The Love Of The Game Revisited
Filed under: baseball, basketball, college basketball, football, hockey, sports
Dear @tat2dsteelergal, @Tailgate365, @Pigsknlvnglady, @MDBirdLover, @steelergurl, @carolinaware and @thenflchick:
So What Do We Do Now?
Ladies and gentlemen, the 2009 NFL season has ended. The New Orleans Saints brought one home for NOLA and its thirsty for a championship fans, beating the favored Indianapolis Colts in Super Bowl XLIV by a score of 31-17. With the final gun of the final game of the season, we are all left to football withdrawal for the next few months. Oh sure, the scouting combine is coming up shortly, the NFL Draft in a couple months and training camp a couple months after that.
But no games.
No Sunday afternoon communals in front of the tube or in the stands, or with friends or via internet meeting places. Sundays (and Monday nights) will be a lot quieter without NFL football.
No smack talk. No great hits, great plays and great laughs and sorrows to share.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m sure we all will be entertained in the months to come until the NFL ramps up again. Some of us will follow hockey, some college and NBA hoops, some with baseball, and some with all of those. And oh yeah, there’s the Winter Olympics about to begin too, if you’re interested. Life goes on for all of us outside of the sport we love; and we got to deal with that as well.
But the gridiron quiets down just a bit. The sporting passion of fans like yourself and many others recedes ever so slightly, only to build again as we inch ever closer to the beginning of another NFL season. As we move on to the next one, the sport faces an uncertain future: labor questions in the distance with the possibility of an uncapped year next season and a possible lockout for the season after that. Let’s not dwell on that; there will be time to focus on and discuss the possibility that after next season a football season won’t start on time, or at all.
For me, personally: I just want to thank you all again for making this season extremely enjoyable. First with your participation in my original Love Of The Game post, and throughout the season as we commiserated about the greatest game on the planet: NFL Football.
P.S. To so many others on Twitter that I shared Sundays, Mondays, Thursdays and even Saturdays with over the past NFL season, thank you as well. I’ll try to name as many of you as I can, but if you think you should’ve been mentioned and you weren’t: hey, you know what I say-charge it to my head and not my heart.
@SidelinePass, @asportsscribe, @dfolkens, @cosadulce, @Inkognegro, @MkRob, @ltma, @brownsugar63, @ninerchick05, @cowboychick, @mrsFAB, @12kyle, @jeffw171, @GelaTrish, @edthesportsfan, @ay52, @stephsherman, @snwann, @khaijg, @Hail_Mary_Jane, @MDSteelerGal, @JUS_chillin, @BigDubz, @julythirteenth, @sbolen, @BMoreGoHard and @lovejonz618 (her Saints are champs at last!), thank you all.
High Scorers: It’s September
Filed under: MLB, NCAA, baseball, blogs, college football, football, high scorers, sports
…and people all across the land are ready for football. This edition of High Scorers begins with a post by Ken Masenda from the Ed the Sports Fan blog, who tells us why September is “The Greatest Month of the Year.” After seeing all the emotion and energy fans I have met on Twitter and friends I know personally have expended gearing up for any football, I would have to agree with him. Masenda briefly touches on the incident that occurred after the Oregon-Boise State matchup on Thursday night. If you haven’t seen it, here it is:
Now, to me, it looks like the Boise State player may have taunted or said something to Oregon’s LeGarrette Blount, and Blount reacted. Admittedly, he reacted badly and Blount has since apologized. However, the word has been handed down that Blount, a senior, has been suspended for the remainder of the season. Suspend him sure, but for the remainder of the season? My guess is, with the increased emphasis on sportsmanship (starting with the opening game handshake), Blount was made an example of what will happen when your emotion goes overboard. That was one hell of a right hand, though.
Pigskin Loving Lady is counting down the days till the NFL season begins. Let me tell you she isn’t alone. While her post does not have any comments as yet, I’ll bet you there are millions of folks out there feeling the same way she does (myself included).
Molly at MD Bird Lover reminds us all of the people who have worked so hard over the course of the last few weeks trying to make it on an NFL roster. This post wants us to remember that as the NFL preseason comes to a close, remember how hard they have worked chasing the dream. Today marks cut down day in the NFL, when a lot of players will be let go as teams get down to the mandated 53-player limit. For many, it may be the end of that dream of playing in the NFL.
Large Tuna at The City That Reeds reminds all fans (particularly Ravens fans) that the record a team gets from its preseason games means absolutely nothing as far as being a predictor of regular season results. The Ravens had a particularly good preseason in terms of wins and losses, going 4-0. Ravens historians will love to point out that during the Super Bowl season of 2000, the Ravens also went 4-0 in preseason. Of course, last year’s Detroit Lions also went undefeated in preseason; how did that work out for them last year? Wins and losses only count when the season kicks off, starting September 10th.
The NFL Chick! (now a video star, check here), checks in with another of her “sitchoazzdown” posts; this time Michael Crabtree and Adam “Pacman” Jones are featured. There is also one hilarious rant about a television that is just too funny. Let’s just say that I’m glad it’s not my house-we have one that size in our kitchen!
Lots of keyboard pounding in response to the Washington Post series on the Washington Redskins and their practice of suing fans who can’t afford their ticket packages. Steelergurl (who obviously isn’t writing about her team in this post) weighs in with her opinion, which I happen to agree with. She also has the links to the Post stories in her piece. Additional takes on the topic are offered by John Feinstein (who happens to write for the Post also) and the Stet Sports Blog. Great stuff all around.
Finally, are you weighed down by all the football references above? Well, baseball is winding down the regular season and building up steam toward its playoffs. For Oriole fans, it’s another season out of the mix (no surprise there). Many fans have probably dismissed the Orioles to begin following the Ravens. Zach at the Baltimore Sports Report reminds fans why the Orioles deserve your attention, even if the season isn’t going the way you might have hoped. He lets us know that these September games for the Orioles actually matter, even more than Ravens preseason games, as the future of the ballclub may be on display in these last few weeks. With the September callups and lots of young players filling out the lineup, the look of the team may be changing before your eyes, and not just on the field. This may be something of a referendum on Manager Dave Trembley as well.
Last, but not least, I want to give some shoutouts. First, to MKRob’s Sports Blog, thanks for your support, as always. While I’m sorry you were not the winner of the BlackWeblogAwards.com Best Sports/Recreation blog award, you are still a winner here with MP. Second to @SidelinePass on Twitter, for her website Sideline Pass (of course!). It’s a great idea, and if there are any female readers who just so happen to browse by here, check the blogroll and give Sideline Pass a look-see. They will be getting up and running soon, to help those “football widows” to get into the game that we love so much. And third, a shout out to the GelaTrish Chronicles blog…thanks for the link and your comments. Thanks for reading what I have to say, I’ll be looking forward to following you throught the football season with your “Bed-Stuy Beasts.”
The Love Of The Game
Filed under: NFL, blogs, following the locals, football, sports, television
The return of the NFL has fans excited
With the NFL regular season just around the corner, I thought I would ask some folks whose opinions I respect about the game to take a look back at how they became hooked on the game, or alternatively, what they are looking forward to in the upcoming season. Before I get to their responses, I just want to thank all of them for taking the time to reply. Surely they all probably have better things to do than be quizzed by me about their football jones. So thanks. And now onward with the post that will write itself:
In no particular order, we will begin with those who replied to how they got hooked on the game:
First, we hear from @tat2dsteelergal (Twitter or blog names only):
Growing up in Pittsburgh, it’s only natural that I have a passion for football. When I was born, in addition to the regular baby toys I also got a Steeler football and a mini-jersey. Football was always serious business at my house. During each Steeler game on TV, nobody was allowed to call the house – this was a known fact. No distractions. If the Steelers lost, we lost. It sounds corny when you say it, but Steeler football was always a big part of our lives.
I can remember my very first Steeler game at Three Rivers Stadium. I went with my Dad, who I didn’t particularly get along with, but football was something we could always come together on. I remember climbing what seemed to be endless ramps to get to our seats. I’ll never forget rounding the corner and seeing that field for the first time, it was truly magical. I couldn’t believe I was so close to the PITTSBURGH STEELERS! One of my heroes, Rod Woodson was right in front of me! I stood there with my mouth hanging open, just taking it all in. The atmosphere was incredible. You could feel the excitement in the air, the terrible towels waving, the entire building was alive. I was in awe the entire game. I couldn’t believe I was actually at a football game at Three Rivers Stadium, cheering on MY team! That was the first of many, and many more to come.
To this day, I’m still in awe when I walk into Heinz Field take everything in. It’s still every bit as magical as it was the first time I saw Rod Woodson at Three Rivers. I think sometimes I feel like a part of me is on that field with the Steelers. I feel like they represent a part of me, where I came from and what I’m about. I feel proud then they win and defeated when they lose. I’m excited for the season to start because it gives me a chance to escape, if only for a few hours on a Sunday. I have such a strong passion for my team, it truly makes me happy to see them out on that field, win or lose. I could go on and on for days, but in a nutshell…football makes me happy.
Next, Lee from The City That Reeds (@Tailgate365 on Twitter):
What is it that excites me about the NFL Season? That is sort of like asking “what excites me about breathing”. I am a huge baseball fan and really get into other sports but there is nothing, and I mean NOTHING, like football. It all started for me very young-the earliest memories I have are watching one of my all-time favorites…Walter Payton. He did things that we’re just super human and his death was a very sad day. The day the Ravens won the Super Bowl was just an unbelievable day for me and for the city. That’s a tough feeling to top.
Now football has become a lifestyle with the creation of my blogs and websites. It also has become a family affair. We look forward to every Sunday because we know we’ll either be in a parking lot outside the stadium with friends and family or at home cooking and sharing a day with no worries besides who is bringing the wings.
And now, the Pigskin Loving Lady (@pigsknlvnglady on Twitter):
Football, football, football. The cream in my coffee, and the passion that fuels my heart. I became an avid viewer of the game during my pregnancy with my first son. We were stationed in Frankfurt, Germany during the years the Buffalo Bills were making their 4 Super Bowl appearances. My husband took the time to answer all my questions, while patiently (most important) teaching me the game. I must admit, I was hooked. The beautiful battle between men, fighting for that ultimate title is priceless. Nothing brings me as much joy on a crisp September day at 1PM EST. My heart races, my palms get sweaty….awww it’s game time. That feeling has only INTENSIFIED with each passing year.
We follow with the MD Bird Lover (@MDBirdLover on Twitter):
I grew up in Niagara Falls, New York was an avid Bills fan with my entire family.
Then I moved to B-more. Knew very little about the Colts traditions till I met my husband. And man- what a history lesson I got. Breaks my heart the way it was handled- the way B-more was treated, Cleveland has nothing on us.
Well, I took Neil to his first NFL game at Rich Stadium after the Colts. Suffice it to say it was a memorable day and that was when I knew! ner LOL.
Just so happens the year we got married was the same year the Ravens came to town. At my wedding, (I have a big family) there was a tug-of-war so to speak between my siblings and relatives in New York versus my new B-more family. I had to choose. Since Neil and I are season-ticket holders since the Ravens inception, it was a no-brainer for me. My family had to let me go…baby girl was branching out. The Bills are my number two team.The thing with football is it is a universal language. Even if people don’t follow it, they know about their team.
Last, but not least Steelergurl (@steelergurl on Twitter):
I was always a “daddy’s girl” and my dad was always a Steelers fan. I can remember being cuddled up with my dad on the couch watching games on Sundays from the time I was about 5 years old. By the way, that was when the Steelers won the first Super Bowl. The love of football, or sports in general, is really my way of bonding with my father. I was never a talker about other things in my life and we’ve definitely had our differences over the years, but the one thing that we can both agree on is Steelers football. My father, though, was more of a baseball player himself. When I was growing up, we had seats right behind the dugout for Pirates games. I can remember very clearly cheering for Willie Stargell and Dave Parker. While my brother continued the baseball tradition, I am the one who has the strong love of football.
I love the Steelers still, even after spending my adult life in San Diego, Baltimore and Washington DC, because of their style of play, the commitment of the Rooney’s and the continued bond with my father. I can’t see ever cheering for another team. It’s true what they say about Steelers fans, we bleed black and gold.
And we will hear from those who wanted to speak on what they are looking forward to in the upcoming season. As fate would have it, I got two responses. One from a Steelers fan and one from a Ravens fan. So in perfect symmetry, they balance each other out (no one said anything about recent on-the-field-results, alright!). No more from me, let’s get to the responses:
First, our visiting rep from the Steeler Nation, CarolinaWare from The WareHouse blog (@carolinaware on Twitter):
To see #’s 43,39,10,86,92,24,7,and 14 do their thing. @ my team.
To see if Matt Stafford will bring some SEC magic to the Lions.
If Sean “Shady” McCoy can really supplement Brian Westbrook in Philly.
If Beanie Wells can take the job from Hightower out in Pittsburgh West. @ the Cardinals.
To see some kid that I have never heard of, become a star. @ some undrafted rookie or FA get some time.
To see some REAL HITS. Probably by my team but not a requirement. I will take them in any uni.
I can’t wait to see some improbable comebacks, some quality choking and if Tony Romo can REALLY be a star without T.O. To see if Felix Jones can shine a lil brighter.
To see my boy Stanly Arnoux on the sideline for the Saints in good spirits. Listening in the defensive huddle. And getting ready for next year. @ ruptured achilles that has spoiled his rookie season.
I can’t wait to my Steelers do well. We may win it. We may not. I mean did not think we would do it last year. Wanted it but that doesn’t it would happen.
Fantasy football!
Madden football!!
That is what I am waiting on.
Now repping the home team, Bmore’s own The NFL Chick! (@thenflchick on Twitter):
I am SOOOO excited about the upcoming NFL season for so many reasons. Let me count the ways… LOL
- I’m excited to see if my Ravens can do better than last year (I hope they can, better means Super Bowl)
- I’m excited to see if this is the year someone wipes that scary smile off of Hines Ward’s face
- I’m excited to see if Tom Brady can come back from such an injury with setbacks, and dominate again
- I’m excited to see if Eli can back up his play with that humongous amount of cash the Giants just threw at him
- I’m excited to see if this is the year my boo, Philip Rivers, can be respected as one of the Top QB’s in the league
- I’m excited to see how much closer Ed Reed can get to breaking Rod Woodson’s career INT yards record
- I’m excited to see if the Lions can actually win a game this year
- I’m excited to giggle and snicker and talk trash to every person’s team we beat this year
- I’m excited about simply watching football again. Thank God it’s back!
You may be asking, well, what’s your story MP? Well, even if you aren’t I’m gonna tell you anyway. It goes a little something like this:
Growing up in a household filled with women who were decidedly non-sports fans, I basically had to pick the game up from that noted babysitter, the television. I also remember listening to older guys talk about the game at the barbershop and soaking up whatever I could from their discussions. Many of those guys were the elders who taught me early on to root for my local teams, through good and bad. That means that I started out as a Baltimore Colt fan, but I grew into a fan of the game as well. I can remember watching Super Bowl VIII as Larry Csonka ran wild over the Minnesota Vikings, and I became hooked on football. Once the Ravens came to town after that dark period when Baltimore had no NFL team, my fandom only grew, not just for the team, but for the game itself. Now that I have DirecTV’s Sunday Ticket, I look forward every year to having every game available at my disposal, inviting friends over or going to their houses for football, food and fun (smack talking optional, but usually present). Now that my wife is starting to watch games with me, I get to teach her what I had to learn myself, the game of football. I’m hoping that she too, will love the game the way I have come to love it. She may never learn every nuance about it, but I’m hoping that in time, she will pick it up just as I did.
Again, many thanks to my blogging and Twitter friends for their time, and their stories. Looking forward to hearing from you all throughout the upcoming season.
New Digs…Same Blog
Welcome…if you are reading this post, then you have discovered my new home. Mind Pinball has moved from Wordpress.com to join with the Tailgate365 family of bloggers. No changes in what you get here; just a different address. If you are adding this to your blogroll, please use the link http://mindpinball.com.
A few words of thanks are in order to the following people: Mike and Lee from Tailgate365 for their help in getting me set up here; Mike for the behind the scenes work and Lee for making the connection for me. Both of them have blogs on the network; check out The Mile High Salute and The City That Reeds, respectively. Another word of thanks to Lahne, for getting the ball rolling on this; you can find her here also at Steelergurl. There are several other blogs in the network, look under The Tailgate365 Family in the blogroll for their names and links. And thanks to all three for asking and/or allowing me to be a part of the team.
Got something to say? Get at me at the email address under Contact Me, or at Facebook or Twitter (@mindpinball).
High Scorers: Good Deeds Overseas
With all the Steve McNair coverage, rememberances and reflections made and delivered over the past week, it’s difficult to remember that there have been other stories to be told. Most not as newsworthy, perhaps, but still they get an airing. And this is what we do at MP’s High Scorers, we bring you some of those stories from a blogger’s perspective (and it gives me something to post while giving props to my fellow bloggers):
Leading off this week we have the Pigskin Loving Lady, with her post about the recent USO tour undertaken by several current and former NFL coaches. Tom Coughlin, John Harbaugh, Jeff Fisher, Bill Cowher and Jon Gruden all took part in the tour, helping to bring some good vibes from the league and the home front to the troops fighting for our freedom.
The Baltimore Sports Report discusses the possible trades the Orioles may make as the trading deadline for Major League Baseball gets closer. With the imminent move to bring Cesar Izturis back on the active roster, there is discussion that either Felix Pie or Oscar Salazar may be moved. Those two and other tradeable candidates are discussed in this post. Zach also alerts us to a great article in Sports Illustrated about the Earl of Baltimore, former Oriole manager Earl Weaver.
The NFL Chick offers her take on the recent debate at ESPN.com over which safety, Troy Polamalu or the Ravens’ Ed Reed is the better all-around player in the AFC North. You’ll find her thoughts very refreshing. Also check out how she manages to combine Twitter, Michael Vick and Steve McNair into one post. Talent, I tell ya… you gotta love it.
Right Off Russell gives Ravens’ fans a training camp preview on the team’s linebackers. The Ravens linebackers are perhaps the most talked about part of the defense, starting with certain Hall of Famer Ray Lewis and T-Sizzle, Terrell Suggs. Sadler also gives his thoughts on who may replace Bart Scott, as well as the depth at the position.
Molly at MD Bird Lover gives an appreciation to the recently concluded season of the Baltimore Mariners, who suffered a 50-20 loss at the hands of the Reading Express, while doing a profile of Jamal Frazier, the quarterback of the Maryland Sting, a semi-pro outdoor football team in the Colonial Football Alliance. Thanks to Molly for giving some shine to teams outside of the national spotlight.
MKRob’s sports blog has a story about the interesting enhancements the UFL is making to make the league “innovative, modern and more accessible to fans.” Some of the proposed rule changes and enhancements would be interesting adds to the NFL and college football, if they were adopted. The UFL is scheduled to being play in October, right in the thick of the NFL season.
Last but not least, I have found my dream appliance. Head over to Tailgate365.com and have a gander at the specs for the “Man Wall”. Let me tell you, if I had the room and the funds, this would be in my house right now. Add in DirecTV’s NFL Sunday Ticket, a choice beverage and snacks, and you’d almost never see me during football season.
Steve McNair: 1973-2009
Filed under: NFL, african-americans, blogs, college football, death, football, sports
RIP, great warrior (Photo Credit: Getty Images)
It is with unbelievable shock and sadness that I sit here and write the following words: Steve McNair is dead.
I was out celebrating the Fourth of July with family and friends when I switched my cell phone to receive Twitter updates. The live band perfoming at the cookout was about to take the stage and I had a spare moment to look at a few random tweets. The first one that came across was a re-tweet stating that McNair had been found shot to death in a Nashville condominium. News began to spread as more people arrived at the cookout about the tragic situation. Whenever an athlete or celebrity dies in circumstances like these, questions always arise. What was he doing there? Why was another woman (not his wife) there and shot as well? Those and many other questions are for police detectives and folks who love gossip and innuendo to deal with. Me, I can only deal with the sadness and sense of loss.
I think of Steve McNair the football player, and how the skeptics were out in full force when he was drafted, and even before then, when the big universities who loved his athletic ability were afraid to let him play quarterback. So McNair took his skills and desire to play quarterback to Alcorn State, where he fashioned an amazing career. The HBCU Sports Blog goes so far as to say that McNair was the best black college quarterback of all time. That post puts him in a class of black college football pillars that begins with Eddie Robinson, and includes Walter Payton and Jerry Rice. When the Houston Oilers drafted McNair in the 1995 draft, it was with the intention of letting him play quarterback, not turning him into a defensive back or wide receiver. McNair rewarded the franchise’s faith in him by leading them, at that time then known as the Tennessee Titans to its only Super Bowl appearance to date, rallying the team down the field and falling just one play short of sending the game into overtime.
Many fans of NFL football remember McNair as a great competitor, a tough player who always came to play despite injuries that would keep other players on the sidelines. The accolades he earned-the Pro Bowls, the MVP award he shared with Peyton Manning, the playoff appearances, the season he led the Ravens to the best regular season record in franchise history-burnish his resume. The word I keep using to describe McNair, and many others have as well, is warrior. To me, he was one of the greatest warriors I ever saw in watching pro football. He always seemed to be in control, and he always battled to the end, win or lose.
He will always be a beacon of light for black quarterbacks who came behind him, and those still to come, and he furthered the progress from black quarterbacks who came before, such as Joe Gilliam, Warren Moon, and Doug Williams. Steve McNair, along with those who arrived before him, helped to further diminish the stigma of the “black quarterback” in the game of pro football at the NFL level and for that, as well as his accomplishments, make him worthy to be celebrated.
Farewell, Mr. McNair. May you be at rest in a better place.
I have been reading other posts of McNair memories today; this one by The NFL Chick is one of the best I’ve read so far. To my blogging friend and fam-well said.
High Scorers: Bloggers I Like
Filed under: baseball, blogs, following the locals, football, high scorers, sports
In what will probably become a regular feature (and an easy way for yours truly to post something meaningful over here), I will present some of the good things I have read from other bloggers and blogs I like. If you’re into sports, you should check them all out.
My first high scorer is the MDBirdLover, who goes first for personal reasons (ha ha, the profile of course). She is an Oriole and Raven fan (as am I), but you will also find stories of lesser-known Baltimore sports teams and players. One of those is Cody Eisner, a young boxer heading for the Golden Gloves. She has written several posts about him, here is her latest.
Next on the list is Steelergurl. Now, normally as a right-minded thinking fan of the Baltimore Ravens, I would only have derogatory things to say about the Steelers, but the truth is, you gotta respect the franchise for its success, even if some of said success comes at the Ravens’ expense. I’ll root against them every time the play the Ravens, but I’ll never not respect that squad or the organization. Anyway, she writes a blog focusing on, you guessed it, the Pittsburgh Steelers. There are good posts there, here is one about the NFL possibly expanding the Rooney rule.
For my next high scorer, we feature MKRob of MKRob’s Sports Blog. Mike covers a lot of ground on his blog, and is a Miami Hurricane and Dallas Cowboys football fan. Of the many good posts he has made, one of his recent ones focuses on the new hires made by the upstart UFL, a new football league starting play in October (which I didn’t even know or forgot until he told me). See, you can learn things on blogs! Who says the only things you can learn about sports come from mainstream sources…
Next in line is the NFL Chick, who is a source of good info about the National Football League. All I can say is don’t sell her short when it comes to her NFL knowledge! She’s a very entertaining writer as well. Today she trained her eye and keyboard on the release of Michael Vick from prison and his prospects for future NFL employment. Extra plus for the NFL Chick-she’s a proud Ravens fan!
Another football loving female is the Pigksin Loving Lady. Her blog of the same name has the tagline “first and then: football from a woman’s point of view.” And while it may be from a woman’s point of view, her posts are fun and entertaining no matter what gender you are. This Buffalo Bills fan is excited about the arrival of Terrell Owens to the Bills, and expresses the excitement in this post.
Last but not least, we have the guys at the Baltimore Sports Report. They have the B’more sports scene covered, focusing mainly on the Orioles and Ravens, but also some posts about national sports stories as well. If I miss any Oriole games, Zach always has the games covered with his witty recaps. Here’s the latest one regarding the latest loss to the hated New York Yankees.
So these are my high scorers…or favorite blogs or whatever you want to call it. If this post has a sponsor, I guess it would be Twitter, for I never would have found these blogs or these people without it (with the exception of the MDBirdLover). They have shown my little corner of the world a little blog love, so I reciprocate with this post. This is a thank you for accepting me into your blogging family…knowing that you probably have other ways to spend your time online.
Good Friday with The Queen Of Soul
Found through my time on Twitter: Talib Kweli (@RealTalibKweli for those of you in the Twitterverse) linked to this video:
MP loves Aretha Franklin. Her studio version is one of my favorite covers by her. She doesn’t disappoint here doing it live.
Good Friday Everyone!
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