Bleacher Report - Articles by Kristin Hamlin

Brett Favre: The Saga Continues

Kristin Hamlin — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:44:54 -0500

My response to an article written by a friend of mine, who is a die hard Packer fan. You will have to read his before mine to understand how it started.

A Brett Favre fan's rebuttal:

Well said, Ben. I commend the class and dignity in this article. You spoke your mind without stepping over any line or boundary and you had me intrigued the whole way through.

Allow me, if you will, to share my viewpoints on why I feel the boo’s that were represented on that field were completely and utterly uncalled for.

As a Packer fan, you claim that the Packers are part of your family. You live and breathe them. While I will concede that you guys are some of the most passionate fans I have ever seen I won’t ever understand the fact that you claim they are like family to you.

What kind of family treats someone who dedicated 16 years to you the way you have? What kind of family actually says, "But Brett kept wavering and we couldn’t stand his indecision and lack of commitment to the team and community. We were tired of the stupid interceptions, poor decisions in the playoff games, and growing ego of the past few years."

You grew tired of his stupid interceptions? Did you grow tired of his stupid touchdown throws, too? Did you decide to take a nap when he came within one game of taking your beloved team to the Super Bowl before retiring?

Glad I wasn’t born into this family.

Please, tell me what he did to show a lack of commitment in the community.

Please, help me understand why all of a sudden you were tired of this growing ego, when it was something every one of you bragged about for years.

Please, explain to me why the interceptions and the play-off performances were now all Brett’s doing. Not that I am making an excuse for his poor judgment calls in the pocket. I know how he was careless at times, but it would never make me quit on someone that had given me the moments Brett had.

I couldn't quit on my family.

You all speak of Brett’s constant wavering on retiring and coming back. Yes, we all know about that and I think it is safe to say everyone was a little tired of it. It was pretty back and forth and had to be hard for you guys. I am, in no way, taking that away from you.

Have you ever thought for a moment that the wavering came because he didn’t want to disappoint his fans, his team or himself?

One-hundred percent is the only thing that man knew how to give and his body was telling him different. What did you expect from a man that takes every loss so personally, every win so heartfelt and every game like it's do or die?

The last throw he made for Green Bay was an interception.

Ever wonder if maybe, just maybe, he felt he let down all of you and that was his biggest fear come true? Or were you guys too concerned about the fact he was the one that threw the pass that ruined a championship for you?

Wow, some loyal fans you are.

And here’s something else to nibble at while you are donning the #12 jersey.

The guy that you used to root for, you know the one that has never missed a game, the one that led you to a Super Bowl victory, the one that even to this day describes you guys as the best fans he knows, wanted to play for you all along.

You were, and from where I see it probably even still, where he really wanted to be. You were his home. Had Brett forecast what may have happened by retiring and changing his mind, I can assure you this probably would have never happened. Hindsight is always 20/20 though, isn’t it?

You can’t hold it against Brett Favre for still being the same Brett Favre you all once knew and loved.

The love he has for the game, well it’s still there. The competitiveness he has for the game, it’s still there.

Vikings or Bears, he knew what he was doing. He wants to win. Selfish or not, that’s what he cares and always has cared about. That is what you fell in love with.

He is still indecisive, that’s how he will always be. Nothing has changed on who he is, yet everything has changed on where he is, and that is the difference you refuse to see.

If you actually think his heart is with the Vikings, well, you are either ignorant or naïve. His heart lies within football, which is why this story is still being told. He has captured so many of us with his love for the game and the emotions he brings to each one of them, that though many complain about hearing about Brett over and over, some of us never tire from it.

Have fun booing Brett.

Hope you have a lot of voice left in you, because from the looks of things, might be booing him all the way to his second Super Bowl championship.

As Brett Favre so eloquently put it, “But Packer fans cheer for the Packers first," he said. "I know that. But I hope that everyone in the stadium watching tonight said, 'I sure hate those jokers on the other side, but he does play the way he's always played.'”

He sure as hell does.

The 10 Hottest Chicks in Sports

Kristin Hamlin — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 18:31:40 -0400

Yes, that's right. A chick rating other chicks. It was only a matter of time before this article/slideshow was created; afterall I've been hanging out with guys for too long of a time not to ever have this idea implanted in my brain. So, here it is gentleman. MY vote on who the top 10 sexiest women in sports are. I am also adding sideline reporters/reporters seeing as that is my dream job, and well those women know sports so they on on my list. Please feel free to leave your thoughts on if this at all would be your selection. And, again, remember it is my list and we all have different tastes. Mine just happen to be the best. Don't worry ladies, I will also be creating one on the Top 10 most beautiful men in sports. That list is literally taking me a long time as there is just so much to choose from.

Begin Slideshow

What the Favre is Going On?

Kristin Hamlin — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 19:09:24 -0400

It is perhaps a dream come true and a nightmare at the same time. Those who have followed my articles know my love for the indecisive Brett Favre. Though I am probably in the minority these days on wanting him back, my dedication doesn’t waiver, nor will it ever. Brett has had that much impact on not only the game of football, but the passion I feel towards the game. Those are some big shoes to fill. I don’t think the smile has left my face since I read Favre was hopping on a plane to Minnesota to sign those papers he just can’t seem to let go of. On the other hand, the Minnesota Vikings are the one team I just can’t bring myself to root for. As a woman, we thrive on our emotions, so I am sure you can put together the pieces as to why I feel so strongly about this new development. If you are still confused, you are just going to have to think about it a little harder. Ask your little sister what on earth I could be talking about; she could probably read between the lines. It’s a girl thing. Listen, as far as Favre is concerned, I look at it like this. His legacy is already tarnished due to the debacle made last July between him and the big wigs over in Green Bay. It’s also not like he can have any worse of a season that he did last year; actually he isn’t John Kitna so I take that back/ Let’s be serious for a moment though. Brett actually has the team to take this further than he could have ever taken the Jets or the Packers. He’s got a running-back that can do hurdles over most linemen, without so much as trying. Additionally, both his offense and his defense are a team any quarterback would like surrounding them. He’s got the team to take this all the way folks. Love him or hate him, be prepared for a fun filled football season full of intensity, battles, drama and pride. I’ve got some thinking to do now. Do I cave in and root for the dreaded Vikings who are my nemesis? Only time will tell, but I can tell you one thing; I definitely am looking forward to seeing no.4 play again. Granted, not everyone feels the same way I do about this, but at this point, all you can really do is sit back on the sidelines and watch history happen. You may not agree with Brett or his decisions, but griping isn’t going to get you anywhere. I could mope that my favorite athlete is donning a purple and yellow jersey, team colors that I once thought were very lady like; however, instead, I am going to take the high road and try and make light out of a heavy situation. A die-hard Patriots fan came up to me this morning and said, “I can’t wait for when Brady plays Favre”. I looked right back at him and grinned so big you could practically see the cavity I received when I was 12 years old. I replied back what every woman and some men would all be thinking, “Me too; I get to watch two of the best looking men in football on a field for three hours together, and quite frankly Cody, it just doesn’t get much better than that. Amen.”

Begin Slideshow

A Transplanted Colts Fan on the Chargers: You Stay Classy, San Diego

Kristin Hamlin — Thu, 14 May 2009 14:37:04 -0400

It is no secret that I love the sport of football. I have published several articles about the sport, each one always filled with passion and debate.

Typically, if someone were to ask who my favorite NFL football team was, I would reply, “The Colts.” After all, they are my pride and joy.

I realize I may take some heat for this article, but please note I am a fan of football, not just one football team.

Truth be told, I live in an amazing city that has a great football program. Since I can't afford to fly out to Indianapolis to watch their home games every Sunday, I decided I would begin focusing on a team a little closer to home.

I have lived in San Diego for a while now and have been privileged enough to attend a lot of games. I've witnessed the talent that is Philip Rivers and the magic of LaDainian Tomlinson.

I've also had the advantage of getting to know some of the Chargers on a little more of the personal side. I have attended charity events that have included players such as LT, Rivers, Shawne Merriman, and many more.

Hearing the nonstop negativity regarding athletes in the media, whether it be steroids or poor attitudes, gets old, but watching them interact with complete strangers during charity events and having an opportunity to have one on one time with them has been a very surreal experience.

I'm sure he does not remember, but Tomlinson and I ran into one another on a rainy Friday night here in San Diego. He was with his beautiful wife, and I was by myself trying to catch a taxi. We both hailed for one at the same time, and not so surprisingly, the driver recognized No. 21 over yet another California blonde.

I'm sure LT could see the frustration in my eyes, as I was soaking wet and just wanting to be home. His wife was comfortable and dry under an umbrella, so she didn't so much as even complain when he opened the door and allowed me to get in, wishing me a good night.

He may not have thought much of it, but I was so incredibly grateful—not just because I was inside the dry confines of the cab, but more so because it is comforting to know that athletes like him still exist. Why he was not sporting around a Hummer limo or being chauffeured around town via a personal driver is beyond me, but I'm glad I got to see that side of him.

Aside from the personal take on the Bolts, I also became a fan of the unselfishness they display on and off the field. Simply said, they play together as a team. They check the egos at the door.

Those same egos have hampered other, more talented teams, preventing them from achieving the success that they may otherwise enjoy. When I see the likes of Anquan Boldin demanding a new contract because Larry Fitzgerald is making millions more per year, it makes me question why they are really playing the game.

Then there is Terrell Owens, who is just being Terrell. Speaking of him, does anyone actually care about his new TV show?

Oh, poor Buffalo.

Guys like him allow me to genuinely appreciate the players I spoke about at the beginning of this piece and the swagger they play with. On the field, they are just about as exciting of a team to ever watch, specifically when they're on offense.

Although I am sure the Denver game last September is linked more so for the botched call by referee Ed Hochuli, I really wish it could have been remembered for more important things.

I recall almost 1,000 yards of offense that took place in that game, the Chargers recording about half of those.

Rivers sought out his favorite target, Chris Chambers, who kindly obliged, recording two touchdowns.

RB Darren Sproles was obviously no stranger to the end zone either, tallying up a total of 317 yards, making it the best game of his career. He suddenly was no longer a secret.

I watched every game the Chargers played, agonizing over their lack of defense and as shocked as anyone when they ended up becoming the first team in NFL history to begin the season 4-8, yet still make the playoffs.

I cringed as I watched San Diego beat out my Colts to advance in the AFC playoffs. As excruciating as that was to swallow, I was glad it was them who handed the Colts their season-ending loss versus a less deserving team.

I am pretty certain I was also the lone person that had a Peyton Manning jersey on my back during that game, yet had a Tomlinson jersey hanging in my closet, only to be worn the following week when they took on a fierce defensive Pittsburgh team. The Chargers couldn't quite get on their game that day, and with the lack of defense they had, it was no surprise that the game went down like it did.

Next season though, they will have a healthy Shawne Merriman, who is one man on a mission. With his help and a healthy defense surrounding him, it looks like the Bolts have a decent chance to be contenders for that little thing we call the Super Bowl.

It may be a long road there next year, but maybe it will be the yellow brick road that leads them back to Oz.

They are, after all, the San Diego Chargers.

Why the 1989 San Francisco 49ers Will Always Be My Favorite NFL Team

Kristin Hamlin — Tue, 12 May 2009 12:12:49 -0400

“Turn this Godforsaken game off; I cannot watch anymore!” screamed my father from the couch. “Damn Broncos, they didn't even stand a chance against Joe and the gang. This is just plain embarrassing!” he continued to yell.

As the ringing in my ears subsided, my mind started racing, thinking my Uncle Joe has something to do with my dad's temper and the Broncos' inability to score.

“Hey Dad, who is Joe and the gang?” I asked ever so cautiously, as there was clearly no need to upset the man more than he already was.

He turned to me, and then slowly back to the TV, where he fixed Jerry Rice with an icy glare.

“Joe and the gang,” he spat, “are a bunch of...well, they are a bunch of incredible, out of this world talented football players. I loathe them so much because no team stands a chance against them; they are just that good. This team is a miracle team, Kristin, and they will never be forgotten.”

With that, the iciness melted away, and I saw the admiration not only in my Dad's eyes, but I heard it in his voice too.

I glanced back at the TV and thought that even Jerry looked relieved at this unexpected change in emotions.

We watched the remainder of that game that day, with the final being San Francisco 55, Denver 10. There goes a Super Bowl victory for John Elway.

I was so intrigued that I watched the celebration of these so-called “miracles” on the field. Looking back now, I would give anything to see a team of that caliber play again.

First, Joe Montana had his greatest season ever, throwing for 3,512 yards, 26 touchdowns, and only eight interceptions, giving him what was then the highest single-season QB rating in NFL history—112.4.

Next there was Steve Young, who definitely was not your typical “backup quarterback.” Young threw for 1,001 yards and had eight touchdowns with only three interceptions in 10 games, racking up a QB rating of 120.8, and giving us a definite indication that he would be elite in his own right.

He later proved that as he went on to break Montana's single-season QB rating mark in 1994 (112.8, since broken twice) and set a career mark that still stands (until Peyton Manning retires, that is).

It is not difficult to see why Joe and Steve had such great success, with targets such as Jerry Rice and John Taylor. That year, Rice and Taylor combined for 142 receptions, 2,560 yards, and 27 touchdowns!

Tight end Brent Jones recorded 40 receptions for 500 yards. Fullback Tom Rathman had the finest season of his career, rushing for 305 yards and catching 73 passes for 616 yards.

Running back Roger Craig surpassed 1,000 rushing yards for the third time in his career, with 1,054, and rang up 1,527 total yards to solidify this offense as the best the NFL had ever seen. Craig ran so aggressively, yet somehow always managed to make it look effortless.

What good is a team without a great coach, or, in this situation, coaches?

There was George Seifert, who had won a title the previous year as Bill Walsh's defensive coordinator. He started off the season as a rookie coach and went 14-2; those two losses were by a total of five points.

Then there was Mike Holmgren, in his first year as offensive coordinator, who went on to win a Super Bowl with the Green Bay Packers.

Not to take away from Sherman Lewis (running backs coach) and Ray Rhodes (defensive backs coach), who both were on their journeys to become future NFL head men.

Basically, to keep a long story short:

Having the No. 1-ranked offense that year—$10.5 million.

Having the No. 3-ranked defense, with Pro Bowlers Ronnie Lott, Don Griffin, and Michael Walter—$8.5 million.

Having not one, but five future NFL Hall of Famers playing and coaching on the same team together—priceless.

This team had it all, and on top of all the talent, they also had class. As Joe “Cool” Montana once said, “Winners, I am convinced, imagine their dreams first. They want it with all their heart and expect it to come true. There is, I believe, no other way to live.”

My dad was right; I had literally witnessed a miracle that cold January day.

The 1989 San Francisco 49ers.

Brett Favre: On Second Thought, Maybe Purple Is Your Color

Kristin Hamlin — Wed, 06 May 2009 19:08:09 -0400

You didn't really think he would go away quietly, did you?

Rumor has it that Minnesota has taken interest in Brett Favre’s release from the Jets. Reports indicate that Favre and Vikings head coach Brad Childress are scheduled to meet this week.

Something tells me this meeting isn’t going to be about deer hunting.

Now, before we get ahead of ourselves, none of this has actually been confirmed by either party. However, if I am reading the signs right, my guess is that we should be expecting another “un-retirement” by No. 4 shortly.

Here is why I say this.

After being released from the Jets last week, Favre made this statement: “At this time, I am retired and have no intention on returning to football”

At this time? Those three little words right there say a mouthful.

Suddenly, I am back in July of 2008.

Remember when there were all those “rumors” about Favre wanting to come back and play with the Green Bay Packers, and they were dismissed by his agent?

Bus Cook’s exact response was, “As far as I know, right now, Brett Favre is retired, and until he tells me something different that’s what it is.”

Let’s just for fun say that my intuition is correct and Favre ends up signing with the Vikings. He would play his former team twice in the regular season. Coincidence?

It really is no secret that the only reason he would sign with the Vikes is to smear it in Ted Thompson’s face.

“Part of me coming back last year, I have to admit now, was sticking it to Ted,” says Favre. No offense Brett, but I don’t think that was much of a secret.

I don’t believe Thompson really felt the effect of Brett “sticking it to him” last season, considering both teams failed to even make it to the playoffs and Brett didn’t exactly perform how many thought he would.

It's safe to assume Favre is still hungry for revenge.

The question is, will it even be worth it? Does Brett even have the strength or the mobility to play in the NFL?

On top of that, let’s not forget that he was rated No. 21 last season. Sure, it’s still the Brett Favre who has thrown 88 touchdown passes in four years, but it’s also the same Brett Favre who in those four years also threw 84 interceptions.

So is Brett really the answer the Vikings are looking for?

My mind could be easily swayed though, as I am a huge fan of Brett Favre. I know it seems as if I am ragging on him, but I am just trying to be realistic here.

I know how bad he has been the past couple years, but I also know he probably has more passion, hunger, and competitiveness than any other QB out there. He is still the toughest competitor I have ever seen play the game.

Last year, he signed with a below average Jets team. NY fans and teammates were hoping he would be the answer they needed to take them to the playoffs.

Brett had a lot of weight on his shoulders.

This time around, it’s a little bit of a different situation. The Vikings have Adrian Peterson, who is the best running back in the league, and along with that they have the No. 1 best run defense. They went 10-6 last year and were good contenders going into the playoffs. They aren't exactly looking for a miracle here.

The weight is suddenly lifted.

I mean, it’s not like Brett can really go down any worse than he already has, right?

Clearly, I am torn about this whole "rumor." On one hand, I would like to see Brett sign with GB so he can retire a Packer. On the other hand, I would love to see him go out the way he deserves.

Love him or hate him, if he does come back, at least you will have something to look forward to on Sundays, because I am sure any sports fan will be glued to their TVs come Green Bay/Minnesota time.

Let the games begin.

***Update - Apparently, a close source to the Viking's has told reports that Favre made a call to Childress to let him know he wanted to stay retired. Again, this has not been confirmed by either party. I suddenly am having de-ja-vu

Remembering an Angel: The Nick Adenhart Story

Kristin Hamlin — Tue, 05 May 2009 19:08:20 -0400

It’s no secret that I’m not a huge baseball fan.

I can’t watch a game of baseball on TV to save my life, unless it’s the World Series and involves the Chicago Cubs. So basically I have never actually watched an entire baseball game. Sad, really.

I am, however, a fan of courage and dignity. I’m a fan of heroes.

I’m a fan of Nick Adenhart.

In high school, Nick had been projected as a top 10 draft pick, when as luck would have it, he injured his elbow just two weeks prior to the 2004 MLB draft which required him to have Tommy John surgery, dropping him to the 413th overall pick in the 14th round.

Some might see this as an incredible defeat. Not Nick Adenhart

He continued to play his heart out and a hungry Anaheim team noticed. They decided to take a chance on him.

He made his major league debut as the starting pitcher on May 1, 2008.

Sadly, he would only get to see the bright lights of Angel Stadium shining upon him for one more year.

No doubt you’ve heard the story by now. On April 9th, Nick and three of his friends were driving home when their car was struck by a drunk driver. Three of them died, including Nick. He fought for his life, but another miracle just wasn’t in the cards for him.

Just hours before he had pitched his best game, with his father sitting in the stands rooting him on.

“He summoned his father the day before and he said, ‘You better come here because something special’s gonna happen,’” said Scott Boras, Adenhart’s agent.

I guess if I were to look at the bright side of this tragedy, it would be that father and son had the perfect good-bye.

“To, I think, focus on his loss is not what we need to do here today, we need to focus on who Nick was and his achievement”, Boras said. “His parents really want to communicate to everyone that it’s a very difficult moment, but it’s also a very special moment because Nick was most accomplished in his life’s goal was to be a major league baseball player and he certainly achieved that standard”.

The following day, Adenhart’s father walked onto the field in the empty stadium and spent several moments alone on the pitcher’s mound. Wearing a red sweatshirt, the Angels’ color, he briefly covered his eyes with one hand.

He missed him.

It’s been nearly a month since that fatal day where 3 innocent lives were taken, but Nick Adenhart’s memory still lives on.

Every game the Angels play, there sits Adenhart’s jersey, hanging in the locker room or in the dug-out as if he's with the team.

“He’s just like all of us”, Ken Higdon, Angels’ clubhouse manager says. “He travels with us everywhere we go.”

Hidgon continues to say, “You look at him and he’s a pretty special dude. He had his stuff together and he worked hard. He was unbelievable. Just a really good kid”

There was a small memorial held for Nick and I remember seeing a picture of a baseball with something scribbled on it. As I read the inscription, I got chills. Written on the baseball was, “One more Angel."

Nick, you left as an Angel and now you will forever remain an Angel.

Coincidence? I don't think so.

You are now those bright lights shining down on your teammates in the stadium.

The spotlight is all yours.

Shine.

Jay Cutler: Football's New Cry Baby

Kristin Hamlin — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 18:42:12 -0400

To trade Jay Cutler, or to not trade him, that is the question.

One would think that Bowlen would just want to trade him and get rid of the emotional baggage Cutler has brought to the team. It’s evident that Jay and new coach Josh McDaniel’s don’t exactly get along. Logical thing to do is get rid of the person causing such hype, right?

On the flip-side though, Cutler is also entering the prime of his career, which says a lot considering the NFL is lacking quality QB’s lately.

Teams are going to want him and the Broncos need him.

While it’s safe to say that Jay is definitely no Tom Brady, it also needs to be noted that he has been playing with one of the worst defenses in the league for the past two years. Not too much you can do when given that kind of challenge.

Here’s my issue though. What the hell happened to the game of football? When did this whining become something that even crosses an athlete’s mind? (Hey T.O. are you listening?).

Honestly, Cutler should be ashamed of himself. To me, a player loses so much face and respect by acting like a four year old child that just got his favorite toy taken away by his not so favorite Uncle.

Jay Cutler definitely fits into the category of mice and not men.

We all have jobs in which not every day is perfect. More than likely, we all have days where our boss infuriates us or we really despise our job.

I am sure we have all been through a fellow co-worker getting laid off, right?

We all have our own way of handling it.

But this is football.

The same sport where 300 lb men tackle men half their size and you look like a sissy if you don’t get up immediately afterword. This is a game where you will do anything to make a catch, regardless of the results. Video

This is a game where courage is everything and a man’s reputation is valued. A game where leadership is welcomed and quitting is not.

In football, respect is everything.

Take a look At Brett Favre. Bet that name alone sends a bad taste in some of your mouths. I can also bet that that taste wasn’t there with the majority of Brett haters until that infamous March day where he announced he wanted to come back out of retirement.

Ah and the drama began

Some of us took thought that took away from Brett’s character. Some of us rallied behind him. I think it’s safe to assume that most of us lost at least a little respect for the guy.

Even me, Mrs. Brett Favre.

16 seasons of playing his heart out and he tainted his legacy by a decision based on selfishness.

Listen, I love Brett and I know he is just a really competitive guy who played with his heart. I know what a heck of a guy he is. However, he made a bad judgement call which cost him.

I'm just pointing out what football is all about and what we expect from the players who play the game.

We expect leadership. We expect respect. We expect men.

And quite frankly we’re not getting it from certain players.

I don’t know Jay’s salary. I do know, however, that he gets paid more than 99% of us reading this article and he is still finding something to gripe about while most of us are trying to meet ends meet due to the economy.

Go to another team then Jay. I heard Detroit is looking for a QB. They did so swell last year I am sure you would fit in great with them.

I would love to see Jay’s reaction in Motor City.

The grass isn’t always greener on the other side Cutler. Take what little respect you have left and play your damn heart out.

This is football for crying out loud.

You’re being the world’s worst cheerleader Jay.

Jay…OR Julie...which one do you want to be?

You tell me

So Shanahan got fired and you feel cheated because of it. You are calling your own boss out, telling the public of a private conversation that you and Pat Bowlen had.

Are you seriously whining about this? Are you seriously calling out your own people?

You are your team’s leader. They look up to you. They admire you. They want to win for you.

Try winning for them back. Try thinking of them rather than just yourself.

Try being part of a team again.

Try playing football.

Otherwise I heard Dr. Phil is taking guests on Monday.

My 2009 MVP of the Year

Kristin Hamlin — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 13:10:38 -0500

I knew I was going to write about this, I just didn’t know when or how the words would come out.

Last night though, the burden inside of me shaped into words and just like that, my article was complete.

I’ll admit, this is going to be a bit different than any of my other articles; it will be more personal and perhaps it will allow you to see the more vulnerable side of me.

I am going to write about a person that has changed my life, a person who I watched play the game, and in my eyes played it better than anyone else I have ever known.

I was first introduced to this man at the tender age of four. I didn’t know too much about him, but from what I had heard, he was a great guy and I would forever be a changed person having him in my life.

To say they were right would be quite the understatement.

Imagine right now the bravest person you have ever met, and times that by ten. Are you seeing that person?

I am.

During the next 25 years, I saw a fair share of the ups and downs that life’s journey brings. It seemed I would always turn towards this man when I needed advice; it first was advice about sports but turned out I was asking advice about everything in my life.

As time went by, I began to let my guard down more and more. And as I became older, I began to understand him and what he was all about.

He wasn’t about failure. He wasn’t about dishonesty. He was comfortable in his own skin, which I think is the hardest thing to be.

When a challenge came his way, he didn’t cower over and let his teammates take the task. He would be the first one to stand up for what he believed in, even if it meant putting himself in harm’s way.

He would do anything for his team.

In his heart, he always did the right thing. In his head, he always did the smart thing.

I came to him one day with a sobbing face and told him I was thinking about giving up my dream to be the next Erin Andrews, if you will. I had let my super thin skin get ruptured by the nasty remarks coming from men I had never even met.

Football, I was told, is a man’s sport; I would be crazy to think I could go into their territory and gasp, get a job. They would always know more than me and I could never really understand the game, as I never had played it.

I can’t possibly begin to understand what goes through a players mind when they are about to win one of the most prestigious awards out there.

I can’t begin to imagine the workload my body would take on to make it to the NFL.

I can’t do any of those things.

I can do more.

While I will concede that I will never understand all the formulas that go into football, as the players know, I don’t think that it is completely necessary when it comes to working on the sidelines. Sure I don’t understand the pain one feels to have a torn ACL while still trying to play the last quarter of a game, but I sure can interview them in a more unique way than you are accustomed to seeing.

I can add a little sensitivity to the sport while interviewing these guys, instead of the common “Hey, great game. Tell me about the drug addiction a year ago”.

I can prove that women do know what they’re doing on the sidelines, instead of asking a coach “Wow, so how ya feeling Coach” after they just lost the game 45-3.

I can be completely unbiased, because I haven’t played the game. Every interview would be a learning experience. A chance to see and hear what I am missing by not playing in the NFL. I can make it a real conversation.

I can give passion so great you would think I did play.

I know I can do it, because I’ve done it before.

This is such a different attitude from the battered ego I had a year ago. It seems that some of the best advice you receive in life, is from someone whom you would least expect it.

Hence the reason for this article.

I am dedicating this article to the man that I have the utmost respect for. A man that was my inspiration for chasing my dreams and not letting anyone tell me “You’re a woman, you can’t do this.”

As a side note, the men that were telling me this were also the men that have so little confidence they are still calling their mom’s to make sure their outfit looks okay.

You know who you are.

My Dad came into my life when my biological father ran out. He adopted me 2 years later and from that moment on, he would get to see the perks and the headaches that having a 4 year old daughter would provide.

We were my Dad’s teammates, and His team came before anything else.

He made me promise him last year that I would follow my dreams. When I left his side this past New Year’s Day, I looked him in the eyes and whispered to him that I was going to be okay. I knew my future had amazing things in store, and I owed a lot of that to him.

He smiled a rare smile. I saw in his eyes how proud he was, and I only hope he saw the same look in return.

He died two days later.

I think he held on long enough for me to say those words to him. It was just like him to make sure I would be okay before he left.

So thank you, Dad, for your encouragement through the years. I will never experience envy the way I do now, when I see daughters with their Dad’s laughing and talking. Walking down the aisle will be a great thing for me in the future, but there will always be the white elephant in the room, unless I do something about it.

As Randy Pausch has once said, "It's time I introduce the elephant"

My Dad, Richard C. Hamlin was a man you would want to know. He would be the first to help someone with a flat tire on the side of the road and be the last person to judge someone. He was absolutely hilarious and had the most contagious laugh that you couldn't help but laugh with him.

Dad, you have played this game better than anyone else I know.

The game of life.

In loving memory of Richard C. Hamlin.

August 18^th 1948 - January 3^rd 2009.

You are missed more than you will ever know.

Kurt Warner vs. Ben Roethlisberger: Who Deserves It More?

Kristin Hamlin — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 14:19:22 -0500

I love the Super Bowl. The commercials and all of the hype surrounding them are half the fun.

And don’t forget those halftime shows in which one never knows what to expect—will Janet Jackson ever live that one down?

Every year is the same. Every year I can count on knowing who I am going to root for, and who I’d like to see sink faster than the Titanic.

Every year but this.

“The Pittsburgh Steelers and the Arizona Cardinals” sounds a bit off, doesn’t it? Whomever those lucky souls were that bet on these two teams playing in the Super Bowl are raking in the money from the the odds of that happening right about now.

We’re talking about the Arizona Cardinals first Super Bowl appearance in franchise history!

The last time I witnessed any kind of success with the Cardinals was when Ron Tidwell was playing for them, and Jerry was screaming, "Show me the money!"

I am torn between two quarterbacks who have my utmost respect.

I want to dislike Ben Roethlisberger, but how do you not like a man that after losing the 2005 AFC Championship game, convinced veteran running back Jerome Bettis to delay retirement, promising him that he would get Bettis his first Super Bowl ring?

The next season, Pittsburgh won the Super Bowl.

Then there is Kurt Warner. I thought his days as a starting quarterback were over in 2005. I remember watching him play in St. Louis, his passes nearly perfect on every throw. I can still see his face after he won the Super Bowl in 2000.

This is the same Kurt Warner, that six years prior, was released from the Green Bay Packers before he could even play his first game, and to make ends meet ended up working the night shift as a stock boy.

Surely no one thought he was going to have two NFL comeback stories, alerting the Hall of Fame of his name.

How can you not root for Warner?

Then again, Roethlisberger has gone through his share of letdowns too. After becoming the youngest player ever to win a Super Bowl, he was in a serious motorcycle crash in 2006 that almost took his life.

Although he seemed to make a full recovery, his performance during the 2006 season was nothing above mediocre.

Many questions arose surrounding Roethlisberger entering the 2007 season. Some critics went as far as saying Roethlisberger was a “has been.”

Apparently they must have have overlooked the fact that this man was only 25 years old. Regardless, Big Ben fought his way through the criticism and is now standing on top.

Both players have a Super Bowl under their belt.

Both players have had comeback stories.

Both players stayed out of the limelight when it comes to their personal life, which if you ask me, speaks volumes of their characters.

Both seem rather selfless on and off the field. I mean, it’s not every day you hear of an NFL player giving his only Super Bowl ring to his dad as a gift for Father’s Day.

It’s also not a common theme to be a star quarterback, get traded twice and having to sit on the bench as a backup, never complaining once.

I think the best athletes are those that live by the motto, “Actions speak louder than words.”

However, there is nothing better than having a true leader on a team.

A leader that knows how to respect his teammates and hold them together when they need it the most.

A leader that answers questions with integrity and speaks to the media not about themselves but about their teammates and the team they play for.

After being asked if he thought it was strange he was going to the Super Bowl with the Cardinals instead of the Rams, Kurt humbly replied, “It’s not strange at all. This is my team now.”

When Ben Roethlisberger was told that his team were not favorites to make it to the Super Bowl, Ben shrugged it off by saying, “We know everybody is against us and all we have is each other. That’s what makes this team so strong.”

True leadership on both sides is evident.

Who deserves it more?

I think I have to go with Kurt.

What can I say? I am a sucker for comeback stories such as his. If a player of his caliber can go out on top and have a Cinderella story, I will gladly applaud his victory.

Plus, Ben is still still young.

However the cards fall on Sunday, one thing is certain—it will be the best hand of poker you have seen in awhile.

No pun intended, of course.

Tony Mandarich: Setting the Record Straight

Kristin Hamlin — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 11:22:17 -0500

March 23, 2009, is going to be a very iconic day for Tony Mandarich. Not only does it coincide with his 20th anniversary of being the No. 2 NFL draft pick, but it will also mark the release of his tell-all book, My Dirty Little Secrets.

Tony was kind enough to send me an advanced copy, and I must admit—there are some really juicy secrets in it. It is a book in which honesty takes over, and you can tell that his main goal is to reach out to those who have been in similar situations.

I had asked to meet with Tony to interview him and he kindly obliged.

I am glad he gave me the opportunity. After all the nasty things I had written about him in a previous article, he was still willing to share his point of view.

As I sat down, I noticed he looked so tired. That’s when it hit me that this man had already been through numerous interviews—including Inside the NFL—continuously discussing his life struggles as well as the truths, fears, failures, and battles that he endured during his football career and throughout his life.

Yet, here he was giving some online blogger—whom he had never even heard of—a chance to hear what he had to say.

Before now, I had judged him. I had committed the cardinal sin—judging a book by its cover.

Sure, it’s pretty easy to judge someone when you have never walked in their shoes. It’s pretty easy to be disappointed in someone that fails us, when we had expected so much more out of him or her. It’s so easy to write an article—bashing a player—knowing that we're not the ones who have to worry about reading it, or worse, worrying that our children will read it—wondering if they too will believe what it says.

It's so easy to sit on the sidelines and blend in with all the others, isn't it?

I would like to say this experience has made me look at the full story, rather than just what the media hypes things up to be.

I would like to think that this has made me a better writer.

As I said earlier, Tony looked beat. Tired as he may have been, he still gave me two full hours of uninterrupted talk. He held back little and answered each question as if hearing them for the first time.

I started off with light question in an effort to express that I was truly interested in getting to know him as a person. Getting a great article is a good thing, but it is not the most important thing to me. I genuinely wanted to hear his side of the story.

Tony, why this tell all book now?

Honestly, I tried to come out with a book about 10 years ago and no one was really biting. I took it as a sign and thought that maybe this wasn’t a good idea. About five years went by and I got inspired to write again, but I was having no luck with the "big wigs" at the publishing companies.

That’s when my editor, Sharon Shaw Elrod, decided to just let me tell my story and she would write everything down and create a book from my words. I will try and get the word out there as much as possible, but even if one person reads it and it helps them, I’ve done my job.

A lot of people don’t know about why you truly were the No. 2 NFL draft bust and the real reasoning behind it. I think it’s a safe assumption that readers of your book will be shocked and maybe a little bit more understanding of what you went through.

You can only hear rumors for so long, before you want the truth out. I didn’t write this book to change my fans or anyone’s mind about me. I didn’t write this book for money. I wrote it to help people. I’ve already had a few people call me in response to the book, thanking me, and that makes all the difference in the world.

I think it’s safe to say that the fans of football will definitely have a lot of their questions answered as to why you played the way you did in GB.

I think so too. But again, I wrote this to help people. Everything else will just be a bonus.

A lot of people always connect you with steroids and add that as to why you failed to produce in the NFL.

That’s the thing. I didn’t touch steroids in the NFL. I did them at MSU, and I explain all that in the book, but the problem wasn’t steroid use. The problem was I was addicted to painkillers and alcohol.

Describe your addiction so my readers can get a better understanding as to how brutal this really was.

In April of 1989, I went from my first injection of painkillers to five or six a day within a week. That continued every day for the next three years... On top of that, I was taking another painkiller called Fiorinal No. 3. I was taking up to 60-80 pills a day! I literally only showered once every five to six days, because showering was that much of an effort.

My wife at the time was also an addict and we would get high together. We had a daughter together and were high for the first four years of her life. There was a moment, a look in her eyes one night, when I knew I had to get help. I entered rehab four months later.

Wow! It’s so great that you sought help before it was too late. Have you ever had a drink or a drug again?

I will be 14 years sober on March 23, 2009. Not a touch of alcohol, nothing.

That is a great accomplishment! Congratulations. Have you ever reached out to any players who are playing now that you feel are in a situation similar to yours?

I have reached out to “Pacman” Jones. I have also received calls from college players in Texas and Illinois who are a wreck, and I have given them advice and helped them out as much as I could. Like I said earlier, if it helps one person get sober, then it was worth it.

A lot of people don’t realize you ended up coming back to play football after you had been sober for two and a half years, and that you actually played pretty well.

That’s where I like the whole story thing. I understand I am believed to be the No. 2 draft bust, and I didn’t play up to the expectations at GB. I don’t think anyone could have measured up to the hype that was built up for me. A lot of that was my fault and my attitude back then.

However, in Indy, what most people don’t know, is that my first year back, I received the second most votes for the Comeback Player of the Year Award, right behind Jerome Bettis. I also received the Comeback Player of the Year Award from the Colts, which to be honest, is still is one of the only awards I cherish and am incredibly proud of.

That is pretty awesome. Have you ever wanted to become involved in football again, like coaching?

No. Coaches work very long hours and work harder than most will ever know. I have found my calling in photography. I still love football and watching it, but I am where I am supposed to be.

Are there any players now that remind you of yourself?

Hmmmm. I would say Kerry Collins. He struggled early on too, and has always seemed to have a good attitude about things. I like the way he carries himself in interviews and on the field.

Who is the toughest player you personally have ever played against?

Most would probably think I am going to say Reggie White. Truth is, Howie Long is probably the toughest player I have played against, with Reggie in close second.

Is there anyone you really admire in the NFL?

Peyton Manning is a pretty good guy. He is as competitive of a player that I have ever seen.

What is your opinion on Ryan Leaf, seeing how is always the No. 1 biggest draft bust?

Grateful. (laughs). At least someone finally came before me!

In your book, you talk about losing your brother to cancer while you were high.
How are you with it now?

Well I didn’t really deal with the aftermath until I was sober, which made it very difficult. My brother is the one that taught me the game of football and was my mentor throughout my life growing up.

You talk about your brother a lot in the book, so I won’t give too much away. I would like to know though, when is the last time you saw a raven?

About two days ago, on the hood of my car. (You need to read his book to understand the meaning behind this question)

Is there one incident that really stands out to you, when you came back to play football and you were actually sober?

Yes. I remember my first game with the Colts, there we were listening to the National Anthem and I was absolutely moved hearing it. I actually had goosebumps. When I was high all the time, I never was able to enjoy things like that like that or really care about anything.

Being in that moment, back in a football uniform, knowing I came back and achieved my goals, was one of the most surreal moments in my life.

Alright, Tony. Let’s play a game called word association. I say a name of someone, and you give me ONE word as to what your thoughts are.

Tony: (rolls eyes). OK

Jim Irsay: Heart of Gold

Mike Holmgren: Walrus

Brett Favre: Tough

Lance Armstrong: Perseverance

Jose Canseco: Asshole (we both chuckle)

Well said. Is there anything you would like to say to conclude this article?

Just that I encourage writers who are writing a story on an athlete, to do all your homework and not just the “kicking them when they’re down” method. It is an incomplete story to say I failed in GB and didn’t amount into anything, because of my comeback to Indianapolis. It is also an incomplete story if you were only to write about my comeback and not talk about my past in GB.

Thank you Tony, for taking the time to meet with you. I sincerely appreciate it.

My pleasure. Looking forward on reading the article.

Tony Mandarich didn’t become the greatest NFL Offensive Lineman. He played poorly in GB and almost lost his life to the addiction of painkillers. He set aside his pride and admitted himself into rehab to face one of the longest journeys of his life. He came back to play in the NFL, completely sober, therefore completely vulnerable to the critics and the discouraging words said about his return.

I can only imagine having to face scrutiny without being able to go home and have a drink to cover up the hurt, even if it were just a glass of wine. He was making amends with his biggest critic and that’s what was important. He was making amends with himself.

He wanted to come back into the NFL, make a name for himself, and not go out as the “guy who screwed it all up.” I think it’s safe to say he did that.

As Indianapolis Colts owner, Jim Irsay said, “There are many aspects of Tony’s story that will interest you. Most of us can only dream of being so blessed with such physical skills and dominance to play the game of football at such a high level as Tony did.”

Maybe the lesson here is to not just focus on the fact that Tony Mandarich failed to deliver a blockbuster performance in Green Bay. Maybe we should all focus on the fact that this man's life was saved because he didn’t take the easy way out. He fought his way through an addiction, and here he is—14 years sober—enjoying his family and his life.

As I walked out of his office, I passed by his wife who was sitting at another desk. I thought to myself about how beautiful she was and how happy they both had seemed with one another. I had spoken with her briefly before the interview and listened to her rave about her husband and their four children.

Seems to me that she thought she had it all in him. I am venturing to guess that her opinion matters more than what anyone else thinks of him.

You can see how she feels about him in her eyes.

She believes in him.

***To pre-order “My Dirty Little Secrets – Steroids, Alcohol and God – The Tony Mandarich Story,” visit www.tonymandarich.com.

The Wedding Vows of Football

Kristin Hamlin — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 18:01:18 -0500

I had an opportunity to attend a wedding this weekend. It wasn’t my first, and I am sure it won’t be my last. I am sure everyone reading this has been to a wedding or will be at one sometime in the near future.

Weddings sure are pretty amazing, aren’t they? The passion, the love, the laughter, and the tears all flow together into one single event. Much like something else I know.

It was a wonderful day.

I really got filled with all kinds of emotions when the bride and groom said their vows to one another. I then realized what I had to do. And as God as my witness, right there in the Church, I made him a promise. That night, I would go home and write my own vows to the love of my life.

Football.

As soon as I picked up that pen and paper, the words started flowing again. It was hard not to feel like Cinderella.

Here are my vows:

I, Kristin, take you, NFL football, to always spend Sundays with. I will always cancel brunches with girlfriends and continue making excuses to my Aunt Mae as to why I can’t help her with her tomato garden.

I promise never to cheat on you, but will live by my theory “look but cannot touch." Therefore, if you happen to have a game on a Saturday night, I might choose to watch a college football game over you. Get over it. You remember what it was like in college.

Plus, that way, I get to see what good things might be coming your way. Consider it “only wanting the best for you”.

I promise to accept 80 percent of you. I have tried to accept the other 20 percent, but quite frankly, those other parts really have ticked me off. They’re so cocky and arrogant, always doing a dance after they’ve scored. You know what I am talking about. You better work on that.

I promise to never scream at you, unless you really mess up. The same mistakes get old, ya know. I don’t like too much holding and would appreciate it if you stayed on your side preferably 100 percent of the time.

If you continue to repeat these mistakes, it’s safe to say that I will continue to scream and yell and possibly throw a sharp object. And I am not talking about a raggedy little flag either.

I promise to be there for you, through sickness and in health. I prefer to be healthy, to be honest with you, and if I do get sick, I just may dump your ass for a boyfriend, but until then, you can count on me!

I promise to always compliment you, unless you rub me the wrong way. I prefer this to happen rarely, please. I am a real sweet little thing that will butter you up and make you feel like you are the best thing ever invented; however, I have my mother's temper, and I will always win.

I promise to always find you the most beautiful thing in the world. Of course, it would help if you consistently replayed the Wrangler commercial starring No. 4 or maybe some close-ups of Tom making eyes at me. But hey, if all you got is the Manning brothers, I’ll take 'em! Humor always melts my heart anyways.

I promise to always stay fit and trim for you. However, I cannot help it if you cause me to mouth down Twinkies 20 at a time due to 3rd-and-15's and 4th-and-goal with three seconds on the clock. Was that a lot of numbers for you? I hope not, cause you continue to give me these kind of numbers, just wait and see the results of mine.

I promise to always listen to you, although you'll have to explain to me what "Green 72 9 Cali Red Seven Red Seven" means. Why you always screaming things like that?

Communication is the key, you know...

Last, but not least, I promise to be the best fan I can be, unless you really upset me. Then it’s back to my threats about giving you up for good and getting to know my tomatoes better.

And I forgot to mention. I said that wedding was a wonderful day. I lied. It was on a Sunday, and I missed Brett taking down the Titans. I missed Matt throwing four hundred yards. I missed Tony’s first game back. I missed the most important thing of my life on Sundays.

I missed you.

Brett Favre-Rewriting the Pages

Kristin Hamlin — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 10:36:16 -0500

Kneeling down on that grass, staring up at the empty stands, for the first time he feels at home. Maybe it was the view of his own breath that reminded him of his former state. Maybe it was the fact that he felt needed again. Whatever it was, it was nice to finally not have that homesick feeling anymore.

Even now, he got a kick out of watching the other players taking deep breaths and running in place to keep warm. It never really affected him, the weather. Matter of fact, he loved playing in these kind of temperatures.

He loved looking at the scoreboard seeing 25 degrees and snowflakes pounding on the field, realizing that the thrill he had for the game alone kept him warm.

Brett Favre. Quite the controversial name nowadays.

Love him or hate him, he’s back ladies and gentleman. At 39-years-old, there isn’t too much you can say that would really get to him. He has proved the theory “Sticks and Stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me” to be true.

A resistant Jets team wasn’t sure what Brett would really do for the team, besides add more popularity. Little did they know, they would be falling in love with his personality, his drive, and his dedication to putting the “fun” back in competition.

Teammate Jerricho Cotchery says, “He’s changed the culture totally. When I first met him, he was saying that the two things he was going to do was score touchdowns and have fun. And we’ve been scoring touchdowns, and we’ve been having a lot of fun. It’s more relaxed. Guys are having fun each and every day. Guys are happy to be here”.

Sunday will be one of the Jets' biggest games and they are preparing hard for it. They will be meeting the undefeated 10-0 Tennessee Titans, but have a lot of momentum as they are coming off four straight victories, holding an impressive 7-3 record.

When asked if he was ready to play the Titans, Brett humbly replied, “We're playing the best team in football right now. It will be a tough test, but not any tougher than what we faced last week. This is what I came back for-this feeling”.

And this is why we love to watch you Brett. Maybe it is pretty humorous that you are the NFL leader in not only touchdown passes, but interceptions as well. One minute people are hoisting you on their shoulders rooting for you, the very next they are slamming you for throwing another pick.

Regardless, you have an amazing sense of humor about it, as you proved in last week’s game against the Patriots.

“After the coin flipped in overtime, Randy Moss looked at me and said ‘throw a pick’. So I wanted to find him and tell him I didn’t,” he said with a smile.

Some have stated, and maybe correctly, that the reason Favre has broken so many records is simply that he's played in the league for so long.

With that said, it could also be truly stated that his longevity alone is one of the rarest things you can find in the NFL.

Brett’s attitude has been quite contagious, even with head coach Eric Mangini. Mangini points out why it is more pleasure than pain having Brett as his QB.

“He can be focused, get his work done, but keep the group light, keep practice fun, keeps the guys excited about each day. He’s got that passion for football, that love of the game.”

Yes, he certainly does Eric.

Tennessee is ready but nervous for this game, and have been since the beginning of the season.

Defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz remembers looking at the schedule in April thinking, “When he retired, I was like ‘Whew, we got away with that one,’ because we had Green Bay on the schedule this year. And then he showed up on the schedule anyway, because we have the JETS too. And if he would have gone to Minnesota, we would have seen him there too. We were really rooting for Tampa Bay to tell you the truth.”

Well said Jim. I wouldn’t want my team facing Brett Favre and his stellar defense when they are as amped up as they are.

Win or lose, the Jets should be proud of themselves. From a 2-8 start last year to where they are now is a pretty magical thing.

Their storybook year has been epic to say the least. Will the next chapter written include the spoiling of a team's perfect season?

Or will the critics get the pen and continue to castigate Brett's return to glory?

My bet is on the JETS. My bet is on sweet redemption. My bet is on the storybook ending.

My bet is on Brett.

For the Love of the Game

Kristin Hamlin — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 07:11:26 -0500

I’ve always wondered why it is that I love watching football over any other sport. I struggle to explain it correctly when in an argument, especially when I have someone telling me why baseball is still America’s game and how there are still hero’s in sports such as tennis, baseball, and soccer.

They are correct.

As I said, I never could explain it the way I wanted to in an argument or debate, so here is my response as to why football is my game of choice.

I’m 5’4", 110 pounds. I get tackled by anyone wearing a college and/or pro jersey, chances are, I am either paralyzed or dead. Bottom line: I know I can’t play in the National Football League. I will never experience the thrill of winning a Super Bowl or being inducted into the Hall of Fame as the best running back ever. I am okay with that.

I was born a competitor. I played every sport imaginable as a child and always had to be the best. I would compete with my two older brothers over who got to be QB for our game of pick up football. Not flag football either.

I loved to win. I hated to lose.

I thrive on those movies that are based on true stories (Remember the Titans) and cry at the games that hold so much emotion you can actually FEEL it (Boise State and Oklahoma)

I also know other sports are just as important as football.

Baseball is great. I think if I had to give a sport an award for having such an amazing history and out of the world athletes, it would go to baseball. But I have to face the truth here.

I can’t watch a full nine innings of baseball to save my life. I find myself turning the channels endlessly to Deal or no Deal or trying to see if there is any news to a glimpse of the upcoming year on the NFL/College season.

Not to say I don’t enjoy a good baseball game. I am just simply pointing out, it is not on my agenda to watch one of the 300 games they play in a season. (I know I know. It’s not exactly 300)

Basketball is so not my thing. I wish it was, just so I could say I am not bias to only one or two sports. I have really tried to get into this but sadly cannot. There is nothing exciting watching a ball dribbled around while a guy gets touched by a pinky and it’s ruled a foul. Really?

Ironically enough, it was one of my favorite sports to play as a kid.

I know there are athletes like Shaq and Kobe. I know about the legends of Bird and Jordan. They are adored by many basketball/sports fans out there, as well as they should be. Though I respect them, it’s hard to keep my attention span focused on their stats and how well they played.

Then there is hockey. I love hockey. I think it is a tough sport with amazing competitors. The Stanley Cup playoffs are as exciting any playoff game I have ever seen. Then again, I was also an Avalanche fan and was privileged enough to witness two Stanley Cups won.

Did I mention I also got to watch athletes such as Ray Bourque, Joe Sakic, Peter Forsberg, Chris Drury, Adam Foote, Patrick Roy, Robby Blake, Mike Ricci, Alex Tanguay, Milan Hedjuk, Adam Deadmarsh, and Teemu Selanne all play? If I could ever use a word like surreal, this would be where I would use it.

I sat four rows behind the glass when Ray Bourque held up that Stanley Cup for the first time in his career.

Hockey was my second favorite sport. That night, it was my first. As a sports fan, it is still so hard to beat those emotions I was feeling at that moment.

Tennis, soccer, golf, bull riding, NASCAR, bowling, Scrabble, anything else I am forgetting—well those sports are great, too. I am just not passionate about them.

To write, you must have passion.

To write well, anyway.

My passion is with football. My passion is with the competition and the nail biting that football endures.

My passion lies within the heroes of football. The class acts. The players that play for the love of the game.

Players such as Walter Payton and Barry Sanders, who ran in more touchdowns than most. They never had to do a “dance” or take a Sharpie out of their sock to sign a football. They simply handed the ball back to the ref after scoring a TD and ran to the sidelines.

Defensive players such as Reggie White, who, after tackling his opponent, would also be the first hand reaching out to them, helping them up.

Quarterbacks such as Joe Montana, John Elway, Peyton Manning, and Kurt Warner. All of which hold their head up high and play with such dignity and class, it makes you want to know them. It made you want to root for them.

Drew Bledsoe, who is one of the classiest QB’s, never complained once, though he had many reasons to do so. Those of you that watched Bledsoe and his career, know what I am talking about.

Wide receivers such as Marvin Harrison and Jerry Rice, who both have so much talent they used that towards football and football alone. No ego. No whining. Just doing what they did best. Play football.

Selfless players, such as the late Pat Tillman, who not only gave up his life fighting for this country, but in the football world, chose to give up signing a huge contract to stay with his team, the Arizona Cardinals.

Yes, he chose to stay with a team that more than likely wouldn’t even make the playoffs than to go play for the reigning Super Bowl Champions, the St Louis Rams. It wasn’t about money or wins to him.

It was about loyalty.

Something a lot of athletes could use more of.

I guess you can say that is why I love football so much. There is so much intensity, emotion, passion, & loyalty that goes into this sport, it’s pretty damn amazing.

I never thought that, as a female, I would be writing so much about this sport. I never thought I would be able to write about something I never was able to experience.

However, this sport has brought out thousands of emotions in me. Fights, tears of sadness, tears of happiness, phone calls to an ex-boyfriend I swore I would never talk to again to tell him my team beat his, and the biggest hug from my Dad when he saw me wearing his old Michigan State sweatshirt. I had never seen him so proud of me before. (I didn’t have the heart to tell him it was the only thing I could find in my closet.)

This sport has brought me closer to people. I know those of you that have the same passion for this game understand what I am talking about. When your team wins that game or spoils the undefeated team’s record, you want to call everyone you love, like and dislike to talk about about your teams victory.

You LOVE everyone on those days. Absolutely everyone.

Listen, I know there are unsung heroes and passion in all sports. So, please here is your opportunity to give a shout out to those that you feel deserve it. There are plenty of honorable mentions that I wanted to include, but I had to keep this as short as I could, and some athletes I was never able to see play.

Which is why I would like to hear from people that did see Thorpe play or hear their opinion as to who else is a class act in another sport.

In conclusion, here is a quote I found highly appropriate. This goes for all the athletes that couldn’t keep who they really were hidden. Good and Bad.

“Sports do not build character. They reveal it”- Hayword Hale Broun

Wasted "Vick-Tories"

Kristin Hamlin — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 07:02:43 -0400

Brenda Vick and Michael Boddie are very proud parents, and why wouldn’t they be? They have two sons who made it to the NFL and are living the “high” life.

One is in jail, and the other is on his way there.

Michael and Marcus Vick, Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum, are the perfect definition of disgrace.

I believe calling them the Bad Newz Broz would be fitting, wouldn’t it Michael?

The better known Vick, Michael, had a full scholarship to Virginia Tech and excelled in their football program. He was awarded an ESPY Award as the nation’s top college player and won the first-ever Archie Griffin Award as college football’s most valuable player.

This is not bad for a guy that grew up in a financially depressed and crime-ridden public housing project.

Needless to say, Michael Vick had it made, going into the NFL Draft as the N. 1 pick. He was shocked when the San Diego Chargers decided to pass on him for LaDainian Tomlinson. Rumor has it that he laughed at San Diego for not choosing him first.

Something tells me San Diego has had the last laugh.

Michael Vick played for the Falcons from 2001-'06, earning three Pro Bowl selections. Anyone that watched him play would agree he had quite a future in the NFL. He made a name for himself immediately, which is extremely difficult to do in the pros.

Michael had other plans in his head, however. As much as he loved the game, he lacked that necessary hunger—the kind where you take all your passion and energy out on the field and play with 100 percent heart.

I think it’s fair to say that Michael took his hunger out in other areas.

Not to rehash that whole ordeal, but for those that don’t know the details, allow me to refresh your memory. Michael funded a so-called “dog fighting” operation in which he gave orders to kill weaker dogs and was present during the "testing" of fighters and the elimination of dogs. There were tapes of him with other various kennels betting, holding money, and participating in gambling and dog fighting.

The dogs were not only starved and beaten but, after they fought, the losers, and in some cases, the winners were “disposed of.”

I have been told not to be so hard on Michael because he made a mistake. People really want to defend this guy?

Is it a mistake even after I tell you that dogs were found on his property that had been hung, electrocuted, shot, and drowned? And when I tell you that he tried blaming everyone else and refused to acknowledge what he did was wrong, is it still considered a mistake?

If you honestly think that, you must also believe his brother Marcus should be elected as the next President of the United States.

Where do I begin with the wasted talent of Marcus Vick?

Marcus also had a full football scholarship to Virginia Tech, and when he was a senior in high school, he was one of the country’s top quarterback prospects. He looked to have the same potential his big brother had, if not more; however, Marcus also showed the same disrespect his brother did.

While Marcus was flipping off fans during a game, Michael was busy flipping them off in Atlanta. In case you don’t see where I am going with this, Michael was flipping them off at a home game. In his stadium. He added icing to the cake while yelling “F…. You” while holding up his middle finger.

Yes, “class” is their middle name.

While at Virginia Tech, Marcus majored in Law Enforcement. He had a total of nine traffic violations, was arrested for possession of marijuana, and was also arrested for having sexual relations with a 15-year-old girl. He also had a couple more run-in's with the law but I am trying to write an article here, not a book.

Marcus was rightfully dismissed from Virginia Tech in 2006. In response to being thrown off the team, Marcus has been quoted as saying, “It’s not a big deal. I’ll just move on to the next level, baby."

Marcus declared eligibility for the NFL on Jan. 7, 2006. He spoke openly how he considered himself a better quarterback than Jay Cutler and his own brother, Michael.

Marcus went undrafted that year, because many questioned his attitude and his ability to avoid future troubles on and off the field.

There’s a shocker.

He ended up signing with the Miami Dolphins, where he played a total of one quarter of football. Marcus literally had his 15 minutes in the pros.

Since his amazing turn-up in the NFL, Marcus has been causing more trouble. He had a court hearing for a DUI and was sentenced to 12 months in prison last week. I was saddened to find that the judge suspended it.

People like Marcus should not be allowed numerous slaps on the wrist. It is apparent he needs to join his big brother, as that is where he belongs.

I really do try to see the best in people. I usually defend pro athletes that I feel are good people and deserve a second chance. I can’t find ONE good thing to say about either of these men.

I don’t think Michael should be allowed to come back and play in the NFL. I also think he should have gotten more time behind bars, but I believe he will end up paying dearly for his “mistake” for the rest of his life.

He has already gone from being one of the richest 10 athletes in 2006 to filing bankruptcy. He has a younger brother that he should be incredibly proud of. More importantly though, he has his conscience for the rest of his life.

After the dogs were rescued at Michael’s home, many people thought that they should have been put to sleep. They couldn’t possibly be good with humans and would always have it in their blood to kill.

These people would be happy to know that of the 49 pit bulls animal-behavior experts evaluated in the fall, only one was deemed too vicious to warrant saving and was euthanized, and another was euthanized because it was sick and in pain.

As far as their concern with the dogs being good with humans and not wanting to kill, here are a couple updates on how some of these dogs are doing.

Leo, a tan, muscular pit bull, dons a colorful clown collar and visits cancer patients as a certified therapy dog in California. Hector, who bears deep scars on his chest and legs, recently was adopted and is about to start training for national flying disc competitions in Minnesota.

Teddles takes orders from a two-year-old. Gracie is a couch potato in Richmond who lives with cats and sleeps with four other dogs.

Football has taken over as America’s game. Many look forward to Sunday afternoons with friends and family, biting on your last fingernail as you pray he gets into the end zone.

Having your son look up at you asking you to teach him how to throw a football like his favorite quarterback is priceless.

This sport brings people together, and the last thing it needs are players like Michael and Marcus Vick. You don’t want your kid to watch an athlete stomp on another athlete's leg for no reason at all. You don’t want to gather your family around while there is a man whose jersey your child in donning, flipping off the TV screen.

We want class. We want pride. We want football.

Football doesn’t want you, Michael and Marcus.

Stay where you are.

My Side of the Story

Kristin Hamlin — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 07:52:14 -0400

Here I sit alone tonight. I’m watching all my college highlights—and I am proud to say that I am part of these highlights. But as much as these would make anyone feel ecstatic, I feel incredibly alone tonight; there is no doubt.

I would give up almost anything to hear those crowds alive again. To hear them chanting my name. To get high-fives from everyone in town—heck, even when I was out of town, those hands reached out to me.

I would give anything to be understood again.

I grew up without the luxury of having a father or even a father figure. Some say that is why I am the way I am. Don’t give a man that much credit for being absent in my life.

The only thing he did for me was introduce me to the emotion “disappointment.”

In my college days, I would look up in the stands, my eyes always focused on the older men in the crowd—the dads. The proud men looking down on the field, palms full of sweat, so badly wanting their sons to taste success—some of them wanting to taste it for themselves.

I knew I would never find my dad rooting me on in the stands.

My dad was in prison.

I’m 6’5", 233 lbs. People fail to realize that behind this big, tough exterior lies an interior not so tough. I get my feelings hurt, just like everyone else.

I’m not whining about it. I'm just trying to put it in perspective that I am human, just like you.

My job on the football field is hard. In my position, I will get criticized and critiqued more than any other player on the field.

I don't mind that.

Some of the best times of my life were in college. Loved my teammates, loved my coach—loved the thrill and excitement that went on behind every single game. The type of energy that I felt in those games was the type scripted right out of Hollywood.

Then came pro football.

Somewhere along the line, pro football became more of a chore versus something that used to be fun.

Don’t get me wrong; I love playing football and would not trade what I do for anything. I just think that too many people want to be in control and tell me what I should and shouldn't do. Anyone that saw me play in college knew the system I was used to.

Maybe I didn't have enough time behind the playbook to really study it my first year as a pro. Afterall, part of my success in college was taking my freshman year off to study their entire playbook.

Some say I shouldn't have forgone my senior year and signed with the pros. Some said I wasn't ready; I didn't have the arm.

Little did they know I had more than that. I had talent. I had the drive. I had the passion to succeed.

As Bobby Wade once said about me,

“So many times it’s hard to find a quarterback who has a competitive edge to want to win every single game and to go about it that way. He has all the intangibles. He can throw the ball well, he can see a lot of things, and that man can run.”

They say that when rookie quarterbacks get thrown into an offense too quickly, we can suffer irreparable consequences.

I refuse to let that be my excuse.

I made my first start in Week Four of that season in 2006. My team was 0-3. I led my team to the playoffs that year.

I belonged again.

Sept. 7, 2008. Something tells me I will not forget this day.

I woke up that morning with that uncomfortable feeling in my gut. Something bad was going to happen; I could feel it. When I took the field that day, that feeling was stronger than ever.

I didn't play well. After I threw my second interception, that’s when I heard it.

The sound of boos.

To an athlete in their home stadium, this is probably our worst fear. It was like someone was taking razor blades to the most fragile and insecure part of a man; his heart.

Some say it was the boos that caused me to quit on my team and "fake" an injury so I didn't have to endure the negativity any longer.

Clearly, they know nothing about me, or my character.

If they did, they would have realized that as a red-shirt sophomore, I was sacked three times in a loss to our biggest rival. The following week, I was booed on my home field against Missouri for, shockingly, throwing two interceptions. I can handle it. I know how forgiving fans can be when you up your game. I think it’s fair to say I did that.

People fail to realize I didn't have the perfect story in college. People tend to forget that I wasn't just a guy that took my team to the Nat’l Championship and won it. I had many struggles beforehand.

My former coach couldn't have said it better when asked if I was done with my career in the pros after being booed.

“So he’s been criticized before, he’s been booed before, he’s been questioned before, and he’s lost and played poorly before. And he overcame all that here and handled every bit of it. So anybody that questions his sincerity or his toughness doesn't have any clue who he is”.

No, they have no idea who I am.

I am not going to lie and say the boos didn’t hurt me. I think it’s safe to say they would hurt any professional athlete on home turf.

But I never gave up or quit my team.

Trust me when I say that I am my toughest critic.

If I am sitting on the sidelines with a towel over my head, it’s because I am dealing with the fact that I am getting booed in my own stadium and I am focusing on what I need to do to improve my play so we can win. If I shove away a teammate, it’s not because I am disrespectful. It’s because I don’t need to be told “it’s OK.”

I KNOW it’s ok to some people. It’s not ok to me. I want to be better than “OK.”

For the record, I was injured on that play. Did anyone ever stop to think that I was frustrated with the fact that for the first time in my career—I was injured? I don’t get injured. I run the ball more than any QB out there.

I guess that’s when I knew I wasn’t invincible anymore. Before this play, I had the luxury of never being hurt to where I couldn’t play football. I took it pretty hard.

What helped me get through this time was something I read in an article that was said by my former high-school coach and mentor, Anthony Fields.

"No matter how high he has to fly, he flies that high. No matter how good he has to get, he gets that much better. They say he's a gift from God, I say he's an angel. He can do it with no limit"

So, before throwing in the towel on my career, I am asking you to be patient with me. I am not a crybaby. I am not a quitter. I am not my father.

I will be back on that field again. I will take my team to the playoffs again. I will win a Super Bowl ring by the time my career is over. I will have moments that are absolutely amazing, and I will have moments where I am embarrassed in how I played a game. I am human.

I may not handle my losses as classy as Elway or Montana, but I handle them the best I know how. I hate to lose. Plain and simple.

Instead of using that as a weakness, perhaps you should see it as my greatest strength.

I will win again. I will succeed again. I will make fans proud again. I will belong again.

I'm Vince Young.

“The man who is anybody and who does anything is surely going to be criticized, vilified, and misunderstood. This is part of the penalty for greatness, and every man understands, too, that it is no proof of greatness”. Elbert Hubbard

**This article was a huge risk, as I know it seems I am speaking for Vince. I am not trying to. After reading some 35 articles and watching him play the game, I studied his career as much I could. I studied what was said about him, and came up with this idea for an article.

I hope those of you who read this understand where I am coming from.

Happy 39th Birthday Brett- His Top Plays

Kristin Hamlin — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 08:49:49 -0400

This is just a fun article to honor an amazing athlete on his birthday.

For anyone that wants to argue with this article...Well, I guess you will be arguing with stats and true statements so have fun with that one.

Brett is 39 years old today. Obviously it’s a no-brainer that I decided to base my article on the 39 greatest memories he gave to his fans and the milestones he had.

1. Feb 10, 1992. The day Favre signed with GB, Football fanatics and Packer fans had no idea what they were in for—I am pretty sure some of their mouths are still left hanging open in awe.

2. In his third game of the 1992 season, Brett made quite the impression. He took over QB after the starting QB was injured. Brett fumbled four times and the crowd was chanting for him to get off the field. He ended up turning around the game and his performance for his first come-from-behind win with 13 seconds remaining.

3. 1993 season- Brett became the most accurate career passer in Packers history. Pretty good for a guy that had only been with this team for a year.

4. 1993- Brett’s 3,303 passing yards were second in the NFC next to Steve Young.

5. 1993-TRUE Packers fans will remember this play. It was the NFC Wild Card playoff game in Detroit. GB was trailing 24-21 with a minute left. Brett made an across –the-body throw from extreme left to extreme right. He completed the throw to Sharpe for a TD, winning the game. That was just the first of many game winning throws by the Favre Man.

6. December 18, 1994 – With Packers needing a victory to keep its playoff hopes alive, Brett came from behind with 1:58 left. He had a 67-yard drive, ending it with his diving, nine yard TD run, giving the Packers the win. This just doesn’t get old

7. 1995- Led the NFC with a 99.5 passer rating.

8. 1995-Brett led his team to the NFC Championship for the first time since 1967.

9. 1995-He won his first AP MVP award

10. November 12, 1995- Playing with a sprained ankle, Favre tossed five TD passes to beat the Chicago Bears. I remember that game. Such a good one!

11. December 24, 1995- Packers/Steelers game. Brett was hit hard by not one but three Steeler defenders. The Packers called a time-out and Favre, who coughed up blood during that time-out, returned for the next play, in which he threw a one YD touchdown. We can debate his retirement all we want. We can’t debate his heart, his toughness and his tenacity.

12. One of my favorite memories. Almost seemed scripted for a movie right out of Hollywood. It was back in May of 1996 and Favre was in treatment for the addiction to Vicodin. Rumors started flying that he would never come back from this.

Brett released this statement. “You know, I’m going to beat this thing. I’m going to win a Super Bowl. And all I can tell people if they don’t believe me is, ‘Just bet against me.’”.

Brett won the Super Bowl the following season.

13. 1996-Brett takes his team to the Super Bowl where they upset the Patriots 35-21. Brett was again named MVP.

14. 1997-Brett Favre vs. John Elway. Enough said. Great memory even with the loss.

15. 1998- Led the NFL in both passing yards (4,212) and completions (347).

16. September 26, 1999- Packers vs Minnesota- Facing 4th and one with no time-outs and only seconds remaining, Favre threw a 23-yard touchdown pass to Corey Bradford to give the Packers a 23-20 win.

17. November 6, 2000- Favre made an improbable heave to Antonio Freeman, who made a juggling catch while on his back, then got up and ran it in for a touchdown clinching the overtime win. See attached video. I can’t stop watching it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_dQrqiFIKI

18. Dec. 24, 2000-Favre throws for 289 yards and two touchdowns against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers despite having a six-foot steel girder protruding from his abdomen.

19. October 14, 2001- Favre took on one of the NFL’s best defense and embarrassed them, completing 27 of 32 and passing for 337 yards to help the Packers defeat the reigning Super Bowl Champions.

20. Jan. 13, 2002 - Favre completed 22 of 29 passes for 269 yards and two touchdowns for a passer rating of 112.6 in a wild-card win over San Francisco. The Packers trailed at halftime, but Favre was brilliant in the second half of the 25-15 victory.

21. 2002- Chosen NFL Player of the Year by Sports Illustrated.

22. December 22, 2003 – One of his greatest games. Brett’s father died just days before and Brett elected to play anyway. He threw for four touchdowns in the first half, even receiving applause from “Raider Nation.” He later won an ESPY award for his performance in that game.

23. October 3, 2004 – Packers vs Giants. Brett was playing with a softball-sized bruise on his left hamstring. No biggie, right? Well on the first drive in the 3rd quarter, Brett received a concussion when two Giants players fell on top of him. He then returned TWO plays later to throw a 28-yard TD. Is this man even human?

24. September 24,2006 – Brett became the first player ever to complete 5,000 passes

25. 2006- Became the NFL’s all-time leader in pass completions.

26. September 16, 2007- Packers defeat the Giants giving Favre his 149th career win, passing John Elway.

27. Sept. 23, 2007 With the Packers trailing by four points late in the fourth quarter, Favre throws a 57-yard TD pass to Greg Jennings for the go-ahead score. It was the 420th touchdown pass in Favre's career, tying Dan Marino for the all-time record.

28. September 30, 2007- Brett sets the all time record, throwing his 421st NFL touchdown. Did I mention this was eleven years after his Super Bowl performance?

29. Nov. 18, 2007- With a short underhand toss to running back Ryan Grant, Favre becomes the NFL's all-time leader with 15,000 shovel-passing yards

30. 2007- Surpassed the 4,000 yards passing mark for the fifth time in his career. By far his best year yet. Overrated huh?

31. March 4, 2008 – Brett announces his retirement. His agent Bus Cook stated Favre did not get the impression from the Packers that they wanted him back.

32. August 4, 2008- Favre is reinstated into the NFL. This may not have been a good memory for many of you, but it was a big decision and I am glad he followed his heart independent of the consequences.

33. August 7, 2008- Favre traded to the NY Jets. Even I had a tough time knowing he wouldn’t be in green and yellow anymore.

34. August 2008-Favre left Green Bay with these words, "I always wanted to be a Packer," he said. "I think I'll always be a Packer. People will say it was the best 16 years. I think it was made clear this off-season that they were moving forward—that's OK —it's time for me to move forward."

It was by far, the best 16 years I ever watched. Thank you Brett. Thank you for the memories.

35. September 7, 2008-For those of you that said Rodgers had a better first NFL start than Brett—here are the facts: In Brett’s first start in the NFL with the Packers, he threw for 210 yards completing 14 out of 19. Rodgers threw for 178 yards completing 18 out of 22. Do the math.

36. Sept 28, 2008- Brett throws six touchdowns setting an all time personal record for himself, coming one touchdown shy of an NFL record. To say I didn't have a "Tom Cruise moment on Oprah" would be a lie.

37. Has started in 257 consecutive games. (279 including playoffs)

38. Has the most AP MVP awards of any other football player (3)

39. I will save number 39 for when Brett makes the play-offs this year. Hey I can be hopeful can’t I?

Thanks again Brett for playing your heart out in every game and making football a little bit more exciting every time you step on the field.

For those of you that claims Brett is overrated, I challenge you to give me 39 reasons why you think so. I mean, that's fair, right? Heck, give me ten reasons.

The only argument you ever give me is how he threw too many interceptions and he was worthless from 2003-2006. Funny though, how he was still breaking records during those years.

He was an exceptional leader. He couldn't take his team to the play-offs every year. Sometimes he needed them to take him.

Happy Birthday Brett

Ed Hochuli: Three Strikes and You're Not Out!!!

Kristin Hamlin — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 18:55:27 -0400

I don’t think it’s any secret that Ed Hochuli, the referee that was more of a celebrity, is in a different kind of spotlight now.

The cruel spotlight.

Not the one that will shine down on you radiantly, giving you all the credit while you make good call after good call.

We are talking about the spotlight that will shun down on you after making one, yes one, bad call.

Now, it seems, anything Ed Hochuli does on the field is in that cruel spotlight.

Everything and anything he does is being critiqued.

And it’s looking that any good critiquing would only happen if Ed was fired.

I understand that I don’t write for ESPN, and this message will only go out to a few, but that’s good enough for me.

For all you fans that think Ed Hochuli is an awful referee and should be fired, I have something to say: GET OVER IT.

Seriously. Get over it. The only really bad call he made that deserved anger was against San Diego. I agree. It was a bad call that cost a win for the Chargers. I get that it was a big deal.

Are you done crying yet?

Because if you’re not, then I would focus more on crying at the Chargers' defense and how one of the most anticipated teams this year has struggled in every game.

Here’s a tissue.

I find it fascinating that people were so bothered by the call they actually sent hate mail to Ed, some going as far as wishing him death.

Who has this much time on their hands?

I can only imagine what kind of life you must lead. I don’t, however, want to imagine how you handled the Chargers' game against the Dolphins this year.

And regarding that hate mail...

What if I told you that Eddie responded back to every single e-mail he received? Every cruel, nasty, awful e-mail?

Guess what. He did.

Says Ed, “I'm getting hundreds of e-mails—hate mail—but I'm responding to it all. People deserve a response. You can rest assured that nothing anyone can say can make me feel worse than I already feel about my mistake on the fumble play. You have no idea … Affecting the outcome of a game is a devastating feeling. Officials strive for perfection—I failed miserably. Although it does no good to say it, I am very, very sorry."

I don’t know about you, but it sounds like he feels worse than he probably has in his entire life.

Little did he know, this was only the beginning of the newfound “Hoch-haters.”

After the game in Denver, two weeks to be exact, Hochuli was scrutinized again, only this time in Charlotte, NC, where the Panthers were hosting the Falcons.

Matt Ryan’s pass was intercepted by Richard Marshall and he ran it back for a Carolina touchdown. Hochuli threw a flag, announcing that Peppers made a helmet-to-helmet hit on Ryan. The call erased the TD and gave the Falcons a first down.

While I will concede that the replays did show Peppers actually hit Ryan with his shoulder first, Ed made the right call with what he thought he saw. It was too close for comfort.

Just to prove my point. On that same day, Arizona receiver Anquan Boldin had an incredibly scary moment when he was hit helmet-to-helmet by Jets safety Eric Smith.

It was a sick feeling in the stomach for anyone watching that game, seeing Boldin on his back, motionless.

Ed made the right call.

Atlanta never scored on that drive. Carolina won 24-9. Phew! That was a close one, Panther fans.

Hochuli gets graded on every performance, so the fact that he is among the NFL’s top officials for years just isn’t a coincidence.

Monday night, the Saints played the Vikings, and the Hoch was in the middle of yet another controversial call. This time, it was a blatant facemask on Reggie Bush.

The “Hoch haters” started booing Ed immediately.

Of course they did.

Apparently their knowledge to the game of football and how it is ruled is non-existent. There were two other officials that were closer to the play who should have blown the whistle.

Hochuli was nowhere near the play.

Just say though, that it was Hoch's fault. How many times have you witnessed a facemask or an offensive hold and it not get called?

And how many times has that hold or facemask been on your team, and you secretly thanked those officials for not making the call?

But because it was Ed Hochuli out there, there was no excuse for this kind of non-call.

And again, the hate e-mails started, accusing Hochuli that he was throwing the game on purpose.

Yes, because last time I checked, Hochuli loathed New Orleans and had money in Vegas that Minnesota was going to win the Super Bowl.

I am pretty sure actually that he had this whole thing planned out, conspired with his other staff on the field, letting them know if anyone grabbed a Saints mask to turn the other way and ignore it.

Does this sound ridiculous at all?

It should.

While being under the microscope is definitely no fun, Ed has handled it quite well. Better than most I suspect.

Has he been perfect on that field?

In no way would I agree.

Has he been a better official than most anyone else in the past decade?

You bet he has.

We always want to blame the refs when our team is down or in desperate need of a win.

When the player from our team fumbles the ball, we want the Coach’s challenge to overturn it, even if there is NO way his knee was down. When it doesn’t get overturned, we boo the official relentlessly.

Yet, when we are on the opposing side of the call, we praise those same refs for being amazing at their job, for not overturning the call even when it shows an interception that was clearly pass interference, but according to them, it was "inconclusive evidence."

We LOVE the officials when they make those kind of NON-calls, don't we?

Bottom line. Leave Ed alone and let him do his job.

The Chargers should be 3-2. I will not argue with that.

For those Charger fans that are still outraged with Ed’s call, please take a moment to swallow this next fact in.

Their only wins have been against a mediocre Jets team and the Raiders. They barely made it out of Oakland with a win.

One of their losses was against a Miami team that was expected to be the worst in the league.

Here’s another tissue.

Why It Pays To Be a Loyal Fan

Kristin Hamlin — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 08:22:51 -0400

Although the title may seem that I have something against USC, trust me I don't. Except that they are always ranked above my team. However, some USC fans actually feel that their Trojans suck all of a sudden.

I was watching the USC game last Thursday in a pretty crowded sports bar. Needless to say, I was surrounded by cardinal and gold, which isn’t exactly my cup of tea, but hey—there was a football game on and the No. 1-ranked team in the nation was playing, so I couldn’t complain.

I’m a Wisconsin Badger fan. Any team playing against a better team than my Badgers, I am rooting for. Of course, I was rooting for Oregon State, though I really thought there was no way they could upset USC.

The point of this article is not to talk about the win against USC or who my favorite team is. What I want to write about is the loyalty of sports fans.

As I said earlier, the bar was full of USC fans, most of them hungry for that next win—confident that their Trojans were going to walk away with another victory.

There seemed no worry, even after their team went down 7-0. I actually heard a guy say, “Ah, no big deal. That’s just a teaser for OSU. I’m not worried. USC is too good to lose to this team. Just watch.”

Oh, I watched all right.

I watched people start closing their tab two minutes before halftime.

At halftime, those people left, mumbling, “USC sucks.“

They were also the ones wearing the cardinal and gold.

I guarantee these are probably the same people that will tell you the next day that they watched the whole game and they couldn’t believe how USC almost came back and won.

They are also the same fans that, as soon as USC wins another game, are back to loving their team and wearing their logo.

Look, I know that there are die-hard USC fans who are loyal and true to their team. This isn’t just a bash to Trojans fans.

I don’t know when it ever became a “trend” to root for the hottest team and boo the worst.

I remember 10 years ago it was a rarity to see a Boston Red Sox hat being worn. Now it seems I see one everywhere I go.

Maybe all of them have been die-hard Red Sox fans who supported Boston through all their rough years.

Chances are, though, that some of them were the same fans ashamed of owning—much less wearing—anything that supported Boston.

Speaking of baseball, I absolutely love the Chicago Cubs. Born and raised on them. I took so much heat wearing my Cubbies jersey anywhere I went. It made me proud that one jersey could get so many remarks—mainly bad ones.

Still though, at least my Cubs were popular in some way.

Now when I wear it out, I seem to blend in.

I was at Wrigley Field last year when I saw two men decked out in red and blue. I’m talking painted faces and all. When I asked how long they had been Cubs fans, they replied “forever.”

I then asked what they thought about Sandberg, Dawson, and Grace, to which they responded, “Who?”

I waited for a laugh to indicate that they were joking. All I heard was the sound of confusion as to what I was asking.

I guess “forever” to them means a total of two years.

Another example of an awful fan was back in January of 2006. I was watching an unbelievable game with two of the most talked-about players at the time, Vince Young and Reggie Bush. I thought I was watching it with a die-hard Texas Longhorn fan who lived and breathed this team any time he would go out.

The game was 37-26 USC with about six minutes to go. Would you believe it if I told you that my die-hard Longhorns fan gave up on his team, threw down his “lucky hat,” and walked out?

Vince Young, his so-called favorite player, scored on 4th-and-5 with 20 seconds to go, clinching the Longhorns' National Title.

He later told me he would have given anything to have watched that game.

He didn’t deserve to watch the rest of it. Root for your team and keep the faith. They need you.

So before you put on a jersey representing a team and claiming they are your favorite, walk the walk—don’t just talk the talk. Don’t they say momentum is everything to a team?

We all have our days where our team disappoints us. So what? They are human and will have days where they fail us.

But we fail them that much more by giving up when they need us the most.

I finished watching the USC/OSU game. I knew if anyone was going to have a chance to come back, it would be USC. They sure made quite a game out of it, but in the end, couldn’t capture a win.

Even the best of teams are bound to have an off day. Sometimes they need it to recognize that they aren’t invincible and that they can be beaten.

These players will be harder on themselves than any fan will be, trust me.

There was a man to my left, wearing a USC hat that looked about as old as he did. I am guessing he was in his late 60s. I asked him what he thought of the game. His response was so heartfelt that I decided to conclude my article with his wonderful words.

“I thought the game was a good football game. Unfortunately my team didn’t come up with the win. I’ve been a fan for 55 years now, so I am ready for a loss every now and then. The thing is, to be a fan, you have to support them in both their good games and bad games. When you choose to give up on your team, then choose that. It’s the rooting for them in the next game as they are winning that I can’t stand. Those are the fans that I am ashamed of. I would rather see half a stadium full of real sports fans that won’t walk out until it says 0:00 on the time clock than to have it jam-packed with a bunch of fair-weather fans that want to be in the 'in crowd'. I am still proud of my boys tonight. I’m proud to be a USC fan.”

25 Dumbest Sports Quotes

Kristin Hamlin — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 07:32:56 -0400

While I was doing research for one of my articles, I came across one of these quotes and thought to myself, "There is no way." Turns out, there was a way. Lots of them.

Just for fun, I looked up these brilliant quotes said by some of today's most highly respected athletes. I have to say, I was completely blown away with what I found. Enjoy.

1. Terry Bradshaw

“I may be dumb, but I'm not stupid.”

Well you got me there, Terry.

2. Joe Theismann, ESPN Announcer and Former NFL Quarterback

"Nobody in football should be called a genius. A genius is a guy like Norman Einstein."

I am speechless. For the first time in my life...speechless. Though I gotta say, I love Norman.

3. Dick Butkus, Former Chicago Bears Linebacker

"I wouldn't ever set out to hurt anyone deliberately unless it was important—like a league game."

So...what you’re saying is that you set out to hurt someone in every game then, right? I read ya, Dick. I read ya.

4. William Perry, Former Chicago Bears Defensive Tackle

"I've been big ever since I was little."

Hmmm. Okay...

5. Jerry Rice, San Francisco 49ers Wide Receiver

"I feel like I'm the best, but you're not going to get me to say that."

Well said, Jerry. Well said.

6. Lee Corso, College Football Analyst

"Hawaii doesn't win many games in the United States."

So...... um....they basically don’t win any games then?

7. Greg Norman, Famous Australian Golfer

"I owe a lot to my parents, especially my mother and father."

Your mother and father are one thing here Greg, but tell me more about your parents.

8. Alan Minter, Boxer

“Sure there have been injuries and deaths in boxing—but none of them serious.”

Last time I checked, death was a pretty serious thing here, Alan.

9. Jason Kidd, NBA Basketball Player

"We're going to turn this team around 360 degrees."

So, basically that would be a full circle and you would be back to where you started. Okay, I suppose you're onto something here, Jase.

10. Winston Bennett, Basketball Player

"I've never had major knee surgery on any other part of my body."

I don’t know what doctor you’re seeing, Winston, but...

11. Shaquille O’Neal, Basketball Player

Reporter: "Shaquille, did you visit the Parthenon during your visit to Greece?"

O'Neal: "I can't really remember the names of all the clubs that we went to."

Okay, but can you remember if they had a live DJ there? I heard it’s awesome when they do.

12. Bobby Robson, Football Manager

"We didn't underestimate them. They were a lot better than we thought."

Underestimate; an estimate that is too low. I am glad you didn’t underestimate them too, Bobby.

13. Bill Peterson, Football Coach at Florida State

"You guys pair up in groups of three, then line up in a circle."

There really are no words........(though it makes sense he was an ACC coach.)

14. Doug Collins

“Any time Detroit scores more than 100 points and holds the other team below 100 points, they almost always win.”

Well, I suppose if I really think about it I can see what he was trying to say..........No...No...actually I can’t.

15. Johnny Miller, TV Analyst and Pro Golfer

“I don’t think anywhere is there a symbiotic relationship between caddie and player like there is in golf.”

I would have to say I completely agree with you. No argument here.

16. Drew Gooden, Cavaliers Forward on the Ups and Downs of His NBA Career

“I've had to overcome a lot of diversity."

Yeah, that diversity certainly does get in the way of one’s ups and downs.

17. Chuck Lamar, Devil Rays GM on His Team

“The only thing that keeps this organization from being recognized as one of the finest in baseball is wins and losses at the major league level."

um.....The only thing?

18. Alex Rodriguez, Yankees Third Baseman on the Benefits of Seeing a Therapist

"Therapy can be a good thing; it can be therapeutic."

Now wait a minute, A-Rod. You absolutely sure about this?

19. Brett Hull During His St. Louis Blues Days, on a Possible Trade

"I'll be sad to go, and I wouldn't be sad to go. It wouldn't upset me to leave St. Louis, but it would upset me to leave St. Louis. It's hard to explain. You'll find out one of these days, but maybe you never will."

Okay, Brett you may need to explain this one to me...or don’t. But I would really like to hear what you really meant...or I wouldn’t. Think about it...or don't.

20. Leon Wood, Basketball Player to Announcer Steve Albert

"Are you any relation to your brother Marv?"

If Steve gets asked this question ONE more time...

21. Mike Greenwell, Baseball Player

"I'm a four-wheel-drive pickup type of guy. So is my wife."

This is oddly disturbing to me...

22. Garry Maddox, Asked His Reaction to Hitting a Grand Slam

"As I remember it, the bases were loaded."

Okay, well tell me what you would say if you didn’t remember it.

23. Joaquin Andujar, Pitcher

"There is one word in America that says it all, and that word is, 'You never know.'"

Well, I have one word for this quote: ”Couldn’t have said it better.”

24. Jeff Innis, New York Met Pitcher Griping about a Bad Newspaper Photo

"That picture was taken out of context."

Now I don’t know about you, Jeff, but I personally hate it when that happens.

25. Karl Mecklenburg, Denver Broncos Linebacker, before Super Bowl XXIV

"Defensively, I think it's important for us to tackle."

Well, Karl, I’d say you’re onto something.

Top 5 NFL Draft Disappointments: Why It's Better to Play with Your Heart

Kristin Hamlin — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 07:50:41 -0400

As most of us are aware, the NFL draft isn’t always accurate. There are some draft picks, such as Peyton Manning, who are expected to be good and that don‘t let you down. There are those surprising draft picks, such as Terrell Davis, who completely exceed what many thought possible. Then, there are the duds of the NFL draft.

You know the one’s I am referring to. The players that we thought for sure were going places. With Heisman Trophies and other accomplishments under their belt, they had most everyone’s vote into becoming one of those great athletes.

I know that this topic has been written about numerous amounts of times, but I thought I would try and add my own twist on things, making all of us remember why we really love this sport and the players that give us their all.

Here are my top five picks:

5. Brian Bosworth, LB Oklahoma

Where do I start with this one? Although he won a few Butkus Awards, he was kicked off the Oklahoma squad for steroid use. Prior to being drafted, Bosworth sent letters to numerous NFL teams letting them know that if they drafted him, he wouldn’t report to training camp and he wouldn’t play for them.

I’m guessing this should have been seen as somewhat of a bad sign, but Seattle Seahawks went on to sign him in the first round of the Supplemental Draft. And boy did he sure excel. You may want to be sitting down when I tell you his impressive stats. He recorded just four sacks in three seasons. IMPRESSIVE BRIAN.

Well done. Looks like the steroids really helped you out there.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYDj2hQvnfk&feature=related

One of Brian’s sophisticated quotes: “I can't wait to get my hands on John Elway's boyish face and to be honest I’d rather get a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty than lighten up on Elway if he ran out of bounds.”

Elway was later said to be smiling when he heard this quote. I‘m guessing the smile was a polite way of not cracking up.

Bosworth was selected in the first round of the Supplemental Draft. Cris Carter was chosen in the fourth round. Needless to say Cris Carter is a future hall of famer. Bosworth is now a real estate agent.

4. Andre Ware, QB University of Houston

Heisman winner in 1989, becoming the first black Quarterback to ever receive that award. Just to touch a little bit on what he accomplished during college; he threw for 4,699 yards, threw 44 touchdowns and set 26 NCAA records. More impressive, he accomplished that in only three seasons and during those three seasons he rarely played the entire game.

I know it has been awhile but those of you who watched Ware play in college can't deny the potential he had. I tried to find footage to show readers who were unfamiliar with Ware, but couldn’t find anything worthwhile.

He was drafted No. 7 in the first round of the 1990 NFL draft by the Detroit Lions. Unfortunately, as promising as Andre’s career looked, it took a complete nose-dive. I’m talking a nose-dive of epic proportions.

He is a perfect example of a talented and promising athlete in college who lets their ego get in the way. We all know what that can do in terms of messing with one’s heads. Competing for the top spot against QB Rodney Peete and Erik Kramer was not as easy as Ware thought.

His bad attitude and refusal to open up to his teammates was only part of the story. He simply failed miserably under the pressure of the NFL. In Ware's case, the NFL stood for Not For Long.

After four seasons, he played in only 14 games, starting 6. He passed for only 1112 yards. Yes total. Needless to say, he was made a free agent in 1994 and was cut by a couple more NFL teams. His career, as he knew it, was over.

I put him in the fourth spot because he was brilliant on the football field during his college years. Absolutely brilliant.

What is Andre doing now you ask? Working as a sports analyst and let me tell you, he is pretty knowledgeable. I’ve included a couple of his superb quotes from his job.

"A Field Goal will basically seal the deal here."- Andre Ware says

"IT'S 27-22!!!!!! That would not seal the deal Andre! Good lord...how the hell did you ever graduate from Houston?" the other commentator says

(I’m guessing Andre wasn’t a big fan of something called the two point conversion)

"You know, if I were Maryland on first down...I would just take a shot. Because its either gonna be a passing interference, completion, or incompletion. No harm done" - Andre Ware

Wait a minute. No harm done? Did interceptions disappear?

3. Tony Mandarich, OT Michigan State

Although I was only eight years old, I remember the Rose Bowl that year. 1988. My Dad, being a huge Michigan State fan, that was all he could talk about for weeks. Tony was the talk of the game.

My Dad was practically salivating over him, promising me that this guy was going to be something big to the NFL. He told me that he was going places and I would hear his name for years to come. Well he was definitely right on one thing. I heard his name for years to come, as one of the NFL's biggest flops of all time.

I mean this is the same guy that was named as a first-team All American AND a two-time Big Ten Lineman of the Year. “The Incredible Bulk”. Tony was given the honor of being the best offensive line prospect ever. He was of drafted #2 by the Green Bay Packers ahead of, hold your breath, Barry Sanders and Deion Sanders.

Nothing could contain Tony's ego and he let all the nonsense get to his head. He became an arrogant nuisance, holding out and not signing a contract with the Packers until right before the beginning of the regular season.

Why the hold-out you ask? Well because Tony thought he deserved to be paid as much as Troy Aikman, who was the #1 draft pick, quoting “I really don’t want to take too much less than Aikman, but I am the second pick. He is making 5 million more than me and I don’t think that’s right”.

Wow Tony. Way to prove that you’re playing for the love of the game.

Tony got what he wanted and signed a 4 year contract for $4.4 million, making him the highest paid line-man in the NFL without ever playing a down of football.

Call it Karma, call it whatever you'd like, but Tony later proved that when you play for greed and not from the heart, it shows.

After giving the Packers three seasons of nothing but problems, suspected steroid use and lackluster performances, the Packers cut Tony with a year still left on his contract. How’s that for what comes around goes around? Perhaps Tony, you should stick with the photography studio you are now running.

I have attached a radio interview with Tony Mandarich from 2007. It’s very entertaining and good for a laugh. http://www.mandarichmodels.com/wtmj.html

2. Lawrence Phillips, RB Nebraska

It was a hard decision on who would earn the No. 2 and No. 3 position. But after much consideration, the award goes to Mr. Phillips. Talk about a disappointment to not only football, but to the human race as well.

Anyone remember the Orange Bowl in 1994? Nebraska Huskers winning it along with an undefeated season. I am sure anyone that followed their season would agree that Lawrence Phillips was, hands down, the main reason for their success.

He was fast, he was fierce and most importantly, he was disgustingly talented. He had everything going for him. Or did he?

The next season, after their second game, he dragged his ex-girlfriend down a stairwell by her hair. Luckily, she only suffered minor injuries. He was slapped on the wrist by his coach, suspended for only one month. Tough love on that one Coach.

Phillips finished the season well however, but there was still a risk when it came to the draft, due to his past. He was drafted sixth overall by the St. Louis Rams (other teams with higher picks said they passed on Phillips because of his off-the field troubles). Little did they know that was probably the best decision they made. St. Louis, on the other hand, paid for it.

Phillips did play the 1996 and part of the 1997 season until his alternate ego showed up. After refusing to go to a team meeting and arguing with Dick Vermeil (head coach) about playing time, Phillips was later on cut, Vermeil later saying “Phillips is potentially the best running back I have ever coached”.

He went on to play for the Dolphins and the 49ers. Those of you who are 49ers fans remember Lawrence all too well. It was a Monday night game in 1999. Lawrence Phillips missed a crucial block against Arizona Cardinal cornerback Aeneas Williams who proceeded to knock out Steve Young ending Young’s career. Some say it was deliberate, though it has never been proven.

After all this repeated failure, one might think Lawrence would try and stay out of the public eye. One would be wrong. On August 21, 2005 Lawrence was playing a game of pick-up football. Well it turns out Lawrence lost not only the game but his temper as well. He actually drove his car onto the field, striking a total of three others, and barely missing four more, all because he lost a game of football.

Did I mention he lost to teenagers?

Lawrence currently resides at his primary residence. Jail.

I was going to attach his mug shot, but instead chose to attach his college highlights so that anyone that may have been unfamiliar with how promising he looked can now watch him. Enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYAjHA6HalM

1. Ryan Leaf, QB Washington State

Well it’s not like this is a shocker that he is my #1 pick. I really tried to spice this up a bit and put someone else in the #1 spot, but that wouldn’t be fair to Leaf. He has earned this honor.

Ryan Leaf. 2nd overall pick in 1998, right after the great Peyton Manning. Prior to the draft he led his once mediocre looking team into a championship looking team that almost upset the Wolverines in the Rose Bowl. Leaf was a contender for the Heisman but came in third, right after Charles Woodson and Peyton Manning. Not bad Ryan.

The San Diego Chargers selected Leaf to be their main guy. The one that would help lead them into the Super Bowl or three for that matter.

San Diego thought they had it made. San Diego was wrong.

After ten games of his first season, Leaf had thrown a total of 1,289 yards including two touchdown passes. He had a QB rating of 39. Leaf’s competition Manning, started in all 16 games, throwing a total of 3,739 yards including 26 touchdown passes with a QB rating of 71.2 Manning also broke 5 rookie records his first season. Indianapolis Colts Management=geniuses.

It didn’t help matters much that Leaf didn’t bond well with his teammates. Maybe that’s because he blamed them for his bad performance any chance he got.

I wanted so bad to feel sorry for him, to defend him, hoping he would prove me wrong. But I would be defending a man that actually lied about a hand injury to get out of football practice to go play golf instead.

As Ron Burgandy would say, "You stay classy Ryan".

He was released by the Chargers, finally, after 3 seasons and 4 wins. He signed with a couple other NFL teams, but was of no help. He announced his retirement in 2002 at the young age of 26.

I guess that whole getting out of practice to play golf was Ryan’s way of letting us know what was more important, as he is now a golf coach for West Texas A&M. He was later quoted saying “When playing football became a job, it lost its luster for me”. Well yes Ryan, last I heard when you sign a contract worth 31.25 million dollars, I’d say there might be work involved.

I’m pretty sure this is a man that definitely lived up to his last name. Leaf; very flaky. Not strong. Breaks easily. Loses its color fast. Wilts away into basically nothing never to be seen again.

Attached is an amazing segment on Leaf. You’re welcome. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rlCOs2D80Zg

Those are my top 5 choices. Other runner ups included; Charles Rogers, Heath Shuler, Ki-Jana Carter, Rashaan Salaam, Akili Smith, Todd Marinovich and Eric Crouch. I only had enough room to do my top No. 5 and didn’t use injuries as a reason for a top 5 draft bust.

I am sure there will be more Ryan Leaf’s to come, but I hope that college hopefuls will realize that money comes and goes. Talent will soon wash away with age. But if you play with the love you have for the game, instead of greed, it seems that goes a lot further than you could ever imagine.

That’s why I love the game so much, and why my favorite athletes are always the ones that put the team before themselves. That’s what football is all about.

Who Is the Greatest Athlete of Our Time?

Kristin Hamlin — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 12:34:24 -0400

I’ll give you a hint. He lettered in three sports in college: football, baseball, and track.

Any guesses?

Okay, I will throw out a couple more hints.

He won the Heisman Trophy, only to go on to sign with a professional baseball team, becoming a .250 hitter with 141 home runs and 415 RBI in 2,393 at-bats. Did I mention he made the NFL Pro Bowl during that time? Yes, the Pro Bowl. Are you getting warmer?

He was the only athlete to go to the Baseball All-Star game and the NFL Pro Bowl within one year of each other. This man claimed football was his hobby, yet he went on to break record after record on the football field.

Needless to say, he was a virtually indescribable athlete. He was, in my opinion, tougher, faster, and more talented than anyone to step onto a baseball diamond or into the trenches of the NFL.

If you already haven’t guessed Bo Jackson, then don’t waste your time reading this article. You wouldn’t appreciate it.

Bo Jackson.

His name alone sends chills down my spine. I remember, as a kid, watching him play for the Raiders. I was raised to be a “Raider Hater,” but I couldn’t help but secretly root for Bo. The guy was like Superman to sports fans. I vividly remember watching a Raiders game, late in the '87 season. It was a Monday night game. The Raiders were playing the Seahawks.

I remember Jackson setting a Raider record by rushing for 221 yards and scoring three touchdowns. I remember the 91-yard touchdown he had, untouched down the sidelines. He was running so fast that not even the end zone could stop him; so he continued on through the tunnel that led to the dressing room. It was that amazing.

And who could forget the play he made against Brian Bosworth. The play where Bo literally ran over a 250-pound NFL Linebacker. Bo said, “I met Bosworth head-on. We were on Seattle’s two-yard line, and I got to the ball and cut to the right, and Bosworth was waiting at the one, planting himself. I wasn’t going to get fancy. I went right at him. I went right through him. Just drove him back into the end zone”.

Those of you who were lucky enough to watch that game know the play I am talking about.

He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.2 seconds. Did I mention he was 6’1" and 230 pounds?

His first major-league home run flew over 475 feet, being the longest home run ever hit at Royals Stadium.

The guy was remarkable. The things he was able to do left us all in awe. George Brett was quoted as saying, “When Bo was at the top of his game, it’s a sight to see. It’s beyond your wildest dreams. It’s beyond my wildest dreams.”

Some say he could walk on water. I don’t know about that, however he could run up an outfield wall while making a catch, throwing it over 300 feet to home plate, getting the last out his team needed, which if you ask me, is almost just as impressive.

I wanted, just for a moment, to reminisce on the greatest athlete in my lifetime.

It’s hard not to think about what might have been, had Bo not gotten injured in ’91. I believe the games of both football and baseball would have been changed and records broken beyond our wildest dreams.

He would have been one of the few who stood out, that didn’t have to take steroids to break records and cheat the fans. He had the kind of talent many athletes envy. He had natural talent.

To this day, I haven’t seen anyone display the kind of talent Bo Jackson had. There have definitely been some amazing athletes to come and go, but I think that Linden King, a linebacker for the Los Angeles Raiders in 1987, said it best. “I’ve never seen anyone so fast and so strong. When God was handing out talent, Bo got it all”.

“Bo knows Baseball,” “Bo knows Football,” “Bo Knows.” I’ll tell you one thing, Bo claimed he knew. Bo was right.

Brett Favre: Forgetting a Legend?

Kristin Hamlin — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 08:10:11 -0400

I never really understood the word “fickle”, so I finally looked it up in the dictionary:

Fickle: (adj) not constant or loyal.

I don’t think there could have been a more appropriate word to describe the comeback of Brett Favre. No, I am not referring to Brett Favre himself being fickle, I am referring to the fans of football, the front office of the Green Bay Packers, and most surprisingly those die hard Packer fans that donned #4 on their backs every Sunday watching their so-called “hero” give his all to get a victory for not only his team but to his fans as well.

Every football fan out there knew Brett was all about the game. You never heard about Brett demanding more money or going to jail—Brett stayed out of the public eye unless it had something to do with the game he loved most, football.

After Brett Favre retired on March of 2008, football fans everywhere hung their head and showed not only appreciation for one of the league’s most valuable players, but respect. He was a legend, a man in his own league, a man that had so much class and dignity, you could see it through a television screen.

I watched his tearful retirement and got a little teary myself, as I knew that HE knew he wasn’t quite ready to throw in the towel, but he did it because he didn’t know if he could give 100% to the Green Bay Packers, and let’s face it, 100% is the only thing Brett Favre knew how to give.

But, could he really let the last play he ever made be an interception?

Some of us might be okay with that being our last play, knowing we would still be going down as one of the greatest QB’s of all time, but some of us, most of us, do not have the competitiveness that Favre has.

"Competitiveness alone won't win games, but when someone has some skill and then has competitiveness, they have a chance to be good", Irvin Favre, Brett’s father once said. "I knew Brett had a chance. I just did not know what he would do with it."

Many football fans, mainly GB ones, were irate at Favre wanting to be traded to the Minnesota Vikings, calling him selfish and a traitor. Wasn’t it Brett Favre that spoke openly about the Packers being his number No.1 team to play for? So Favre finally spoke out and said “If you won’t let me play for you, let me play against you.”

Selfish? No. Competitive? Yes. There is a difference. And that difference is what sets him apart from many athletes today.

Brett Favre played sixteen seasons with the Packers. During his time in Green Bay, he won three consecutive AP MVP awards—the first and only person in NFL history to do so.

He has led the Packers to 11 postseason appearances, including seven division crowns, four NFC Championship games, two Super Bowls, winning Super Bowl XXXI. He ranks first all-time with 160 victories, and also in virtually every significant passing category.

Back in March of 2004, Brett was chosen as the No.1 “Toughest Guy in America” on the basis of his “fearlessness, perseverance, a willingness to take a risk, a tolerance for pain and even a dash of modesty". That was four years ago, and now people are saying he is “too old to play the game”?

Funny, how just a year ago, fans everywhere were singing a different tune.

I wasn’t aware that after retiring, one of the greatest athletes of all time would be ridiculed for wanting to come back and play for the team, the game and the fans he loved most. Unfortunately, his comeback was not as welcomed as one would have hoped.

He was criticized left and right, and was made to feel more of an inconvenience than a man who dedicated half of his life to the Packers. A man that has started in 253 consecutive games for Green Bay. A man that, learning of his father’s death the night before, took the field and passed for a total of 399 yards and threw 4 touchdown passes, crediting it all to his Dad:

"I knew that my dad would have wanted me to play," Favre said. "I love him so much, and I love this game. It's meant a great deal to me, to my dad, to my family, and I didn't expect this kind of performance. But I know he was watching tonight."

He is a man who chooses to play with his heart no matter what the circumstances are, even if it meant walking away from the team he honored more than most of us will ever know.

On March 4, 2008, Favre formally announced his retirement. Favre’s agent, Bus Cook, believed that Favre had not received the impression from the Packers that they wanted him back.

Would he still have retired had he felt different?

I guess we will never know, but what is clear is where the disloyalty came from in the Packers front office—Ted Thompson. Favre released this statement about his former boss:

“It’s hard for me to, you know, trust, you know, this guy when I...either I’m told one thing and everyone else is told another, or he’s telling the public one thing and telling me another. And so...that’s part of the reason for requesting the release. Not only was I told that playing here was not an option, we’re moving on—it’s kind of in their company line, moving on. That’s OK.”

Brett knew he wasn't wanted, so he did what many feared most and filed for reinstatement with the NFL, his petition soon granted by Commissioner Goodell. Brett was traded to the New York Jets and so was no longer a Green Bay Packer.

But, being the class act he is, Favre left Green Bay with these words, "I always wanted to be a Packer," he said. "I think I'll always be a Packer. People will say it was the best 16 years. I think it was made clear this offseason that they were moving forward—that's OK —it's time for me to move forward."

Only time will tell if one of football’s greatest athletes will succeed in New York. It still feels so wrong to be writing Brett Favre and New York Jets in the same sentence. But what feels right is that Brett is on that field again.

He is following the one thing many of us are too scared to follow because of the risk—he is following his heart.

And that is why he will always be a hero. A hero on and off the field and a hero within. Good luck Brett. You truly are an inspiration to athletes everywhere.