I really do love football. It is by far my favorite sport. I especially love the National Football League AND the Super Bowl. The first sporting event I remember watching as a 7 year old was Super Bowl XIV between my Steelers and the Los Angeles Rams.
As you probably know, the Super Bowl is America's number one sporting event, a sort of unofficial holiday. As Beano Cook once said, "Soon we will be exchanging gifts."
I've always found the event to be quite fascinating. You have the two best teams in the National Football League facing off in front of the entire world.
The game can make or break a player's legacy. It can instantly make someone a Hall-of-Famer or forever label someone a "loser." I think just getting there is a tremendous accomplishment for a franchise and for its fans. I still have fond memories of the Steelers playing in Super Bowl XXX even though it was the only time the Steelers ever lost the big game.
People who don't have any interest in sports whatsoever will sit down and watch this gala event even if it's just for the commercials or halftime show.
There have been 44 Super Bowls played and the first two weren't even officially called Super Bowls at the time. Initially, the game was called the "World Championship Game." It wasn't until the third year that "Super Bowl" became the official name.
The first 4 Super Bowls pitted the NFL champion against the champion of the rival American Football League. The two leagues agreed to merge in 1970 and beginning with Super Bowl V the champion of the American Football Conference has played the champion of the National Football Conference to determine the winner of the Super Bowl.
Since I love this game so much, I've decided to make a list of the ten greatest Super Bowls ever played.
I have two criteria for this list: The quality of the game and the historical significance. Every game on this list has at least one of the criteria and some even have both!
So sit back and enjoy. Feel free to agree or disagree. After all, it's only my opinion.
10. Super Bowl VII
Date: January 14Th, 1973
Location: Los Angeles Coliseum, Los Angeles, California.
"PERFECTION"
The Miami Dolphins defeat the Washington Redskins, 14-7.
This game wasn't the greatest Super Bowl ever played, but it was significant because, with the victory, the Dolphins achieved a perfect 17-0 record and have been the only team to accomplish that mark in the modern era. Some teams have come close, most notably the 2007 New England Patriots, but the Dolphins are still the only team atop the undefeated mountain. The Dolphins were actually the underdogs in this game which I find pretty interesting. Their counterparts, the Washington Redskins, were the oldest team in the league and dubbed the "Over the Hill Gang." This game might be most notable for Miami kicker Garo Yepremian's ill-advised pass after a blocked field goal attempt late in the game. Garo's pass was intercepted and returned for a touchdown which gave the Redskins some life. But with the help of their "No-name defense" the Dolphins held on to cap their historic year.
9. Super Bowl I
Date: January 15TH, 1967
Location: Los Angeles Coliseum, Los Angeles Califorina.
"THE FIRST"
The Green Bay Packers over the Kansas City Chiefs, 35-10.
Again, this wasn't a great contest, but it was the very first Super Bowl ever played. The NFL's Green Bay Packers were the best team in football in the 1960's, winning 5 NFL titles. They would also go on to handily defeat the Oakland Raiders in the second Super Bowl establishing them as the first Super Bowl dynasty. This game was simulcast by NBC and CBS, something that never happened before and hasn't happened since. CBS held the rights to broadcast NFL games and NBC had the rights to the AFL which led to the rare joint-telecast. Ticket prices were also quite noteworthy. Today, people have been known to pay 4-figures for a ticket. Back then, however, tickets for the contest were selling for as low as $6. Pretty amazing. The NFL would later name the Super Bowl trophy "The Lombardi Trophy" in honor of Green Bay head coach Vince Lomardi, the architect of the Packer dynasty.
8. Super Bowl XXXII
Date: January 25Th, 1998
Location: Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California.
"THIS ONE'S FOR JOHN!"
Denver Broncos 31 Green Bay Packers 24
This is the first truly great Super Bowl to make the list, and my favorite of all the non-Steelers Super Bowls that I've watched. This game had pretty much everything: back-and-forth action, migraine headaches and a first down for the ages. The Packers were the defending Super Bowl champions and were favored by 11 1/2 points. Up until that point, the Broncos had a pretty pedestrian Super Bowl history, appearing in four but losing all by a pretty large margin. Quarterback John Elway was the captain of three of those Denver debacles and at age 37, was in the last years of his career. Bret Favre, on the other hand, was in his prime and considered by many to be the best qb in the game. Also, NFC teams had a dominating 13-game winning streak over the AFC in the Super Bowl and most of the games were very lopsided. Things were expected to hold true to form for both the Broncos and the AFC in SBXXXII but with the help of stud running back Terell Davis and a pretty good defense, John Elway went on to claim the one thing that eluded him: The Lombardi Trophy. This game is probably best remembered for Elway's helicopter-esque flip after being hit by two Packers while diving for a very important first down. Another minor little tidbit was the migraine headache that Terrell Davis got after forgetting to take his medication. Denver coach Mike Shannahan had to use Davis as a decoy for part of the game until his symptoms cleared. Davis went on to score the winning touchdown in the final minutes to secure the championship for the Broncos.
I believe this game deserves to be on the list not only for the great play, but for what it meant for John Elway's legacy. Had he retired without winning the Super Bowl, he would still be a Hall-of-Famer, but he would be in the same class with guys like Dan Marino, Dan Fouts and Jim Kelly. Quarterbacks who were great, but could never win the whole thing. Elway played one more year and went out with a bang as the Broncos repeated as champs winning Super Bowl XXXIII. Elway was named game mvp and with two rings, could be put in a class with guys like Bradshaw, Montana and Starr.
Ok, that's the first three (or last three) on the list and I will post more later.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Big Ben
No charges will be filed against Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger for sexual assault stemming from an incident that allegedly occurred in a bar in Georgia last month.
As a Steelers fan, this is the news I wanted to hear. After all, it was 20 years between Bradshaw and Roethlisberger and I spent a lot of my younger years watching very good Steelers teams go down in the playoffs because of poor quarterbacking in big moments.
When Ben finally came along and changed that with big-time performances in clutch situations, I realized my dream of watching the Steelers hoist the Lombardi trophy not once, but twice.
However, even though the district attorney said in his news conference yesterday that there wasn't enough evidence to charge Roethlisberger with a crime, he sure went out of his way to detail the evidence that he did have.
According to the facts collected, Roethlisberger really did follow a woman (the alleged victim) into a bathroom and something more than likely happened. Was it a consensual act? Did he force himself on her? Nobody will ever really know the answer but it does put Ben in a very bad light.
The girl was very drunk; way too drunk to be in a bathroom with a man. I don't know about any of you, but I've never been in a public bathroom with a woman and I don't know of too many women that would want me in there with them.
And the rape kit that the hospital performed on the accuser showed some vaginal injuries and a slight trace of male DNA. Not enough to get a match and that's why they didn't press Roethlisberger for his DNA.
Now none of this means that Roethlisberger raped this girl or forced himself on her in any way, it just makes him look bad.
If it wasn't his DNA, whose was it? And why was there vaginal bleeding?
On one hand, you can say that the DNA could have been any one's. What if she had sex with someone a few hours before this? As I said, she was very drunk. Her blood alcohol level was somewhere around 2.0. That's pretty intoxicated.
And according to the district attorney, she made three different statements. The story changed slightly with each one. And it sounded like her sorority sisters, who were there with her that night, pressured her into going to the police about this. Evidently, she wasn't going to do anything initially.
You combine those elements with the lack of witnesses and all you have left is her word against his and there really isn't much for a district attorney to go on.
On the other hand, you can say there is plenty of circumstantial evidence. As I said earlier, why would a man and a woman need to be in the same public bathroom. There can be only one reason. And why were there any vaginal injuries at all? If it was consensual, there should be no real injuries, even minor. And just because the DA didn't have enough to prosecute doesn't mean that a crime wasn't committed. Mob bosses get off all the time for lack of evidence.
And I think we can all agree that Ben has some serious character flaws. There have been stories about this guy since I can remember. It seems that every bartender and server in this city has something bad to say about the man. And his reputation with the ladies has never been that great.
However, the justice system worked exactly how it should work. Maybe something happened, maybe it didn't. Our system might not be perfect but it prevents people from being lynched and stoned simply on the appearance of guilt.
Ben wouldn't be the first guy to be accused of sexual assault who truly was innocent. Remember when a woman accused Jerome Bettis of rape, but made the whole thing up in-order to try and blackmail him?
And let's not forget what happened to the Duke Men's Lacrosse team a few years back. This stuff does happen.
I just wish there wasn't any evidence at all against Roethlisberger. Now I have to hope that I can forget about this crap and cheer for the Steelers with a clear conscience next season.
As a Steelers fan, this is the news I wanted to hear. After all, it was 20 years between Bradshaw and Roethlisberger and I spent a lot of my younger years watching very good Steelers teams go down in the playoffs because of poor quarterbacking in big moments.
When Ben finally came along and changed that with big-time performances in clutch situations, I realized my dream of watching the Steelers hoist the Lombardi trophy not once, but twice.
However, even though the district attorney said in his news conference yesterday that there wasn't enough evidence to charge Roethlisberger with a crime, he sure went out of his way to detail the evidence that he did have.
According to the facts collected, Roethlisberger really did follow a woman (the alleged victim) into a bathroom and something more than likely happened. Was it a consensual act? Did he force himself on her? Nobody will ever really know the answer but it does put Ben in a very bad light.
The girl was very drunk; way too drunk to be in a bathroom with a man. I don't know about any of you, but I've never been in a public bathroom with a woman and I don't know of too many women that would want me in there with them.
And the rape kit that the hospital performed on the accuser showed some vaginal injuries and a slight trace of male DNA. Not enough to get a match and that's why they didn't press Roethlisberger for his DNA.
Now none of this means that Roethlisberger raped this girl or forced himself on her in any way, it just makes him look bad.
If it wasn't his DNA, whose was it? And why was there vaginal bleeding?
On one hand, you can say that the DNA could have been any one's. What if she had sex with someone a few hours before this? As I said, she was very drunk. Her blood alcohol level was somewhere around 2.0. That's pretty intoxicated.
And according to the district attorney, she made three different statements. The story changed slightly with each one. And it sounded like her sorority sisters, who were there with her that night, pressured her into going to the police about this. Evidently, she wasn't going to do anything initially.
You combine those elements with the lack of witnesses and all you have left is her word against his and there really isn't much for a district attorney to go on.
On the other hand, you can say there is plenty of circumstantial evidence. As I said earlier, why would a man and a woman need to be in the same public bathroom. There can be only one reason. And why were there any vaginal injuries at all? If it was consensual, there should be no real injuries, even minor. And just because the DA didn't have enough to prosecute doesn't mean that a crime wasn't committed. Mob bosses get off all the time for lack of evidence.
And I think we can all agree that Ben has some serious character flaws. There have been stories about this guy since I can remember. It seems that every bartender and server in this city has something bad to say about the man. And his reputation with the ladies has never been that great.
However, the justice system worked exactly how it should work. Maybe something happened, maybe it didn't. Our system might not be perfect but it prevents people from being lynched and stoned simply on the appearance of guilt.
Ben wouldn't be the first guy to be accused of sexual assault who truly was innocent. Remember when a woman accused Jerome Bettis of rape, but made the whole thing up in-order to try and blackmail him?
And let's not forget what happened to the Duke Men's Lacrosse team a few years back. This stuff does happen.
I just wish there wasn't any evidence at all against Roethlisberger. Now I have to hope that I can forget about this crap and cheer for the Steelers with a clear conscience next season.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Go Holmes!
According to reports, the Steelers have traded wide receiver Santonio Holmes to the New York Jets for a 5th round draft pick and possibly running back Leon Washington.
Wow! I heard about this via text messages from my friends and brother last night and I was pretty angry. A 5th round pick for the mvp of Super Bowl XXLIII? A 5th round pick for the guy who made one of the biggest receptions in the history of the franchise? A 5th round pick for their number 1 receiver who they traded up to draft in the first round in 2006?
When I thought about it, though, I guess I should have seen it coming. In case you didn't hear, Holmes is expected to be suspended for the first four games of the upcoming season for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy. You add that to all the other Santonio messes: the pending lawsuit and possible criminal case in Orlando, the stupid and immature twitters he has posted since this lawsuit came to light, and his previous brushes with the law like being busted for marijuana possession, maybe the Steelers had no choice but to send him packing to anyone who would take him for anything.
And Holmes will be going into the last year of his contract and rumors had it that he wasn't going to resign with the Steelers because he didn't think Pittsburgh would pay him market value and he wanted to play in a bigger market, so maybe from a pure business standpoint this had to be done.
Still though, you'd have to think they could have received a little better compensation for Holmes. A 5th round pick seems pretty low. But if Washington is part of the trade, that would ease the pain just a little.
Washington is a great kick and punt returner and he would add depth to the Steelers backfield especially after losing Willie Parker via free agency.
What's going to happen with the Steelers wide receiver situation now? Number one receivers don't grow on trees. Does this mean that Hines Ward will be the number one guy again? He's not a speed-burner and has never been considered a deep-threat. And at his age, he'd be better suited as a possession guy.
Maybe they're counting on Mike Wallace to be the new number one. He certainly had a great rookie season in '09 and in my opinion should have been the rookie of the year. Hopefully, he can step up and have an even better second year.
They also brought back SBXL hero Atwaan Randle El to compete for the number 3 receiver slot. Now it looks like he's in serious consideration for the number 2 slot.
He became the defacto number 2 receiver in 2005 after Plaxico Burress left to sign with the New York Giants and the Steelers went on to win Super Bowl XL with the help of El's spectacular option pass for the ages. Maybe they can repeat history.
Also, this could give Limas Sweed one more shot at becoming a relevant receiver. Everyone was excited when the Steelers grabbed Sweed in the second round in 2008 but ever since then, he's been nothing but a disappointment. If they haven't completely given up on him by this point, this could be his last chance to succeed with the Steelers.
And with the draft a couple of weeks away, does this mean that the team will bypass other needs for another wide receiver in the first round?
Maybe Golden Tate will be wearing the Black and Gold next season.
I hope Holmes gets his act together and does ok in New York. I actually like Holmes despite him acting like an idiot a lot of times. As I said, he did make the greatest catch in team history aside from the Immaculate Reception and he'll forever be a part of Steelers lore.
And in addition to the reception in the Super Bowl, he had one heck of a run in the postseason to help get them to that game. He had the big punt return in the divisional playoffs against the Chargers and the huge catch and touchdown run against the Ravens in the AFC title game. If it wasn't for him, Pittsburgh might not be boasting a record six Lombardi trophies today.
I just can't believe this offseason. What's going to happen next?
Wow! I heard about this via text messages from my friends and brother last night and I was pretty angry. A 5th round pick for the mvp of Super Bowl XXLIII? A 5th round pick for the guy who made one of the biggest receptions in the history of the franchise? A 5th round pick for their number 1 receiver who they traded up to draft in the first round in 2006?
When I thought about it, though, I guess I should have seen it coming. In case you didn't hear, Holmes is expected to be suspended for the first four games of the upcoming season for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy. You add that to all the other Santonio messes: the pending lawsuit and possible criminal case in Orlando, the stupid and immature twitters he has posted since this lawsuit came to light, and his previous brushes with the law like being busted for marijuana possession, maybe the Steelers had no choice but to send him packing to anyone who would take him for anything.
And Holmes will be going into the last year of his contract and rumors had it that he wasn't going to resign with the Steelers because he didn't think Pittsburgh would pay him market value and he wanted to play in a bigger market, so maybe from a pure business standpoint this had to be done.
Still though, you'd have to think they could have received a little better compensation for Holmes. A 5th round pick seems pretty low. But if Washington is part of the trade, that would ease the pain just a little.
Washington is a great kick and punt returner and he would add depth to the Steelers backfield especially after losing Willie Parker via free agency.
What's going to happen with the Steelers wide receiver situation now? Number one receivers don't grow on trees. Does this mean that Hines Ward will be the number one guy again? He's not a speed-burner and has never been considered a deep-threat. And at his age, he'd be better suited as a possession guy.
Maybe they're counting on Mike Wallace to be the new number one. He certainly had a great rookie season in '09 and in my opinion should have been the rookie of the year. Hopefully, he can step up and have an even better second year.
They also brought back SBXL hero Atwaan Randle El to compete for the number 3 receiver slot. Now it looks like he's in serious consideration for the number 2 slot.
He became the defacto number 2 receiver in 2005 after Plaxico Burress left to sign with the New York Giants and the Steelers went on to win Super Bowl XL with the help of El's spectacular option pass for the ages. Maybe they can repeat history.
Also, this could give Limas Sweed one more shot at becoming a relevant receiver. Everyone was excited when the Steelers grabbed Sweed in the second round in 2008 but ever since then, he's been nothing but a disappointment. If they haven't completely given up on him by this point, this could be his last chance to succeed with the Steelers.
And with the draft a couple of weeks away, does this mean that the team will bypass other needs for another wide receiver in the first round?
Maybe Golden Tate will be wearing the Black and Gold next season.
I hope Holmes gets his act together and does ok in New York. I actually like Holmes despite him acting like an idiot a lot of times. As I said, he did make the greatest catch in team history aside from the Immaculate Reception and he'll forever be a part of Steelers lore.
And in addition to the reception in the Super Bowl, he had one heck of a run in the postseason to help get them to that game. He had the big punt return in the divisional playoffs against the Chargers and the huge catch and touchdown run against the Ravens in the AFC title game. If it wasn't for him, Pittsburgh might not be boasting a record six Lombardi trophies today.
I just can't believe this offseason. What's going to happen next?
Friday, April 9, 2010
My Mellon arena memories
You know, I don't really have that many. I was thinking about the number of times I've been to the arena in my day and it's really not that many. I'd say five......maybe.
I remember going there to see Batman and Robin on ice when I was about five years old. And to tell you the truth, I don't even know if it was the then Civic arena or someplace else. I'm not even sure if Batman and Robin were on ice, but I know they were there and I was excited.
Fast-forward to 25 years later and a WWF wrestling pay-per-view. That's my next memory of being there. It was the day after my sister's wedding and about two weeks after 9/11. I was there with my aunt and uncle, my brother and a bunch of other people including this one kid who kept calling Shane Mcmahon a p***y. Security was really tight that day for obvious reasons. The country was still very much on edge. Pittsburgh native Kurt Angle won the belt from Stone Cold Steve Austin in the main-even which was fitting since he was all about patriotism and from Pittsburgh.
I was there again a couple of years later for a taping of WWE Smackdown. Don't really have any memories of that night other than going to the bathroom right in the middle of a pyro-display and being startled but pretending like I wasn't.
Fast-forward again to 2009 and a Penguins game with my sweetie. That's right, I went to a Penguins game, me. It was a fun night and we went to another one a couple of weeks ago.
I'm not much of a hockey guy, but I really do like going to Penguins games. They are much better to watch in person than they are on tv. Sidney Crosby made a pass around three guys right on the stick of one of his teammates and it was something to see. People are right when they say that hockey is much better when you're right there on-top of the action.
It's a shame that I haven't been to the arena that much in my life because I've discovered that I really do like watching sporting events in-doors. I'm not much for the elements and hockey games might be something I do more and more in the future. Besides, my girlfriend is a huge Penguins (SIDNEY CROSBY!) fan and I really don't have much of a choice.
Anyway, sorry Mellon arena for not visiting you much over the years but it's just one of those things. I mean, it's not like I had many opportunities to go when I was a kid. I never really liked the circus and no-way was my mother or grandparents going to take me to any monster-truck shows. And there's no way they were going to take me to see wrestling even though Hulkamania was runing wild all over the nation, brother! I had a chance to see the Pittsburgh Gladiators play for the Arena Football Championship when I was 15 and I blew that off. I didn't attend any concerts as a youth and I never cared much for the Spirit or Pittsburgh Triangles.
At least I have some memories, right? And who knows, maybe I'll get to see a postseason game before you close up for good. That would be a fitting memory to cherish forever.
I remember going there to see Batman and Robin on ice when I was about five years old. And to tell you the truth, I don't even know if it was the then Civic arena or someplace else. I'm not even sure if Batman and Robin were on ice, but I know they were there and I was excited.
Fast-forward to 25 years later and a WWF wrestling pay-per-view. That's my next memory of being there. It was the day after my sister's wedding and about two weeks after 9/11. I was there with my aunt and uncle, my brother and a bunch of other people including this one kid who kept calling Shane Mcmahon a p***y. Security was really tight that day for obvious reasons. The country was still very much on edge. Pittsburgh native Kurt Angle won the belt from Stone Cold Steve Austin in the main-even which was fitting since he was all about patriotism and from Pittsburgh.
I was there again a couple of years later for a taping of WWE Smackdown. Don't really have any memories of that night other than going to the bathroom right in the middle of a pyro-display and being startled but pretending like I wasn't.
Fast-forward again to 2009 and a Penguins game with my sweetie. That's right, I went to a Penguins game, me. It was a fun night and we went to another one a couple of weeks ago.
I'm not much of a hockey guy, but I really do like going to Penguins games. They are much better to watch in person than they are on tv. Sidney Crosby made a pass around three guys right on the stick of one of his teammates and it was something to see. People are right when they say that hockey is much better when you're right there on-top of the action.
It's a shame that I haven't been to the arena that much in my life because I've discovered that I really do like watching sporting events in-doors. I'm not much for the elements and hockey games might be something I do more and more in the future. Besides, my girlfriend is a huge Penguins (SIDNEY CROSBY!) fan and I really don't have much of a choice.
Anyway, sorry Mellon arena for not visiting you much over the years but it's just one of those things. I mean, it's not like I had many opportunities to go when I was a kid. I never really liked the circus and no-way was my mother or grandparents going to take me to any monster-truck shows. And there's no way they were going to take me to see wrestling even though Hulkamania was runing wild all over the nation, brother! I had a chance to see the Pittsburgh Gladiators play for the Arena Football Championship when I was 15 and I blew that off. I didn't attend any concerts as a youth and I never cared much for the Spirit or Pittsburgh Triangles.
At least I have some memories, right? And who knows, maybe I'll get to see a postseason game before you close up for good. That would be a fitting memory to cherish forever.
Friday, April 2, 2010
Jamie Dixon
I am glad that PITT extended the contract for head coach Jamie Dixon and he will now be the head coach of the men's basketball team until at least 2018.
Dixon is getting more and more love in Pittsburgh for helping to turn the Panthers into a national powerhouse. I know they haven't made it to the Final Four, but in my opinion, that's just a mere formality. They will reach it someday because it's a numbers game and now that they're an NCAA mainstay, one of these years, they will have the right combination of seeding and talent.
The type of talent Dixon recruits is often critcized, but he's starting to land bigger recruits. Dejaun Blair and Sam Young are NBA players and Dante Taylor is a Mcdonald's All-American. I know he didn't do too great last year, but he was just a freshman, give him a break. If Dixon continues to land All-Americans, the Final Four is just a matter of time.
Once they break thru that glass ceiling, the confidence of the program will be even higher than it is now and they'll go from being a great program to possibly an elite program.
Dixon is getting more and more love in Pittsburgh for helping to turn the Panthers into a national powerhouse. I know they haven't made it to the Final Four, but in my opinion, that's just a mere formality. They will reach it someday because it's a numbers game and now that they're an NCAA mainstay, one of these years, they will have the right combination of seeding and talent.
The type of talent Dixon recruits is often critcized, but he's starting to land bigger recruits. Dejaun Blair and Sam Young are NBA players and Dante Taylor is a Mcdonald's All-American. I know he didn't do too great last year, but he was just a freshman, give him a break. If Dixon continues to land All-Americans, the Final Four is just a matter of time.
Once they break thru that glass ceiling, the confidence of the program will be even higher than it is now and they'll go from being a great program to possibly an elite program.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
A new direction in life
Hello to all. Things just haven't been the same for me lately. I can't put my finger on it, but a void needs to be filled. You ever have that in your life? Well, if you have, you know what I'm talking about.
I think we all have a purpose in life. A reason for being here. We all want to be the best that we can be no matter what we decide to do in life.
I've been digging deep-down into my soul searching for a meaning for my life. Why am I here? What is my purpose?
I think that reason has been right in front of me for a very long time but I just refused to see it. You can go your entire life running from your destiny or you can embrace it. I've decided to embrace it.
I'm taking this time to announce to you guys that I am going away for a while. I'm going to do what I was put on this earth to do.
I've decided that I want to be a future Ultimate Fighting Champion. In-order to achieve this goal, I will have to put all my resources into it. I will have to put all of my physical, financial and emotional energy into accomplishing this goal.
This will require a lot of sacrifices like leaving my job, friends, girlfriend, and family behind.
If you don't see me for a while just know that I am doing this for you because I want you to be proud of me. I want you to buy those PPV's and watch me take on the best like the Ice Man Chuck Liddell, the legendary Randy Couture, and the very dangerous Brock Lesnar.
If I can take out these three very tough competitors, I believe this will lead me to top of the mountain and I will realize my goal as the king of the octagon.
My training for this will be very hard, but I believe if I commit myself, I will be able to prepare my mind, body, and soul.
I already have the tools I need for this battle. Years ago, I trained in the art of Tang Soo Do and reached the level of red belt with a blue stripe. Now I need to take that a step further with my training for the octagon.
I have enlisted the help of one of the world's greatest trainers: Joey Kim, a former trained assassin from South Korea. He will be helping me with my workouts and my mental toughness and he will mold me into a very dangerous weapon.
I trust in his abilities to take me where I need to be.
You guys won't be seeing me for a while as I plan on becoming a gym rat and a very focused and self-centered individual but I hope to see you all at ring-side someday when I reach my destination.
God bless you all.
I think we all have a purpose in life. A reason for being here. We all want to be the best that we can be no matter what we decide to do in life.
I've been digging deep-down into my soul searching for a meaning for my life. Why am I here? What is my purpose?
I think that reason has been right in front of me for a very long time but I just refused to see it. You can go your entire life running from your destiny or you can embrace it. I've decided to embrace it.
I'm taking this time to announce to you guys that I am going away for a while. I'm going to do what I was put on this earth to do.
I've decided that I want to be a future Ultimate Fighting Champion. In-order to achieve this goal, I will have to put all my resources into it. I will have to put all of my physical, financial and emotional energy into accomplishing this goal.
This will require a lot of sacrifices like leaving my job, friends, girlfriend, and family behind.
If you don't see me for a while just know that I am doing this for you because I want you to be proud of me. I want you to buy those PPV's and watch me take on the best like the Ice Man Chuck Liddell, the legendary Randy Couture, and the very dangerous Brock Lesnar.
If I can take out these three very tough competitors, I believe this will lead me to top of the mountain and I will realize my goal as the king of the octagon.
My training for this will be very hard, but I believe if I commit myself, I will be able to prepare my mind, body, and soul.
I already have the tools I need for this battle. Years ago, I trained in the art of Tang Soo Do and reached the level of red belt with a blue stripe. Now I need to take that a step further with my training for the octagon.
I have enlisted the help of one of the world's greatest trainers: Joey Kim, a former trained assassin from South Korea. He will be helping me with my workouts and my mental toughness and he will mold me into a very dangerous weapon.
I trust in his abilities to take me where I need to be.
You guys won't be seeing me for a while as I plan on becoming a gym rat and a very focused and self-centered individual but I hope to see you all at ring-side someday when I reach my destination.
God bless you all.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
My Thoughts on Reform
A landmark decision was made this week that will impact us all for years to come. That's right. I'm happy to say that the National Football League has reformed its overtime rule! In a vote by the NFL owners at their annual meeting in Orlando, the measure was passed, 28-4. The new overtime rule now states that a team CANNOT win an overtime game in the playoffs by just winning the coin toss and driving a few measly yards before allowing some kicker to win the game with a field goal. With this landmark rule the other team has an opportunity to match that field goal, or better yet, win the game by earning a touchdown.
I've been calling for this for quite some time. The players, coaches, and fans of the NFL have been begging for this to come to pass. For years, we suffered when one of our teams didn't have a fair chance to win in overtime. The other team would score and our teams didn't have a shot to respond. Why shouldn't my team have a chance to score just because the other team scored first?
What I find really appalling is that the Ravens, Bills, Vikings and Bengals voted against this rule. How dare they? Everyone knows we've needed overtime reform for years and here these teams try to deny us of what is rightfully ours as fans.
I proclaim that we call the owners, general managers, coaches and players of these teams and voice our displeasure. Let your voices be heard! Let them know how you feel about them trying to stand in the way of progress.
I don't think this rule goes far enough, and thankfully, there will be another vote in May to determine whether this rule should extend to the regular season. I have no doubt that it will.
I'm not surprised the Ravens voted against this. I mean, after all, they benefited from the old rule last season when they defeated my beloved Steelers in overtime on a field goal. A field goal in-which the Steelers didn't get to respond to.
The loss critically wounded their playoff hopes. The Ravens went on to narrowly edge out the Steelers for a wildcard playoff spot while the Steelers, and the entire Steeler nation, were denied a week of excitement leading up to an awesome wildcard game.
There were no new Steelers fight songs. No helmet cakes. No talk show speculation and analysis. And Terrible Towel sales plummeted.
I am shocked, however, that the Vikings voted against this ruling. What could they possibly have been thinking? Their team missed out on a chance at a title because they went down in the NFC championship game to the New Orleans Saints when they lost the coin toss in overtime and never saw an offensive possession. Thousands of fans, like me, were prevented from seeing two weeks of Favre-mania leading up to Super Bowl XLIV.
"Will this be your last game, Brett?" I wanted to hear that question being asked over and over again, but did I get that chance? No! Why, because of an overtime system that should have been reformed years ago.
While this overtime rule is great, I hope that in the future, there are new rules implemented that will completely exile kickers from the game forever. And while they're at it, they should get rid of special teams players, as well. Think about it. Blue chip, pro-bowl players, guys who give their all for 50 or 60 plays, have to sit back and watch their fate be determined by a lazy field goal kicker or a special teams player who wasn't even good enough to land a starting position and steals a paycheck by covering punts or kicks for a few plays a game!
These lazy, drunk kickers AND punters barely have to break a sweat during the game or even at practice or training camp. They kick a few balls, run a lap or two and then it's off to the golf course for a round of nine. Meanwhile, true, blue NFL players, who have worked for everything their entire lives, have to sweat and suffer. It's just not fair. And these special teams guys, where do they get off? They weren't even good enough to get drafted in the first or second or even third round and here they are trying to pass themselves off as football players just because they play a dozen plays or so? And some of them even have the nerve to say they were the difference in a game just because they made a key tackle on a punt or returned a kick 90 yards? That is just horrible and it goes against what the NFL was built on. Gee, I'll bet guys like Alan Faneca, Peyton Manning, Hines Ward, Reggie Wayne and Casey Hampton would like to "earn" a paycheck by playing a few downs on special teams or by kicking or punting. Fortunately, they were raised the right way, to work for what they want. They play the entire games and are proud to call themselves NFL players.
They're not out there punching towel dispensers or urinating in parking lots on the North Side. They're not drunk, idiot kickers like that Mike Vanderjagt who had the nerve to criticize Peyton Manning and the rest of the Colts for their play
years ago. Can you believe that? Kickers. Whatever. These guys aren't true NFL players. They're anti-NFLers.
I wonder how many Super Bowls my Steelers have missed out on because of field goals over the years. I know we've had six championships, but damn it, why can't we have more? We deserve it! Why should we sit back and watch teams like the Saints, who have done nothing in their entire history, win the NFC championship game on a field goal like they did last season when that lousy Garrett Hartely kicked a field goal in overtime? We have six, why should they get one? I don't care how long they've suffered as a franchise. I've been putting my time in for 30 years following the Black and Gold.
And not only me, millions of Steelers fans have put their time in. They've waved their Towels. Played their cornhole in the parking lots of Heinz Field. Been thrown out of Three Rivers for disorderly conduct. TRUE fans. We invented the Terrible Towel in Pittsburgh. What did the Saints fans ever come up with? A bag that they wore over their heads. Big deal.
What about other entitled NFL franchises? Historic teams like the Cowboys, Redskins, Raiders, 49ers and Packers? Along with the Steelers, these teams are part of the NFL royalty. They've accounted for 22 of the 44 Super Bowl titles. How many titles have they lost out on because of stupid kickers or lazy special teams players? My God, the Steelers AFC title game loss to the Patriots in 2001 was almost solely based on kickers, punters and other special teams players. And those "champion" Patriots went on to claim a "dynasty" on kicker Adam Vinatieri's leg. Yeah, they're a dynasty. Whatever. Not a true one, that's for sure.
And what about the legendary Green Bay Packers? The team that won the first two Super Bowls missed out on a chance to claim another one a couple of years ago because of Lawrence Tynes of the New York Giants. Nothing against the New York Giants. Along with the Packers, they fought courageously for over sixty minutes into overtime. These STARTERS gave their blood, sweat and tears. They didn't leave anything out there and how did the game end? On a kicker's foot. Brett Favre was denied a chance to go back to the Super Bowl and earn another crown because of some rule that says a kicker can have a say in the game's outcome. What is going on with this league! I mean, the Super Bowl trophy was named after Vince Lombardi, the Packers legendary coach. You think he would have put up with all this kicking if he were alive today?
I'm warning you, if they continue to allow kicking and special teams to stay in the game, teams like the Chargers, Lions, Texans, Browns and Bengals are going to win championships. Do we really want to be associated with those teams? Do we really want them to think they've earned the right to be called champions? Do we want their fans to think they're as good as us just because they kicked and punted their way to Super Bowls? I know I don't.
If you keep giving kickers more and more power, soon they will think they have an equal say, they will ruin everything. What's next? Six points for field goals? Why don't we make the goal posts 90 yards wide so the freeloading kickers can steal even more money from hard-working position players?
I'm telling you, we're heading down a slippery slope. As long as kicking remains a part of the NFL, you're going to see more and more of this garbage. You mark my words, it won't be long before we have nothing but kicking in the game.
There will be no more precision passes. No more acrobatic catches. No more three yards and a cloud of dust. No more defensive masterpieces. No more crushing tackles. Nothing but kicking and punting. That's all you'll see.
And teams like the Ravens have the nerve to vote against this. It makes sense when you think about it. No one should be surprised. This is the team that won Super Bowl XXXV with field goals, kick off returns and blocked punts. Naturally, they'd want to keep the old overtime rule and they'd like nothing more than to keep kickers in the league.
And let's not forget how the Buffalo Bills tried to steal Super Bowl XXV from the Giants with an attempted field goal by Scott Norwood as time ran out.
Fortunately, he missed. Why? Because God spoke that day. Lombardi spoke that day. All starting position players past, present and future spoke that day. The game is meant to be played by starters. Hard-working starters. Not kickers. Not punters or punt-returners.
Stay away, Billy "White Shoes" Johnson. We don't want you in our game. Stay away, Gary Anderson. No place for you here. We want starters. Guys like TO, Tom Brady and Santonio Holmes. Real players like Willie Colon, Hank Baskett and Todd Heap.
Let's take our game back. Let's take our league back! The game that our grandfathers enjoyed so much. Back when hard-nosed players like Jack Lambert and Ed "Too Tall" Jones roamed the grid-iron. Back when guys like Johnny Unitus made us proud to be NFL fans.
Let's do this for the future STARTERS and FANS of the league.
Their happiness and prosperity depend on it.
I've been calling for this for quite some time. The players, coaches, and fans of the NFL have been begging for this to come to pass. For years, we suffered when one of our teams didn't have a fair chance to win in overtime. The other team would score and our teams didn't have a shot to respond. Why shouldn't my team have a chance to score just because the other team scored first?
What I find really appalling is that the Ravens, Bills, Vikings and Bengals voted against this rule. How dare they? Everyone knows we've needed overtime reform for years and here these teams try to deny us of what is rightfully ours as fans.
I proclaim that we call the owners, general managers, coaches and players of these teams and voice our displeasure. Let your voices be heard! Let them know how you feel about them trying to stand in the way of progress.
I don't think this rule goes far enough, and thankfully, there will be another vote in May to determine whether this rule should extend to the regular season. I have no doubt that it will.
I'm not surprised the Ravens voted against this. I mean, after all, they benefited from the old rule last season when they defeated my beloved Steelers in overtime on a field goal. A field goal in-which the Steelers didn't get to respond to.
The loss critically wounded their playoff hopes. The Ravens went on to narrowly edge out the Steelers for a wildcard playoff spot while the Steelers, and the entire Steeler nation, were denied a week of excitement leading up to an awesome wildcard game.
There were no new Steelers fight songs. No helmet cakes. No talk show speculation and analysis. And Terrible Towel sales plummeted.
I am shocked, however, that the Vikings voted against this ruling. What could they possibly have been thinking? Their team missed out on a chance at a title because they went down in the NFC championship game to the New Orleans Saints when they lost the coin toss in overtime and never saw an offensive possession. Thousands of fans, like me, were prevented from seeing two weeks of Favre-mania leading up to Super Bowl XLIV.
"Will this be your last game, Brett?" I wanted to hear that question being asked over and over again, but did I get that chance? No! Why, because of an overtime system that should have been reformed years ago.
While this overtime rule is great, I hope that in the future, there are new rules implemented that will completely exile kickers from the game forever. And while they're at it, they should get rid of special teams players, as well. Think about it. Blue chip, pro-bowl players, guys who give their all for 50 or 60 plays, have to sit back and watch their fate be determined by a lazy field goal kicker or a special teams player who wasn't even good enough to land a starting position and steals a paycheck by covering punts or kicks for a few plays a game!
These lazy, drunk kickers AND punters barely have to break a sweat during the game or even at practice or training camp. They kick a few balls, run a lap or two and then it's off to the golf course for a round of nine. Meanwhile, true, blue NFL players, who have worked for everything their entire lives, have to sweat and suffer. It's just not fair. And these special teams guys, where do they get off? They weren't even good enough to get drafted in the first or second or even third round and here they are trying to pass themselves off as football players just because they play a dozen plays or so? And some of them even have the nerve to say they were the difference in a game just because they made a key tackle on a punt or returned a kick 90 yards? That is just horrible and it goes against what the NFL was built on. Gee, I'll bet guys like Alan Faneca, Peyton Manning, Hines Ward, Reggie Wayne and Casey Hampton would like to "earn" a paycheck by playing a few downs on special teams or by kicking or punting. Fortunately, they were raised the right way, to work for what they want. They play the entire games and are proud to call themselves NFL players.
They're not out there punching towel dispensers or urinating in parking lots on the North Side. They're not drunk, idiot kickers like that Mike Vanderjagt who had the nerve to criticize Peyton Manning and the rest of the Colts for their play
years ago. Can you believe that? Kickers. Whatever. These guys aren't true NFL players. They're anti-NFLers.
I wonder how many Super Bowls my Steelers have missed out on because of field goals over the years. I know we've had six championships, but damn it, why can't we have more? We deserve it! Why should we sit back and watch teams like the Saints, who have done nothing in their entire history, win the NFC championship game on a field goal like they did last season when that lousy Garrett Hartely kicked a field goal in overtime? We have six, why should they get one? I don't care how long they've suffered as a franchise. I've been putting my time in for 30 years following the Black and Gold.
And not only me, millions of Steelers fans have put their time in. They've waved their Towels. Played their cornhole in the parking lots of Heinz Field. Been thrown out of Three Rivers for disorderly conduct. TRUE fans. We invented the Terrible Towel in Pittsburgh. What did the Saints fans ever come up with? A bag that they wore over their heads. Big deal.
What about other entitled NFL franchises? Historic teams like the Cowboys, Redskins, Raiders, 49ers and Packers? Along with the Steelers, these teams are part of the NFL royalty. They've accounted for 22 of the 44 Super Bowl titles. How many titles have they lost out on because of stupid kickers or lazy special teams players? My God, the Steelers AFC title game loss to the Patriots in 2001 was almost solely based on kickers, punters and other special teams players. And those "champion" Patriots went on to claim a "dynasty" on kicker Adam Vinatieri's leg. Yeah, they're a dynasty. Whatever. Not a true one, that's for sure.
And what about the legendary Green Bay Packers? The team that won the first two Super Bowls missed out on a chance to claim another one a couple of years ago because of Lawrence Tynes of the New York Giants. Nothing against the New York Giants. Along with the Packers, they fought courageously for over sixty minutes into overtime. These STARTERS gave their blood, sweat and tears. They didn't leave anything out there and how did the game end? On a kicker's foot. Brett Favre was denied a chance to go back to the Super Bowl and earn another crown because of some rule that says a kicker can have a say in the game's outcome. What is going on with this league! I mean, the Super Bowl trophy was named after Vince Lombardi, the Packers legendary coach. You think he would have put up with all this kicking if he were alive today?
I'm warning you, if they continue to allow kicking and special teams to stay in the game, teams like the Chargers, Lions, Texans, Browns and Bengals are going to win championships. Do we really want to be associated with those teams? Do we really want them to think they've earned the right to be called champions? Do we want their fans to think they're as good as us just because they kicked and punted their way to Super Bowls? I know I don't.
If you keep giving kickers more and more power, soon they will think they have an equal say, they will ruin everything. What's next? Six points for field goals? Why don't we make the goal posts 90 yards wide so the freeloading kickers can steal even more money from hard-working position players?
I'm telling you, we're heading down a slippery slope. As long as kicking remains a part of the NFL, you're going to see more and more of this garbage. You mark my words, it won't be long before we have nothing but kicking in the game.
There will be no more precision passes. No more acrobatic catches. No more three yards and a cloud of dust. No more defensive masterpieces. No more crushing tackles. Nothing but kicking and punting. That's all you'll see.
And teams like the Ravens have the nerve to vote against this. It makes sense when you think about it. No one should be surprised. This is the team that won Super Bowl XXXV with field goals, kick off returns and blocked punts. Naturally, they'd want to keep the old overtime rule and they'd like nothing more than to keep kickers in the league.
And let's not forget how the Buffalo Bills tried to steal Super Bowl XXV from the Giants with an attempted field goal by Scott Norwood as time ran out.
Fortunately, he missed. Why? Because God spoke that day. Lombardi spoke that day. All starting position players past, present and future spoke that day. The game is meant to be played by starters. Hard-working starters. Not kickers. Not punters or punt-returners.
Stay away, Billy "White Shoes" Johnson. We don't want you in our game. Stay away, Gary Anderson. No place for you here. We want starters. Guys like TO, Tom Brady and Santonio Holmes. Real players like Willie Colon, Hank Baskett and Todd Heap.
Let's take our game back. Let's take our league back! The game that our grandfathers enjoyed so much. Back when hard-nosed players like Jack Lambert and Ed "Too Tall" Jones roamed the grid-iron. Back when guys like Johnny Unitus made us proud to be NFL fans.
Let's do this for the future STARTERS and FANS of the league.
Their happiness and prosperity depend on it.
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