events such as the World Cup, Olympics, other events that come around every few years, and events in other countries because the list would be too deep):
The Super Bowl: Easy pick. The mecca of all sporting events in the United States of America. Tickets are at absurd prices for the event and offers you a big party to partake in. And not just one party, but a week full of parties. Celebrities and former athletes would be all over town for the best sporting event of the year in America. What better way than to celebrate the biggest event for the most popular sport in America with celebrities, beers, and the best tailgating foods ever?
NCAA Basketball Final Four: March Madness. The biggest, and most exciting tournament of the year. America's basketball amateurs playing for the pride of their school, instead of a contract like the professional basketball players, in a 65-team tournament. Buzzer-beaters, upsets, cinderella stories, side-stories... the tournament has it all. Hell, even businesses suffer in work efficiency during that time of year because of the time spent on office brackets for the tournament.
Baseball stadiums: The World Series is an easy choice, but who knows if I would pick the championship-deciding game. So instead I am going to pick the stadiums I would want to attend.
Yankee Stadium: Of course I would have to do it by the end of this upcoming baseball season because their stadium is being torn down for a new facility. But I would love nothing better than to walk into the old and legendary Yankee Stadium. Monument park would be a must see on the day, and I would prefer to sit in the bleacher seats with the "bleacher creatures" with an opposing teams' jersey on.
So much history is in the stadium, and my life would not be complete without visiting the "house that Ruth built." I am saving up to go this year.
Wrigley Field: Ah Chicago. Anytime you think of Chicago you automatically think of Wrigley Field if you are a sports fan. Crazy wind patterns, the ivy laced outfield walls, Chicago dogs, bleacher babes, etc. One of the world's most recognizable stadiums is a definite must see for me. It was built in 1914 and the Cubs started playing there in 1916. Not only that, but it is surrounded by bars and restaurants to fatten me up before and after the game.
Fenway Park: Oldest stadium in Major League Baseball. The Green Monster. Chowda Heads and the possibility of punching them in their own house. I have a strong displeasure for the Boston Red Sox, but the stadium is legendary and would love to attend a game. Then leave immediately to have myself disinfected.
I could name a lot more MLB stadiums that I would like to attend, but those are the top three. Really though, the ultimate would be for a road trip with a stop at every MLB stadium.
The Masters: I have never attended a PGA Tour event, but know about the Green Jacket, and Tiger Woods. Plus I heard people get hammered all day long following the players. Oh, and I guess Augusta National is a great golf course.
The Kentucky Derby: Big hats, lots of celebrities, horse betting, and mint juleps.
Who cares about those things when you have the infield to party at? People getting drunk, women lowering themselves, mud fights, and of course port-a-potty racing.
Outdoor NHL Game: The first outdoor NHL game in the United States was played on New Years Day this year between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Buffalo Sabres, and it looked like a damn good time. The game was a success ratings-wise and we will most definitely see it again in the near future.
Basketball Arenas: I would love to attend a Los Angeles Lakers NBA Finals game, but here is a short list of the arenas I would want to see a game at...
Madison Square Garden: New York. Spike Lee. "Fire Thomas" chants. MSG is the arena that every player gets pumped up to play at. It brings out the best in all the players, well, except for the Knicks. But New York is considered to be one of the top basketball cities in the world. This is the first arena I would visit.
Boston Garden: Another choice for historical reasons. And I would prefer to see a game there when the Lakers were in town to face their old rival.
And that is about it. NBA arenas do not really carry the mystique of say, a football stadium carries.
Football stadiums (college and pro): Texas A&M - Kyle Field: Many rank this stadium as having the best atmosphere in all of college football. Not based on the stadium alone, but for the whole atmosphere leading up to game day.
Notre Dame Stadium: Again an easy choice based on tradition, but would love to see an USC game there.
I also would have put the home of USC, the L.A. Coliseum, but have already been there and done that. Tailgating was great, the stadium legendary, and the after-parties bountiful. Plus, you can never go wrong by downing ghetto-dogs on the SC campus while carrying your drunk friend proclaiming, "this is what happens when SC fans drink!" all with UCLA apparel on.
Green Bay Packers - Lambeau Field: With Favre starting the game... and with snow coming down. The legendary field was voted number one in game day atmosphere and fan experience by a Sports Illustrated online poll.
Pittsburgh Steelers - Heinz Field: $4 16-oz beers. Enough said. What the hell. I thought the Angels Stadium beer prices were cheap. Mustard-colored seats and Terrible Towels waving all game long.
Indianapolis Colts - RCA Dome: Rest in peace. I would have loved to attend a game at the loud RCA Dome, but the last game was played in it after the early exit from the playoffs this year by the Colts. That just means I have to attend a game at their new home, the Lucas Oil Stadium.
The basketball world will now get to see how deep these 2007-08 Los Angeles Lakers really are after losing starting center Andrew Bynum to a sprained knee.
Fortunately for the Lakers, Bynum will be back this season, but the void he leaves in the middle may cost the Lakers a top seed in the always competitive Western Conference. Especially when you consider his replacement to start for the Lakers is Mr. Stone Hands also known as Kwame Brown. I bet you Kobe Bryant is real happy about having Brown in the middle full-time again.
The loss of Bynum means we will start to see a more aggressive Bryant on the offensive end, and more double/triple teams on KB24.
Bryant has again re-invented himself this year by letting the game come to him; something he showed signs of the last couple of years. This will be a test for Bryant in that he may have to resort back to dropping 50 on opponents for the Lakers to stay atop the standings in the West. Or he can test the depth of his team by trusting them with the ball in their hands (well, maybe not Kwame's; when does the ball stay ever stay in those?).
Phil Jackson has been doing one of his best coaching jobs of his career with this Lakers squad, and will be tested as well in this time. Last year's squad got off to a great start as well, but faltered towards the end of the regular season due to injuries.
How will the Lakers respond to losing their big man in the middle? In the next eight weeks the Lakers will be facing the following top squads: Phoenix (twice), San Antonio, Dallas (twice), Portland (twice), and Detroit. And that game against the Pistons is part of a nine-game road trip for the Lakers. That road trip starts at the end of January, and goes deep into the month of February, a month in which the Lakers play 12 of their 15 games on the road.
The first test will come tonight, as the Lakers travel to Seattle to take on the Sonics. My prediction: Kobe goes off for 44 in a close game. If I were Jackson, I would start Roni Turiaf and have Brown come off in the bench for the center position.
Sad to know that Bynum was on his way to the most improved in the NBA this season, and that honor may be taken away from him after this sprained knee.
Jessica Simpson may not have attended the Dallas Cowboys loss to the New York Giants, but the New York Post at least wanted to confuse Tony Romo yesterday.
The Post paid for a Jessica Simpson look-a-like to attend the game yesterday. Lynsey Nordstrom, a 21-year-old nanny from Washington, sat three rows behind the Cowboys bench thanks to The Post, and was the deciding difference in the game.
Okay, maybe she was not the difference, but that was a damn genius idea. I think the whole vacation with Simpson was blown out of the water a little too much, but it made for fun banter to hear from radio, TV, and newspaper personalities. I give the Romo-Simpson relationship a couple more weeks before she hops on the Billy Volek wagon.
Volek took down the defending champion Indianapolis Colts with LaDanian Tomlinson on the sidelines... why would she want to be with a dude who lost to what many consider a lesser Manning? I am sure her dad is on top of this one already and will have her pink Volek jersey ordered late today.
There was no word on whether beer was thrown on her by drunken Cowboys fans after the 'Boys lost yesterday.
Terrell Owens will now go back to bringing up Romo's vacation to the media... wait, I mean cry for Romo because everyone was unfair regarding his getaway with Chestica Simpson. That acting crying job is going to get TO some movie roles in the near future.
Andrew Bynum continues to work his way towards receiving the NBA's most improved award, and as each day passes he is looking like the man who is supposed to replace Shaquille O'Neal.
On Friday evening he had 25 points, a career high 17 rebounds, and 3 blocks against the Milwaukee Bucks, but unfortunately sprained his knee last night against the Memphis Grizzlies.
Well Friday, Bynum had a Shaq-like interview in which he dropped the F-bomb after the game:
Oh little 20-year-old innocent Bynum dropping the F-bomb and then saying "Ooops."
Thank goodness for digital TV recorders because I got my Friday started off on the right foot with some great laughs on this one.
Here is to Bynum having his knee heal up real quick.
The divisional round of the 2007 NFL playoffs are upon us. Four great games to set us up for the final four teams in search of the Lombardi Trophy. First round byes are over, and the juggernauts of the NFC and AFC are ready to join the party.
Cue the NFL Films music, its time for some gridiron...
Seattle Seahawks @ Green Bay Packers Brett Favre's last dance? According to reports today, probably not. The Seahawks response to being down against the Redskins was impressive in the Wild Card round. But this week they face a much better offense in the Packers. The Seahawks will be pressuring Favre all game long, but he still has the scramble power to help his team pull this out. Playoff game at Lambeau Field? Does not get much better than that.
San Diego Chargers @ Indianapolis Colts The Chargers have won the last two of three against the Colts in the regular season, including a victory in November in which Peyton Manning threw six interceptions (of course I was in the stands for that one, ugh). That was a Colts team coming off their loss to the Patriots, and which they were short some key players, especially on the offensive side of the football.
This time around Manning will have Dallas Clark, and as of right now, future Hall of Famer Marvin Harrison. Meanwhile, the Chargers ended the regular season with a six-game winning streak, and played solid football in the second half of the Wild Card game.
We will see if LaDanian Tomlinson can get something going in a big playoff game, which might be a tall task with Bob Sanders waiting in the backfield. This game will be on the shoulders of Philip Rivers, as it was last week for the Chargers. San Diego, say hello to a different Manning that you did not see in November.
Colts win 34-24.
New York Giants @ Dallas Cowboys Now we are getting to the fun ones. Can Eli Manning follow up his first playoff win with another quality performance? What color Cowboys jersey will Jessica Simpson be wearing?
The Giants are on an eight-game road winning streak and are a different team than the Cowboys saw in the regular season. Will Terrell Owens play? Of course he will. We were wondering the same thing when he was on the Eagles about to play in the Super Bowl. Expect to see TO playing in the game. He may be limited on what he can provide on the field but I still expect to see him haul in a TD.
Tony Romo better have his running shoes, because the Giants D-Line will be going at him all day. We will see the Cowboys get out to the early lead before Manning settles down and pulls this one out for the Giants.
Giants win 35-30.
Jacksonville Jaguars @ New England Patriots The Jaguars are the team that everyone is deeming the favorite to dethrone the Patriots in the playoffs. I don't buy the hype.
Teams have proven that you can run on the Patriots towards the end of the season (see: Joseph Addai, Willis McGahee, Willie Parker), and a lot of people are doubting the linebacker core of the Pats, but I do not hear that junk. That core group are some of the most professional dudes in the league at those positions and will be ready for the challenge of taking on the running attack of Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew.
It will be a close one and that will work in the Pats advantage: they have been here before with this group.
David Garrard may take good care of the football, but he will have a couple mistakes in this game that the Pats will immediately capitalize on.
When are teams, or those affiliated with them, going to learn?
Throughout the year the New England Patriots have been receiving bulletin board material all year long to keep that fire going inside of them. You know they thrive on the stuff, so why feed it to them?!?!
In this edition the Jacksonville Jaguars can thank the jaguars.com Senior Editor Vic Ketchman for giving the Pats something to seethe over. Ketchman released his weekly NFL power rankings following the end of the regular season.
Harmless, right? Not entirely. Ketchman had the Pats at the top of the list, but with an asterisk next to their 16-0 record. Scroll down and it says "Cheated in one game."
Sure the Pats' Rodney Harrison has said this of using comments as motivation: "If you need that to get you pumped up for a playoff game, you're crazy."
But you know it will be in their minds.
Didn't Ketchman know there was the possibility of the Jaguars facing the Pats in the playoffs?
I kind of liked the Jags chances in this game until I saw those power rankings and the asterisk that accompanied the Pats perfect record.
Ketchman, good luck getting an interview with the Jags' players after they lose.
(*The cheerleader in this post is, in no way, affiliated with Ketchman. I searched 1.5 seconds for a picture of Ketchman before giving up and going with a J-Ville cheerleader.)
Halfway through your week, it is time to wish you all a "happy hump day" on this second Wednesday of 2008.
How? Really, how do all footballers in Europe get all the beautiful women? And half the time the dudes are caught out with other women at clubs.
This week I bring you Cheryl Cole (aka Cheryl Tweedy), wife of Ashley Cole, a footballer of Barbadian descent who plays for Chelsea.
What is it? I played soccer growing up and into high school, and all the girls were interested in the other football sport players. Maybe I should have moved to England as a young pup, said screw school, and played soccer 24/7.
While out to dinner the other night ago, my lady's roommate was talking about the "yellow line" on the football field during the games that marked the first down line. She said that when she was younger she did not know where it came from, or how it worked, because it just came out of nowhere.
The next day I ran into an article regarding the yellow line and realized she was completely right. It did come out of nowhere.
The system was first introduced in an ESPN Sunday night football game in the fall of '98. It wasn't announced ahead of time. When we did the hockey puck, it had been announced by Fox as 'the greatest innovation in the history of mankind.' And of course people thought, 'What about the wheel?' The first-down line just went on the air. There was no pre-announcement at all. It really did look like it was just yellow chalk on the glass. The journalists were absolutely stunned, saying, 'How the heck did they do that?' They were wondering 'Do they vacuum it up when they're done?' In the beginning it would take a 50-foot truck full of computers to do it. Now it's down to a box of equipment the size of an apartment refrigerator.
Stan Honey, the person who developed the "yellow strip," describes how it works:
The way it works is that we have accurate sensors on all the cameras so we're able to measure the pan, tilt, zoom, focus of each of the broadcast cameras. If you go to a sporting event and look below every camera you'll see a gold box that has the Sportvision logo on it. That's the sensor. We also characterize the distortion of the lens and we have to measure the crown of the field. We know where the first-down line is because that is entered by an operator. Given all that information, we compute where that line should appear. The electronic yard line has to lie perfectly parallel to all the regular yard lines to preserve the illusion that it's on the grass.
The dude should get lifetime tickets to every football game in America and free Pabst Blue Ribbon.
I salute you Stan Honey, and so does the rest of the football world.
Roger Clemens held a press conference yesterday in which he sat with his lawyer and played a taped conversation he had with former trainer Brian McNamee.
The press conference was to be Clemens "evidence" that he did not use performance-enhancing substances despite McNamee's claim that he injected Clemens himself.
All I saw was a scared Rocket trying to confuse the media, sports fans, and fellow MLB players. Problem is, he did not confuse anyone with that press conference.
McNamee continually asked Clemens, "what do you want me to do?" in the recorded phone conversation, to which Clemens answered vaguely each time.
What Clemens did get across to the world is that he is a desperate man. Taping a phone conversation in which nothing was said, proved, or disproved. Then follow that up with fielding a couple of questions before storming out.
He was aggressive while fielding questions, and at one point called out Hall of Fame voters:
"You think that I played my career because I'm worrying about the damn Hall of Fame?" Clemens said. "If you have a vote and it's (turned) because of this, you keep your vote. I don't need the Hall of Fame to justify that I put my butt on the line and I worked my tail off. And I defy anybody to say I did it by cheating or taking any shortcuts. OK?
"I made a statement through this man (Hardin) when it first happened. I made a statement through my foundation. That wasn't good enough. And now I'm here doing this. I cannot wait to go into the private sector and hopefully never have to answer it again. I've said enough."
Clemens even asked reporters if he "can drink water? Or is that good or bad? Can I drink water? You know. And I can swallow..."
Yes you can Roger, yes you can.
Who knows what will come of this story, but we do know one thing: Clemens is definitely worried about the Hall of Fame and his legacy that may be tarnished.
You may know this already, but First To Third is a huge fan of profanity during live sports broadcasts.
The following video is of Dallas Mavericks announcer, Brad Davis, dropping an F-bomb during the December 28 telecast of the Mavericks-Atlanta Hawks game.
Two guys just chilling watching the game, speaking aloud.
When he has to full court press and grab and hold and everything else. And it gets to a point sometimes where the referees just get tired of f—ing calling fouls on them.
Yeah, once you get that moniker as a good defensive team, you get away with a lot of stuff.
I say no harm done, Davis was probably a couple Jack and Cokes in and was tired of watching some boring basketball.
The ex-wife of Derek Lowe could have gone on television like this lady, Hu Ziwei, and announce his affair to the world during an Olympics press conference.
Ziwei is the wife of popular sportscaster Zhang Bin in China. The incident took place during the launch of China Central Television's Olympic coverage, where Ziwei embarrassed her husband by divulging his infidelity in front of his colleagues and athletes.
The following is the transcript:
I am here on the stage not as an anchor, but as the wife of the person beside me, Mr. Zhang Bin. Would you please spare one minute and listen to me? It is a special date for the Olympics Channel and for Mr. Zhang Bin. But for me, it also a special day. Just two hours ago, I found out that Mr. Zhang Bin is having an illicit relationship with a woman other than me. The coming year is the Olympic year, and the whole world will be watching China and Chinese people. But a French diplomat has mentioned before that China won't become a powerful nation until it can export its value system. If Chinese people don't have a great leader to build their value system, then what sense does it make? Please allow me to finish my words. Is this the way you treat a weak and poor lady? I have one last thing to say Let's fight politely. But that French diplomat mentioned before, China won't become a great nation until it can export its value system. Standing before us is the prim and proper Mr. Zhang Bin … but he is not able to face himself and not even his harmed wife I believe that if China wants to be a great country ... Do you guys have any conscience left? Leave me alone! This the last Sunday left (before 2008). Tomorrow, everybody will begin spending a long vacation, but Zhang Bin and I are not able to do that...
(Other voice): We TV presenters are like a family, how could you?
I'm sorry. I wish everybody a happy new year. I apologize to Director Jiang (Heping, of CCTV Sports). I hope this won't bother the next athlete to come on stage.
Has to suck for that dude. The Olympics are coming to town and you are one of the alpha pups in the sports broadcasting world only to have your wife announce your affair at the launch of the coverage. And then the video hits the internet for the entire world to see.
Buck up Zhang Bin, Derek Lowe is still on the big stage performing after his affair went public. Hey, at least the Olympics will get hosted in China again in four years.... errr I mean you will not have another opportunity to be the top sportscaster at the Olympics in your hometown again.
I need to study soccer more than listening to my uncle and cousin talk about the game... that or pay attention to the upcoming debacle that will be of me running on a real outdoor soccer field trying to play again.
Anyway, lets not tell Jim Rome that I play soccer, I need to keep my clone reputation.
A William Hill spokesman said: "The man found 13 winners on Saturday by backing WBA, Tranmere, Dundee, East Fife, Doncaster, Millwall, Wycombe, Bristol City, Hamilton, Cardiff, Swansea, Chesterfield and Rotherham, which turned his pound into over £12,000."
The gambler then wagered a Hull City victory over Sheffield Wednesday on Sunday and was rewarded when veteran Dean Windass struck with a 33rd minute free kick winner.
I really need to talk to this "punter." I am actually confused on what a "punter" is... are they talking about a punter in American football, or a punter of... um, I am not really sure what other kind of punter there is in this world.
But really. I bet on the Lakers to beat the Celtics this past weekend even though the Lakes were wearing baby shorts. And I also got suckered into a bet that the Oregon Ducks would lose to South Florida in their bowl game.
Shoot, I will back this "punter" with £ 8 then we can roll to Vegas to bet on UCLA losing in the Las Vegas Bowl... that bet never fails.
The playoffs of the gridiron after a rough and tough regular season.
Wild card round is upon us.
Colts, Patriots, Cowboys, and Packers are all at home marinating over a bowl of potato chips salivating on who they will play (well Tom Brady is not paying attention because he will be banging Gisele Bundchen all weekend).
Here is what First To Third thinks about the matchups:
Pittsburgh Steelers v. Jacksonville Jaguars The Jaguars are a popular pick as of late to "dethrone" the Patriots in the playoffs, but it will all start against the Steelers. A couple of weeks ago I would have liked the Steelers chances in this game even though they lost at home to the same Jags... not so anymore. I think their Super Bowl aspirations went out the door when they lost Willie Parker and Aaron Smith to injuries.
Fred Taylor has been hot as of late and the Jaguars running game will flourish in the cold weather of Heinz Field.
I like the Jags in this one because of a few factors. Their running game. David Garrard takes care of the football. And they have a solid defense.
Jags win 17-13.
San Diego Chargers v. Tennessee Titans I think the only way that the Titans pull this off is if their defense keeps the Chargers from turning Vince Young's mistakes into points.
Sure Philip Rivers is just as mistake-prone, but LaDanian Tomlinson and the home-field advantage will help the Chargers overcome his bonehead play. The Chargers have been playing solid ball as of late and will pull this one out.
Chargers win 31-20.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers v. New York Giants This is going to either be a great game or a puto game (pretty good analysis huh?). But really, who knows what Eli Manning we will get in this game. He showed up big in the Patriots game, but could easily become Ryan Leaf this weekend.
Jeff Garcia is a warrior and had a hand at eliminating the Giants in last year's playoffs. I like both squads' defenses.
If Manning has a better than average game than I think the Giants take this especially with Brandon Jacobs in the backfield.
Giants win 27-21.
Seattle Seahawks v. Washington Redskins Redskins are the feel good story of the NFL season. Washington has rolled four straight opponents after their tragic loss of Sean Taylor and their immediate loss on the football field.
Besides the Packers, I am pulling for the Redskins to take the NFC. They are the team that no one wants to face. Emotion can carry a squad and I think this Redskins team will beat the Seahawks.
Dirty. Nasty. Sick. Whatever you want to call it. That dunk sticks out in my mind for 2007. More on that dunk and the Warriors later.
Another beautiful year of sports has passed. There were ugly stories, beautiful stories, arrests, substance abuse accusations, cinderella stories, champions were crowned... just another 12 months of entertainment.
The following is a list of the great moments according to First to Third sports blog:
- Peyton Manning and the Colts finally win the big one. Sure, Super Bowl XLI is considered to be part of the 2006 NFL season, but the game was played in February, along with the AFC championship game.
The Colts finally exercised their demons by defeating the Patriots when it counts. Then they went on to beat the Chicago Bears to crown Indianapolis champions and make Tony Dungy the first African American coach to win the Super Bowl.
Going into the playoffs the Colts were not looked at as the favorites to get to the championship game, but their less than stellar defense woke up at the right time and carried the squad to the Lombardi trophy.
Always a good thing when a great quarterback like Manning can get that monkey off his shoulders by winning a ring.
- Someone stop Boston. The Red Sox looked like they were headed for the golf courses before coming back from a 3-1 deficit against the Cleveland Indians in the ALCS, and eventually went on to win the World Series.
Everything looked bleak for Boston. Any pitcher not named Josh Beckett was getting hit by the Indians and Manny Ramirez was posing for home runs even though his team trailed by six runs late in the game. But the power of Rachel Phelps came over the Indians, and they choked away their chance at a World Series.
The New England Patriots. Have you heard of them lately? Spy gate came out and all hell broke loose. Dudes got pissed, and the rest of the league is paying. Every week they were going into the games with the mentality of, "we are going to kick your ass... and you can't do shit about it."
They completed the first 16-0 regular season and will be looking to move to 19-0 on the season as they chase the Lombardi trophy going into 2008.
Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen head to the Celtics. Garnett finally got his opportunity to play for a championship-caliber team with the "Three-headed monster." Paul Pierce, Allen, and Garnett quickly gelled and have started the NBA season 26-3 in 2007 (moved to 27-3 tonight).
2008 will show whether or not their dynamic three can reach that Larry O'Brien trophy.
- Retirement. Tough on the eyes. Losing his mystic. Those were the thoughts going through my mind about Brett Favre before the beginning of the 2007 season. Boy was I wrong. I thought Favre should have retired following the 2004 season because the Packers went a respectable 10-6, and 2005 was just ugly.
Something sparked inside Favre though. The Packers won their final four games in 2006, and that momentum carried into the 2007 season. The Packers ended the regular season with a 13-3 record and Favre looked like a young 20-year-old on the football field.
Ron Jaworski was talking about asking Favre about his arm strength before a game. Favre looked at Jaworski, told him to watch the pylon. Standing at the 50-yard-line, Favre nailed the pylon and answered Jaworski's question about his arm.
I am glad you never left Brett. Good luck in the playoffs, I will be rooting for you.
- Upsets in college football. First there was Appalachian State over Michigan. And then there was Stanford over USC. There were more, but those stuck out in my mind.
The Appalachian State game was obviously the biggest upset of the year... maybe ever. And the Stanford upset was a personal favorite of First to Third, because UCLA is a personal favorite here. We are probably talking about USC being in the BCS Championship Game had they taken care of business and beat Stanford on that day.
- Claire Markwardt. I wrote about this girl in the past, here.
Amazing story. Amazing heart.
- Barry Bonds. He broke the record. I missed witnessing it in person by one day. One day. What many look at as the holy grail of sports records. Many want to put an asterisk on the record, but it was still fun to watch and I was not one to pass judgment, especially since he never tested positive.
Sure he was name on the Mitchell Report, but his name (and head) have always been linked to performance-enhancing drugs.
It was entertainment, and that is what sports is all about.
- Best bowl game. Ever. Boise State over Oklahoma. Most entertaining game I have ever seen.
An instant classic... no question about it.
- The Uglies of 2007: Marion Jones. The George Mitchell report. Tim Donaghy. Michael Vick. You know the stories. It is easy to rehash on the negatives. Lets hope 2008's ugly stories are a little more bearable to look at.
- And now to my favorite story of 2007. The Golden State Warriors. Don Nelson was always a favorite of mine in the NBA. Baron Davis is an ultimate favorite of First to Third. Anytime those two combine to take down the Dallas Mavericks is fine by me.
Not only was this the biggest upset in NBA playoff history, but that series also rekindled my love for the NBA. Their play against the Mavericks reminded me of school yard ball. When you and your boys are playing ball at your favorite park/school/gym and you cannot be touched.
Everywhere you are passing is hitting the right guy. Everything you shoot is the right shot. The team is a well-oiled machine, and for those moments that you are on the court you seem invincible.
The Warriors were school yard kids having the time of their lives against Mavericks. They were jazz mixed with hip-hop on the hardwood, sort of like A Tribe Called Quest's Low End Theory album.
I could not, and would not miss a game of the series. The crowd at the Oracle Arena made me want to be a Warriors fan, and after a couple of playoff games, I was.
Unfortunately their run ended against the Utah Jazz, but we still got the dunk gem of Davis posterizing Andre "I must break you" Kirilenko.
Coupled with the youth of the Lakers to start the 2007-2008 season, the Warriors gave me a reason to take time out of my life to watch my first love again.
So there you have it. The favorites of 2007 according to First To Third Sports blog.
Oh, and I left one off the list.
- The birth of First To Third Sports Blog. Smiley face.
Raise your glasses to the end of 2007 and the beginning of 2008. Lets have some fun.
