The Morning Tailgate

Though they may find a way to convince themselves otherwise initially, sometimes even the most publicity-hungry, circus-like franchises can’t handle the antics of certain pro athletes.  

On Monday, that proved true for one NFL team that was forced to part ways with one of the most celebrated idiots in professional sports.

Pacman Jones has officially been released by the Dallas Cowboys.

Considering who they’ve littered their roster with over the years, it hardly came as a surprise when it was Jerry Jones’ bunch that took a flyer on the maligned Jones when he came off of his league suspension after several incidents—most of which involved the strip clubs and throwing wads of cash into the air.

In the end, the Cowboys' clubhouse of all places was just not prepared to handle what Pacman brought to the table.

Even the guy’s own bodyguards weren’t safe from his wrath.

With more lifetime arrests than games played in 2009, it could be rough sledding for Pacman to find a willing taker for his services in 2010.  Frankly, if you can’t fit in with the Cowboys, how the hell are you going to fit in anywhere else?

Well, come to think of it, there may be one person still willing to make a run at him…

One thing is for sure—before Al Davis entertains the idea—someone is going to have to tell him what the hell “Pacman” means.

February 10

1990 - Buster Douglas knocks out Mike Tyson in the 10th Round at the Tokyo Dome. Because of the location of the event, the official date can be referred to as “Feb. 11″ but here in the states, we watched it February 10th, 1990, on HBO. And to think, none of these goofballs ever knocked out the champ.

1992 - Mike Tyson is convicted of rape. Let’s just say that if Tyson actually had any brain cells remaining, he’d really hate Feb. 10.

2005 - Curt Schilling donates his Game 2, 2004 World Series sock, otherwise known as the blood-stained sock that all of us will use as a tissue should we ever break into the Hall of Fame.

2010 - Curt Schilling donates his laptop that he originally used to create “38 Pitches” to the Smithsonian. The laptop was found two months later at a D.C. garage sale.###MORE###

There’s something about classic boxing footage that conjures warm nostalgia — even when the seemingly unbeatable knock out king loses his title and eventually his grip on reality.

…that A-Rod (pictured here in a spectacular shade of orange/red courtesy of Deadspin) admitted to using steroids for three years.  And oh yeah, ESPN interviewed him.  We just wanted to let you know in case you hadn’t stumbled across one of the 3,575 promos they showed for it last night.