Closing Out

As a signing off for this blog I want to recap some of the event we saw and the thigns we learned. In the beginning I wasn't sure if there would be enough Foul up and arrests to mantain a weekly blog onthe topic. However I quickly learned that there is no shortage of headlines regarding screw ups and bad decisions. The biggest shock was the overwhelming number of Drunk Driving arrests and convictions. There were at least two a week almost guarentee. We saw sex acts, drug deals and prostitution all helping to prove that Professional Athletes can be terrible role-models. Kids these days are looking up to people that don't have proper values themselves.
The most obvious thing i noticed was the overwhelming number of incidents that came out of the NFL. The league is out of control and there doens't seem to be any control or authority of the players. Leagues like the NBA and MLB are taking steps like a dress code and steriod testing to keep players in line. They are forming good images for their respective leagues and setting the precedent of the way things should be done. The NFL needs to take large scale steps to curb behavior not leaving the responsiblity to the individual teams. I think that things will turn around soon as teams like the Minnasota Vikings have taken steps to gain control.

Finally Some Change

After a mess of a season the Minnasota Vikings have finally taken steps to fix the problems. Its a about time a franchise get proactive in attempting to control their reckless players and curb their behavior. The Vikings organization released an announcement that they have compiled a 77 page Code of Conduct and employee handbook. The binders were distributed to all players and employees as a response to the bad press and unruly behavior earlier this season. THe measure is the brainchild of the new owner Zygi Wilfs. He described the document as the "written expression of the class, dignity and integrity that we strive to maintain in our business dealings, and the class, dignity and integrity we expect from our players, coaches and staff." It also clearly identifies consequences
for any violations that may occur. This is a great step and I think that other Franchises shouyld follow in suit. The league needs this kind of structure and to have inappropriate behavior clearly defined.

In the recently quiet NBA Boston Celtics guard Tony Allen was indicted on three counts of aggravated battery. The charges come following a fight turned shoot out outside of a Chicago diner. If convicted he could face finve years in prison.
NBA player JOhny Newman was sentenced to 60 days in jail and fined for Domestic battery. Newmans wife claimed that he grabbed by the throat, threaten to kill her and then dragged her downthe stairs.

TO gets the Boot

It's hard to imagine that anyone could be so unhappy with millions of dollars, Celebritity status, and a dream job. But then again Terrell "T.O." Owens isn't your average person. The man is disfunctional, greedy, arrogant, and an overall disgrace to football. He is absolutely the worst example of a Professional Athlete projecting a horrible image and bad values. He is undeniable one of the most talented wide receivers in the league, but even worse he is a cancer that has now destroyed his relationship with two organizations, the Philadelphia Eagles and the San Francisco Forty-Niners.

He recently got suspended indefinitely from the Eagles for fighting and insulting other players. His refusal to apoligize lead to the suspension, this may seem harsh but it only the latest on a long list of embarrassing and immature behavior. The news has sent ripples through the league as other organizations, that could absolutely use his talent, quickly made statements that they have no interest in him. He is a sad human being that has some serious problems, it is a sad waste of talent. When is he going to realise that enough is enough? SAdly I don't see that happening.

One of the main reasons is TO's agent the snake in the grass Drew Rosenhaus. His aggressive tactics are unethical and vicious, this arrogant prick is causeing headaches all over the league with his "My way or the HIghway" attitude. I think that the actions of TO and Drew Rosenhaus have disrupted the whole NFL and hurt the fans.

Angry Lesbians hit the NFL

The soap opera that is the NFL had an exciting twist this week. Ofcourse it has nothing to do with football or the game, but still very entertaining all the same. Story Two Carolina Panther cheerleaders were arrested following an incident at a bar. Angela Keathley and Renee Thomas got into a fight after other customers got frustrated waiting for them in the bathroom. Witnesses claimed the two were having sex in the restroom stall. You couldn't write this stuff if you tried, further proving that the NFL is the most entertaining institution in the world. Now that you add in some lesbain sex appeal it really has it all. The two were charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. To add a twist Renee Thomas was later charged with giving a false name and possession of a fake ID. The 20 year old could face up to five years in prison if convicted of all the charges. The Panthers fired the two cheerleaders following the sex ordeal. I think that this is great for the NFL, bad for the game if your an old timer, but it adds a new dimension to an already disfunctional NFL.
Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Ugueth Urbina a Venezuelan native, was arrested in Caracas, Venezuela for Attempted murder. He is going to be held in jail until the trial. The 31 year old right hander is accused of joining a group of men in attacking and injuring five workers with machetesand pouring gasoline on them. THe normally innocent MLB finally gets some bad press, and a very bad bit of news.

Cheers!!!

Looks like this week is turning into a really spree maybe its the changing seasons, the full moon, or just because were half way through the football season and players just need to blow of steam with a good old crime or two. Lets start out in Cleveland where the Browns running back Reuben Droughns was arrested for drunk driving. He was sited by a state trooper for speeding and weaving through traffic after a failed field sobriety test and blood-alcohol test he was taken into custody. Similiarly, Chargers Rookie lineman Derreck Robinson was also arrested for drunk driving after crashing into the center median. This occured on nine hours after their win over the Chiefs. I really should be keeping a list of how many athletes are arrested for DUIs a year especially professionals from the NFL. Now we've all heard about the "posse's" and "entourage's" that pros roll let alone the money they have, how can they not seem to avoid drunk driving.
Now I'm not going to pass judgement on the next story but it does seem like a reoccuring theme that is happening. Seattle Seahawks safety Ken Hamlin is out for the remainder of the season due to injuries sustained in a fight out side of a Night Club. Hamlin is healing from a factured skull, a blood clot in the brain and bruises on his brain. It is ashame that a talented players life and career could be indanger because of incidents like this.

God Bless America

In another embarrassing blow to the Unite States, a 2000 Olympic Gold medalist was stripped of the medal this week. Sprinter Jerome Young tested positive for a positive doping test a year before the games. He was a member of the winning US 1,600 meter relay squad in the Sydney games. The International Olmypic Committee revoked the medal after news of a failed drug test the year before made his participation illegal. This brings the never ending flood of embarassing behavior by professional athletes to the international forefront. Once again the USA looks like a greedy, cheating little kid that isn't responsible enough to play with the other kids.

Could things get any worse for the New Orleans Saints, their city is ruined and the have no home to play in? Yes they can. Linebacker Courtney Watson was arrested for drunk driving. The leader of the defense was stopped for erratic driving and open container. He was aggressive and failed a sobriety test, he was arrested and released on a $1000 bond. So how is the franchise going to handle this? Ofcourse by declaring him the starter for sundays game.

Its no doubt that many professionals don't grow up in economically great areas of the country. Many athletes are going right to professional status out of high school or sometimes earlier. They are often just kids that don't have anything and never have. The instant money and fan can be overwhleming and lead to poor decisions and lifestyles. There should be an obligation to these young athletes to teach, guide, and mentor them as they enter professionalism.

Pass the Blunt...I mean ball, to Ricky

The infamous stoner Ricky Williams returns to the football field this week. This full blown hippy is leaving the grass to step on the turf and play football for the Miami Dolphins again. Alright well lets start from the beginning of the story. From the beginning Ricky Williams has been an extremely shy and closed off person, he was diagnosised with Social anxiety disorder early on in his career. He tested positive in several NFL drug tests for marijana. But Just prior to the 2004 season he abrubtly announced his retirement. At only 27 years old and 5 years in the league it was a shock to everyone. Why would one of the best player in the game suddenly retire? But the truth came out in time, It was soon discovered he had failed another drug test and was facing a 4 game suspension. He spent a year studying holistic medicine (aka smoking hash) and becoming a certified yoga instructor. He quickly realized that he owed the dolphins $8.6 million for breaking his contract.

So now after over a year off from the game and a 4 game suspension under his belt how will this dried up hippy perform? Personally I think he is not going to be anything close to what he was in the past. He has been out of the game for too long maybe and I stress maybe that after a few games he might pick up his performance. But that is unlikely because I feel that he has no motivation or drive to be a professional athlete and a star in the NFL. He is an ultimate disgrace as a professional, role-model and celebrity. He is a self proclaim pot-head, washup, quiter and coward. How can anyone who runs into retirement when they have a problem be a inspiration to children and fans?