Bleacher Report - Articles by Neil Melms

Ruben De La Red Collapses on the Pitch

Neil Melms — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 12:32:06 -0400

During a Copa Del Rey match against Real Union, Real Madrid's Ruben De La Red suddenly collapsed without warning while jogging back towards the middle of the pitch.

The game started off to a brisk pace with Real Union finding the back of the net within the first two minutes of play. It wasn't long before Los Blancos responded with a typical Guti style pass releasing Higuain on the right. The Argentine calmly finished, bringing the Whites even at one a piece.

In the 13th minute of play, De La Red took less than six strides before collapsing on his face. Both teams suddenly rushed to his aide and it wasn't long before the medical staff reached Ruben.

His eyes rolled back prior to losing consciousness but reports states that he was awake while he was being carried off the field a few minutes later.

The cause of his collapse points to his blood pressure dropping at a very dangerous level.

He will be kept in a local hospital overnight and will be closely monitored.

The matched resumed shortly with Real Union eventually winning 3-2, with the return leg at the Bernabeu deciding the match in a couple of weeks.

Personally, after Ruben De La Red went down, the match had very little meaning to me. This incident immediately brought back the memories of what happened to an unfortunate passing of Antonio Puerta last year.

All the fear and the sadness that I've experienced witnessing Puerta's collapse came back in waves and I am now asking everyone to keep him in your prayers.

Unsportsmanlike Conduct Rule: Why It's Taking the Fun Out of the NFL

Neil Melms — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 13:01:10 -0400

When Ronnie Brown crossed the end zone against the Chargers last week, many people in the stands were dancing right along with him. The only difference is the fans won't be getting a fine, while Ronnie and his teammates were fined for “choreographed” dancing. I can only imagine the night before the game, Ronnie yelling at his teammates, “Left right jiggle and dip, not left right dip and jiggle.”

I understand that the NFL wants its players to conduct in a positive sportsmanlike manner and there are certain situations where this rule is correctly enforced.

Last season, we saw Reggie Bush taunting a defender on his way to the end-zone.

Then there was Terrell Owen's antics against Dallas a few seasons ago as a 49ers.

Those were rightfully penalized and should be used as an example of actions that puts a negative image on the league.

However it has gone beyond those situations up to the point where it can be labeled it my opinion as lunacy.

Here are a some of the things the NFL looks as an unsportsmanlike conduct.

Only one person can do a “Lambeau leap” and anything more than that results in a penalty or fine.

Posing after a touchdown with your teammates also results in a flag.

And now dancing apparently will cause a sour taste in your opponents mouth and will label you as a poor sport by your peers.

Now these are not all of the acts that will cause you to give up yards and cash but certainly some that takes away the entertainment value of the game.

I can still remember watching Merton Hanks doing the funky chicken after an INT.

Deion Sanders and Michael Irvin high stepping their way to the end zone.

Antonio Freeman and company rushing for a group leap in Green Bay.

Look, all I'm saying is that if you are playing for a team that had a 7-25 record in two years and suddenly you are beating teams like the Pats and the Chargers, then I think you should be allowed to do the Lambada.

Should Robinho Be Allowed To Leave? A Real Madrid Fan's Perspective.

Neil Melms — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 20:16:29 -0400

After watching Robinho and Real Madrid play their first competitive match of the season, my opinion on whether Madrid should give some thought on letting Robinho go has changed a little.

Real Madrid lost to Valencia 3-2 during the first leg of the Spanish Super Cup.

Robinho, who wants to move to a different club after being used as a pawn by Ramon Calderon this summer, was a non-factor in the loss. The excitement, flair, charisma, creativity, and samba skills normally associated with the likes of Robinho was nowhere to be found that night.

It seemed like he was visibly depressed and unattached to the game. Which was somewhat contrasting to what Robinho's coach and teammates have said in recent interviews.

For those of you who have read my comments regarding Robinho and Real Madrid, you know that I'm a strong advocate of keeping Robinho. I am one of his biggest fans and I would love to see him play in Madrid for many years.

After reading all the rumors this summer, I was still hoping that Madrid keep Robinho. But after watching him play a competitive match for the first time this season, I've started to believe that he truly doesn't want to be in Madrid anymore.

After Robben came on for Robinho, the offense came to life which resulted in a goal. Robben's pace down the left wing started the attack, and his cross found his Dutch teammate Ruud to equalize the score at 2-2. Eventually Valencia would take the lead in the 80th minute with a goal by another winger in Vicente.

Normally you can't judge a players performance with one game. But if Robinho's performance is a foreshadow of what to expect this season, this can only lead to heartbreak for the team, the fans, and Robinho.

I would rather see a player of Robinho's caliber play for a different team than watch him play with a weight on his shoulders. This can only hinder what Robinho can really do as I believe we have not really seen all that he has to offer.

Hopefully if he is still a Madrid player by next week's return leg in the Bernabeu, we will see the "Real" Robinho and ease the minds of certain fans like me. If not, I might be looking at a long and arduous season without my favorite player emotionally or physically.

Manny Pacquiao: A Personal Appreciation for A Filipino Boxer

Neil Melms — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 23:00:55 -0400

When you think of famous Filipinos and sports, few can associate those two things together. Even an avid sports fan and writer will have trouble coming up with Filipinos in sports.

Enter Manny Pacquiao, a man who can unite a divided country with every punch and stride.

I first realized that Manny could become the boxer that he is now during the first fight with Juan Manuel Marquez, which resulted in a somewhat controversial draw.

Few people knew how special Manny was prior to that match, although he had fought and beaten another Mexican in Barrera via a TKO.

It was the match with Marquez that brought not only this Filipino but the whole Philippines buzzing with excitement. At that moment, whatever was going on in my life, I felt that everything was alright.

I didn't expect others to understand how we felt at that moment, because I knew that this type of greatness comes once in a lifetime and like myself, he was Filipino.

Had you asked Filipinos around the world who their favorite sports stars were, most names would probably come from the NBA. With Manny's ascension in boxing, many are putting his name at the top of their lists.

Although the match with Marquez ended in a draw, I knew that it was only the beginning. This was the start of something great, and Manny wouldn't let us down.

Manny's success as a boxer have not taken away the fact that he is a great person as well. Outside the ring, Manny has represented Filipinos with the type of class we have also come to admire.

He has not forgotten his roots and has always been kind to the fans who follow him worldwide. With the weight of millions of his countrymen and women on his back, Manny has continued to be the type of athlete many Filipinos have now try to emulate to become the best that they can be.