Week 10: A serious note and then back to the fun stuff.

Familiar face missing at Beaver Stadium

I don't really feel like writing about NFL stars and their ditzy, reality TV wives today.  I know everyone is sick of hearing about Coach Paterno, but I really want to ensure everyone knows the whole story.  My inner desire for truth and justice has been struggling these past few days.

I'll just say one little thing and be done: I understand getting justice for the victims is the most important thing and that is underway.  But only firing Coach Joe and not punishing the other coaches and witnesses is an injustice.  How about I just post some links and if you want to know the truth, you can, and if you want to live in ignorance, you can do that too.

Link to court document of Sandusky grand jury report

Link to ESPN coverage of Penn State scandal

Link to Penn State's news website


Wedding Bells

Mr. and Mrs. Kroy Biermann

Mr. and Mrs. Kroy Biermann.
Courtesy of Tom Briglia/FilmMagic.

Reality television and the National Football League are united in marriage yet again.  On Friday, Atlanta Falcons defensive end Kroy Biermann married Kim Zolciak, of "Real Housewives of Atlanta" fame.  They have one son together, Kroy Jagger Biermann, Jr., who was born on May 31, 2011.  The couple met at a charity auction and instantly clicked... probably because their names both begin with a K.

Biermann was drafted in the fifth round of the 2008 NFL Draft by the Falcons and played college football for the University of Montana.  I don't know how the new Mrs. Biermann earned her reality role, but a couple of years ago she attempted to be a recording artist by releasing a single entitled, "Tardy for the Party."  Maybe we'll see the happy family on their own reality show some day!

Mr. and Mrs. Ochocinco

Chad Ochocinco and fiance Evelyn Lozada are not going to be one of those couples who are engaged for five years.  They hired a wedding planner and have narrowed the date down to... Summer 2012.  OK, so they haven't decided on a date or location, (or anything else yet) but they have taken the next step toward walking down the aisle.  I wonder if the wedding planner knows how to convince Ochocinco to change his name back to Johnson.

Bibs & Burps = Babies

For someone who (unsuccessfully) tried hiding their baby bump with sweatshirts and large handbags, Jessica Simpson sure can't stop talking about it now.  Every tabloid is covered with the future Mrs. Johnson's food cravings, feelings about being a mom, etc.  The important thing is she's doing well and planning on getting married after the baby arrives.  Simpson is engaged to former NFLer Eric Johnson, who played from 2001-2007 for the 49ers and the Saints.

One of my favorite Vikings recently became a dad!  Minnesota's sack leader Jared Allen and his wife Amy brought home a little girl named Brinley Noel.  She arrived on October 29 and her devoted dad missed a couple days of practice to be present at her arrival.

P.S.  If you're watching the Cowboys game today, look for me up in the 400s.  I'll be the one in the pink Cowboys T-shirt!!

Week 9: My pals Suzy & Michele

The woman's role as a NFL reporter

As a journalism major in college, I shirked from any sports reporting because... I was afraid.  My excuse was that I didn't know the lingo, even though the AP manual has a whole section dedicated to it.  Sports reporting was the only type of news writing I wasn't forced to learn and I regret that I didn't force myself.

A scene from "All the President's Men," a film that
inspired me to study journalism.
Courtesy of influence-film.com.

This is unfortunate because sports news seems to be the only genre that is gathered in the traditional way I was taught in college.  Like the good ol' days, sports reporters actually attend the games in the press box, conduct interviews, do "stand-ups" in front of the stadium, and write stories for the "wire."  We still watch football games like we did in 1960 - camera shots accompanied with a commentator for the play-by-play (there are improvements, but you get the idea).

Those old fashioned methods are what I love about journalism - the textbook method of conducting an interview or attending a city council meeting and then informing the reader of something important that could affect their daily life.  The traditional news method that has almost disappeared except when it comes to sports.

Suzy Kolber at the Pro Bowl.
Courtesy of suzykolber.net.

Sports reporting is so traditional, women are still only featured as sideline reporters on all of the major networks.  I don't know if the male viewers pay any attention to these ladies besides their looks, but I most certainly do.  I think it would be exciting to collect bits of news along the sidelines, interview star quarterbacks, and get to be on the field during the games.  I understand it must a tough job being away from family in a different city every week and having to endure hours of hair and makeup while trying to prove yourself as a professional journalist in a man's world.

I'm definitely not a feminist (and I don't believe women should be in the locker room), but female journalists are definitely capable of more than sideline reporting and daytime ESPN variety shows.  I would love to see Suzy Kolber at the desk alongside Mike Tirico commentating during Monday Night Football.  Suzy and the other female sideline reporters like Michele Tafoya, Wendi Nix, and Pam Oliver all have degrees in journalism and years of experience.  Some of their male counterparts have "earned" their TV jobs from just having played the game for a few years.  Just because you played or coached pro football doesn't mean you're qualified to be a commentator - and that means you, Jon Gruden.

Week 8: I'm Tebowing for the Cowboys to win tonight!

Some of my fave Rangers: Murphy & Napoli.
Courtesy of zimbio.com/Christian Petersen.

NFL/MLB

For the past couple of weeks, my life has revolved around one thing: the World Series.  I know this blog is only supposed to be about the NFL, but I have been watching more baseball than football lately.  It was a very exciting time until the big loss on Thursday night.

I made a special celebratory dinner that night and had plans to buy World Series gear after the win.  But even though the Rangers had more than one chance to crush the Cardinals, they just couldn't pull it off.  We knew before it started that St. Louis was going to win Game 7.  I barely watched it.

The second the Cards starting running on the field to celebrate, I turned the TV off and our house was silent.  My husband and I didn't even talk that much until Saturday evening.  Our hearts were broken, but they're slowly on the mend.

The Cardinals are having their celebration parade later today and some of the players attended the Rams game.  Chris Carpenter, the winning pitcher, was part of the coin toss and the crowd cheered like crazy when the players were announced.  I hope the Cardinals enjoy it because they won't be there next year.  It will be our third time in the World Series and you know what they say... the third time's the charm!

Tebowing

Tebowing on top of a golf cart!
Courtesy of tebowing.com.

Tim Tebow is famous for more than being a talented football player.  Even in college, he was proud of his Christian faith and didn't shy away from his beliefs.  (Do you remember the controversial Super Bowl ad featuring Tebow and his mom promoting a pro-life organization?)  Now people seem to be embracing Tebow and his faith with a new web activity called "Tebowing."  It's the new thing after planking and owling.  To participate in Tebowing, you simply need to pose kneeled down in prayer even if everyone around you is doing something totally different.

Tebowing was inspired by Tim himself bowing down in prayer after last week's overtime win against Miami.  After the game, a Broncos fan and his friends posted a picture on Facebook copying Tebow and now there's a Website where you can participate.  Go to www.tebowing.com to view poses, post your own, or buy a T-shirt.

Bibs and Burps

This handsome couple is expecting their first baby!
Courtesy of bossip.com.

My favorite kind of news!  While doing a question-and-answer session at Cedar Hill High School this week, Tony Romo announced that his wife is pregnant!  A student from the school in the south Dallas area had asked if Romo had any kids and Tony first responded no.  The kids responded with a cheer but then Tony explained that Candice is expecting their first child.  The kids cheered again so I'm guessing they were excited about everything he said.  The local Fox news station in Dallas was present and zoomed in on Candice's mid-section but didn't detect a baby bump quite yet.  The two members of the Romo family annoyingly don't tweet, but hopefully I'll have more local news on this soon!

Week 6: So long, Hank

Are you ready for some... controversy?

As most of you know, the iconic Monday Night Football theme song by Hank Williams Jr. is officially part of NFL history.  ESPN and Williams Jr. have both declared the 20-year relationship is over.    

Hank singing his theme live.

The singer is active in the political arena and has contributed to campaigns and appeared at Republican rallies.  On Monday, Oct. 3, Hank Williams Jr. was a guest on the Fox News program, "Fox and Friends."  During the interview he discussed a golf game earlier this year where President Obama and Speaker of the House John Boehner played against Vice President Biden and Ohio Governor John Kasich.  

Williams Jr. compared Obama and Boehner to Adolf Hitler and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.  The singer says the comparison was supposed to compare the incapability of the two sides to work together.  ESPN pulled the song from that evening's telecast and then announced later that week that Williams Jr. and his opener would not be returning.   

On his website Williams Jr. posted, "I have always been very passionate about Politics and Sports and this time it got the Best or Worst of me. The thought of the Leaders of both Parties Jukin and High Fiven on a Golf course, while so many Families are Struggling to get by simply made me Boil over and make a Dumb statement and I am very Sorry if it Offended anyone."

Williams Jr.'s opening act has been a part of Monday Night Football since 1991.  The song was based on Williams Jr.'s 1984 hit, "All My Rowdy Friends are Coming Over Tonight."  The singer won four Emmy awards for the theme songs from 1991 to 1994. 

Hank has a lot of supporters including Kid Rock who wore a shirt the following Monday night that said, "If you don't like Hank Jr., you can kiss my (picture of an ass).  Williams Jr. also recorded a new song entitled, "Keep the Change," which was downloaded 180.000 times in the first two days.  The song includes lyrics like "this country is sure as hell goin' down the drain" and "I'll keep the government out of my business and you can keep the change."

The small little word that Hank should have never uttered is 'Hitler.'  Understandably, our country is sensitive to any comparisons to that evil leader.  Other celebrities have been fired or received negative press after mentioning Hitler.  Megan Fox, who was in the first two Transformers movies, compared director Michael Bay to Hitler in a magazine interview.  She was fired and did not appear in the third movie.  In a newspaper interview, filmmaker Oliver Stone claimed Hitler hurt Russians more than the Jewish people and had to issue an apology.

Here's the deal.  Anyone with a brain knows Hank did not say Obama is like Hitler or acts like Hitler or has done anything like what Hitler did.  He was using a metaphor to explain how the two political parties in our nation's capitol are having a difficult time working together and trying to get anything accomplished for the American people.  They can play golf and pretend to like each other, but it's a waste of time.  Instead of each side digging in their heels and trying to be right, they should work together and get something done.

The problem is that Hank issued a word that can never be forgiven.  And he said it on a nationally televised cable program so it can't be forgotten either.  ESPN had no choice but to pull the song and stop working with him.  You can't be a famous singer and talk about Hitler and the president in the same sentence on national television and then say he's the enemy.  Of course, everyone is entitled to say and believe what they want, but some Americans don't understand metaphors or similes.  ESPN had to protect themselves from all the dumb fans that weren't paying attention in English class.  Hopefully, Faith Hill has no political ties because I would really miss her on Sunday nights.


Two last thoughts... Green Bay and Detroit are the only two 5-0 teams.  I'm glad Detroit is doing well in order to bring some hope to that struggling city.  Like how the Saints were able to do that for New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.  Detroit's baseball team was also doing well until our Rangers beat them last night to make it to the World Series! Go Rangers!! 

Week 5: Happy Birthday to Me!

Ha!  Bet you were expecting my blog yesterday.  I decided to wait until my birthday to publish the latest edition of my fabulous writing (and Google-ing) skills.  What did I do for my birthday, you ask?  I got my hair done and in ten days I'm going home to celebrate in Minneapolis.  In honor of my birthday, you will be reading about the lives of two NFL greats.

RIP Raiders Owner Al Davis

Al Davis circa 1977.
Courtesy of nytimes.com.

The Oakland Raiders are mourning the loss of their long-time owner and manager, Al Davis.  Mr. Davis passed away on Saturday, Oct. 8 in his home in Oakland.  He is survived by his wife, son, and the entire Raiders family and fans across the nation.  To honor his memory, the players wore the word "AL" on their helmets and with a moment of silence before Sunday's game.  The Raiders beat the Houston Texans 25-20.

Davis was born in Massachusetts on July 4, 1929 and was raised in Brooklyn, New York.  He started coaching right after earning a degree in English from Syracuse University and then his first professional coaching position was with the Chargers from 1960-1962.

Davis joined the Raiders in 1962 as the head coach and general manager.  He spent a brief time in 1966 as the AFL Commissioner and then returned to the Raiders as the head of operations.  He eventually owned the majority of the team and helped the Raiders become one of the most successful teams in NFL history.  Davis was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame in 1992.

Read a great article about his legacy from ESPN's website by clicking here.

NFL Star QB Aaron Rodgers

Green Bay's latest star QB.
Courtesy of eduinreview.com.

He won Super Bowl XLV and is doing well so far this season, so it's about time we learned all about him.  Rodgers is the NFL's all-time career leader in passer rating (which means he throws well) and he has the lowest career pass interception percentage for quarterbacks (which means not very many interceptions).

Destiny was a bartender in San Diego
before moving back home to Chico.
Courtesy of Pacific San Diego Magazine.

Aaron was the 24th pick in the first round of the 2005 draft and has played for the Green Bay Packers for his entire NFL career.  He was the backup to Brett Favre until Favre retired (but then was traded to the Jets when he decided to come back).  In college he played two seasons for the University of California Berkeley, known by most as simply Cal.  He wasn't recruited out of high school right away and spent his freshman year at a local junior college.

Rodgers is from Chico, California and is dating a hometown girl named Destiny Newton.  According to her mother in an interview with Radar Online, Rodgers and Newton met at church camp as teenagers and were close friends for years before the relationship became romantic in 2005.  She is currently finishing up a communications degree at California State University Chico.

Destiny's sister, Shawntel, was a contestant on "The Bachelor" with Brad Womack.  Since Shawntel made it all the way to the hometown date before being eliminated, we know the family business is operating a funeral home in Chico.  The Newton family is very close and probably wouldn't mind their daughter marrying a football star as long as they spend the off-season at home in Chico.

Week 4: Boobs & Cheeseheads

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

The NFL supports breast cancer awareness month.
Courtesy of Perry Knotts.

If you watch any football games today, you will notice the color hot pink on some of the players and coaches.  Every year, the NFL shows its support of breast cancer awareness month in October by wearing pink ribbons on helmets and wearing pink equipment.

This year's campaign called, "A Crucial Catch," is being promoted with players using pink towels or wearing pink shoes or gloves.  Coaches will wear special hats and pink ribbons.  Even the officials have pink arm bands and pink lanyards for their whistles.  All the pink apparel worn by players and coaches, as well as special footballs and pink coins, will be auctioned with proceeds going to the American Cancer Society.  You can buy pink items, bid on the auction items, and read more about the campaign at www.nfl.com/pink.
   
The Mane Event

Brady downplaying his new haircut.
Courtesy of Chris Forsberg, ESPN Boston.

Tom Brady cut his hair!  You may remember last season when the Patriots' QB grew his hair long and was compared to Justin Bieber.  (The Biebs has long since cut his hair and caused pre-teen girls to mourn the loss.)  This spring Brady's hair was news again when he was spotted with a ponytail in Brazil with his supermodel wife.  Then last Wednesday, he appeared in a hat for a press conference and there was obviously neat, short hair underneath.  Not like his hair really matters, but I think no man should have long hair (except Troy Polamalu).

Big Ben Has Issues

If you know me and have read this blog, you know I'm not a fan of Ben Roethlisberger.  I would describe him with not-so-nice words that begin with a D and a B.  I have no idea how he convinced someone to marry him.

Case in point: he missed one day of practice this week to deal with an ongoing civil case in which he is a co-defendant.  Ben is accused of raping a former hostess in his hotel room while at a celebrity golf event in 2008.  The victim is asking for almost half a million dollars in damages.  Apparently, the NFL has asked him to settle the case but he maintains his innocence.  He says the case hasn't distracted him from playing football, but I'm sure his team would like any negative press toward the QB to be over.

The cheesehead still lingers.
Courtesy of Wisconsin State Journal.

News of the Weird

If you're driving to Lambeau Field on Highway 41, you'll see a billboard picturing the Grim Reaper discouraging the consumption of cheese due to fat and cholesterol.  On top of his head, there's a faint outline of a foam cheesehead.  The original design featured the cheesehead crowning Mr. Death's head.  When the company who makes the iconic cheeseheads found out, they threatened legal action against the physician group who sponsors the sign.  The cheesehead makers want it to be perfectly clear - they support the cheese industry in Wisconsin and don't want their trademarked products being used to send a negative message.

Personal Note

Now that Blogger tells me how many of you click on my blog, I feel so proud that people are reading this silly thing.  Last year I made my husband create a Google account so I could have at least one follower.  I hate when people do this, but could a few of you comment on the blog and tell me if you think I'm dumb, funny, or brilliant?  Thanks for reading and go Cowboys!

Week 3: Getting into the swing of things

So cute! Her shirt says
Mom's Little Kicker.
Courtesy of Brittany Pigrenet.

Bibs and Burps = Babies

Cowboys kicker David Buehler and his girlfriend Brittany Pigrenet are expecting their first baby!  Little Bryson is due very soon and will hopefully follow in his dad's footsteps.  The couple has been together for two years and was featured on last year's (one and only) season of "Football Wives" on VH1.  

Washington Redskins defensive end Stephen Bowen is expecting his son Stephen III to go home from the hospital this week.  Stephen III was born premature on June 28 and has been in the hospital ever since.  Dad didn't see to see his new son very much because he was traded to Washington and had to leave mom and baby in Dallas until little Stephen was well enough to move.  Bowen is going to play his old team in Dallas this week and hopefully mom, son, and older daughter will be together watching from home!

Wedding Bells

Big Ben gets another ring.
Courtesy of nydailynews.com.

Ben Roethlisberger is another star QB who was married this summer.  In July, he tied the knot with Ashley Harlan in a private ceremony at Christ Church at Grove Farm in Sewickley, Pa.  Security was tight and windows deeply tinted so onlookers with cameras couldn't see any VIP guests.  Even the reception site at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh was booked as a movie production to prevent any groupies from interfering with their big day.  After the wedding, the Pittsburgh Tribune got the scoop and you can read it here. 

Chirp chirp! News from Twitter

Social media enthusiasts across the web were surprised to see this post from Jay Cutler last Monday evening: 'Good luck babe “@KristinCav: Don't forget to vote tonight!!"'  Of course, this was in reference to her debut on DWTS.  Was this just a supportive gesture from a friend or are there still lingering feelings that could be re-ignited?  Personally, I say let her go back to dating surfer dudes in California and Jay should find someone better than a reality star who is struggling for another 15 minutes of fame.    

Mug shot of the week

Poor Cincinnati fans.  Their players are making headlines, but it's not because of touchdowns or charity work.  Wide receiver Jerome Simpson is a little bit of trouble and might not be playing today.  It seems as though he ordered 2.5 lbs. of marijuana from California and when the police followed the trail to his home in Kentucky, there was evidence of a "budding" business.  One of his teammates, Anthony Collins, was there when the police arrived but he is not considered a participant in any way.

You only live once

Chad on the set of 'Blue Mountain State."
Courtesy of sportsofboston.com.

I just can't have a week without including the escapades of Senor Ochocinco.  He had quite a summer riding bulls and driving race cars, and now this week he was on a non-reality, not created-and-named-after-himself television show.  Ochocinco had a guest starring role in Spike TV's "Blue Mountain State," a comedy about a fictional college football team.  I was busy watching CSI last Wednesday, but apparently his acting skills are not that bad.  Maybe that will be the next career move when his football playing days are over.