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.

Women Suck!

I love tennis, men's and women's. I watch Wimbledon, and all the Opens. French, Australian, US, you name it. So this weekend the US Open comes to a close in Queens, New York and while the men didn't disappoint, the women refused to do it for me this year. I was happy when the tournament first started; Sharapova lost, and Venus and Serena Williams were knockin broads off left and right. It was perfect! That was until the quarterfinals. Since the Williams sisters haven't played that much tennis over the past few years, they're rankings were rather low. Because of where they were seeded, the sisters ended up in the same bracket, making a Williams' final impossible, but a Venus vs. Serena semifinal a real possibility. That was until Justine Henin came out and showed us why she's ranked #1. She slammed Serena first in the quarterfinals, and broke Venus down in the semis. So who did she play in the play in the finals, you ask? Svetlana Kuznetsova, supposedly the fourth best player in the world. This was, by far, the most insignificant, uneventful, boring final I've seen EVER. Henin beat Kuznetsova in straight sets, 6-1, 6-3, and no one cared. Henin is a great player but she's got absolutely no personality on the court. Kuznetsova hasn't been interesting since she rocked cornrows at Wimbledon. Had she donned a high top fade I could have at least had something to watch.

Tomorrow night it's #1 Roger Federer vs. Novak Djokovic in the men's final and I know for sure that one will be more interesting. Djokovic is a 20 year old phenom from Serbia, and is ranked 3rd in the world. He's one of my new favorites, along with Donald Young. There are few people who will ever be able to bring down Federer, and Djokovic has already done it once earlier this year. Federer will win, I feel confident in saying that. He rarely loses, so watching him is usually the same ol' magnificent play. Federer winning for the one millionth time will still be more interesting than that snooze fest that was The 2007 US Open Women's Final.

Byron Left(wich)

This news broke last week and I was shocked, but not really all that surprised. Byron Leftwich got SACKED!! No, not by a defensive lineman, by his own team! The Jacksonville Jaguars have DROPPED Byron Leftwich, not just from the starting QB position, but the team! Yes, yes, it's true! The new quarterback is six-year vet David Garrard. I feel for Leftwich! He is one of those guys that really gave his body for the sport. He's been in the NFL since 2003 and has been unhealthy, to some extent, all 4 seasons. Whether he played on an injured ankle and his performance suffered, or he was out of the lineup completely, sidelined after surgery to try and repair the nagging ankle injury. The Jags went 12-4 in 2005, and even made it to the playoffs that year. Things have been downhill from there. Jacksonville has given Leftwich many chances, because despite his injury history and immobility, he still has a strong arm and is pretty accurate. But that strength and precision don't count when you're not on the field.

Leftwich was drafted 7th overall in 2003 out of Marshall University in WV. Leftwich had a phenomenal college career, and his NFL play seems to pale in comparison. He completed 65.1% of his passes, going 939 of 1,442 attempts, amassing 11,903 passing yards, and 12,090 of total offense. He threw 89 TDs and only 28 INTs. The one scene that's stuck in my mind is from 2002 during his senior year when he broke his leg during a game against Akron. One of the most notable, heroic, courageous moments was when Leftwich was hobbled after a hard hit to the right shin in the first quarter. He left the game for x-rays, where it was discovered he broke his shin, but later returned in the 3rd. Since he couldn't walk, he hopped around the field on one leg and his offensive linemen carried him down the field after each play. The Herd ended up losing the game to Akron, 34-20, but Leftwich's stats after being injured were still incredible considering. He went 19 of 30 for 259 yards. Even though Marshall lost the game, Leftwich's strength, heart and determination will go down in history. And his NFL career, up in flames...

Ok, at first I was thinking, who is going to pick up a guy who's been injured since 2005? He has yet to fully recover from that broken ankle, but in the offseason he had a specialist operate on his ankle and says he feels like he's 100%. Since he has no team he doesn't have to worry about trying to rush back to play, meaning he has about a year of rehab. He'll be able to stay off his legs, focus on rehabbing, and hopefully, come back better than than ever. The 2008 Byron Leftwich could be the best one we've seen in the NFL so far. I wish him well.

Irony? Marshall took on Eastern Carolina University in the GMAC Bowl in 2001. The game was a thriller, and Marshall ended up taking it 64-61 in an overtime victory. ECU's QB at the time was his successor, David Garrard. I drafted him in one of my fantasy leagues, let's hope he doesn't disappoint too much...

ATTN Black Athletes, LOCK YOUR DOORS!

Wow, crime is on the rise! And not the way we usually expect. I'm talkin about black athletes getting robbed. Snatching chains, stick ups and car jackings have all been the normal tactics. The new trend (clearly what's hot in the streets) is home invasion. I don't know what it is about people, all people, that makes them think that living in the suburbs means you leave your doors unlocked and wide-damn-open. Hell, I live in a secure apartment building and I lock the door when I go to bathroom! Hey, you never know!

NBA players Antoine Walker and Eddie Curry were both victims of home invasions in Chicago in July. Same guys, same MO; run up in the house guns ablazin, tie up all things breathing with duct tape, and ransack the mansion. Nobody moves, nobody gets hurt! Now we can add Houston Texans corner Dunta Robinson to the growing list of athletes gettin jacked! Saturday, 9.1, Robinson was tied up and robbed at gunpoint in his home in Texas. Two masked gunmen entered through an unlocked door, wearing baseball caps and red bandannas to shield their faces, all while brandishing guns. Each of these athletes had hundreds of thousands of dollars stolen from them, in the form of cash, jewelry, and automobiles.

You get robbed in the hood, you get jacked in the boonies. Damn, where can you go? It ain't safe no more...

Just A Few Things...

1. R.I.P. Eddie Griffin. He died August 17th after the SUV he was driving collided with a moving freight train. He was 25 years old, and on pace to resurrect his NBA career. He was highly touted after high school and spent his college career at Seton Hall University in NJ. He was drafted 7th overall and played for the Houston Rockets and the Minnesota Timberwolves. His NBA career was rocky, due to several run-ins with the law, and drug and alcohol abuse that plagued him since high school. Alcoholism ain't no joke, shout out to everyone caught in that struggle.
   
   
   
2. Rafer Alston - Hardened Criminal? Clearly he's taken more than a few pages from Pacman's new novel, How To Screw Yourself on the Daily, and has gotten himself arrested twice in the past month. On August 5, Alston, AKA Skip to My Lou, was charged with misdemeanor assault and public intoxication stemming from an incident at a parking lot. He allegedly grabbed and spit at an attendant after his car was towed from the lot. Skip denies he ever touched the man and claims, not only that he wasn't drunk, but that the two men only got into a shouting match. Three weeks later, on August 28, he was arraigned on felony assault charges, after reportedly stabbing a man at Stereo, a Manhattan night club. The 41 year old man alleges that after bumping into Alston in the club, they got into an argument that resulted in Rafer slashing the man across his neck. This guy's whole story sounds suspect because he left the club, according to witnesses, with no apparent injuries. He later went to the hospital for treatment, then the police station to file a complaint. Either way, Skip needs to stay his ass outta some trouble. We're all happy you made the jump from streetball to the NBA, but if you keep this up, you'll be jumpin from cell to cell. Prison that is.
   
   
   
3. The Philadelphia Eagles dropped linebacker Jeremiah Trotter on 8.21. What? Why? What did I miss? He's been in the NFL for nine years and is a four-time Pro Bowler. In his career, he's amassed 1,184 tackles, 12.5 sacks and nine INTs. He's 30 years old, and the only thing I can think of is that the Eagles know a lot more about him than they're letting on. They recommended that he retire. Huh? He had three years left on his contract, in which he was guaranteed to make at least $8.6 million dollars. His release was not a salary cap move. Second-year pro, Omar Gaither, will be starting at middle linebacker instead. Sure Trotter's not the youngest guy around but he's a force nonetheless. During a press conference he said "I will always remain an Eagle," but that was a damn lie cuz now he's a Buccaneer! He worked out for Tampa Bay at the end of August, and today signed a one-year deal. Well, one team's loss...

Guess Who's Bizzack!?

MICHAEL STRAHAN!! YAY!! One BIG BLUE happy family! Word came out early last week that he was in contact with Giants GM Jerry Reese, and that they had "constructive and positive" talks. At that time, Strahan was expected to officially make a decision by mid week. Of course, that didn't happen. Finally, almost a week after the Strahan story resurfaced, we have a definitive answer. Michael Strahan is not retiring! On Friday, he said said he's ending his holdout and reporting to the Giants effective Monday, September 3rd! IT IS ABOUT DAMN TIME! He missed 36 days of training camp, and all four of the Giants preseason games. At $14,288 per day, Strahan has racked up a whopping $514,368 in fines. Strahan and the Giants have worked out a deal to considerably reduce that amount, and he's still scheduled to make a cool $4 mil this season. The Giants regular season opener is Sun, 9.9 at Dallas. This would leave him less than a week to prepare, but head coach Tom Coughlin said he won't play in the game.

Everyone, including Strahan, knows he's getting old. Let's face it, he didn't want to go through yet another training camp. Training camp is for rookies and walkons, not 15 year veterans. Who the hell wants to do two-a-days in sweltering August heat? Not a 35 year old man! Instead of risking a freak preseason injury, he worked out in L.A. for a few weeks. Sure it cost him a few bucks but he has been doing this since forever and he'll be right back in the mix. A bit late, but still needed. Strahan is an emotional leader and adds character and fire to a team that is otherwise pretty dull. The Giants are going to have a pivotal season, with Tiki Barber gone and Eli Manning at the reins. Brandon Jacobs and Reuben Droughns are the ground game, and if the starting WRs, Plaxico Burress and Amani Toomer, can stay healthy, the air isn't too bad. Young guys Sinorice Moss and Steve Smith could come up big this season as well. The defense has battled injuries during the preseason, with Sam Madison dealing with hamstring trouble and Will Demps on IR because of a dislocated elbow. Some of the regulars will still be there, Osi Umenyiora, Mathias Kiwanuka, Fred Robbins and Antonio Pierce.

Strahan's timing coincides with the deadline for teams to cut their rosters down to a regular season limit of 53 players. The Giants released 21 players, including six-year vet Tim Hasselbeck, who lost his third string job to Anthony Wright. Big Blue also let go tight end Charles Davis, wide receivers Brandon London and Kevin McMahan, offensive linemen Justin Jones, Jon Dunn, Ryan Keenan, Todd Londot and Matt Lentz, defensive ends Tommy Davis and Marquis Gunn, defensive tackles Jonas Seawright and Tui Alailafaleula, linebackers James Davis and Tyson Smith, cornerbacks Gerrick McPhearson, Darren Barnett and E.J. Underwood, guard Zach Piller, safety J.R. Reed, punter Cory Ohnesorge and kicker Josh Huston. London, Lentz, Gunn and Underwood were signed to the practice squad. They also claimed two players off waivers, CB Dovonte Edwards from the Vikings and G Kevin Boothe from the Raiders.

Rodney Harrison! WHY!?

So Thursday I watched the Giants play their last preseason game against the New England Patriots. I find it hard to watch football with just my eyes, so I usually have my computer out with stats and roster info pulled up on both teams. I had company over so I was kinda half watching the game, half researching, half entertaining. Yes, I know there are 3 halves. Stick with me people. I had a flashback to the 2004-2005 season when the Pats won the Super Bowl, and one of my favorite players during that time was Rodney Harrison. I thought to myself, hmmm, I wonder how he's doing? So I looked him up and found out some info I didn't know. Like for instance, this is his 14th year in the league and he's 34 years old. Football age is like dog years so he should have been left the game. He was drafted by the Chargers in 1994, then later signed a 6 year deal with the Patriots in 2003 as a free agent. Ok, so you're wondering where the hell I'm going with this, right? Who signed up for a Harrison bio? Rodney Harrison admitted that used Human Growth Hormones, HGH! And for violating the league's substance abuse policy, he's been suspended without pay for the first four games of the regular season. The bruising, Pro-Bowl safety won't be eligible to play until the Pats face the Bengals in Cincinnati on October 1. Harrison is in his last two years of his contract, and earlier in the summer agreed to restructure his 2007-2008 season salary. His base salary went from $2.7 million, to $2, and this 4 game suspension is goin to cost him $470,588. His 2008 salary, $2 mil, remains untouched.

'Well, what the hell is HGH? And how does it affect the body?' I'm glad you asked me that. The pituitary gland in the brain actually produces growth hormone, a protein, naturally. As we age, the production level decreases. People turned to synthetic growth hormones in an attempt to halt and reverse the signs of aging. Originally used to increase the height of children with stunted growth, synthetic HGH is now used to increase exercise capacity, height, body and muscle mass, improve mood and motivation, and decrease body fat. Human growth hormone also helps those recovering from orthopedic injuries. It has been called "The Fountain of Youth." Results are best achieved when HGH is injected intramuscularly, and results can be seen after a few months of use. Sure there are some bad side effects like swelling, headaches, diabetes, hardening of the arteries, high blood pressure and abnormal growth of bones and internal organs, but for some, it's well worth the risk. And now, back to football!

A federal investigation involving the New York Bureau of Narcotics Enforcement and a Florida based task force interviewed Harrison about his involvement with the online distributor busted during this investigation. He readily admitted to authorities that he obtained HGH, and since he was so cooperative, no criminal charges are expected to be filed. While he acknowledges taking the HGH, he maintains that he's never used steroids. Harrison has suffered severe injuries over the past few years, including a broken shoulder blade and a blown knee, and says he started using the banned substance two years ago, not to "gain a competitive edge" but rather "solely for the purpose of accelerating the healing process." He also came out with public apologies, stating that he alone was using with HGH, and that it had nothing to do with his teammates. He also sent a message out to young football players who admire him, acknowledging he made a mistake and "sent the wrong message with his actions." For setting the a bad example as a role model Harrison said, "I am very, very embarrassed by it. I am disappointed in myself."

Look, he took them to help rebound quickly, and it's understandable. He's an older player, and when you get to be his age, sometimes you need a lil suh-in suh-in to still be able to compete. He's almost at the end of his rope but still wants to play. Over the past few years he's had a number of serious injuries, which happen to a player who is well above his prime. Sure 40's the new 20, but a 40 year old body does not have the snap back of a 20 year old one. In an attempt to recover quickly from knee and shoulder injuries, he decided to use a substance prohibited by the NFL. And he's paying for it. Harrison is know for his aggressive, hard-hitting style of play. He has even been accused of being a "dirty" player and over his career has been fined more than $200,000 by the NFL for his rough play. Those deafening impacts took a toll, not only on his wallet, but his body as well. Pats have one of the strongest defenses in the league, largely due to Harrison's presence. New England is 44-7 when Harrison plays, 15-9 when he doesn't. With Richard Seymour being out as well due to injury, the Pats will have quite a trip without two of their perennial defensive leaders. Harrison's teammates voted for him to receive the 2006 Ed Block Courage Award. This annual award is given to a player on the team that and serves as an inspiration to the team and best embodies sportsmanship and courage. These winners usually come back from serious physical injury or devastating personal tragedies.

I don't know what it is about me, but I'm not as anti-banned substances as I thought I would be. Up With Hope, Down with dope! used to be one of my favorite slogans but I'm not so jaded anymore, especially when it comes to athletes. Granted crack, heroine and crystal meth are still, and will always be, bad, performance enhancing drugs don't carry the same negative connotation. Maybe it's the name, performance enhancing. Sounds kinda sexy even. (Sort of like calling it ED instead of erectile dysfunction) The bodies have gotten bigger, the hits have gotten harder, and the injuries more severe. Owners, management, coaching staff, teammates and fans all want players to get better, not older. Sometimes your inherent best isn't good enough and you need a lil extra juice to get over that proverbial hump, especially when age is a factor. And yes, I know that performance enhancing drugs are bad and compromise the integrity of any sport. It is not at all fair that someone who uses drugs gets the same, if not more, accolades and and respect than someone who achieves the same athletic heights naturally. For me this boils down to two key issues:

1) The league is not testing vigorously for the drugs they claim they don't want invading their sport. From what I've heard, HGH is relatively undetectable. Not only does it require blood test to be done, which the NFL does not do, but one would have to be tested within a relatively short time period after using. Literally, a matter of hours. There are other drugs that are more detectable but players, and coaches, know the ins and outs of the testing so it's easy to beat them. This applies to all sports, including steroid-plagued baseball.

2) Everyone else is doing it! Ok, not everyone, but a lot of people. Hell, Tim Couch, former #1 draft pick turned NFL bust, admitted to using HGH while he wasn't in the league. He was rehabbing, trying to get healthy in order to make a productive return to the NFL. He claims he used it under doctor supervision for three weeks. No one seemed to care. I don't know if it's because it's Tim Couch, or because he was outta the league when he did it, or because there's an unspoken acceptance within the league regarding HGH. The drug is virtually undetectable, and clearly the only way the league can find out about it is if you pull a Couch and confess, or bust a Harrison and get caught by the Feds.

Former NFL QB and current Dallas Cowboys QB coach Wade Wilson also surfaced during the investigation. He used the drug from 2004-2006 while he worked for the Chicago Bears. At 48 years of age, Wilson has been living with diabetes for more than 20 years and says he took the drugs to "improve the quality of [his] life." Hey, I'm buyin it. Oh, not the HGH, his story. I'll make that decision when I'm lookin down the hill, not up it.