KG Leading All-Star Vote-Getter

Kevin Garnett will be the 2007-2008 MVP.

Kevin Garnett is also the leading vote-getter for the 2008 NBA All-Star Game. Surprised? You shouldn't be. The second set of results came out today, and KG leads the pack with 1,186,690 votes. 727 of those votes came from me by the way. KG is averaging 18.7 ppg, 10.3 rpg and 3.6 apg. His fellow teammates G Ray Allen and F Paul Pierce are both fourth in their respective categories.

Garnett is ahead of all players, East & West, including LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Dwyane Wade, Yao Ming, Jason Kidd, Carmelo Anthony, Tim Duncan, Dwight Howard and Tracy McGrady.

KG's addition to the Boston Celtics was the best move made in the offseason. The Celts, who finished last season 24-58, are now 23-3. A win tonight vs. the Seattle Supersonics will tie the team's total number of wins last season. Ray Allen has missed the last 2 games resting a sore right ankle. He is expected to return the the lineup tonight and face his former team. The Sonics also plan to honor Allen in a ceremony before the game for all he did for the team, including community service, during his tenure from 2003 through the end of last season. No doubt Allen will be thanking them as well for trading him to the winningest team in the league.

Troy Smith IS the Future!

You already know I'm a huge NCAAF fan. The colleges I applied to had to have 2 things; a good communications program and great Division I athletics. I ended up going to Northwestern University in Evanston, IL. Yes, I know, the athletics are not the highlight of the school, the academics are. But NU has one of the top communications programs in the country, and it's also a Big 10 school. So I was able to get the best of both worlds. Northwestern's football team is nicknamed the "Cardiac 'Cats," either because we win by the skin of our teeth, lose games in historic fashion or take games into OT. The Wildcats aren't all bad, but other Big 10 schools like Michigan and Ohio State have some great talent. I got to see several NFL players in the making first hand such as Chad Henne, Santonio Holmes, Luis Castillo, James Laurinaitis, Troy Smith, Tony Hunt, AJ Hawk, Braylon Edwards, Nick Mangold, Noah Herron, Paul Posluszny, Mike Nugent, Ted Ginn Jr., Steve Breaston, LaMarr Woodley, Erasmus James, Tamba Hali, Barry Cofield, Anthony Gonzalez, and many more.

Troy Smith was the outstanding QB behind led Ohio State's 12-0 record. During his senior season he completed 203 of 311 passes for 2542 yards and 30 TDs. He won the the Heisman in 2006, and also the Davey O'Brien Award which is given to the best college quarterback. He took OSU all the way to the end, but lost the BCS Championship game to Florida 41-14. Well, for various reasons, including the beating the Gators put on him, his stock plummeted before the draft and he went at the end of the 5th round. The Baltimore Ravens picked him up, and if you ask me, they got a steal. His only drawback is that he's kinda short at 6 feet, but at 225 lbs he's an elusive power runner with a great arm.

At the beginning of the season, he was the 3rd string QB, behind Steve McNair and Kyle Boller. Steve McNair was knocked out for the season with shoulder injuries, and Smith moved up to backup. Now Boller is still reeling from the effects of a concussion, so my main man TROY SMITH will be starting Sunday vs. the Seattle Seahawks. Troy Smith has only played in the last 2 games, and a limited number of plays. In total, he was 8-16 for 82 yards and 1 rushing TD. He picked up his 1st career TD in his 1st game vs. the Colts on Dec. 9, and set up a game-tying drive to send the game vs. the Dolphins into overtime.

I think he has the potential to become a franchise QB, and I'm excited for a good showing. He'll definitely put up some nice numbers, in the air AND on the ground. I think he should be the starter in Baltimore, and with more reps during practice he'll have a better relationship with his offense, and he'll be more confident and comfortable on the field.

**BIG 10 LOVE**

An Aside

So I'm about to get into study mode, I have my Spanish Literature final this afternoon (yes, I am fluent), but I checked my horoscope first. Some people believe in them, others don't, but I find them interesting. They're not always accurate, and sometimes have absolutely nothing to do with me, but sometimes they're on point. So I just checked, and this is what one of them said:

Your Horoscope
LEO
July 23-August 22
Daily AstroSlam: December 19, 2007

Today, if you're trying to help the neighbors by breast-feeding their children, be sure you're a woman. You might have some explaining to do if you're a lactating man putting their baby's mouth to your chest hair.

Wow. What the hell right?! Ok, so let's clear up a few things. I am, in fact, a woman. I don't have chest hair, and last I checked I'm NOT lactating. While I can't wait to be 'Mom Dukes', I don't have any kids yet and I'm not pregnant. Not only that, but I have no intentions of breast-feeding any children but my own! Wet nurses are cool, and I'm a giving person but not that generous.

I'm assuming the moral of the story is know what the hell I'm talking about. Don't front. And don't be a creep.

Right?

The Dreaded Horse Collar

If there's one move I hate in the NFL, it's the horse collar. I can't stand a damn horse collar. Usually when it happens it seems to be the only way to bring a guy down, but it's always a sure fire way to end a guy's career. Priest Holmes had his whole hip and season taken away by that damned horse collar. Every time I see it I fear the worst; hip displacement, knee tear, ankle break. It's the ugliest, move in football. I would say the dirtiest, but the chop block takes the cake. But trust me, the collar is a close ass second.

I'm not the type to get all excited when a player gets fined, but there are some times when you just can't help but rejoice. I peeped this article on ESPN.com, about Dallas Cowboys safety Roy Williams being suspended for 1 game because of his illegal horse collar on Donovan McNabb during Philly's 10-6 win over the Cowboys. Horse collars usually draw fines, but since this is Williams' third, yes third, horse collar of the season, he's been slapped with a one-game suspension without pay. That one game will cost him $35,000, and I must admit, I'm happy. Williams is known for his horse collars, and really doesn't care who he injures in the process. He broke the legs of WR Terrell Owens and RB Musa Smith (right) in 2005 in this heinous manner. TO also tore ankle ligaments in the takedown. In 2004 Williams' horse collar resulted in a torn knee for Tyrone Calico, who subsequently missed the remainder of the season.

The rule is often referred to as "The Roy Williams Rule" because he's done it so often. Not only that, but Williams has been fined 3 times for the horse collar; $10,000 in October 2006, $12,500 in September 2007, and $15,000 in October. When he was fined in October, the league told him that another collar would result in another fine, or a suspension. I understand that these tackles are spur of the moment, and are really a result of a defender of trying to make a stop. That's clear. Football is a physical sport that for many, results in some form of injury. Tackle a guy any other way you want, but the horse collar is unsafe and that's why it's illegal. It's not out in to inhibit the defense, but to protect the guy who's carrying the ball.

Look at these pics. They really illustrate the reasons why horse collars are so dangerous. A player is usually grabbed from behind,within the area between the shoulder pads and by the back of the jersey, and pulled down. This tackle was banned in 2005 and rightfully so. The dangerous part of this tackle is the awkward manner in which the player is brought down. Donovan McNabb was totally helpless, and his forward momentum is abruptly halted by a vicious pull in the opposite direction. There's usually a twisting or shearing motion involved that results in numerous, catastrophic injuries. It's not as if Donovan has been healthy all season. He just recently returned from ankle and thumb injuries. Not only that, the 9-year veteran has been known for his end-of-the-season injuries, including a broken ankle, a torn knee ligament, and a herniated disc in his back. Back, hip, leg, knee, ankle; take your pick. One of them is bound to pop and go wayward on the collar. You're definitely looking at a sprain, a tear, a dislocation or a break. And Donovan has suffered most of those in his career, and does not need them again.

I've never really been a fan of fines but that was until this season. The NFL has really been cracking down on illegal and late hits, and fining players who violate the rules. There's no excuse for a horse collar these days. I understand wanting to make the stop, but I also recognize risking a player's livelihood and life. It's really not worth it, and anyone who does it deserves to be fined, suspended, or horse collared themselves. Maybe that'll teach em. I actually see a lot more collars in college football, but I rarely see players get injured. I always hold my breath when I see one, and it's only a matter of time before the NCAA makes the horse collar illegal.

My C's!

I love this team. I really do. Well, mainly I love KEVIN GARNETT, and anyone around him that helps him win is a friend of mine! I've always liked Ray Allen, but I can't get enough of him now that he's with KG. Paul Pierce has carried the Celts on his back for years, and I'm happy the Celtics built a team around him that can win. I wished the same for KG in his many, many, many seasons in Minnesota, and now he's in Boston with a real possibility of winning a championship.

I didn't watch this game last night, but this morning I saw this headline on ESPN.com and I laughed:

"'Big Baby' helps rampant C's improve to 18-2"

Glen 'Big Baby' Davis is a beast. I watched him play in college and the rookie from LSU got his first career start last night in the Celtics win over the Sacramento Kings, 90-78. He started in place of Kendrick Perkins who hurt his toe in a freak bed accident. The Celts' picked up Davis in the second round of the '07 Draft and boy were they happy about it last night. Big Baby scored 16 points, and pulled down 9 rebounds in 27 minutes of play. Most of his points came from the line where he went 10-10. Glen Davis is a massive dude at 6'9" and a whopping 289 pounds. And this picture of him is...well...

**The Boston Celtics have improved to 18-2 overall, and 11-0 at home. Best team in the league.**

HEISMAN WINNER TIM TEBOW!!

I love TIM TEBOW. And I'm not just saying this because he JUST won the Heisman. But damn, that's quite the achievement.

I've been a Tebow fan since last season. I remember him coming in to change the pace and relieve starting quarterback Chris Leak last season. As foine as Chris Leak is, I remember thinking, Why doesn't Florida just start Tebow? He's a dual threat, and sometimes Leak just doesn't look too right. Leak remained behind the wheel, and even though he was a bit inconsistent at times, it would have been embarrassing for him, a senior, to lose his starting job to a freshman. That year Florida went on to win the BCS Championship game. Before this game there was a lot of hype and some confusion; which team really is the best team? Well, the Ohio State Buckeyes imploded and the Gators handed it to OSU, 41-14. Buckeyes QB Troy Smith went on to win the Heisman that year. I'm still salty that I missed the bowl games last season; I was in Nigeria seeing my native country for the first time in more than 20 years, and meeting family I've never seen. I know that experience should trump football, but it still hurts.


Well, Leak entered the 2007 NFL Draft, went undrafted and was picked up as a free agent by the Chicago Bears. Then, he got cut. Undoubtedly he is now floating around somewhere in the free agency black hole, and may never be seen playing professional football again. But! let me add that the Bears have been on a nasty QB roller coaster all season. Rex Grossman, then Brian Griese, back to Grossman, Griese and now to Kyle Orton, a QB who hasn't played since I used to live in Chicago in 2005. The season is alsmost over and it doesn't look like the Bears are making the playoffs, but they're still in need of a franchise QB. If Grossman doesn't work out, the Bears might be wishing they'd held onto Leak.


Anyway, back to TIM TEBOW! Although the Gators didn't have their best season record-wise, finishing 9-3, Tebow set all kinds of records this season. He completed almost 69% of his passes, 217 of 317, and tallied 3132 yards. 29 of those passes were touchdowns, and only 6 of them interceptions. That's not even the best part of his game. He's also the teams leading rusher! Tebow ran the ball 194 times, more than any back on the team, for 838 yards and 22 TDs. He's like a QB and RB all rolled up in one! And at 6-3, 235 pounds, he's a hard one to take down. He is the first player in NCAA history to throw 20 TDS, and rush for 20 TDS. Tebow also became the first sophomore in the 73-year history of the Heisman Award to ever win it. He did all this while, during some stretches, battling a shoulder injury and a broken hand. Yeah, that's why they call him Superman.


Tebow also won several other honors this season. He won the Davey O'Brien Award (right) that is given to the nation's top quarterback who demonstrates "outstanding athletic skills, academic performance, team spirit, character, leadership and sportsmanship." Tebow received this engraved trophy, a Rolex watch, and a $10,000 scholarship grant to the University of Florida. Tebow beat out Oregon's Dennis Dixon and Missouri's Chase Daniel, and OSU QB Troy Smith won the O'Brien Award last year. He also won the Maxwell Award, which is given to the best all-around player in the nation. NCAAF head coaches, members of the Maxwell football club, and sportswriters and sportscasters voted Tebow in as the first sophomore to win in the 71-year history of this award. Tebow was also named the 1st team QB for All-SEC team and AP Player of the Year, . Not only is he strong, agile and durable, but Tebow is fine as hell! Just had to throw that in there. What? I'm still a woman...


While Tebow got the award, he did have some stiff competition. Arkansas RB Darren McFadden was his closest competitor, and finished second in the voting. He finished the season with 2,172 all-puurpose yards, 1,725 of those rushing. McFadden has 16 TDs, and threw 4 of his own. He rushed for at least 100 yards in 9 of the Razorbacks 12 games, including a 321 yard performance that tied the SEC record. This was McFadden's second year being in the running for the Heisman and losing out. But no worries, he's an NFL caliber running back for sure. And it doesn't hurt that he can line up under center, take the direct snap, and launch the ball. No, that doesn't hurt at all. Chase McDaniel was also a finalist, but flew totally under the radar until Mizzou started inching their way up the rankings. Missouri had a great season, finishing 11-2, and 6th in the BCS standings, and Daniel put up massive numbers. He threw for at least 219 yards in all 13 games; 8 were over 300 yards, and 2 of those were over 400 yards. Daniels threw 33 TDs, and 10 only 10 INTs. I know 10 interceptions sounds a bit high, but when you consider the fact that he attempted 534 passes, and completed 372 of them, the INTs are damn near negligible.

In Hawaii QB Colt Brennan also had a monster year. He completed 337 of 472 passes, a whopping 71.4%. He also threw 38 touchdowns, rushed for 8, and threw 14 INTs. And think, those numbers would have been higher had he not missed 1 game with a concussion. If Brennan amassed those numbers at "a football" school," I think it's safe to say it would have been a close one between him and Tebow for the Heisman. Before the season started I remember hearing analysts talk about Brennan, saying that he would be the biggest sleeper of the season, not only because he plays for Hawaii, but also because the time difference is so much that no one would ever get to see him play on national television. Well, that was sort of true. Hawaii was the only unbeaten team left by the end of the season, and they made it to a BCS game. Of course there was also the (lack of) strength of schedule issue which had them ranked 10th instead of higher, but hey. The Warriors will play Georgia in the Sugar Bowl on New Year's Day! Many say, and I tend to believe this, that the Bulldogs will be the most talented team Hawaii's faced all season. I'm sooooooooo looking forward to this bowl game!

And oh yeah, CONGRATS TO TIME TEBOW AGAIN!!

NCAA Football Withdrawal

Wow, so today is Saturday, and I don't know what to do with myself. Since September I've had the same Saturday ritual; I wake up around 9-10 in the morning and go online and check the NCAA football schedule. What are some key matchups? Who are my favorite teams playing today? How is the Top 25 shaping up? Any rivalries? Any unbeatens left? Who are the conference leaders? SEC, ACC, Big East, PAC-10, Big 10, Big 12, hell, even WAC & SWAC. If there's college football on, I'm tryna watch it.

Fall months I'm jonesin' hard. So from 12pm ET on into the wee hours, I'm flipping from FCS to ESPNU to ABC to NBC to CBS to MSG to ESPN to ESPN 2 to CSTV. I even watch football on my computer! I try not to make any plans on Saturdays that involve me going out. The whole day is spent watching TV. Wow, that sounds sick. But it's true! My Sundays are the same way, but for the NFL. I'm obsessed and I know it. And I love it.

So today is Saturday, it's almost 12, and I'm...uuhhh...lost. I’m serious guys! I’m over here wringing my hands, twiddling my thumbs, tapping my feet AND pulling out my hair. Now I’m racking my brain. Hmm, what else is on TV on Saturdays? I mean, there's no football. What will I watch? OH! Maybe I'll go out! I haven't been out on a Saturday when the sun was out in months! Maybe I'll do some shopping, go to a museum, find a man...something.

While all these options sound great, I'll still miss my favorite ball. Even worse, I've come to a very sad realization - I'm looking at the tail end of the 2007-2008 NCAAF season. But all is not lost! In about 2 weeks the bowls will begin, and I cannot wait!! If I can get through these next 2 weeks without going totally bonkers I get at least 1 bowl game a day. Rose, Orange, Fiesta, Cotton, Sugar, Gator, Sun, Insight, Alamo, Chic-fil-A, Capital One, Emerald, Independence, Humanitarian, Motor City. I'm even looking forward to the Poinsettia and PapaJohns.com Bowl!!

Whatever bowl it is, I need a fix, and I need it fast. I know the truth, and I'm not ashamed or afraid to admit it. It's an addiction; a beautiful, delectable, exhilarating, mind-blowing, titillating, all-consuming, enthralling, intoxicating addiction. But this is one monkey I don't want off my back. Hello, my name is Chi-Chi, and I'm a football-holic.



** I love college sports! A lot of the super stars you see in the NFL & NBA were standouts in college. It's amazing to see the progression, and in some cases, the regression, of these players. My sports calendar always works itself out; one goes out, another comes in. This is usually the time I get more into NCAA Basketball. I've watched a good number of games this season, but with 3-hour long football games, my eyes can only take so much abuse.

But I’ll tell you this. While the end of the NCAAF season is still like a 25,000 volt shock to my system every year, I can't leave it alone. I can’t. I won’t.

MNF: New England Patriots (11-0) @ Baltimore Ravens (4-7)

The New England Patriots are the only unbeaten team in the league at 11-0. They're officially THE most dominant group around, on offense and defense. The Pats have looked damn near perfect in most outings this season, with a few scares (vs. Colts, Eagles). Tonight they face the Baltimore Ravens who have a surprisingly dismal 4-7 record. The Ravens have always been known for their stout defense, which includes hard-hitting LB Ray Lewis. No one doubts Baltimore's strength on D but their offense has been anything but stellar. They've wavered at the QB spot all season. Steve McNair was placed on IR earlier today, ending his season. His injury is to his non-throwing shoulder, but a partial dislocation and rotator cuff damage are still significant. And no offense (get it?!), but Kyle Boller has been in the league for 5 years and has yet to prove himself to be a franchise quarterback. I say they need to get my main man Troy Smith, Heisman winner out of OSU, the ball, and let's see what his future holds. The Ravens' current 5 game losing streak doesn't look to be ending during this Monday Night Football game, so they'll have to wait another week if they want to get that W. Sorry guys...

MNF. New England Patriots (11-0) @ Baltimore Ravens (4-7).
Another one bites the Patriots' dust.

R.I.P. Sean Taylor

Man, oh man. If it's not one thing, it's another. I don't know what goes on in some people's minds that make them think they have the right to take someone's life. Take the money, take the jewelry, hell, even beat him up. But to kill a man? To kill a father, a son, a fiance, a brother, a friend, a teammate. I don't want to make it seem like this is only about the murder, yes, murder, of 24-year old Sean Taylor, because as sad as this situation is, it's not the overarching issue. It's about the state of human consciousness, or lack there of, in 2007. It's about the massacre at Virginia Tech. It's about Sean Bell. It's about the four students shot execution style in Newark, NJ. It's about the son who recently chopped up/dismembered his mother and brother, and dumped their bodies in the Harlem River. What is going on these days?

I'm deeply saddened by this most recent death. Sean Taylor was safety for the Washington Redskins. He went to the University of Miami, AKA 'NFL U,' one of the most dominant football programs in recent history. Drafted 5th overall by the 'Skins in the 2004 NFL Draft, Taylor was regarded as one of the best safeties in the league, and rightfully so. At 6'2", 212 lbs, Taylor was quick, strong and agile. He was known for his hard hits, his aggressive style of play, and his uncanny knack for knowing exactly where the ball was on every play. In his career he had 344 total tackles, 245 of them solo, 41 deflected passes, 8 forced fumbles and 12 interceptions, 1 returned for a touchdown.

I was in class working in a small group on our final project. We started talking about the Sean Taylor tragedy and I was shocked at how easily swayed people could be. I was apalled by the tone of the conversation; the only thing they could talk about was how his death was probably precipitated by something he did. A man is dead. Dead. The only thing these guys could say was that Taylor was a bad apple, and that whatever events led up to his killing were his fault, and probably the result of some shady dealings. I know some people who have done some questionable things, but I also know that those things don't make them bad people. Anyone who talks about Taylor speaks highly of him. How he has matured over the past few seasons and how he was a man forever changed by the birth of his daughter, Jackie. An innocent 18-month old child who will never see her father again because of greed and wrecklessness.

About a week prior to the fatal shooting, Taylor's house had been burglarized. A few items were damaged, some belongings rifled through but it seemed to be nothing major. Sean Taylor was not at home during the first burglary, but was staying in Florida. He hurt his knee a few weeks prior, and was back in home rehabbing. It is assumed that the same thieves came back to steal more, but found Taylor instead. Preliminary reports show that Taylor was shot twice; once in the groin area, and another in his thigh. He was rushed to the hospital, in fact air lifted, where he later died of complications from severe blood loss, as his femoral artery was severed. His fiancee and daughter were also present in the house at the time, but were unharmed. Well, physically at least.

It's weird how sports can make you feel about a person. I have some guys I enjoy watching, and some guys I love. Like, actually love. There are some players you just gravitate towards, pads, helmet and all. Sean Taylor was one of them. This is an unbelievable turn of events, and anyone who has ever lost someone in their lives to something senseless can understand. This not just something that goes on in the Black community, but damn do we seem to be getting the sharp end of the stick on this one.

Charles Barkley

Sometimes I come across little stories like this, and I know you guys will appreciate them too. I'm a huge Charles Barkley fan; I enjoyed watching him play and I love his as an anchor on Inside the NBA on TNT. Every Thursday during basketball season I get hours of pleasure listening to Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith, and, or course, Sir Charles. Sure I watch to see the double-header but these guys have a lot of fun together. Charles just seems like a guy who really enjoys life, and refuses to hold back. He's always coming out of his mouth and saying something funny, controversial, or just plain stupid. There are even whole websites dedicated to outrageous quotes. I came across this story and I thought, 'Classic Barkley.' From the last post in a series on NBA referee Bennett Salvatore:

Charles Barkley, many years ago. I made a call against him, in the fourth quarter of a nationally televised game, that he did not agree with. At that particular time we were going to to timeout. Charles, before going to his huddle, told me that he didn't like the call. I told him to go back to his timeout. He gave me some more of his expertise. I told him go back to his timeout. Coming back onto the court, I'm ready to put the ball in play. The lights are back on, the TV cameras are back on, we're ready to play.

Charles walks over to me, being larger, obviously, leans over me, and starts bobbing and weaving his head. And what he's saying is: Bennett, how's the family, how are the kids, how's the wife?

The whole world thinks that he's taking a piece out of my backside, and he's really not. He's being playful. So not all the time what you think is being said on the court really being said.

Oh, that Charles!

Hello? Is this thing ON?!

I wonder sometimes, is anyone reading this? Or am I the only one? How come people rarely comment on my articles? I mean, it's only natural that some articles don't interest you, but there are some really, really good ones. Am I the only person that enjoys reading my entries over, and over, and over again? Yo, how do you feel about my work? You. Yes, YOU! Do you love it? Hate it? Not understand it? Want me to stop writing? Wish there was more to read? I would love to think that everyone in the world reads this blog and loves it so much they don't want to test perfection; my words put you in a state of euphoria. No suggestions you make could alter the wondrous course my writing is on. Or, maybe the stench of my rotten attempts at writing, and the flies surrounding it, are too much for you to bear. Maybe you hate it so much, leaving any info would cause you to rot.

I don't care what you're reaction is; everyone should read, appreciate, playa hate, whatever. I just wanna know that someone out there has an opinion about something important in my life. Damn y'all,

I NEED LOVE!

(or hate, but mostly love) Please? Thanks! This is my free medium; the best way for me to talk to as many people at once. I just wish they would talk back to me more...

Posada to Stay

Torre? Gone. A-Rod? Gone (conditionally). Posada? HERE TO STAY!! Well, at least for the next 4 years, which should mean the 36 year old ends his career in the stripes. The New York Yankees and Jorge Posada's camp were burning that midnight oil trying to get the deal finalized. Late into Monday night the numbers got their final crunch and reports started flowing. Jorge Posada agrees to a $54.2 million, four-year contract just in the nick of time. MLB free agency is upon us and the Yanks locked Posada down before the clock struck "too late."

The deal will be sealed once Posada passes his physical. The Yankees offered Posada a lesser deal a few weeks ago, reportedly worth $40 million over three seasons. His answer? Gimme some mo! Even this past Sunday his answer remained the same; "My first priority is the Yankees. I would like to stay with the Yankees. My heart is with the Yankees, so hopefully we can get something done." That was more than enough for the Yankees to hear! They upped the anty; the initial offer of three years was bumped up to four, and of course, the money followed suit. With A-Rod gone, there's more than enough money to go around. "We will pay what we need to pay to keep someone or get someone," said Hank Steinbrenner. Words to live by. Posada will make about $13.1 million per year, and will be the highest paid catcher in the league. That's more than other big-name catchers that garner top billing. Jason Varitek, catcher for the 2007 World Series Champions the Boston Red Sox, and Ivan Rodriguez of Detroit are each guaranteed $10 million next season.

And if the threat of free agency wasn't enough, Posada's camp pulled the ultimate card. Over the river and through the woods - to Queens! Jorge and his agents dined with Mets GM Omar Minaya and VP Tony Bernazard earlier Monday, before the monster Yankees deal was inked. The Mets are in limbo this offseason, and are not sure whether or not catcher Paul Lo Duca will return. A ploy to spook the Bronx bombers? I would say so. Posada is a 12-year veteran, and a five-time All-Star. He's been with the Yankees his entire career, and is coming off one of his best years in the blue-and-white pinstripes. During the 2007 season he played in 144 games, hit 20 homers and batted in 90 runs. Posada's on-base and slugging percentages all hit career highs at .426 and .543, respectively.

Yanks are still trying to lock down pitcher, and 8-time All-Star, Mariano Rivera. Rivera turns 38 years old later this month and in baseball, unlike most other sports, that's not old. Well, that old. The Yankees offered him $45 million over three years, but that may not be his best proposal. There was talk earlier when the Yankees didn't renew Joe Torre's contract (on Torre's terms) that would-be free agents on the team would follow suit. The stampede people expected didn't actually happen but there are some players willing to follow Joe Torre (and Don Mattingly) to the LA Dodgers. Rivera is one of them. "The Yankees are my first option. But if that is not possible, there is Joe with the Dodgers."

Pitcher Andy Pettitte is still mulling retirement. Last week he turned down a $16 million, one-year option from the Yankees. He wants to spend time with his family, and apparently wants to die a Yankee. Pettitte stated that if he did not re-sign with the Yankees he would retire. Clearly he appreciates and understands what a privilege it is to wear the stripes, huh Baby Brenners?

Damn, had I known that a ball (and balls) could net me millions, I would've paid less attention to school work and kept my eyes on the real prize.

Vikings to Williamson - '&#!@% Grandma...PLAY!!'

I thought this story was upsetting when I first heard about it. Then I read the whole thing, learned about this guys entire situation, and now I think it's egregious. They’re already calling this one “FuneralGate.” Ok, so Troy Williamson, wide receiver for the Minnesota Vikings, had a game check withheld after he missed 3 practices, and last Sunday’s (11.4) game vs. the San Diego Chargers. No, he was not passed out from a night of excessive drinking and debauchery. And no, he was not getting arrested on gun possession charges, rape charges, or outstanding warrants. His reason for missing Sunday's game? To be with his family and attend grandmother’s funeral. Yeah...

Williamson's maternal grandmother, Celestine Williamson, died at the age of 72 in Aiken, South Carolina in late October. Williamson was very close with Celestine, who raised him. "This is a grandma I was always around. She taught me pretty much everything I know from cooking to driving to playing cards. I pretty much learned that from my grandma." So of course not being part of his beloved grandma's funeral was out of the question. Williamson had to make travel arrangements for his family members, including his 9 brothers and sisters, several of whom are in the armed forces. The funeral was held Monday, November 5, and it was said about 75 family members came from all over the world to attend the funeral, and about 30 of those trips were paid for by Williamson. The previous Monday Williamson told the Vikings that he would be going back to South Carolina to help organize he funeral, and that he wouldn't be able to play in that Sunday's game against the Chargers. So what was the Vikings reaction to Williamson missing the game to be with his family? A fine; they withheld his game check. Head coach Brad Childress said he understood that Williamson had a family obligation, but called the monetary penalty "a business principle." "He had a family obligation that he had to see to. He had to do what his family situation called for." The one game cost Williamson $25,558.24 of his (meager) $435,000 2007-2008 salary.

For Williamson though, the money wasn't the issue. The Vikings told him that if he didn't show, he wouldn't get paid, and he didn't care. "I'd throw this football thing away for my family." He told a local Minnesota paper, "I don't care if they would have [taken] my pay for the rest of the year, I was going home. It wouldn't have mattered to me." And this is only isn't the only family tragedy in recent months. In late September, Williamson’s older brother, 29 year old Carlton, was severely injured when he was ejected from the truck he was driving after it flipped several times. His brother's condition is very grave and it's unclear when, or if, he’ll pull through. "It's fluctuating right now," said Williamson. "Right now, he's just pretty much comatose." With the rigorous practice and game schedule in the NFL season, Troy hasn’t had much time to spend with his ill brother. He visited him earlier in the season during Minnesota's bye week, and during this latest trip, he was also able to see him.

Now what would you do if you were a GM and a player missed a game because of a death? It could be someone in their immediate family, including parents, siblings and guardians. Or it could be someone distant, like their step-brother's second cousin's daughter's nephew's uncle. Should it matter how "related" the people are? Who's to say which death is more impactful? It's all about your own relationship with the deceased, not the actual relation. What if it's a best friend that's like a brother, or like a sister? I'm sure the Vikings aren't the only team with this backwards way of thinking. Can a team hold fast to “football is a business” and not show compassionate to a man grieving a loved one?

I don't want to seem like I'm coming down only on Minnesota, because they are not the only team in the league that would have docked a player in this case. The NFLPA (Players Association) needs to step up and institute a bereavement leave clause in the Collective Bargaining Agreement. This is something that can't be left to the league or individual teams; it has to be clear across the board. Most jobs have these policies in contracts, where an employee is allowed a few PAID days off. The NFL is like the dreadful boss that is all about the money and couldn't care less about the well-being of their employees. And you can look at many of the NFL's practices regarding player health and well-being that show this callous behavior. It took a hearing before the US Senate to get the NFL to take a stand regarding the severity of concussions and their long-term effects. The NFLPA, Pro Football Hall of Fame and alumni association all had to step on the NFL's neck to get them to donate $10 million to the retirement and medical fund for former players. Finally, players who gave their bodies and lives to football, and now need a little financial help, can count on the fund for joint replacement surgery, cardiovascular screenings and assisted living. Chump change and baby steps for a business that brings in well over $6 BILLION annually.

FuneralGate is getting a lot of attention and Williamson is going to appeal the fine. Someone somewhere has to have a heart. It's not even like he has a multi-million dollar salary. The guy makes less than $500,000 a year! His grandmother died, so you want to make him pay!?! But, something tells me if he was making more money, people would be upset, but not outraged... AND, no disrespect to Troy Williamson, but this year, so far, has been far from stellar. He has 9 receptions for 159 yards and 1 touchdown. He's not making circus catches, racking up hundreds of yards per game, and scoring TDs left and right. Yet and still the Vikkngs are holding onto him for dear life. Listen, if you had him on a fantasy team you already would have DROPPED him! But that's neither here nor there. When it comes down to it it's about principles. It's about humanity, condolence and sympathy being expressed by a sport as physical, barbaric and merciless as football. Between his grandmother's death and his brother's wavering health, I completely agree with Troy when he said, "I feel like I wouldn't have been overdoing it if I had stayed home a little longer." Word.

R.I.P. Celestine Williamson

KG for MVP!!

Yes, I know, I'm a bit early with the MVP talk since the season just started about a week ago. But let me tell you something, I don't care. I will be singing the same song all season, so listen up and listen clear:

KEVIN GARNETT WILL BE THE 2007-2008 MVP!!

Why will he be MVP? Because, he's KG. This is Kevin Garnett's 13th season in the NBA, and since the 1998-1999 season he has averaged at least 20 pts and 10 rebs. I'm not really one to throw tons of stats at you but just look at what he's done in his career! I have every reason to believe that this season will yield similar results. Look what's he's done in his first 3 games as a Celt:

11.2 vs. Washington - 22 pts, 20 rebs, 5 ast, 3 stl, 3 blk (Celtics won 103-83)
11.5 @ Toronto - 23 pts, 13 rebs, 6 ast, 3 stl (Celtics won 98-95)
11.7 vs. Denver - 23 pts, 13 rebs, 7 ast, 4 stl, 1 blk (Celtics won 119-93)

Am I overreaching? NO. Am I out of my mind? Yes, but not on this one. The talk before the season started was "chemistry." Everyone was worried about how well all the new pieces would fit. Could Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen share the ball and work well together as a team? Sure it looks amazing on paper, but can these 3 verterans really produce? Boy do they ever!! I have such extreme faith in Kevin and his abilities that I never once questioned this blessed union. The 'Holy Trinity,' if you will. Now all the people that were talkin all that mess are the same ones coming up with nicknames for the group; The Big 3, The G.A.P. Band, The PGA Tour, GPA 3.0... These people can't get enough. KG was the MVP for the 2003-2004 season, and he's already on pace to do it again. He has a better team around him, and they're all focused on winning. There's nothing better.

THE CELTICS WILL BE THE 2007-2008 NBA CHAMPIONS!!

Yeah that's right. You got a problem wit that? Cuz we can take this outside...

Cocaine + Tennis = Winning!

So, uhhh, Martina Hingis is a coke head. Well, at least that's what the drug tests revealed. If you ask her, she's "never used drugs." A urine sample she provided tested positive for cocaine earlier this year during Wimbledon. COCAINE Y'ALL!! She held a press conference in Switzerland and read a prepared statement and said everything an innocent (or guilty) person would say. "I have tested positive but I have never taken drugs and I feel 100 percent innocent. I would personally be terrified of taking drugs. When I was informed (about the test) I was shocked and appalled." Now her camp is even saying the pee wasn't hers! Hingis and her team of experts are "convinced that the doping officials mishandled the process and would not be able to prove that the urine that was tested for cocaine actually came from me." And then she retired. Again. "And so, considering this situation, my age, and the problems I have been having with my hip, I have decided to no longer play tennis on the Tour."

Hingis first retired in 2003 after trying to deal with several injuries. She came back in 2006 and did well for a while before a gimp hip got the best of her. Hingis was knocked out in the 3rd round of this year's Wimbledon and hasn't played since October. Martina Hingis was a phenomenal player, so this is definitely bad for her tennis legacy. She won 5 grand slam titles; 3 Australian Opens, 1 US Open & 1 Wimbledon. She was also the youngest grand slam champion in the 20th century when she won the Australian Open at 16 years & 118 days old. She was great!!

I'm a huge tennis fan, and I have been all my life. This news is very disturbing, and very funny. Can we just say that most athletes are on drugs? If they're not performance enhancing, they're mood enhancing. I know a bit about drugs (just a tad bit, from what I've seen in movies and on the streets of Harlem) and cocaine and tennis go together like that damn racket and ball. Well at least that's how it seems. I mean, think about it. Cocaine makes you happy, so if you lose, it doesn't really bother you and you're still in a good mood. And it gives you increased energy which you definitely need if you're gonna be running all over the court and returning 100+ mph serves. Frankly, I'm surprised more tennis players haven't tested positive for coke.

Ok, of course I'm saying this jokingly, because Martina Hingis really was a great player. She's going to fight the charges, as most guilty (and innocent) people do. But if she's telling the truth, and she's never used drugs and the pee really wasn't hers, then I hope she's exonerated. To retire is one thing, but to go out on a pile of coke is completely different. Well, another one bites the dust. Or sniffs the dust. Whatever.

Have You Seen This?

I've realized that I'm, in fact, an enigma. And I love it. My interests are varied, and very random. There are 2 things I definitely love, football and ceramics. Somehow, the people at ESPN knew that and made a commercial to honor me. It's called "Next of Kiln" and I love it. Not only is it funny, but it accurately describes my life; football and ceramics! I love the wheel, I love the clay and I love to get dirty. And of course, I love football. Take a look.

Yankees Fan...by Force

I'm from New York City. And I'm a sports fan. Truly a match made in heaven. Jets, Giants, Yankees, Mets, and Knicks. And oh yeah, the Buffalo Bills. They're kinda not really New York, and they know it. Hell, we can even take Jersey too, the Nets are cool. Sure there are the Islanders and Rangers, but I don't really watch hockey and if anyone tells you I played in high school they're LYING!! Anyway, there's a longstanding notion that New Yorkers can't be fans of 2 teams within the same league. For example, according to some, it is humanly impossible to be both a Mets and Yankees fan. Jets/Giants are included. Ya gotta choose one. And yes, you have to write it in stone. I refuse to believe it. I didn't grow up in a sports household, so I am free to pick whatever teams I want to support. And in baseball, I want to support both New York teams, and I don't see a problem with that. If you cut me (please don't) I don't bleed blue and white, or blue and orange. I choose to maximize my happiness potential; I enjoy the Mets when they win, I enjoy the Yankees when they win. The only pitfall of being such an avid fan is the heart trouble that comes along with watching your team(s) lose.

The Yankeess had a rocky season, one of their worst in recent years. At one point during the season, the Yanks were 14.5 games behind the leading team, the Boston Red Sox. Not only were they not a contender for clinching the American League East division, but completely out of contention as the Wild Card as well. But, the storied franchised got back on track, and pulled it out in the end. They won games when it mattered and clinched a playoff berth as a wild card, coming within 2 games behind the BoSox. Yankee fans were always optimistic, and the Bronx Bombers pulled off a historic comeback. The famed franchise kept their team afloat and made it in the post season for the 13th straight year.

The Mets went from having a commanding lead of the entire National League to not making it to the playoffs at all! What the hell? The Mets had a great season, and when compared to the Yanks, they looked like gods. The Bronx Bombers have been getting all the credit, not only this season, but in all of New York baseball history, but this season it was different. The best NY baseball team was the Metropolitans, and they had the monster choke hold on the NL East to prove it. All those years of ignoring and downplaying the Amazins were over! No one in their right mind could deny their abilities, and die hard Mets fans ate it up! They were riding high, stomping on the heads of Yanks fans along the way. The Yankees sucked, losing games to opponents that on paper, looked like weaklings. The Mets big names were coming through in the clutch, and their hitting and pitching were on point. They were a shoe in for the playoffs as the NL leader, and it seemed nothing could go wrong for the Mets. Well, that was until September.


When you hear that the Mets not making the playoffs was a historic collapse, it is not an exaggeration. Listen to me carefully: No team in MLB history has ever had a lead of 7 games or more with 17 games left to play and failed to finish in first place. The Mets totally imploded, going on stretches of dropping more than 6 homes games at a time. I actually went to one of the few home games they won in September against the Braves, on the 12th, which, coincidentally, was the last time they had that 7 game lead. The Mets lost 12 of their last 17 games!! A team known for their great scoring and home run hitters made 21 errors down the stretch, and couldn't stop the bleeding.

For me, the Mets not making it into the playoffs came down to one thing, cockiness. They played a great season of baseball, they had the best record in the NL, and they were on cloud nine. They were smooth sailing. In their minds, they were untouchable. September was a month they could cruise through. Hell, they were practically already in the playoffs. There was no need for a strong finish, and after working hard all season, they wanted to coast. You can list several reasons why the Mets didn't make it. Their September play was abysmal and catastrophic, everything from the unlucky starting lineup, to the hapless bullpen, to sucky defense and lack of clutch hitting. Believing they already had the title actually cost them the title. Their final series was against the Florida Marlins, a team definitely not making it to the playoffs, and supposedly with "nothing to play for." I hate that saying. The Marlins weren't going to make it to the post season but they could sure as hell keep the Mets out of there too. Teams don't always play to win. Sometimes, they play for the other team to lose. They knew they were the spoiler and they capitalized. 'If I'm goin down, damn it, you're comin with me!" And that's exactly what they did. And the Mets let it happen.

For years, Yankees fans couldn't understand why a New Yorker would subject themselves to being a Mets fan. They rarely make it to the post season, they don't win championships, and with the Yankees, a team with a league leading 26 World Series titles just a stone's throw away, that form of masochism was incomprehensible. And now I understand too. No matter how much you love the Mets, when your team fails in such disgusting fashion, you can't help but hate them. On the other side of the coin you have the juggernauts, the Bronx Bombers. The Yankees were out of the penant race but somehow, someway, summoned up the strength and courage to clinch. You gotta give em props. Mets fans everywhere are waving white flags and conceding victory. The title of the best NY baseball team goes to the Yankees. Ladies and gentlemen, this is how the New York Mets can actually turn you into a New York Yankees fan. Wow, stunning isn't it?


And yes, I am aware that on Monday, 10.8, the Yankees were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the Cleveland Indians, 3-1 in a best of five series. They tried to rally back, bit they couldn't and now folks are calling for Joe Torre's head. No matter what happens on the field, the wins always go to the players, and the losses always seem to fall on the shoulders of management. Mets manager Willie Randolph's head was also on the chopping block for some time before the Mets decided to keep him on their roster. How much blame can a manager take when it's the players that are the ones on the field, playing the game? That's an article for another time. Stay tuned for that one!

Obama Rally in NYC

Helicopters whirling overhead, police heavy on every street within a 20 block radius. Barricades and officers directing cars in congested Village rush hour traffic. Secret service patrolling the perimeter with black suits, earpieces and concealed weapons. Yes, a presidential candidate is definitely in the building. Well, in the park. What started out as an unseasonably hot, humid day in New York City, turned into the perfect Fall evening; cool and breezy. I started to think, maybe even Mother Nature wanted him to win. I was surrounded by more than 24,000 people, all wanting to lay eyes on one man, waiting anxiously to hear what this Barack Obama had to say.

Senator Obama entered through the great white arches of Washington Square Park to the stylish tunes Kanye West's "Touch the Sky." The massive crowd erupted in cheers, screaming as he briefly shook hands with those smashed up against the blockades. While his presence was monumental, his speech was predictable. He's the most liked politician but is still just that, a politician. He appealed to the crowd saying he used to live in New York City. He boasted that although in secrecy, he does have support from some Republicans. Health care was among his key issues. Interesting how his speech eerily coincided with the day's episode of Oprah where she featured Michael Moore and his movie, Sicko, going toe to toe with current health care advocates. Coincidence? I think not. Obama addressed his anti-war position, excessive government spending and increasing public aid. He spoke about his education initiatives aimed at equalizing elementary school preparation and making college affordable. He denounced his critics that called his inexperience a weakness by saying that "longevity does not guarantee good judgement." He said that he's not a "hope monger" or "hope peddler" as his opponents would like to believe, and is confident his presidency will be a positive change. Listen, if you've ever heard the man speak before, then you know exactly what he said last night. I've heard quite a bit from Obama in the past few years, so while I kept my ears open, I decided to take a different look. A look at the crowd.

He's held rallies like this all over the country, and most turned out at least 20,000 people. This one at a park in The Village? 24,000 in attendance lookin somethin like a rainbow. There were infants, teens, college students, middle aged folks, and the elderly. Black, White, Asian, Hispanic. You name it, they were there. There were seats for people who were disabled, which was right near the Press section. I saw many with canes, motorized scooters, casts, and slings all trying their best to get a glimpse of the man they want to call Mr. President. I saw a little girl trying to climb underneath the barriers. Was she just a rambunctious toddler? Or was she trying to slip past Secret Service to get a hug from Obama himself? One of the best things I saw was a group of about 20 students, dressed in their school uniforms. Students from Frederick Douglas Academy II came to show their support, accompanied by a few of their teachers. While they're not yet old enough to vote, it's beautiful to see that our oft-maligned youth understand the importance of politics and the power they have. One young boy joked about sneaking into the polls wearing his mother's heels. Hmm, well that's a story for another time.

Not only were there underage children there, but there were people who weren't legally able to vote. 23 year-old Brooklynite Kinda Romero was in attendance, gimped out with her cane and all. The Trinidadian native is a permanent resident in the US but since she's not a citizen cannot vote. Romero missed most of the debates on television and was not certain of Obama's stand on many key issues. "I'm not a 100% supporter but I wanted to learn more about his platform. I can't personally vote but I can go back to my peers and relay the messages I learned here tonight." She held similar bones of contention that many of his critics have. She called Obama's speech "hopeful" and "dreamy" and not as realistic and plausible as it may seem. Romero, like many other black women share a similar dilemma, "Do I vote black? Or do I vote women? It's a hard decision." Though she won't be with us at the polls this time next year, she still recognizes the power of her voice, and plans to educate as many people as possible.

As I stood there spanning the enormous, boisterous crowd I couldn't help but think, Obama is somethin like a rock star. Never have I seen so many different ethnicities and age groups cheering so hard for a black man that wasn't a rapper. He had the attention of every single person there. While Obama doesn't really like to play the race card, it's evident he's a black man. While people like Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton somehow still represent the voice of all "the Blacks," it's becoming more evident to society that not all Blacks are the same. Obama is the voice of the people. All people. The crowd was enthralled, enraptured, enamored. Whether you support Obama or not, republican, democrat or independent, you have to accept his fame. This is history in the making and whether or not you'll vote for him, you have to recognize his swagger. We are living in progressive times with both a black man and white woman in contention for the presidency. Agree, disagree, who the hell cares. We are watching and living one of the greatest moments in history. You better get wit it.

All in all, the speech was great. No one can deny Obama's Martin Luther King, Jr.-esque style of speaking. The crowd was with him the whole way, "Fired up!" and "Ready to go!" While there was that proverbial guy who repeatedly screamed "After-party at my house!," there were actually official Obama-sponsored events after the rally, including one at Jay-Z's 40/40 club. I know, sounds crazy huh?! All I could picture was Barack on the dance floor, sandwiched between mad women wit a drink in both hands and his pinky fingers in the air. I'm not sure if he attended any of the after-rally events, but I'm almost positive it wouldn't have gone down like that. But it is fun to dream...

CAP & JAP!! USC's Brinkley Twins

I read an article in ESPN Magazine (Double Takes, Sept. 24) about the Brinkley twins. 6'2", 257 LB Jasper (pictured right) and DE Casper, 6'2", 262 and older by one minute, play football for the University of South Carolina. The article was pretty standard, the bond twins share and quizzed them on how well they know each other. Each twin was asked questions separately and then they were brought back together compare answers. For the most part the guys were pretty accurate about surface stuff like favorite actor and dream date. There were 2 questions, however, that really got me. The first one was, What's the best thing your brother ever did for you? I guess it would be easy to talk about a great birthday present, or one pretending to be the other so he could make it with the other's girlfriend. (Yes I know, mind out of the gutter. But tell me you wouldn't try some very, very, very funny business if you had an identical twin!!) Instead, their answers were each about saving each other's lives. When they were younger, Jasper fell into a well and miraculously Casper came to his rescue and pulled him out. "Cap came and grabbed me and saved me. I would've died if it weren't for him." In their teens, Casper had a car battery explode on him, spraying all over his face. Jap sprang to his aid putting water on his face wiping the acid from his eyes. AAAAWWWW, how cute are they!!

The second question that stood out to me was when they were asked their biggest fears. Cap said he had no fears, while Jap said messing up his knee was atop his list of worries. "It seems like every person in their senior year gets hurt, and it's always the ACL." As you already know, I also have F.O.K. Yeah that's right a Fear of Knees, so I definitely feel him on that. So as per my usual Saturday, I plop myself in front of the TV and watch copious amounts of NCAA football. This past Saturday I watched a now 3-1 SC lose their first game, 28-16, against #2 ranked LSU. I was happy to get a look at the twins in action. Low and behold, Jap hurt his knee! He suffered a severe sprain in his right knee early in the game. How sick is that!?! His nightmare became a reality! He was injured on the Gamecocks second offensive drive in the 1st quarter. He attempted to come back later in the game wearing a knee brace, but realizing that his production was limited and the pain being too severe he finally left the game for good. Cap said at first his brother only thought he had a "little bump on the knee. But after the game he was in so much pain, he knew it was serious."

Jasper had successful surgery on Wednesday to reattach the separated ligament, and rehab for this type of injury/surgery is about 3 months. So yes, Jap is done for the season. He is the premier linebacker for the Gamecocks, and led them last year with 107 tackles, more than twice as many as the next leading defender. So far this season he's had 21 tackles, 15 solo, with 2 interceptions. Not only that, but before the season started Jap's name was on the watch list for the Lombardi & Butkus awards which are given to the best collegiate LBs. He is also the only SC player named in the preseason to the All-SEC first-team. Both brothers have been praised for their leadership skills, on and off the field. The sad thing about this situation is that the twins and a few other seniors came back this season to help lead SC to a championship year. With his 2007 season over, Jap is focused on plans for next year. No longer contemplating the 2008 NFL Draft, he plans to petition for a medical redshirt, which will allow him to play for SC next year. Cap had this to say about his bro's 2008 season, "He's dead set on coming back next year, fulfilling his whole season. He's very excited about having another chance to come back and play his whole year." This redshirt will give him another year of NCAA Football to show scouts and teams that his knee injury has no long lasting effects and he can still be a force in the NFL.

I like these brothers. I wish Cap all the best in his senior year, and Jap all the best with rehabbing. They've spent their whole lives together, in the same place at the same time. It'll be interesting to see how they both get along being separated.

Behind The Bench - NBA Wives Mind, Body & Spirit

Behind the Bench, the National Basketball Wives Association, held their annual Mind, Body & Spirit Conference in New York City from September 19 - September 23. Everything from guest speakers, financial management seminars, and pampering were available in this all inclusive weekend affair. This organization has been in existence for over a decade and is made up of over 100 talented and diverse women who are married to professional basketball players, both retired and active. These women do volunteer work, as well as donate financially to charities in several communities. Their motto includes the belief that as priveledged women they should be "committed to creating and strengthening internal and external alliances in order to impact and empower youth at risk by utilizing our network of resources across the country and worldwide."

This year, the group broadened their scope for this conference and invited wives of all the major leagues; football, baseball and hockey. Sponsors for the event included Tiffany & Co., Carol's Daughter, Sean John, Ambi, Bobbi Brown, Jimmy Choo and Premier Air. When I was first asked to cover this event, I was very intrigued. There are such negative stereotypes of wives of athletes that permeate our society; they are gold diggers who do nothing more than sit around and look pretty while spending their husbands millions. I have to admit, while I wasn't that extreme with my judgement, I did share some of those feelings. This conference changed my outlook and opinion on a group of women who are often mislabeled and misunderstood.

PHEW! There goes the official stuff. Now, for the juice! This past Friday I covered 2 events; the first was a wellness seminar, and the second was an auction/fundraiser. The forum was held at the Hilton Hotel, and the first thing I saw when I first walked in was a room full of amazingly beautiful women. I mean, wow. These athletes got some good taste! Or wait, is it the other way around? Hmm...The money in the room was almost tangible; Prada bags, Jimmy Choo shoes, diamonds and spot-on hair weaves. You would expect the air to be stuffy and haughty but on the contrary, it was very relaxing. Maybe it had something to do with the manicures, facials and full body massages all the women got the day before. Either way, they were all very welcoming.

Holly Robinson-Peete, wife of former NFL QB Rodney Peete, was one of the guest speakers. I thought to myself, what is she going to talk about? Her singing career? Hangin' with Mr. Cooper? I was so off base it wasn't even funny! She spoke about her children and her husband, and how her family is dealing with raising an autistic child. The Peete's have 4 children, 3 boys ad 1 girl, and their oldest, son RJ, is Autistic. Earlier that week she was actually on Oprah, along with actress Jenny McCarthy, helping to bring awareness about one of the fastest growing illnesses affecting children today. Mrs. Robinson-Peete spoke about what she believed some of the causes may be, and also insisted on parental input. It's easy to go with everything your pediatrician says but she encouraged the mothers in the room to trust their "mommy gut" and push physicians for more testing when they think something may be wrong with their children. Robinson-Peete addressed immunizations, in particular the MMR, Measles, Mumps & Rubella. These high dosage shots are administered altogether and some believe this booster shot to be one of the causes of Autism. She also promoted her most recent book, "Get Your Own Damn Beer, I'm Watching the Game!," a woman's guide to understanding football.

Motivational speaker, life coach, author and pastor Paula White also addressed the organization. Let me tell you, this woman was GOOD! She spoke about several of the issues that affect women married to such high powered, famous men. It is easy for a woman to lose herself in a marriage and become Mrs. Athlete or Mother-of-athletes-children. Instead, she encourages the women to stay true to their "authentic selves" and to work within their established boundaries. White spoke about living with personal integrity, and all the pitfalls that one can experience when ideals and morals are compromised. There was also the issue of dealing with outside women, and the husbands, who don't respect the sanctity of marriage, and women understanding that what is truly meant to be will be. Paula White was not only speaking to the wives in the audience; her words also touched me deeply. While her talk was directed towards the wives, I, as a single woman, could relate to and learn from many of the examples and guiding rules she set forth.

Another speaker that I have actually had the pleasure of meeting prior to this occasion is Dr, Hilda Hutcherson. She is a renowned sex therapist, co-director of the New York Center for Women’s Sexual Health, OB/GYN, and professor and author. Dr. Hilda writes sexual health columns in both Essence and Glamour and has been on shows such as Oprah, Montel Williams, and the Wendy Williams Experience. Dr. Hilda was there not only to answer the different intimacy questions the wives had, but also to promote her most recent book, Pleasure: A Woman's Guide to Getting the Sex You Want, Need and, Deserve. Is my plan to spill the dirt on all the secrets I learned during this particular panel? Well, my answer is no. There is such a thing as privacy, so we're just gonna front like I wasn't even there...I came away with much more than I expected, and I am grateful to have had the opportunity to hear the speakers.

The next event was a Fundraiser/Auction held at the Louis Vuitton store in Manhattan. Look, I've never been in the store before and I don't even make eye contact with it when I walk past. But this night the store was shut-down for the Behind the Bench event and I was in there like swimwear loving every minute of it! Some of the notable celebrities in attendance were Elaine Brocco of The Sopranos, retired New York Jets running back Curtis Martin, and rapper Swizz Beatz. Several women were honored by the Behind the Bench Association, including Paula White for her motivational work and the new Life By Design Empowerment Center that she is opening in New York City. Holly Robinson-Peete received an award for her cause, The HollyRod Foundation, devoted to giving the less fortunate suffering with Parkinson's disease financial, physical and emotional support.

Sheila Johnson, co-creator of BET, Black Entertainment Television, and creator of Teen Summit, a show geared towards educating the youth, was also honored for her many philanthropic endeavors. Johnson is also part owner of several professional teams including the NBA's Washington Wizards and the WNBA's Washington Mystics. The entire evening the women shopped and proceeds from their LV purchases went to the organization and its charities. There was also an auction emceed by Charles Smith, retired NBA player and husband of the chairwoman, Lisa Johnson-Smith. A round-trip, private jet excursion for six to the 2008 NBA All-Star game in New Orleans was sponsored by Premier Air, the leading authority in exclusive jet service. The trip, valued at $20,000, also included tickets to the All-Star game, was won by Curtis Martin. Another notable moment that night was the gospel performance of a pregnant Deleon Richard-Sheffield, wife of ex-Yankee Gary Sheffield.

The Real Patriot Act

Is anyone actually surprised by cheating anymore? I feel pretty confident saying that about 99.998% of all people everywhere have cheated. Whether it's on taxes, during an exam, on a spouse or a drug test; everyone wants to win, no one wants to lose. It sounds simple but there is STILL uproar when people get caught. We would love to believe that everyone is pure and good, but to hell with that thought! People are vile and evil (oooh, an anagram!) and they will do anything to advance themselves. No, I'm not comparing Patriots head coach Bill Belichick to the devil, but he, just like every other coach in the NFL, wants his team to be #1. All the time. And yes, sometimes the best way to do that is via cheatation. Sometimes it's even easier than just putting in the work. Spying on the other team, deciphering calls, stealing signs are all things that are inherent to the game. Hell, why do you think baseball coaches look like they're doin the cracked-up version of the macarena every play? While it looks like fun, it's really just to have the other team so confused by the body gyration they give up on trying to cheat and focus on the plays at hand.

The opening game of the 2007 NFL season was an eye opener not only for the entire New England Patriots organization, but the NFL as well. The New York Jets played the Pats for their season home opener and caught NE cheating. Staff on the Patriots sidelines literally had a camera FOCUSED on the Jets defensive bench and coordinators, recording their every move and the plays they called. After the game, Jets head coach Eric Mangini told the league that NE was taping them and swift action was taken. The NFL found the tapes corroborating these allegations, and as a result, penalized the Patriots. Head coach Bill Belichick has been fined $500,000, the New England Patriots organization fined $250,000, and the team will also lose early round draft picks to be decided at a later date. If the Pats make it to the playoffs, they'll lose a 1st round pick. If they don't make it to the playoffs (and that's a huge IF), they'll lose 2nd and 3rd rounders.

I've heard both sides of the argument; the punishment was too harsh, it wasn't harsh enough. I'm not torn on this one, Bill Belichick got off easy. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has prided himself on cracking down on bad behavior in the league, and that effort has been respected. When Pacman Jones kept getting in trouble, he put his foot down and suspended him for the 2007-2008 season. When Tank Williams faced gun possession charges, he suspended him as well. We all know Mike Vick had been indicted on federal dog fighting charges and he's been suspended indefinitely from the league. More recently, Rodney Harrison, a New England Patriot, was suspended for the first four games of this season when it was discovered that he used Human Growth Hormones, a substance banned by the league. So here we sit, with a head coach and his entire staff aware of the rules (just like the players) and breaking them (just like the players) and they get off with a fine? As far as leadership goes, the quarterback is a force, and the most explosive player is also important, but the head of a team is the coach. These are the true leaders, and they should be held to higher standards.

Now don't misunderstand me, killing dogs, possessing illegal guns, and taking drugs are all wrong, but most of those crimes have no direct correlation to the game of football. Does it speak to the integrity of the players involved? Yes. Does it mean they shouldn't be able to do their jobs? Maybe. But what do you do when the HEAD coach of a team is engaged in a practice so egregious and overt, all in an attempt to give himself a huge competitive advantage? Do you fine him half a mil? Or do you suspend him, the same way you have several players in the recent past? If Harrison took drugs to make him, and inherently his team as well, better and is forced to miss a quarter of the season, how can Belichick consciously and purposefully record defenses, compile an illegal library of information, and only be punished monetarily? Goodell made a decision; how can we hurt these offenders the most? The answer is to take away the game they all love, the game they live for and off of. Vick stands to lose more than $20 million over animals! Belichick blatantly broke the rules with cameras on the sidelines and he should have to pay the same way. Coach, and members of his staff, should have been fined AND suspended. Goodell needs to be consistent. 'Gimme the cash, gimme the games.' There has to be a standard.
People are now calling Jets head coach Eric Mangini a rat. Huh? Yes, Mangini DID coach under Belichick. And yes, he does know his many illegal tricks. But Belichick should have been smart enough to know that ManGENIUS would not have any of that. Especially on his home field. Not only that, this is not the first time the Pats have been accused of cheating. Teams have been complaining to the league about the Patriots sketchy practices for years. If you ask me, it's about damn time somebody stepped in with some concrete proof. Leave to NEW YORK to show the league how to git er done!

Sports are exciting and wonderful but they are still just that, sports. Made for fun and enjoyment, they have somehow morphed into holier-than-thou gods that are exempt from all the rules that apply to man. There are things that are acceptable for the average Joe to do, but let an athlete engage in the same actions and it's a travesty. But let's be clear, a bad person is a bad person, regardless of wealth, fame and social standing. Having money does not make you great; it just makes you rich. Just ask Brittany Spears! She's a millionaire and we're all watching her life crumble before our eyes. She markets her music to the younger generations but that does not make her a role model. She's a bald wacko who can't take care of her own children, let alone keep her wig on straight! Hell, priests are still child molesters, politicians are still corrupt, and the police are still crooked. To somehow believe that participating in organized sports somehow absolves any ill feelings or intent is ridiculous.

Do I think Billy is a cheater? Yes. Will he do anything to ensure a victory for his team? Clearly. Do I think he's a horrible person? Please people, no. But an issue like this does put an mark on his record and legacy as one of the best coaches in football history. And yes, that mark should be an ASTERISK. That's right, I said it. ASTERISK. Yall can't only use that for Barry Bonds! He never tested positive for ANYTHING and people are so adamantly against him and convinced of his guilt. Head coach of the New England Patriots, a team that has won 3 of the last 6 Super Bowls, has been caught red-damned-handed. How can we not blame some of that success on his extensive library of cheatation materials? All I'm saying is, people need to check themselves and their reasoning. To me, this issue is clear cut. But yall ain't makin no sense.