I realize as I write this I'm only reaching the three or four people I know who still watch wrestling. That's fine. This has to be said even if I'm only talking to myself.
NXT on Wednesday night proves the WWE can put on a quality show if it wants to.
NXT was moved to USA on Wednesday nights to provide direct competition for AEW (All Elite Wrestling). Even if NXT, which was designed as a start-up brand for characters deemed not ready for primetime, didn't pull bigger numbers than AEW, it would cut into the new promotion's viewership, which was all Vince McMahon wanted.
NXT was always the best show when it came to the in-ring wrestling. The athletes at NXT don't have watered down move sets. They don't go through the motions. Every match seems like a big deal, not just to the fans, but to the wrestlers themselves. The storylines at NXT are basic and simple but consistent and easy to follow. There's a reason Wrestler A dislikes Wrestler B. It makes sense to see them fighting.
Don't get me started on the storylines on RAW and Smackdown.
Anyway, everyone was so excited about AEW's big television debut a couple weeks ago. I was, too. AEW drew good numbers and filled a large arena with vocal, engaged fans. The wrestling on the show is OK. I'm not into watching a bunch of 150-pound guys doing flips and choreographed gymnastics. If that's your thing, it was really good, I guess.
But this week, WWE showed how good it could be when it upped the ante on NXT. It was two hours of jelly-filled goodness. From the first match to the main event, which was off the charts. The show ended with a heel turn by Fin Balor, which no one saw coming.
I've re-watched most of the show twice, already.
Watching it again made me realize, this is what the WWE can do when it has competition. When it really wants to put on a good show, it can. It makes it that much more frustrating thinking about the shows on Monday and Friday, when they don't even make a decent effort to be entertaining or to make sense.
I tried to watch Impact, or whatever TNA is called now. It's unwatchable, for me. I gave AEW the old college try but it's not my thing. But, I will give AEW credit for one thing, it has made WWE put in the effort and made NXT, by far, the most entertaining wrestling show on television.
Ain't it amazing what a little competition can do?
Friday, October 25, 2019
Monday, October 14, 2019
Bite me, Red Hickey
It’s Red Hickey’s fault.
Hickey is credited with creating the shotgun formation in football in 1960. I’m sure he was a brilliant human being, but the shotgun formation is really ruining football for me.
I’m an old dude, watched football since I was about 8-years-old. And no, I’m not one who believes everything was better in the 70s. Innovative thinkers create evolution and growth.
Mr. Hickey’s shotgun formation was progress for football. It created a new dimension for both passing and running the football and helped introduce the spread offense. But I wonder if he envisioned his invention eventually becoming the primary formation in football.
I’m an old dude. Did I say that before? I forgot. Anyway, I’m an old dude. When it comes to football, I like fullbacks and tight ends. I like offensive linemen in a three-point stance, and I want to see my quarterback with his hands under the center.
When I see an offense line up in the shotgun on first-and-goal from the 1, an icy chill oozes up my spine. My vision blurs and a tiny blip of drool seeps from the corner of my mouth.
When I share my point of view with young football coaches, they laugh and shake their head in disbelief. I ask why the shotgun all the time and they respond like a parent would answer a child who asked why dogs bark and cats meow.
It’s way too complicated for a guy like me to understand.
Damn you, Red Hickey.
The shotgun formation is great. I just don’t get teams that can’t line up traditionally with a fullback and a tight end and push forward for two yards on third-and-1. Yeah, on third-and-10, get in the shotgun. Dazzle me with your sophisticated crossing routes. Baffle me with your jet sweeps and bubble screens.
But if you can’t get a yard a fourth-on-inches, you suck.
I’ve talked to 300-pound offensive linemen who would rather pass block than run block. What? Seriously?
You’d rather get on your heels and fend off a charging defensive end, playing paddy cake with your hands than put your hand in the dirt, lower your pads, fire off and knock a %$#*&@ on his *&^%#2!?
Really?
I hate you Red Hickey.
Offensive linemen have become fat ballet dancers. Running backs are receivers. Receivers are scat backs. Fullbacks are extinct. Tight ends are too small to block and too slow to play receiver. And the quarterback has become the most important person on the field. That’s what the shotgun has done. Everything revolves around the quarterback and if your quarterback struggles, the offense struggles.
Football used to be the ultimate team game. I liked it.
Now, it’s all about the quarterback and the spread offense and chunking the pigskin around the yard. It’s about hurry-up offenses and pistol sets. The basic center-quarterback exchange now requires an accurate snap from center and a clean catch by the QB before the actual play can even commence.
Should it really be so complicated? So intricate?
Football was never meant to be a dance. It was a manpower sport where players tried to impose their will on their opponents. You’d run the same play over and over until the defense manned up to stop it. Play-action used to mean something.
The sport has evolved, you say. Stop living in the past old man. Those days are gone and they’re not coming back.
And before you ask, no, I don’t miss black-and-white televisions, too.
I like innovation. I love a sophisticated passing attack. Jet sweeps make me giggle with delight.
But if you can’t get a yard on fourth-and-inches … in my opinion, you suck. If you can’t push the ball into the end zone from the 1-yard line, you don’t deserve to win.
That’s football. Or, that used to be football.
Bite me, Red Hickey.
Hickey is credited with creating the shotgun formation in football in 1960. I’m sure he was a brilliant human being, but the shotgun formation is really ruining football for me.
I’m an old dude, watched football since I was about 8-years-old. And no, I’m not one who believes everything was better in the 70s. Innovative thinkers create evolution and growth.
Mr. Hickey’s shotgun formation was progress for football. It created a new dimension for both passing and running the football and helped introduce the spread offense. But I wonder if he envisioned his invention eventually becoming the primary formation in football.
I’m an old dude. Did I say that before? I forgot. Anyway, I’m an old dude. When it comes to football, I like fullbacks and tight ends. I like offensive linemen in a three-point stance, and I want to see my quarterback with his hands under the center.
When I see an offense line up in the shotgun on first-and-goal from the 1, an icy chill oozes up my spine. My vision blurs and a tiny blip of drool seeps from the corner of my mouth.
When I share my point of view with young football coaches, they laugh and shake their head in disbelief. I ask why the shotgun all the time and they respond like a parent would answer a child who asked why dogs bark and cats meow.
It’s way too complicated for a guy like me to understand.
Damn you, Red Hickey.
The shotgun formation is great. I just don’t get teams that can’t line up traditionally with a fullback and a tight end and push forward for two yards on third-and-1. Yeah, on third-and-10, get in the shotgun. Dazzle me with your sophisticated crossing routes. Baffle me with your jet sweeps and bubble screens.
But if you can’t get a yard a fourth-on-inches, you suck.
I’ve talked to 300-pound offensive linemen who would rather pass block than run block. What? Seriously?
You’d rather get on your heels and fend off a charging defensive end, playing paddy cake with your hands than put your hand in the dirt, lower your pads, fire off and knock a %$#*&@ on his *&^%#2!?
Really?
I hate you Red Hickey.
Offensive linemen have become fat ballet dancers. Running backs are receivers. Receivers are scat backs. Fullbacks are extinct. Tight ends are too small to block and too slow to play receiver. And the quarterback has become the most important person on the field. That’s what the shotgun has done. Everything revolves around the quarterback and if your quarterback struggles, the offense struggles.
Football used to be the ultimate team game. I liked it.
Now, it’s all about the quarterback and the spread offense and chunking the pigskin around the yard. It’s about hurry-up offenses and pistol sets. The basic center-quarterback exchange now requires an accurate snap from center and a clean catch by the QB before the actual play can even commence.
Should it really be so complicated? So intricate?
Football was never meant to be a dance. It was a manpower sport where players tried to impose their will on their opponents. You’d run the same play over and over until the defense manned up to stop it. Play-action used to mean something.
The sport has evolved, you say. Stop living in the past old man. Those days are gone and they’re not coming back.
And before you ask, no, I don’t miss black-and-white televisions, too.
I like innovation. I love a sophisticated passing attack. Jet sweeps make me giggle with delight.
But if you can’t get a yard on fourth-and-inches … in my opinion, you suck. If you can’t push the ball into the end zone from the 1-yard line, you don’t deserve to win.
That’s football. Or, that used to be football.
Bite me, Red Hickey.
Tuesday, October 1, 2019
An honest mistake?
Almost every day something reminds me just how differently Americans view the world. This might be the only country on the planet where two people can grow up during the same time period and have completely opposite views of the same picture.
It’s weird. But I think it’s kind of cool, too.
I didn’t follow the case closely in Texas of the female police officer who got off work and, accidently, walked into the wrong apartment. I’m sure you heard of it. She was tired and, I guess disoriented a bit. I don’t know. But she walked into a black man’s apartment by mistake and shot him dead. Did I mention he was in his own apartment?
Anyway, she was convicted of murder on Tuesday and the verdict was met with differing opinions. Some thought it was a just decision while others insisted it was some sort of overreaction.
One person said, “It was an honest mistake,” by the police officer.
I’m not sure how to even respond to that. But, again, we all come from different situations. We don’t have the same views because we all have our own sets of eyes.
When I see or hear people rush to the lady’s defense, obviously, they’re seeing something different than what I’m seeing. That’s fine. I’m not mad at them. I don’t share their views because I didn’t grow up in their household. I haven’t walked in their shoes or watched in their eyes.
I guess it’s the old, I see a glass half full and you see it half empty sort of thing.
As for the police officer convicted of murder, I can only offer an opinion based on my own point of view.
If I walked into a white woman’s apartment and shot her twice while she was eating ice cream, there wouldn’t be a murder conviction. The authorities would bring the electric chair to the apartment, unplug the toaster, plug in the chair and I’d be dead before they could get the police tape set up.
I’ll respect your opinion if you respect mine.
It’s weird. But I think it’s kind of cool, too.
I didn’t follow the case closely in Texas of the female police officer who got off work and, accidently, walked into the wrong apartment. I’m sure you heard of it. She was tired and, I guess disoriented a bit. I don’t know. But she walked into a black man’s apartment by mistake and shot him dead. Did I mention he was in his own apartment?
Anyway, she was convicted of murder on Tuesday and the verdict was met with differing opinions. Some thought it was a just decision while others insisted it was some sort of overreaction.
One person said, “It was an honest mistake,” by the police officer.
I’m not sure how to even respond to that. But, again, we all come from different situations. We don’t have the same views because we all have our own sets of eyes.
When I see or hear people rush to the lady’s defense, obviously, they’re seeing something different than what I’m seeing. That’s fine. I’m not mad at them. I don’t share their views because I didn’t grow up in their household. I haven’t walked in their shoes or watched in their eyes.
I guess it’s the old, I see a glass half full and you see it half empty sort of thing.
As for the police officer convicted of murder, I can only offer an opinion based on my own point of view.
If I walked into a white woman’s apartment and shot her twice while she was eating ice cream, there wouldn’t be a murder conviction. The authorities would bring the electric chair to the apartment, unplug the toaster, plug in the chair and I’d be dead before they could get the police tape set up.
I’ll respect your opinion if you respect mine.
Saturday, September 28, 2019
Hogs earn 'moral victory'
I heard more than one Razorback fan say, “I don't want no moral victory,” after Arkansas' 31-27 loss to Texas A&M on Saturday. I have to disagree.
Before I continue, exactly what is a moral victory?
The definition I found said, “a defeat that can be interpreted as a victory on moral terms, for example, the defeated party defended their principles.”
My definition of a moral victory is a loss that could've been a lot worse than it was.
By my definition, Arkansas fans should be pleased with their team's performance on Saturday.
Yes, I was the one back in 2011 who said fans shouldn't be satisfied after Arkansas' 31-26 loss to Ohio State in the Sugar Bowl. That was not a moral victory. It was a devastating, disappointing loss.
The difference? The Razorbacks were 10-2 going into the game with a chance to vault the program into the elite in college football. Arkansas was better than Ohio State that year. Anything less than a victory had to be a disappointment.
Fast forward to Saturday, with the Hogs going 0-for-a couple of seasons in the SEC. The expectations have changed.
Honestly, after the debacle against San Jose State, watching the Razorbacks take the Aggies down to the wire should've made you feel so much better about the program. Yeah, it was a game Arkansas could've won. And, yeah, a win would've given the program such a needed boost.
But, if after watching the game you still don't feel like the Hogs took a step in the right direction, perhaps you should just go ahead and leap off the bandwagon.
I thought the team looked pretty good. The defense actually defended the pass. Or, attempted to. The tackling was … somewhat better … maybe.
At defensive end, Junction City's Jamario Bell had a heck of a game. He lost containment once early but after that, he was rock solid. I thought he played well. I'm so happy for that young man, who has persevered through injuries, position changes and all sorts of stuff. He's finally getting his chance and is making the most of it.
Offensively, Arkansas moved the ball and made some key third-down conversions. Ben Hicks, who replaced an injured Nick Starkel, looked good … really good. He made throws I didn't know he could make. Hell, where's that guy been all season?
Coach Chad Morris asserted after the game that Starkel is still the starter. That's O.K. I think Starkel gives the team the best chance to win. But, Hicks showed he can play in this league, at least on his best day.
Arkansas can feel pretty good about the quarterback position, which is something that couldn't be said a year or two ago.
And, the Razorbacks showed fight. They competed. I know, that's what they're supposed to do. But still, it was good to see on a nationally televised game.
They didn't win and they could've, probably should've.
But, for Razorback fans to turn up their noses at this “moral victory” would be like a starving, homeless person saying no to a Chick-fil-A sandwich. Even if it's not what you want, you'd better take it because there might not be anything better coming your way anytime soon.
Before I continue, exactly what is a moral victory?
The definition I found said, “a defeat that can be interpreted as a victory on moral terms, for example, the defeated party defended their principles.”
My definition of a moral victory is a loss that could've been a lot worse than it was.
By my definition, Arkansas fans should be pleased with their team's performance on Saturday.
Yes, I was the one back in 2011 who said fans shouldn't be satisfied after Arkansas' 31-26 loss to Ohio State in the Sugar Bowl. That was not a moral victory. It was a devastating, disappointing loss.
The difference? The Razorbacks were 10-2 going into the game with a chance to vault the program into the elite in college football. Arkansas was better than Ohio State that year. Anything less than a victory had to be a disappointment.
Fast forward to Saturday, with the Hogs going 0-for-a couple of seasons in the SEC. The expectations have changed.
Honestly, after the debacle against San Jose State, watching the Razorbacks take the Aggies down to the wire should've made you feel so much better about the program. Yeah, it was a game Arkansas could've won. And, yeah, a win would've given the program such a needed boost.
But, if after watching the game you still don't feel like the Hogs took a step in the right direction, perhaps you should just go ahead and leap off the bandwagon.
I thought the team looked pretty good. The defense actually defended the pass. Or, attempted to. The tackling was … somewhat better … maybe.
At defensive end, Junction City's Jamario Bell had a heck of a game. He lost containment once early but after that, he was rock solid. I thought he played well. I'm so happy for that young man, who has persevered through injuries, position changes and all sorts of stuff. He's finally getting his chance and is making the most of it.
Offensively, Arkansas moved the ball and made some key third-down conversions. Ben Hicks, who replaced an injured Nick Starkel, looked good … really good. He made throws I didn't know he could make. Hell, where's that guy been all season?
Coach Chad Morris asserted after the game that Starkel is still the starter. That's O.K. I think Starkel gives the team the best chance to win. But, Hicks showed he can play in this league, at least on his best day.
Arkansas can feel pretty good about the quarterback position, which is something that couldn't be said a year or two ago.
And, the Razorbacks showed fight. They competed. I know, that's what they're supposed to do. But still, it was good to see on a nationally televised game.
They didn't win and they could've, probably should've.
But, for Razorback fans to turn up their noses at this “moral victory” would be like a starving, homeless person saying no to a Chick-fil-A sandwich. Even if it's not what you want, you'd better take it because there might not be anything better coming your way anytime soon.
Monday, September 23, 2019
What's the problem with the Razorbacks?
How damaging was Arkansas’ 31-24 loss to San Jose State on Saturday? A four-star cornerback, who had verbally committed to sign with the Razorbacks, announced he had re-opened his recruiting process and reneged on the commitment.
I don’t believe he said it was a direct result of the Hogs’ embarrassing loss. But he didn’t have to say it.
It’s hard to commit early to a team that’s turning into a joke, especially when you have other, better offers on the table.
Arkansas finds itself in a catch-22. Fire Coach Chad Morris and his staff and risk losing another recruiting class. Or, keep the staff and risk more embarrassing losses, which could also hurt the recruiting class.
A big reason Arkansas’ program is in its current situation isn’t even Morris’ fault. Bret Bielema’s final two recruiting classes were poor. Actually, when he was fired, that class yielded next to nothing.
Teams don’t recover from one awful recruiting class, let alone two. When Morris arrived in Fayetteville, he took over a program bereft of talent. To his credit, last year’s class, on paper, looked really good. On the field, it’s still pretty good with two stud receivers and a lot of promising young talent.
The question is, can Morris run an SEC program that competes on a national level? He’s never done it before. Has he shown us anything, so far, that would make anyone think he can lead Arkansas back to a top-25 level?
Okay, let’s give him a check for recruiting. The Razorbacks had a class ranked close to, if not in the top-25 last season.
But, can he coach?
Not gonna lie, I was horrified in his very first game last year when Arkansas was penalized for having two players on the field wearing the same number. It was on a special teams play, and no one made a big deal out of it because the Hogs won the game.
But seriously? It’s called attention to detail and how can you preach that to players when the coaches don’t realize they have two players on the field wearing the same damn number?
At the high school level, can you imagine that happening to a Scott Reed-coached team?
Honestly, it wasn’t a big deal, but it shocked me and alarmed me, to say the least. Obviously, bigger problems were to come.
I’ve listened to Coach Morris speak to the press and even interviewed him, briefly, face-to-face. To say he’s not very charismatic is a massive understatement. Of course, neither was Bobby Petrino. But, Petrino was an offensive mastermind.
What’s Morris’ calling card as a coach?
I think they need to give him more time to find out. Bailing on another coach, in my opinion, would crush recruiting. Three terrible recruiting classes in four years is damn near equivalent to the death penalty.
As bad as the coaching might be, closing the talent gap in the SEC is the biggest issue in Fayetteville. Arkansas got pushed around by San Jose State. That can’t happen and I’m not sure that’s a problem with Xs and Os or, as Jeff Williams used to say, Jimmys and Joes.
Oh, some changes to the staff have to be made. The tackling and pass coverage were beyond atrocious. How do you overrun every single play?
And, as young and inexperienced as Arkansas’ offensive line is, five guys have to be able to block four. I mean, I’m no math genius but, come on.
I’m not impressed with Coach Morris or this staff. But, a lot of these problems were here when he arrived. Can’t blame everything on him. Frankly, I just know that Arkansas cannot afford to start all over again.
Instead of calling for another coach’s head, it’s time Hog fans took a deep breath and show some patience and support this program. Arkansas has to have a good recruiting class and it’s not going to help lure players to the hill when the entire state is bitching about the coach.
Besides, it has to get better. I mean, it can’t be this bad.
Can it?
I don’t believe he said it was a direct result of the Hogs’ embarrassing loss. But he didn’t have to say it.
It’s hard to commit early to a team that’s turning into a joke, especially when you have other, better offers on the table.
Arkansas finds itself in a catch-22. Fire Coach Chad Morris and his staff and risk losing another recruiting class. Or, keep the staff and risk more embarrassing losses, which could also hurt the recruiting class.
A big reason Arkansas’ program is in its current situation isn’t even Morris’ fault. Bret Bielema’s final two recruiting classes were poor. Actually, when he was fired, that class yielded next to nothing.
Teams don’t recover from one awful recruiting class, let alone two. When Morris arrived in Fayetteville, he took over a program bereft of talent. To his credit, last year’s class, on paper, looked really good. On the field, it’s still pretty good with two stud receivers and a lot of promising young talent.
The question is, can Morris run an SEC program that competes on a national level? He’s never done it before. Has he shown us anything, so far, that would make anyone think he can lead Arkansas back to a top-25 level?
Okay, let’s give him a check for recruiting. The Razorbacks had a class ranked close to, if not in the top-25 last season.
But, can he coach?
Not gonna lie, I was horrified in his very first game last year when Arkansas was penalized for having two players on the field wearing the same number. It was on a special teams play, and no one made a big deal out of it because the Hogs won the game.
But seriously? It’s called attention to detail and how can you preach that to players when the coaches don’t realize they have two players on the field wearing the same damn number?
At the high school level, can you imagine that happening to a Scott Reed-coached team?
Honestly, it wasn’t a big deal, but it shocked me and alarmed me, to say the least. Obviously, bigger problems were to come.
I’ve listened to Coach Morris speak to the press and even interviewed him, briefly, face-to-face. To say he’s not very charismatic is a massive understatement. Of course, neither was Bobby Petrino. But, Petrino was an offensive mastermind.
What’s Morris’ calling card as a coach?
I think they need to give him more time to find out. Bailing on another coach, in my opinion, would crush recruiting. Three terrible recruiting classes in four years is damn near equivalent to the death penalty.
As bad as the coaching might be, closing the talent gap in the SEC is the biggest issue in Fayetteville. Arkansas got pushed around by San Jose State. That can’t happen and I’m not sure that’s a problem with Xs and Os or, as Jeff Williams used to say, Jimmys and Joes.
Oh, some changes to the staff have to be made. The tackling and pass coverage were beyond atrocious. How do you overrun every single play?
And, as young and inexperienced as Arkansas’ offensive line is, five guys have to be able to block four. I mean, I’m no math genius but, come on.
I’m not impressed with Coach Morris or this staff. But, a lot of these problems were here when he arrived. Can’t blame everything on him. Frankly, I just know that Arkansas cannot afford to start all over again.
Instead of calling for another coach’s head, it’s time Hog fans took a deep breath and show some patience and support this program. Arkansas has to have a good recruiting class and it’s not going to help lure players to the hill when the entire state is bitching about the coach.
Besides, it has to get better. I mean, it can’t be this bad.
Can it?
Wednesday, July 24, 2019
I don't mean no harm but ...
When was subtlety invented? How about tactfulness?
I ask because those words didn’t exist when I was growing up. There was no tip-toeing around someone’s feelings or beating around the bush. Opinions or critiques were clear, concise and absolutely unfiltered.
I’ve seen young athletes have terrible games and then watched them get comforted by their parents.
“Oh, Sweetie, don’t worry about those two free throws you missed with one second on the clock. That wasn’t the reason the team lost by one point tonight. You did good.”
“Son, I know you went 0-for-3 at the plate with three strikeouts looking. That wasn’t on you. It was that dadgum umpire’s fault. Let’s go beat him up.”
I do believe a parent should pick a youngster up when they’re down emotionally. There were times as a child I could’ve used a little less honesty myself.
When I got cut from the basketball team in the ninth grade, my dad, thoughtfully, told me, “Boy, you know you can’t play. I don’t know why you keep trying.”
Quite the motivational speaker he was.
But that’s the way all the older people were when I was a kid. Honestly, a lot of the young folks didn’t want their parents around when they played. You think striking out with the bases loaded is depressing during the game, wait for the ride home.
Grandparents were probably the most brutal. When an old lady began a sentence, “Baby, I don’t mean no harm,” you knew some harm was about to come your way.
Old men just laughed at your shortcomings.
“That boy ain’t worth a dime,” was used often to describe a boy who wasn’t around.
“Boy, you ain’t worth a dime,” was used when the boy was standing right there.
Other colorful phrases included, “You ain’t peed a drop.” And, “You ain’t worth the powder it’d take to blow you up.”
Of course, if you excelled at something, you were given that message, too. I guess. I wouldn’t really know about that.
The point is, a world of brutal honesty wasn’t the best when it came to building confidence and self- esteem. But it wasn’t all bad, either. After all, honesty is the best policy.
When a kid strikes out three times, he doesn’t need a kick in the pants. He feels bad enough. He doesn’t need a hug and a cookie, either. He needs encouragement but a little dose of tough love never hurts.
Sugar-coating isn’t healthy. But a little tact sprinkled in with some honest criticism is probably the best way to go.
Of course, how would I know? Apparently, I ain’t peed a drop since I was eight.
I ask because those words didn’t exist when I was growing up. There was no tip-toeing around someone’s feelings or beating around the bush. Opinions or critiques were clear, concise and absolutely unfiltered.
I’ve seen young athletes have terrible games and then watched them get comforted by their parents.
“Oh, Sweetie, don’t worry about those two free throws you missed with one second on the clock. That wasn’t the reason the team lost by one point tonight. You did good.”
“Son, I know you went 0-for-3 at the plate with three strikeouts looking. That wasn’t on you. It was that dadgum umpire’s fault. Let’s go beat him up.”
I do believe a parent should pick a youngster up when they’re down emotionally. There were times as a child I could’ve used a little less honesty myself.
When I got cut from the basketball team in the ninth grade, my dad, thoughtfully, told me, “Boy, you know you can’t play. I don’t know why you keep trying.”
Quite the motivational speaker he was.
But that’s the way all the older people were when I was a kid. Honestly, a lot of the young folks didn’t want their parents around when they played. You think striking out with the bases loaded is depressing during the game, wait for the ride home.
Grandparents were probably the most brutal. When an old lady began a sentence, “Baby, I don’t mean no harm,” you knew some harm was about to come your way.
Old men just laughed at your shortcomings.
“That boy ain’t worth a dime,” was used often to describe a boy who wasn’t around.
“Boy, you ain’t worth a dime,” was used when the boy was standing right there.
Other colorful phrases included, “You ain’t peed a drop.” And, “You ain’t worth the powder it’d take to blow you up.”
Of course, if you excelled at something, you were given that message, too. I guess. I wouldn’t really know about that.
The point is, a world of brutal honesty wasn’t the best when it came to building confidence and self- esteem. But it wasn’t all bad, either. After all, honesty is the best policy.
When a kid strikes out three times, he doesn’t need a kick in the pants. He feels bad enough. He doesn’t need a hug and a cookie, either. He needs encouragement but a little dose of tough love never hurts.
Sugar-coating isn’t healthy. But a little tact sprinkled in with some honest criticism is probably the best way to go.
Of course, how would I know? Apparently, I ain’t peed a drop since I was eight.
Wednesday, July 17, 2019
Worst wrestling match ever?
As a lot of people know, I’m a life-long fan of professional wrestling. That’s not a popular thing to say these days as the WWE product isn’t very good.
But I still watch. Perhaps “glance” would be more accurate.
I do try to support the female wrestlers, though. They’ve been treated poorly by the WWE for far too long. It’s nice to see them get a little bit of positive attention for something other than man-made body parts.
Monday night on RAW, the women had a four-way match between Carmella, Naomi, Natalya and Alexa Bliss, which would decide the No. 1 contender for a championship match against Becky Lynch. The match was horrendous and the fans, being the true wrestling crowd, booed the performers loudly.
That’s not news. Male performers have been heckled, jeered and worse when they’ve failed to entertain the audience. It’s professional wrestling. It happens. Stumble over your words in a promo, you get laughed at. Miss a spot in a match, you get heckled.
That’s the way it goes and since it’s a live show, it happens fairly often.
My issue is with some of the responses I’ve read since the match about how it was so unfair to the women to be treated so badly. They were doing the best they could. Blah.
I love women’s wrestling. I own more than one Alexa Bliss t-shirt. I think she’s wildly entertaining, one of the best female talkers in history.
But that match sucked.
It went on for way too long with nothing happening. How can you have a four-person elimination match with rest holds? The whole point in having four people in a match is there should be non-stop action. Two people go at it in the ring while the other two rest outside of the ring. That’s how it works.
In Monday’s match, which lasted more than 20 minutes, probably 15 of those minutes were rest holds. I haven’t seen that many chin locks since Harley Race retired.
Plus, other than Bliss, the match featured the most bland personalities on the entire show. Some folks like Carmella. I don’t but she does have a fan base, so I’ll leave her out. She was eliminated after about five minutes anyway so most of the boos don’t land on her.
Naomi and Natalya, bless their hearts, are the black holes of charisma. Personality-wise, there just ain’t nothing there. Natalya is supposed to be this great in-ring wrestler. I don’t see it. Naomi is extremely athletic but none of that athleticism translates into fighting moves. She can jump really high and dance - super duper.
It’s amazing they finally give ring time to women and this was the foursome they chose while real wrestlers like Sonya Deville, Ember Moon, Asuka and Kairi Sane sit in the back waiting for an opportunity.
Anyway.
Whoever booked that match should be beaten with a kendo stick. The fans were right. Hell, I was booing at home.
It’s been well documented what Vince McMahon thinks of females in the wrestling business. The WWE won’t be giving the women many opportunities and the one Monday was wasted.
Don’t complain about fans booing. Ask yourself if the booing was warranted. Women will never be treated as well as their male counterparts because a lot of men are just sexist pigs. But some of us want to cheer the ladies because they can be entertaining and put on good matches.
But ya’ll have to give us a reason to cheer. Because if you give us a reason to boo, that’s exactly what we’re going to do.
But I still watch. Perhaps “glance” would be more accurate.
I do try to support the female wrestlers, though. They’ve been treated poorly by the WWE for far too long. It’s nice to see them get a little bit of positive attention for something other than man-made body parts.
Monday night on RAW, the women had a four-way match between Carmella, Naomi, Natalya and Alexa Bliss, which would decide the No. 1 contender for a championship match against Becky Lynch. The match was horrendous and the fans, being the true wrestling crowd, booed the performers loudly.
That’s not news. Male performers have been heckled, jeered and worse when they’ve failed to entertain the audience. It’s professional wrestling. It happens. Stumble over your words in a promo, you get laughed at. Miss a spot in a match, you get heckled.
That’s the way it goes and since it’s a live show, it happens fairly often.
My issue is with some of the responses I’ve read since the match about how it was so unfair to the women to be treated so badly. They were doing the best they could. Blah.
I love women’s wrestling. I own more than one Alexa Bliss t-shirt. I think she’s wildly entertaining, one of the best female talkers in history.
But that match sucked.
It went on for way too long with nothing happening. How can you have a four-person elimination match with rest holds? The whole point in having four people in a match is there should be non-stop action. Two people go at it in the ring while the other two rest outside of the ring. That’s how it works.
In Monday’s match, which lasted more than 20 minutes, probably 15 of those minutes were rest holds. I haven’t seen that many chin locks since Harley Race retired.
Plus, other than Bliss, the match featured the most bland personalities on the entire show. Some folks like Carmella. I don’t but she does have a fan base, so I’ll leave her out. She was eliminated after about five minutes anyway so most of the boos don’t land on her.
Naomi and Natalya, bless their hearts, are the black holes of charisma. Personality-wise, there just ain’t nothing there. Natalya is supposed to be this great in-ring wrestler. I don’t see it. Naomi is extremely athletic but none of that athleticism translates into fighting moves. She can jump really high and dance - super duper.
It’s amazing they finally give ring time to women and this was the foursome they chose while real wrestlers like Sonya Deville, Ember Moon, Asuka and Kairi Sane sit in the back waiting for an opportunity.
Anyway.
Whoever booked that match should be beaten with a kendo stick. The fans were right. Hell, I was booing at home.
It’s been well documented what Vince McMahon thinks of females in the wrestling business. The WWE won’t be giving the women many opportunities and the one Monday was wasted.
Don’t complain about fans booing. Ask yourself if the booing was warranted. Women will never be treated as well as their male counterparts because a lot of men are just sexist pigs. But some of us want to cheer the ladies because they can be entertaining and put on good matches.
But ya’ll have to give us a reason to cheer. Because if you give us a reason to boo, that’s exactly what we’re going to do.
Tuesday, July 9, 2019
Time for the death penalty
I’ve never been a huge advocate for capital punishment especially in cases where there’s even a one-percent chance of executing an innocent person. To me, there’s no greater crime than executing an innocent human being.
But I’m going to be honest with ya’ll, when they catch the fools opening up ice cream in grocery stores, licking the top and then putting them back on the shelf, I say we fry their sorry arses.
How trifling can a human being be?
I guess they’ve caught other folks on camera spitting mouthwash back into the bottle and returning it to the shelf. Now other dumb arses are being copycats and doing the nasty with other sorts of food items.
I know we’re not a third world country but, in my opinion, that’s a third world crime. They should be treated like third world criminals.
I mean, that’s just nasty. Murderers on death row are disgusted by this nonsense.
What we should do is find all these idiots and then locate their parents and bring them in for questioning. If you raise a child that grows up to be that damn disrespectful, you should lose some of your human privileges, too.
I try not to judge but if your child opens up a box of Blue Bell, licks it, giggles and puts it back on the shelf, Sir, Ma’am, you did something wrong.
I saw an old lady in Brookshires eating grapes once. I felt sorry for her and pretended I didn’t see her when she noticed me. At least she was eating them and not putting them back for others to grab. But that was bad enough.
But what these people are doing is a hundred times worse. They’re not hungry. They’re just disrespectful, disgusting bastards.
I’m sorry for the salty language but this really burns my bacon. Speaking of, thank God bacon comes in a sealed package. As it is, I won’t buy any more ice cream that isn’t sealed by plastic. And I love me some Blue Bell Dutch Chocolate.
These fools have changed the way I shop. And, they think it’s funny.
I don’t know what the charge is for what they did but it needs to at least be a felony. It wouldn’t hurt my feelings if it was punishable by death.
Nasty bastards.
But I’m going to be honest with ya’ll, when they catch the fools opening up ice cream in grocery stores, licking the top and then putting them back on the shelf, I say we fry their sorry arses.
How trifling can a human being be?
I guess they’ve caught other folks on camera spitting mouthwash back into the bottle and returning it to the shelf. Now other dumb arses are being copycats and doing the nasty with other sorts of food items.
I know we’re not a third world country but, in my opinion, that’s a third world crime. They should be treated like third world criminals.
I mean, that’s just nasty. Murderers on death row are disgusted by this nonsense.
What we should do is find all these idiots and then locate their parents and bring them in for questioning. If you raise a child that grows up to be that damn disrespectful, you should lose some of your human privileges, too.
I try not to judge but if your child opens up a box of Blue Bell, licks it, giggles and puts it back on the shelf, Sir, Ma’am, you did something wrong.
I saw an old lady in Brookshires eating grapes once. I felt sorry for her and pretended I didn’t see her when she noticed me. At least she was eating them and not putting them back for others to grab. But that was bad enough.
But what these people are doing is a hundred times worse. They’re not hungry. They’re just disrespectful, disgusting bastards.
I’m sorry for the salty language but this really burns my bacon. Speaking of, thank God bacon comes in a sealed package. As it is, I won’t buy any more ice cream that isn’t sealed by plastic. And I love me some Blue Bell Dutch Chocolate.
These fools have changed the way I shop. And, they think it’s funny.
I don’t know what the charge is for what they did but it needs to at least be a felony. It wouldn’t hurt my feelings if it was punishable by death.
Nasty bastards.
Sunday, July 7, 2019
I'll have some tea, please
In one of the least-dramatic, most celebrated sporting events in recent memory, the United States Women’s National Team defeated The Netherlands 2-0 Sunday to claim the World Cup. I’m far from a soccer expert but even I knew the Americans winning was a foregone conclusion.
I still watched it, though. I get very patriotic every three or four years and I support female athletes every day. In fact, I’ve been supporting women and girls in sports for most of my life. It’s a passion of mine.
I’ve heard every negative stereotype one can imagine when it comes to female athletes. They simply can’t win. They’re either too masculine or too big or not attractive or, ask Anna Kournikova about being too beautiful.
So, when the many non-sports fans started seeing the soccer women on their television screens, I knew it wouldn’t be long before they found something to criticize. People complain about the WNBA because they don’t find the women feminine. The LPGA women are foreign and the female tennis players scream too much.
What is the great complaint about our women’s soccer team? That’s right, they’re too damn confident. Or, cocky. Or, arrogant. Whatever word that fits the best is fine. They all, basically, mean the same thing.
I’m not going to get into the Megan Rapinoe stuff. I’ve never been a huge fan of her as a player. It has nothing to do with her political beliefs or her stances on social issues. I just felt she was a bit overrated. Even in this tournament, half of her goals came on penalty kicks.
I’m a Christen Press fan.
But it wasn’t just Rapinoe that had the critics singing. It was the overall team’s attitude. They celebrated after each of the 13 goals scored against helpless Thailand. When criticized about being too joyful in that win, they toned it down with golf claps in the next game. Finally, Alex Morgan felt the wrath of the world when she mimed sipping a cup of tea after scoring the game-winning goal against England.
I find this just so silly and, yes, sexist.
First, no one becomes one of the best in the world in their field without being super confident, perhaps even, dare I saw, arrogant. Confidence is what separates elite athletes from all the others. If you don’t have supreme belief in yourself, you’ll never be as good as you could be.
Second, what the women did was not even close to the arrogance shown by their male counterparts. Shaquille O’Neal has the Superman emblem tattooed on his arm. LeBron James has “The Chosen One” tattooed on his back. Mike Tyson once told an opponent he wanted to eat his children.
Alex Morgan sipped tea. Has no one seen a Conor McGregor press conference?
And no, this isn’t me saying, “If the men can do it, why can’t the women?”
Wrong is wrong. But, none of these people did anything wrong.
O’Neal called himself Superman and then he backed it up. Tyson said he wanted to devour his opponent’s children because, A, he’s a bit insane and B, he meant it.
When Alex Morgan taunted England with the tip sipping gesture, she did it during the game. If her opponents had a problem with it, they would’ve had no trouble finding her.
One of the great things about sports is, no matter what you say, eventually, you’ll have to back it up. I despise this politically correct era which asks athletes to lie or sugar coat their words. If I hear one more loser preaching about sportsmanship …
Remember when the cheerleaders use to chant, “U-G-L-Y, you ain’t got no alibi. You ugly?”
I want those days back. That’s when sports were fun. That’s when athletics was still a game. Play as hard as you can. Talk a little bit of noise, laugh and then do it again.
Now, you have to be careful what you say. Don’t score too much. Don’t act so happy when you win.
Say what you want about the soccer women, they had fun. All the critics around the world didn’t appear to dampen their celebration. And yeah, they’re kind of cocky. They worked their butts off to become the best at what they do. They’ve earned the right to have a little attitude.
If you don’t like to see the best athletes in the world enjoying what they do, watch a movie. Not that the actors are any less arrogant but at least they can pretend to be something they’re not.
I still watched it, though. I get very patriotic every three or four years and I support female athletes every day. In fact, I’ve been supporting women and girls in sports for most of my life. It’s a passion of mine.
I’ve heard every negative stereotype one can imagine when it comes to female athletes. They simply can’t win. They’re either too masculine or too big or not attractive or, ask Anna Kournikova about being too beautiful.
So, when the many non-sports fans started seeing the soccer women on their television screens, I knew it wouldn’t be long before they found something to criticize. People complain about the WNBA because they don’t find the women feminine. The LPGA women are foreign and the female tennis players scream too much.
What is the great complaint about our women’s soccer team? That’s right, they’re too damn confident. Or, cocky. Or, arrogant. Whatever word that fits the best is fine. They all, basically, mean the same thing.
I’m not going to get into the Megan Rapinoe stuff. I’ve never been a huge fan of her as a player. It has nothing to do with her political beliefs or her stances on social issues. I just felt she was a bit overrated. Even in this tournament, half of her goals came on penalty kicks.
I’m a Christen Press fan.
But it wasn’t just Rapinoe that had the critics singing. It was the overall team’s attitude. They celebrated after each of the 13 goals scored against helpless Thailand. When criticized about being too joyful in that win, they toned it down with golf claps in the next game. Finally, Alex Morgan felt the wrath of the world when she mimed sipping a cup of tea after scoring the game-winning goal against England.
I find this just so silly and, yes, sexist.
First, no one becomes one of the best in the world in their field without being super confident, perhaps even, dare I saw, arrogant. Confidence is what separates elite athletes from all the others. If you don’t have supreme belief in yourself, you’ll never be as good as you could be.
Second, what the women did was not even close to the arrogance shown by their male counterparts. Shaquille O’Neal has the Superman emblem tattooed on his arm. LeBron James has “The Chosen One” tattooed on his back. Mike Tyson once told an opponent he wanted to eat his children.
Alex Morgan sipped tea. Has no one seen a Conor McGregor press conference?
And no, this isn’t me saying, “If the men can do it, why can’t the women?”
Wrong is wrong. But, none of these people did anything wrong.
O’Neal called himself Superman and then he backed it up. Tyson said he wanted to devour his opponent’s children because, A, he’s a bit insane and B, he meant it.
When Alex Morgan taunted England with the tip sipping gesture, she did it during the game. If her opponents had a problem with it, they would’ve had no trouble finding her.
One of the great things about sports is, no matter what you say, eventually, you’ll have to back it up. I despise this politically correct era which asks athletes to lie or sugar coat their words. If I hear one more loser preaching about sportsmanship …
Remember when the cheerleaders use to chant, “U-G-L-Y, you ain’t got no alibi. You ugly?”
I want those days back. That’s when sports were fun. That’s when athletics was still a game. Play as hard as you can. Talk a little bit of noise, laugh and then do it again.
Now, you have to be careful what you say. Don’t score too much. Don’t act so happy when you win.
Say what you want about the soccer women, they had fun. All the critics around the world didn’t appear to dampen their celebration. And yeah, they’re kind of cocky. They worked their butts off to become the best at what they do. They’ve earned the right to have a little attitude.
If you don’t like to see the best athletes in the world enjoying what they do, watch a movie. Not that the actors are any less arrogant but at least they can pretend to be something they’re not.
Friday, June 28, 2019
She can make that shot
So, I’m watching a WNBA game tonight. I know, Rick Butler, I’m the one. Anyway, a 6-foot-5 post player floats out to the top of the key. She catches a pass and, routinely, drains a wide-open 3-point shot.
After the shot, the TV color analyst explained proudly, “She can make that shot.”
I’m not even kidding. That’s what she said. “She can make that shot.”
No crap, Carla. (I don’t know that her name is Carla.) We know she can make that shot. We, literally, just saw her do it.
This woman is supposed to be somewhat of an expert on women’s basketball and generally knowledgeable on the sport as a whole. And, that’s what she came up with?
I kept waiting for her to expound on her commentary. Perhaps explain that the player had worked hard to extend her range or point out this was a shot the player wouldn’t have taken or made a year ago. But no, that was it. “She can make that shot.”
Why am I sweating?
I know I sound like an angry, bitter, old man. I won’t deny some of this. I am a man.
And I know you think I’m overreacting. I can’t help it. Incompetence irks me when it comes to basketball. If the only thing you can say after watching a person make a shot is, “She can make that shot,” perhaps you should just be quiet.
This wasn’t the only pearl to pop out of this woman’s pie hole. Earlier in the game, one team grabbed a defensive rebound. The other team had two of its players trip over each other and fall in the backcourt. The offensive team proceeded to push the ball up the floor and score.
This time, the color commentator, being the basketball savant that she is, stated proudly, “That’s what this team can do to you.”
What? Score with a 5-on-3 advantage? That’s what every team can do to you. That’s what most eighth grade teams can do to you.
She really said that. “That’s what this team can do to you.”
Why am I dizzy?
The lady would later explain why she didn’t wear her hair in a ponytail when she played. I can’t tell you exactly what she said because I think I blacked out for a second.
How many people tried out for this job?
Jealous? You’re calling me jealous?
You’re darned right I’m jealous. She’s sucking at a job, probably making close to triple-figures, while I’m at home eating burnt fish sticks on stale bread.
Oh, okay, now she’s explaining why she didn’t wear her hair in a ponytail. She wore it in a bun instead. Meanwhile, the teams are still playing somewhere in the background.
“She can make that shot.” She actually said that out loud, into a microphone.
Seriously, is it hot in here?
The thing is, I’m probably the only person who notices this stuff. Then again, I’ve heard other WNBA fans say they mute the television in order to enjoy the game. I’ve never done that but perhaps it’s something I should consider.
I just don’t understand why they can’t find qualified folks to broadcast the games. The WNBA doesn’t have a lot of fans but the fans it has are loyal. We want to support the league even while our friends mock us. (Bite me, Rick Butler.)
But how can you defend a league whose expert commentary consists of, “She can make that shot,”?
I know I didn’t dream this. She watched a player make a shot and followed it up with, “She can make that shot.”
Really? The shot she just made? You’re telling me she can make that shot?
Ma’am, you are a basketball genius.
Hold on, I think I may be having a stroke … wait … okay, maybe not.
I know I shouldn’t be making myself ill watching a game. I also know I’m not perfect at my job, either. I’m sure there have been times a reader has been left scratching their head at one of my typos.
But we’re not talking about me here. Besides, considering how much money I make, I do a pretty damn good job. Trust me on that.
And, I’m pretty sure any faux pas in my past was not on the level of, “She can make that freaking shot.”
Did I mention the lady had just made the shot and then the commentator explained, “She can make that shot,”?
Lord have mercy.
Where’s my aspirin?
After the shot, the TV color analyst explained proudly, “She can make that shot.”
I’m not even kidding. That’s what she said. “She can make that shot.”
No crap, Carla. (I don’t know that her name is Carla.) We know she can make that shot. We, literally, just saw her do it.
This woman is supposed to be somewhat of an expert on women’s basketball and generally knowledgeable on the sport as a whole. And, that’s what she came up with?
I kept waiting for her to expound on her commentary. Perhaps explain that the player had worked hard to extend her range or point out this was a shot the player wouldn’t have taken or made a year ago. But no, that was it. “She can make that shot.”
Why am I sweating?
I know I sound like an angry, bitter, old man. I won’t deny some of this. I am a man.
And I know you think I’m overreacting. I can’t help it. Incompetence irks me when it comes to basketball. If the only thing you can say after watching a person make a shot is, “She can make that shot,” perhaps you should just be quiet.
This wasn’t the only pearl to pop out of this woman’s pie hole. Earlier in the game, one team grabbed a defensive rebound. The other team had two of its players trip over each other and fall in the backcourt. The offensive team proceeded to push the ball up the floor and score.
This time, the color commentator, being the basketball savant that she is, stated proudly, “That’s what this team can do to you.”
What? Score with a 5-on-3 advantage? That’s what every team can do to you. That’s what most eighth grade teams can do to you.
She really said that. “That’s what this team can do to you.”
Why am I dizzy?
The lady would later explain why she didn’t wear her hair in a ponytail when she played. I can’t tell you exactly what she said because I think I blacked out for a second.
How many people tried out for this job?
Jealous? You’re calling me jealous?
You’re darned right I’m jealous. She’s sucking at a job, probably making close to triple-figures, while I’m at home eating burnt fish sticks on stale bread.
Oh, okay, now she’s explaining why she didn’t wear her hair in a ponytail. She wore it in a bun instead. Meanwhile, the teams are still playing somewhere in the background.
“She can make that shot.” She actually said that out loud, into a microphone.
Seriously, is it hot in here?
The thing is, I’m probably the only person who notices this stuff. Then again, I’ve heard other WNBA fans say they mute the television in order to enjoy the game. I’ve never done that but perhaps it’s something I should consider.
I just don’t understand why they can’t find qualified folks to broadcast the games. The WNBA doesn’t have a lot of fans but the fans it has are loyal. We want to support the league even while our friends mock us. (Bite me, Rick Butler.)
But how can you defend a league whose expert commentary consists of, “She can make that shot,”?
I know I didn’t dream this. She watched a player make a shot and followed it up with, “She can make that shot.”
Really? The shot she just made? You’re telling me she can make that shot?
Ma’am, you are a basketball genius.
Hold on, I think I may be having a stroke … wait … okay, maybe not.
I know I shouldn’t be making myself ill watching a game. I also know I’m not perfect at my job, either. I’m sure there have been times a reader has been left scratching their head at one of my typos.
But we’re not talking about me here. Besides, considering how much money I make, I do a pretty damn good job. Trust me on that.
And, I’m pretty sure any faux pas in my past was not on the level of, “She can make that freaking shot.”
Did I mention the lady had just made the shot and then the commentator explained, “She can make that shot,”?
Lord have mercy.
Where’s my aspirin?
Friday, July 28, 2017
Give 'em the 'Rook Look'
Like many of my readers, my thoughts and prayers recently have featured Mandy Rook-Stephenson, who had surgery this morning. Mandy is one of my favorite former players from Union County.
The daughter of Lynn and Debbie Rook, I met Mandy when she was in, about, the seventh grade. I took my camera to Norphlet to take mug shots of the senior girls basketball team. This little nosy blonde girl walked right up to me and sort of peered over my shoulder at the camera. She looked up at me and asked what I was doing.
I found out later she was the new coach's daughter. That first impression revealed a lot about Mandy Rook. She's not shy. She's not scared of anybody. And, if she wants to know something, she's going to found out.
I liked Mandy from that moment on. Even though she couldn't shoot a lick, I enjoyed watching her enthusiasm on the defensive end of the floor. As a player, she wasn't the most skilled or the most athletic, just a scrappy, hard-nosed kid that no girl wanted to go up against.
As you stare down your toughest opponent today, I know Mandy is going to fire up with the notorious "Rook Look" and figure out a way to come out on top.
The daughter of Lynn and Debbie Rook, I met Mandy when she was in, about, the seventh grade. I took my camera to Norphlet to take mug shots of the senior girls basketball team. This little nosy blonde girl walked right up to me and sort of peered over my shoulder at the camera. She looked up at me and asked what I was doing.
I found out later she was the new coach's daughter. That first impression revealed a lot about Mandy Rook. She's not shy. She's not scared of anybody. And, if she wants to know something, she's going to found out.
I liked Mandy from that moment on. Even though she couldn't shoot a lick, I enjoyed watching her enthusiasm on the defensive end of the floor. As a player, she wasn't the most skilled or the most athletic, just a scrappy, hard-nosed kid that no girl wanted to go up against.
As you stare down your toughest opponent today, I know Mandy is going to fire up with the notorious "Rook Look" and figure out a way to come out on top.
Sunday, January 22, 2017
I will miss Pat Summitt
This college basketball season, there have been several tributes to the late coach Pat Summitt. The legendary women’s coach at Tennessee passed away in 2016 after a career in which she helped put her sport on the map - literally.
Without Summitt, women’s basketball would not have the television exposure it enjoys today. What made her so great was her love for the entire sport. When Geno Auriemma was starting out with a fledging program at Connecticut, it was Summitt and Stanford coach Tara Vanderveer, who took their programs to tiny Storrs so his Huskies, pre-Rebecca Lobo, could get to play on television.
I watched those games during weekday afternoons on ESPN2. You could see how excited the players at Connecticut were to be on television. They wouldn’t have been if Tennessee and Stanford had not made their way to Storrs, when they didn’t need to or have to.
But, Summitt wanted to grow the sport. It wasn’t enough to have two, three or four big programs. She wanted more schools to spend money on women’s basketball. She wanted ESPN to showcase the sport in all parts of the country, not just the Southeast or on the West Coast.
I don’t know how she felt about it but I’ll never forgive ESPN and the East Coach media for acting like Coach Auriemma and Connecticut invented the sport of women’s basketball. Today, ESPN is televising the Huskies against Tulane and after the game, they will bemoan UCONN’s dominance and talk about how much better Auriemma is than all the other coaches in the game.
If ESPN would look back into its own vault, it could find the sport existed before Rebecca Lobo ever stepped foot in Storrs. Summitt and Vanderveer and Leon Barmore and Jody Conradt and Joe Ciampi and Andy Landers and countless others had the game at a high level. And, it was competitive, too, with talent spread throughout the country. I remember when Virginia had Dawn Staley and Tennessee had Daedra Charles and NC State had Andrea Stinson and Stanford had Jennifer Azzi and Auburn had Ruthie Bolton and LA Tech had Venus Lacy and Western Kentucky had Lillie Mason and Texas had Andrea Lloyd and, of course, USC had the great Cheryl Miller.
That’s what built the sport.
I don’t watch much women’s basketball anymore. What’s to watch? All of the talent goes to Connecticut. ESPN would rather showcase the Huskies murdering Tulane than Kelsey Plum at Washington or Katelynn Flaherty at Michigan or, well, you get the picture.
The sport is all about one team, which is only fun for folks who follow that one team.
I will miss Pat Summitt, who was always nice to me when I called her for interviews. She always called me by my name and insisted I call her “Pat.” She didn’t know me and probably had forgotten she talked to me 10 minutes after she hung up the phone. But, I’ll remember each interview forever.
And, I will remember fondly the sport she built.
I miss her. And, I miss women’s basketball.
Without Summitt, women’s basketball would not have the television exposure it enjoys today. What made her so great was her love for the entire sport. When Geno Auriemma was starting out with a fledging program at Connecticut, it was Summitt and Stanford coach Tara Vanderveer, who took their programs to tiny Storrs so his Huskies, pre-Rebecca Lobo, could get to play on television.
I watched those games during weekday afternoons on ESPN2. You could see how excited the players at Connecticut were to be on television. They wouldn’t have been if Tennessee and Stanford had not made their way to Storrs, when they didn’t need to or have to.
But, Summitt wanted to grow the sport. It wasn’t enough to have two, three or four big programs. She wanted more schools to spend money on women’s basketball. She wanted ESPN to showcase the sport in all parts of the country, not just the Southeast or on the West Coast.
I don’t know how she felt about it but I’ll never forgive ESPN and the East Coach media for acting like Coach Auriemma and Connecticut invented the sport of women’s basketball. Today, ESPN is televising the Huskies against Tulane and after the game, they will bemoan UCONN’s dominance and talk about how much better Auriemma is than all the other coaches in the game.
If ESPN would look back into its own vault, it could find the sport existed before Rebecca Lobo ever stepped foot in Storrs. Summitt and Vanderveer and Leon Barmore and Jody Conradt and Joe Ciampi and Andy Landers and countless others had the game at a high level. And, it was competitive, too, with talent spread throughout the country. I remember when Virginia had Dawn Staley and Tennessee had Daedra Charles and NC State had Andrea Stinson and Stanford had Jennifer Azzi and Auburn had Ruthie Bolton and LA Tech had Venus Lacy and Western Kentucky had Lillie Mason and Texas had Andrea Lloyd and, of course, USC had the great Cheryl Miller.
That’s what built the sport.
I don’t watch much women’s basketball anymore. What’s to watch? All of the talent goes to Connecticut. ESPN would rather showcase the Huskies murdering Tulane than Kelsey Plum at Washington or Katelynn Flaherty at Michigan or, well, you get the picture.
The sport is all about one team, which is only fun for folks who follow that one team.
I will miss Pat Summitt, who was always nice to me when I called her for interviews. She always called me by my name and insisted I call her “Pat.” She didn’t know me and probably had forgotten she talked to me 10 minutes after she hung up the phone. But, I’ll remember each interview forever.
And, I will remember fondly the sport she built.
I miss her. And, I miss women’s basketball.
Thursday, October 27, 2016
What a year for the Wildcats
I’ve been around a long time but I’ve never seen anything quite like this.
I’m not sure what’s shocked me more, the number of injured athletes in El Dorado’s football program or the, almost, nonchalant attitude of the coaches, who shake their head, shrug and say, “next man up.”
El Dorado has lost, at least, five players to season-ending injuries. That number could be higher depending on whether a couple who are questionable can make it back on the field in time to play.
But, Kameron Buie, Tomas Howell, Anthony Thomas, Jamerious Junior and L.J. Yarbrough are players who will definitely not be back this season. Seven players have undergone surgeries this season.
El Dorado has played four quarterbacks, including Brennan Claypoole, the senior kicker and punter who was supposed to be the “emergency” quarterback in August. Well, the Wildcats’ “emergency” quarterback has completed 24-of-52 passes for 318 yards.
Of course, Claypoole was injured last week so sophomore Wanya Frazier will likely start at quarterback Friday night against Russellville.
In addition to the four signal callers, El Dorado has used six running backs, 10 offensive linemen and seven cornerbacks this season.
“They’re at the point with the injury situation, they don’t even blink on that,” said El Dorado coach Scott Reed.
Well, that was before Thomas, the team’s senior running back, broke his leg last week. The coach admitted, he’s not sure how the team will respond to the latest broken bone.
“You don’t know about that. That guy is very well liked and an integral part of our team. He comes to work every day,” said Reed. “He’s a kid that, all of our kids would admire the way he works and handles himself. He never says anything negative to anyone. He loves to play. He competes really hard.
“Anthony is a loss for us because he’s a really good player but he’s a better person. He’s never in any trouble. He’s fun to be around.”
Reed was emotional when he knelt down on the field beside Thomas last Friday. A week later, the coach still sounds a tad shaken up.
“I just went by to see him earlier today,” Reed said on Wednesday. “I said, ‘Do you remember when the injury happened?’ He says, ‘yeah, I remember everything about it, Coach.’ Their middle linebacker ran off the field yelling, ‘get him some help.’ I said, ‘I got out there pretty quick and you still had the ball.’ He goes, ’we don’t fumble.’ I know he was proud of that.”
It’s been a difficult 4-4 season in El Dorado. The Wildcats have played back-ups at quarterback, running back, receiver, right tackle, center, left guard, left tackle, nose guard, outside linebacker, both cornerbacks, safety, kicker, punter, holder and kickoff man.
When I suggested the injuries would, at least, build depth for next season as a lot of youngsters who didn’t expect to see the field have seen significant playing time, Reed smiled before reminding me about this year’s seniors. El Dorado’s seniors don’t have next year to look toward.
Reed’s only concern at the moment is squeezing every drop of success out of the 2016 season.
“Honestly, you know it’s been tough and all but I’m real hopeful we’re still going to get some guys well eventually,” he said.
“I think we’re going to be better than expected Friday. It’s going to be tough with the losses we’ve had offensively. And, we’re playing a real good team. But, all I care about is our kids continue to compete like they have.”
Tonight is Senior Night at El Dorado. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Memorial Stadium.
I’m not sure what’s shocked me more, the number of injured athletes in El Dorado’s football program or the, almost, nonchalant attitude of the coaches, who shake their head, shrug and say, “next man up.”
El Dorado has lost, at least, five players to season-ending injuries. That number could be higher depending on whether a couple who are questionable can make it back on the field in time to play.
But, Kameron Buie, Tomas Howell, Anthony Thomas, Jamerious Junior and L.J. Yarbrough are players who will definitely not be back this season. Seven players have undergone surgeries this season.
El Dorado has played four quarterbacks, including Brennan Claypoole, the senior kicker and punter who was supposed to be the “emergency” quarterback in August. Well, the Wildcats’ “emergency” quarterback has completed 24-of-52 passes for 318 yards.
Of course, Claypoole was injured last week so sophomore Wanya Frazier will likely start at quarterback Friday night against Russellville.
In addition to the four signal callers, El Dorado has used six running backs, 10 offensive linemen and seven cornerbacks this season.
“They’re at the point with the injury situation, they don’t even blink on that,” said El Dorado coach Scott Reed.
Well, that was before Thomas, the team’s senior running back, broke his leg last week. The coach admitted, he’s not sure how the team will respond to the latest broken bone.
“You don’t know about that. That guy is very well liked and an integral part of our team. He comes to work every day,” said Reed. “He’s a kid that, all of our kids would admire the way he works and handles himself. He never says anything negative to anyone. He loves to play. He competes really hard.
“Anthony is a loss for us because he’s a really good player but he’s a better person. He’s never in any trouble. He’s fun to be around.”
Reed was emotional when he knelt down on the field beside Thomas last Friday. A week later, the coach still sounds a tad shaken up.
“I just went by to see him earlier today,” Reed said on Wednesday. “I said, ‘Do you remember when the injury happened?’ He says, ‘yeah, I remember everything about it, Coach.’ Their middle linebacker ran off the field yelling, ‘get him some help.’ I said, ‘I got out there pretty quick and you still had the ball.’ He goes, ’we don’t fumble.’ I know he was proud of that.”
It’s been a difficult 4-4 season in El Dorado. The Wildcats have played back-ups at quarterback, running back, receiver, right tackle, center, left guard, left tackle, nose guard, outside linebacker, both cornerbacks, safety, kicker, punter, holder and kickoff man.
When I suggested the injuries would, at least, build depth for next season as a lot of youngsters who didn’t expect to see the field have seen significant playing time, Reed smiled before reminding me about this year’s seniors. El Dorado’s seniors don’t have next year to look toward.
Reed’s only concern at the moment is squeezing every drop of success out of the 2016 season.
“Honestly, you know it’s been tough and all but I’m real hopeful we’re still going to get some guys well eventually,” he said.
“I think we’re going to be better than expected Friday. It’s going to be tough with the losses we’ve had offensively. And, we’re playing a real good team. But, all I care about is our kids continue to compete like they have.”
Tonight is Senior Night at El Dorado. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Memorial Stadium.
Saturday, July 25, 2015
Big-time dreams in a small town
In the middle of the past high school swim season, I sat across from Isabella Gati, a ninth grade phenom, for our first interview. I'd heard about this young athlete, read her dominant results on paper, but it was our first meeting. It didn't take long for her to tell me her aspirations - to compete in the Olympics.
Isabella had it mapped out for a specific year and everything. She wasn't just talking. She had a plan.
I listened intently before I popped the obvious question.
"Can you get to the Olympics from El Dorado?"
Isabella, who was with her mother, glanced at her mom and then looked toward the floor, smiled at me and gave one of those shoulder shrugs. It wasn't really an answer but then again, oh yeah it was.
Isabella will be attending a boarding school in Virginia so she can compete on one of the country's premier swim clubs out of Washington D.C. She's among her peers, girls with similar hopes and dreams. She will be pushed by her coaches and competitors to reach her full potential.
It was an obvious move because, unfortunately, you cannot get to the Olympics from El Dorado. At least, not a straight shot.
I've been here 25 years. So far, El Dorado doesn't appear to be a launching spot to professional or world caliber competition.
No Wildcats in the NFL, NBA, MLB, PGA, LPGA, WTA, ATP, WNBA, MLS ... pick a letter.
Junction City's Kevin Payne made it to the NFL Chicago Bears. Junction City's James Anderson recently signed with the NBA Sacramento Kings. But, why has El Dorado been shut out?
Oh, it got close. Remember Amanda McCurdy? She's probably the best female golfer this state has ever produced. She finished second in the U.S. Amateur and made the cut in the LPGA U.S. Open as an amateur. She was close to getting on the LPGA Tour but never really got the support and backing she needed.
To me, that's the problem. If McCurdy had hailed from a community that backed her career financially, perhaps she would be on the LPGA Tour, wearing a Wildcat hat and teaching the world how to pronounce El-doh-Ray-doh. But, she didn't play football. She played golf and, specifically, she played GIRLS golf.
Football players get plenty of support in this town and I think that's great. El Dorado's Bijhon Jackson, hopefully, will soon end our unprofessional skid as he braces for a big year at Arkansas. He squatted 700 pounds the other night.
I just wish there were big companies in our area who would give that same kind of support to the other athletes. You can't get to the Olympics from El Dorado and it's getting difficult to get to a major college in sports other than football. Most of the kids from this area who earned Division I basketball scholarships - Anderson, Stetson Billings, Whitney Frazier, Savanna Langston, etc. - had to drive to Little Rock so they could play on elite AAU club teams. Courtney Lowe's dream was to playing Division I softball. She made it come true but she had to drive deep into Texas just to practice for her summer travel team. Hell, I remember years ago calling tennis hotshot Irene Jadic on the phone. She was headed to Hot Springs because she needed someone to hit with.
I think it's a shame that local kids with big dreams have to leave South Arkansas as soon as they can if they want those dreams to be realized. I'm not saying El Dorado can build a world class training facility for swimmers. If your child is a swimmer or gymnast or something so specialized as that, yeah, they're probably going to have to move from South Arkansas. But, this area is big enough to be more than it is. When I got here in the early 90s, Mellor Park Tennis Courts hosted the biggest junior tennis tournaments of the summer. Teaching professional Suzanne Phillips had built her local program to a point where the best players from around the state and region flocked to El Dorado because it's where the competition was playing.
Of course, Mellor Park is run by the city. The tennis courts started to crack and weren't repaired and, eventually, Miss Phillips quit and the local tennis scene disappeared. But, it was here and it was huge. I watched it.
There's no reason South Arkansas kids should have to drive to Little Rock to play elite level basketball. That's crap. All it takes is one large corporation to step up. Same for baseball and softball and tennis and track.
It's amazing to me that this part of the state has won all these state championships in all these sports. Yet, we've produced no world class athletes beyond the state level except for Payne and Anderson. It's not the kids' fault. They have the talent and some of them have the desire.
They just can't get out of El Dorado fast enough.
Isabella had it mapped out for a specific year and everything. She wasn't just talking. She had a plan.
I listened intently before I popped the obvious question.
"Can you get to the Olympics from El Dorado?"
Isabella, who was with her mother, glanced at her mom and then looked toward the floor, smiled at me and gave one of those shoulder shrugs. It wasn't really an answer but then again, oh yeah it was.
Isabella will be attending a boarding school in Virginia so she can compete on one of the country's premier swim clubs out of Washington D.C. She's among her peers, girls with similar hopes and dreams. She will be pushed by her coaches and competitors to reach her full potential.
It was an obvious move because, unfortunately, you cannot get to the Olympics from El Dorado. At least, not a straight shot.
I've been here 25 years. So far, El Dorado doesn't appear to be a launching spot to professional or world caliber competition.
No Wildcats in the NFL, NBA, MLB, PGA, LPGA, WTA, ATP, WNBA, MLS ... pick a letter.
Junction City's Kevin Payne made it to the NFL Chicago Bears. Junction City's James Anderson recently signed with the NBA Sacramento Kings. But, why has El Dorado been shut out?
Oh, it got close. Remember Amanda McCurdy? She's probably the best female golfer this state has ever produced. She finished second in the U.S. Amateur and made the cut in the LPGA U.S. Open as an amateur. She was close to getting on the LPGA Tour but never really got the support and backing she needed.
To me, that's the problem. If McCurdy had hailed from a community that backed her career financially, perhaps she would be on the LPGA Tour, wearing a Wildcat hat and teaching the world how to pronounce El-doh-Ray-doh. But, she didn't play football. She played golf and, specifically, she played GIRLS golf.
Football players get plenty of support in this town and I think that's great. El Dorado's Bijhon Jackson, hopefully, will soon end our unprofessional skid as he braces for a big year at Arkansas. He squatted 700 pounds the other night.
I just wish there were big companies in our area who would give that same kind of support to the other athletes. You can't get to the Olympics from El Dorado and it's getting difficult to get to a major college in sports other than football. Most of the kids from this area who earned Division I basketball scholarships - Anderson, Stetson Billings, Whitney Frazier, Savanna Langston, etc. - had to drive to Little Rock so they could play on elite AAU club teams. Courtney Lowe's dream was to playing Division I softball. She made it come true but she had to drive deep into Texas just to practice for her summer travel team. Hell, I remember years ago calling tennis hotshot Irene Jadic on the phone. She was headed to Hot Springs because she needed someone to hit with.
I think it's a shame that local kids with big dreams have to leave South Arkansas as soon as they can if they want those dreams to be realized. I'm not saying El Dorado can build a world class training facility for swimmers. If your child is a swimmer or gymnast or something so specialized as that, yeah, they're probably going to have to move from South Arkansas. But, this area is big enough to be more than it is. When I got here in the early 90s, Mellor Park Tennis Courts hosted the biggest junior tennis tournaments of the summer. Teaching professional Suzanne Phillips had built her local program to a point where the best players from around the state and region flocked to El Dorado because it's where the competition was playing.
Of course, Mellor Park is run by the city. The tennis courts started to crack and weren't repaired and, eventually, Miss Phillips quit and the local tennis scene disappeared. But, it was here and it was huge. I watched it.
There's no reason South Arkansas kids should have to drive to Little Rock to play elite level basketball. That's crap. All it takes is one large corporation to step up. Same for baseball and softball and tennis and track.
It's amazing to me that this part of the state has won all these state championships in all these sports. Yet, we've produced no world class athletes beyond the state level except for Payne and Anderson. It's not the kids' fault. They have the talent and some of them have the desire.
They just can't get out of El Dorado fast enough.
Wednesday, July 8, 2015
Help me out here
I'm confused.
Okay, the quarterback at Florida State, DeAndre Johnson, was kicked off the football team for hitting a female. I get that part. Men are physically stronger and larger and are supposed to be protectors of women. Punching a woman in the face is a criminal offense.
But, but, but, but.
The video shows the woman in this case as the aggressor. She balls up her fist, which he grabs and holds. She then tries to knee him in the groin and finally swings at him with her other hand.
Then, he punched her.
I'm not saying he should've punched her. But, I understand.
My confusion isn't what he did to deserve getting kicked off the football team. I don't understand how she gets away as if she's done nothing wrong.
Two wrongs don't make a right and they damn sure don't when only one of the wrongs is punished.
There are clear-cut consequences for any man who hits a woman. Why are there no repercussions for a female who instigates a fight with a male? Hey, I believe in equal rights for women. I've covered girls sports just the same as boys sports in our local paper for more than 20 years. But, if any woman walks up to me and punches me in the face, I guess I'm going to jail.
If you've got enough testosterone in your body to swing a fist. You should have enough to duck when a fist comes swinging back at you.
To be clear, I'm not advocating violence against women. If a woman hits me and I hit her back, I'm going to jail. I understand that part. But, she should be sitting there with me. I hate to sound like a 5-year-old but, "She started it."
Okay, the quarterback at Florida State, DeAndre Johnson, was kicked off the football team for hitting a female. I get that part. Men are physically stronger and larger and are supposed to be protectors of women. Punching a woman in the face is a criminal offense.
But, but, but, but.
The video shows the woman in this case as the aggressor. She balls up her fist, which he grabs and holds. She then tries to knee him in the groin and finally swings at him with her other hand.
Then, he punched her.
I'm not saying he should've punched her. But, I understand.
My confusion isn't what he did to deserve getting kicked off the football team. I don't understand how she gets away as if she's done nothing wrong.
Two wrongs don't make a right and they damn sure don't when only one of the wrongs is punished.
There are clear-cut consequences for any man who hits a woman. Why are there no repercussions for a female who instigates a fight with a male? Hey, I believe in equal rights for women. I've covered girls sports just the same as boys sports in our local paper for more than 20 years. But, if any woman walks up to me and punches me in the face, I guess I'm going to jail.
If you've got enough testosterone in your body to swing a fist. You should have enough to duck when a fist comes swinging back at you.
To be clear, I'm not advocating violence against women. If a woman hits me and I hit her back, I'm going to jail. I understand that part. But, she should be sitting there with me. I hate to sound like a 5-year-old but, "She started it."
Monday, June 8, 2015
Why Hope Solo still has a job
Who is the No. 2 goalkeeper on the United States Women's National Soccer Team? Whoever she is, she must be feeling pretty low, right now.
Hope Solo has been the U.S. goalkeeper for the past decade. In that time, Solo has established herself, clearly, as one of the best in the world, if not, the very best in the world at her position.
Also during that time, she's established herself as this country's most polarizing female athlete. There are a lot of little girls and grown men walking around wearing Hope Solo soccer jerseys. I won't lie. I priced them online myself.
I like watching the woman play. She's the best goalkeeper I've ever seen. I'll put that into some perspective by acknowledging, I've only watched soccer since about 1999. And, I don't watch men's soccer.
Still,she's very good at her job. But, it's not just her play that keeps my attention. Certainly, her appearance doesn't turn my stomach. Her attitude, though, has always made me smile. She's a bad girl who knows she's a bad girl. She knows she's hated by a large number of people. And, she doesn't care.
I like that.
But, after awhile, the act gets old. Her latest transgression, a charge of domestic violence against her half-sister and nephew, puts her in the same category as Ray Rice and Greg Hardy. Hardy was released by Carolina and picked up by the Cowboys, where he faces a suspension this upcoming NFL season. Rice, who was caught knocking out his then-fiancee on an elevator camera, is currently unemployed after getting dumped by Baltimore.
Hope Solo still faces criminal charges but has not been convicted. Her 30-day suspension earlier in the year was for an unrelated incident involving alcohol and her husband. She is on the roster and will likely start tonight in the U.S. World Cup opener against Australia.
Talking heads on ESPN call it a double standard. They want to know why Hardy is suspended and Rice is unemployed, yet Hope Solo is still proudly wearing the red, white and blue.
I'll answer that with a question. Who is the No. 2 goalkeeper on the U.S. National Team?
I don't know who she is but she ain't Hope Solo. If the United States' roster of players included anyone with comparable skills to Solo, Solo would be So Long. If you think Hope Solo's teammates and coaches like her, you're not really listening when they answer questions about her.
They loathe her. And, they need her ... desperately.
If you think about it, that's the same reason Hardy has a job and Rice doesn't. Hardy can make a difference on the field. Rice is a run-of-the-mill running back, not worth the distractions.
People who want Hope Solo kicked off the U.S. soccer team don't give a damn about the team's success or failure. Get rid of Solo and you flush away Abby Wambach's last chance at a World Cup title.
At this point, even I realize that Hope Solo is crazy. She's nuts. She's a felony waiting to happen. She could explode at any moment. But, she can do one thing better than anybody else in this country. She can keep the ball out of the United States' net.
That's why she has a job. Until someone comes along who does it better, she'll always have a job.
Go USA!
Hope Solo has been the U.S. goalkeeper for the past decade. In that time, Solo has established herself, clearly, as one of the best in the world, if not, the very best in the world at her position.
Also during that time, she's established herself as this country's most polarizing female athlete. There are a lot of little girls and grown men walking around wearing Hope Solo soccer jerseys. I won't lie. I priced them online myself.
I like watching the woman play. She's the best goalkeeper I've ever seen. I'll put that into some perspective by acknowledging, I've only watched soccer since about 1999. And, I don't watch men's soccer.
Still,she's very good at her job. But, it's not just her play that keeps my attention. Certainly, her appearance doesn't turn my stomach. Her attitude, though, has always made me smile. She's a bad girl who knows she's a bad girl. She knows she's hated by a large number of people. And, she doesn't care.
I like that.
But, after awhile, the act gets old. Her latest transgression, a charge of domestic violence against her half-sister and nephew, puts her in the same category as Ray Rice and Greg Hardy. Hardy was released by Carolina and picked up by the Cowboys, where he faces a suspension this upcoming NFL season. Rice, who was caught knocking out his then-fiancee on an elevator camera, is currently unemployed after getting dumped by Baltimore.
Hope Solo still faces criminal charges but has not been convicted. Her 30-day suspension earlier in the year was for an unrelated incident involving alcohol and her husband. She is on the roster and will likely start tonight in the U.S. World Cup opener against Australia.
Talking heads on ESPN call it a double standard. They want to know why Hardy is suspended and Rice is unemployed, yet Hope Solo is still proudly wearing the red, white and blue.
I'll answer that with a question. Who is the No. 2 goalkeeper on the U.S. National Team?
I don't know who she is but she ain't Hope Solo. If the United States' roster of players included anyone with comparable skills to Solo, Solo would be So Long. If you think Hope Solo's teammates and coaches like her, you're not really listening when they answer questions about her.
They loathe her. And, they need her ... desperately.
If you think about it, that's the same reason Hardy has a job and Rice doesn't. Hardy can make a difference on the field. Rice is a run-of-the-mill running back, not worth the distractions.
People who want Hope Solo kicked off the U.S. soccer team don't give a damn about the team's success or failure. Get rid of Solo and you flush away Abby Wambach's last chance at a World Cup title.
At this point, even I realize that Hope Solo is crazy. She's nuts. She's a felony waiting to happen. She could explode at any moment. But, she can do one thing better than anybody else in this country. She can keep the ball out of the United States' net.
That's why she has a job. Until someone comes along who does it better, she'll always have a job.
Go USA!
Wednesday, April 29, 2015
Something to live for
"Yea though I walk through the Valley of Death, I take a look at my life and realize there's nothing left."
This lyric from Coolio's hit song, "Gangster's Paradise," rings clearly in my mind from time to time. As a man who has now entered into his fifth decade, it resonates with me. I can easily imagine what it would be like to see my days on earth coming to an end and not be satisfied with how I lived them.
It's my greatest fear.
Not death.
But, dying without leaving any sort of a mark.
I have no children. It wasn't my plan to never marry or have a family of my own. It just worked out that way. I don't regret it. Other than having no one to name as my next of kin, I'm happy being a bachelor. But, obviously, that is an empty spot on my life's resume.
Early on in my career as a sports writer, I thought I might be making a difference in a few lives. Through my work, I tried to inspire, encourage and/or enlighten. And, truly, I believe I impacted some lives, even if just for a short time.
But, encouraging a girl to play high school basketball is hardly a life-altering accomplishment. I've written about hundreds of youth. But, once they become adults and venture out into their own worlds, my impact on their lives fades into just a distant blip on their screen.
Fifty years old and what have I accomplished? How did I make the world a better place while I was here?
Maybe I can still leave a mark. Perhaps I can still touch someone's life in such a way, they'll be impacted long after I'm gone.
I wake up every day thankful that I'm not yet walking through the Valley of Death. I can still look at my life and know there's still some left.
This lyric from Coolio's hit song, "Gangster's Paradise," rings clearly in my mind from time to time. As a man who has now entered into his fifth decade, it resonates with me. I can easily imagine what it would be like to see my days on earth coming to an end and not be satisfied with how I lived them.
It's my greatest fear.
Not death.
But, dying without leaving any sort of a mark.
I have no children. It wasn't my plan to never marry or have a family of my own. It just worked out that way. I don't regret it. Other than having no one to name as my next of kin, I'm happy being a bachelor. But, obviously, that is an empty spot on my life's resume.
Early on in my career as a sports writer, I thought I might be making a difference in a few lives. Through my work, I tried to inspire, encourage and/or enlighten. And, truly, I believe I impacted some lives, even if just for a short time.
But, encouraging a girl to play high school basketball is hardly a life-altering accomplishment. I've written about hundreds of youth. But, once they become adults and venture out into their own worlds, my impact on their lives fades into just a distant blip on their screen.
Fifty years old and what have I accomplished? How did I make the world a better place while I was here?
Maybe I can still leave a mark. Perhaps I can still touch someone's life in such a way, they'll be impacted long after I'm gone.
I wake up every day thankful that I'm not yet walking through the Valley of Death. I can still look at my life and know there's still some left.
Friday, March 20, 2015
Historic victory for freshman
At the 2015 Arkansas High School Swimming & Diving Championships, El Dorado's Isabella Gati won the state championship in the girls 100-yard butterfly. The freshman dominated the event in a time of 57.70. Russellville's Andrea Bond was a distant second in 1:01.37.
I wrote at the time Gati was "believed" to be El Dorado's first-ever state champion in swimming.
After some research, I feel confident she is the first and only El Dorado girl to win the title. El Dorado sports historian Randy Ross did some research and discovered the name of Bobo Sweeney, who swam for the Wildcats and won the boys state title in the 200 individual medley back in 1965.
Mr. Ross could not find records of an El Dorado girl winning. I've been here since 1991 and I'm almost positive the school hasn't won any swimming state titles in that time.
Basically, congratulations to Miss Gati for accomplishing an historic feat. I'm looking forward to seeing how much more history this young lady can make during her high school career.
I wrote at the time Gati was "believed" to be El Dorado's first-ever state champion in swimming.
After some research, I feel confident she is the first and only El Dorado girl to win the title. El Dorado sports historian Randy Ross did some research and discovered the name of Bobo Sweeney, who swam for the Wildcats and won the boys state title in the 200 individual medley back in 1965.
Mr. Ross could not find records of an El Dorado girl winning. I've been here since 1991 and I'm almost positive the school hasn't won any swimming state titles in that time.
Basically, congratulations to Miss Gati for accomplishing an historic feat. I'm looking forward to seeing how much more history this young lady can make during her high school career.
Monday, March 9, 2015
No good byes in state
El Dorado's basketball teams said goodbye to their seasons Monday. Actually, that's a misnomer. There's no such thing as a good bye.
Well, perhaps in football, a bye isn't the worst thing in the world. Most teams welcome an open date during such a grueling season.
But, in the sport of basketball, teams that are awarded a bye in the state tournament can usually wave bye, bye, bye to their seasons.
First of all, there shouldn't be any byes in a state tournament. It's supposed to the best of the best all playing on equal ground to see who reigns supreme. For that reason alone, byes should be eliminated from the 6A and 7A Basketball State Tournaments in Arkansas.
Here's the other obvious reason, it's a huge disadvantage.
In the 6A Tournament Monday night in Siloam Springs, eight teams took the floor after having a first-round bye. Four of those eight teams were upset.
That included El Dorado's boys, who battled for a good seed all season only to come out flat and fall to Russellville 85-61. The Cyclones, of course, had a state-tournament game under their belt and entered the game on a high. The Wildcats, meanwhile, had the normal jitters of taking the floor for the first time in the big tournament. Throw in the fact they hadn't played in about 10 days due to the weather cancellations and, well, when you think about it, it really wasn't that much of an upset.
Parkview's top-ranked boys also fell victim to the bye, falling to No. 6 seed Pine Bluff 49-48.
On the girls side, top-seeded Little Rock Hall lost to Jonesboro 69-60 and Mountain Home awoke from its bye to find the host Siloam Springs looking down at the Lady Bombers after a 46-26 stunner. Hell, Greenwood was supposed to be a heavy favorite and had to rally from five down in the final minute to beat Benton 55-54.
I'm not trying to sell any of the winners short. That's kind of the point. Having a bye and then playing a poor team isn't a big deal. But, playing a good team that is coming off a win while you've been sitting at home or in a hotel room is simply not a fair fight.
El Dorado girls coach Stephen Harshaw said so before the state tournament. Although the Lady Wildcats fell to Parkview 50-41 Monday, Harshaw felt good about his team's chance because they did not have a bye.
Arkansas Activities Association, are you listening? Having a bye in the state tournament is such a big advantage that nobody wants it.
What are the solutions, you say? There are only 16 schools in Class 6A. Do we let everybody in?
No, we don't.
But, why doesn't Class 6A play two conference tournaments? The four semifinalists in each conference advance to play in an 8-team state tournament. Play the conference tournaments the same week the smaller classes compete in their regional tournaments.
I'm sure there are a million reasons this won't work so I'll sit back and let you throw 'em at me. Hey, I'm just trying to find a solution because one thing is for certain - we need to say goodbye to byes in the state tournament.
Well, perhaps in football, a bye isn't the worst thing in the world. Most teams welcome an open date during such a grueling season.
But, in the sport of basketball, teams that are awarded a bye in the state tournament can usually wave bye, bye, bye to their seasons.
First of all, there shouldn't be any byes in a state tournament. It's supposed to the best of the best all playing on equal ground to see who reigns supreme. For that reason alone, byes should be eliminated from the 6A and 7A Basketball State Tournaments in Arkansas.
Here's the other obvious reason, it's a huge disadvantage.
In the 6A Tournament Monday night in Siloam Springs, eight teams took the floor after having a first-round bye. Four of those eight teams were upset.
That included El Dorado's boys, who battled for a good seed all season only to come out flat and fall to Russellville 85-61. The Cyclones, of course, had a state-tournament game under their belt and entered the game on a high. The Wildcats, meanwhile, had the normal jitters of taking the floor for the first time in the big tournament. Throw in the fact they hadn't played in about 10 days due to the weather cancellations and, well, when you think about it, it really wasn't that much of an upset.
Parkview's top-ranked boys also fell victim to the bye, falling to No. 6 seed Pine Bluff 49-48.
On the girls side, top-seeded Little Rock Hall lost to Jonesboro 69-60 and Mountain Home awoke from its bye to find the host Siloam Springs looking down at the Lady Bombers after a 46-26 stunner. Hell, Greenwood was supposed to be a heavy favorite and had to rally from five down in the final minute to beat Benton 55-54.
I'm not trying to sell any of the winners short. That's kind of the point. Having a bye and then playing a poor team isn't a big deal. But, playing a good team that is coming off a win while you've been sitting at home or in a hotel room is simply not a fair fight.
El Dorado girls coach Stephen Harshaw said so before the state tournament. Although the Lady Wildcats fell to Parkview 50-41 Monday, Harshaw felt good about his team's chance because they did not have a bye.
Arkansas Activities Association, are you listening? Having a bye in the state tournament is such a big advantage that nobody wants it.
What are the solutions, you say? There are only 16 schools in Class 6A. Do we let everybody in?
No, we don't.
But, why doesn't Class 6A play two conference tournaments? The four semifinalists in each conference advance to play in an 8-team state tournament. Play the conference tournaments the same week the smaller classes compete in their regional tournaments.
I'm sure there are a million reasons this won't work so I'll sit back and let you throw 'em at me. Hey, I'm just trying to find a solution because one thing is for certain - we need to say goodbye to byes in the state tournament.
Friday, March 6, 2015
Always play to win ... unless ...
A few days ago, Slick Rick suggested I blog about the Tennessee high school girls basketball teams who were each trying to lose a game in order to get a better draw in a tournament. The story is old enough that most have heard about it so I won't bother to re-post any of the original article. I believe both of the teams and coaches were reprimanded for their actions.
I've read a few opinions, most suggesting the coaches and players should be burned at the stake or, at the very least, be given a stern dressing down. As Herm Edwards says, "you play to win the game." If you're not playing to win, then you're doing something wrong.
My first thought, however, was what a horrible job of bracketing a tournament. When it's more advantageous to lose than it is to win, that's a faulty bracket.
If I had a high school team, my ultimate goal would be to advance to the state tournament and try to win it. If by losing a game earlier in the season, I can somehow get an easier path to the state tournament, I'm not gonna lie, I might consider it.
Hey, in this year's Arkansas 2A Boys Tournament. Junction City and Clarendon, arguably, are the two best teams. The bracket has them meeting up in the semifinals. If either one of them had lost in the regional finals, they would've been on the opposite side of the bracket.
I'm not saying they should've thrown the game. But, if they had, as Chris Rock might say, "I'd understand."
I understand why the Tennessee coaches did what they did. Perhaps their biggest crime was being so blatant. To have kids intentionally miss free throws and shoot at the wrong basket, that really is making a mockery of the game.
If you're going to play, play to win.
On the other hand, if you're going to draw up a bracket, do the damn thing right. Seed the teams properly and this sort of thing won't happen.
I've read a few opinions, most suggesting the coaches and players should be burned at the stake or, at the very least, be given a stern dressing down. As Herm Edwards says, "you play to win the game." If you're not playing to win, then you're doing something wrong.
My first thought, however, was what a horrible job of bracketing a tournament. When it's more advantageous to lose than it is to win, that's a faulty bracket.
If I had a high school team, my ultimate goal would be to advance to the state tournament and try to win it. If by losing a game earlier in the season, I can somehow get an easier path to the state tournament, I'm not gonna lie, I might consider it.
Hey, in this year's Arkansas 2A Boys Tournament. Junction City and Clarendon, arguably, are the two best teams. The bracket has them meeting up in the semifinals. If either one of them had lost in the regional finals, they would've been on the opposite side of the bracket.
I'm not saying they should've thrown the game. But, if they had, as Chris Rock might say, "I'd understand."
I understand why the Tennessee coaches did what they did. Perhaps their biggest crime was being so blatant. To have kids intentionally miss free throws and shoot at the wrong basket, that really is making a mockery of the game.
If you're going to play, play to win.
On the other hand, if you're going to draw up a bracket, do the damn thing right. Seed the teams properly and this sort of thing won't happen.
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