When the Roar Of the Crowd Fade!

  

  

Seventy-eight!

This is the precentage of players that are either divorced, permanately injurjed, or bankrupt after their football career.

One-third!

This is the fraction of retiring players who are college graduates.

Few and far between!

This is the number of active players who are college graduates.

For many NFL players, football is their identity and their sense of pupose. For the majority, the game is all they know. However, there comes a time when it is time to hang up the cleats for good. After the the applause, after the last press confrence, and after the cheering stops, the player is forced to deal with the “real world” Looking at the numbers, most of these guys are not making a successful transisition after the game.

For the college players, I think that it is wise to take your classes and your major seriously. The average NFL career last any where from 3-5 years. If you make it to 10+  years, you are blessed and extremely fortunate! For the future, I think it is wise for the player to make contacts with folks in their field of interest. In the offseason, it is a good idea for the player to have an appreticeship or even an intership. For example, Miami Dolphins RB Samkon Gado wants to be a doctor after football. During his time in Green Bay, Gado was working in a hospital under doctors.  Gado, receieved a bachelor’s degree in health promotions and studied pre med courses at Liberty University. During the offseason, Gado took the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). 

Giants CB, R.W. McQuarters own a construction company in Tulsa, Ok where he also works along with his employees.

There are quite a few ex players who made a smooth transistion after the game. Tiki Barber and Keyshawn Johnson are turning out to be solid analysts.  Keyshawn holds a degree from USC in communications and provided an array of soundbites thoughout the years as a player. Going into the booth was a natural fit for this guy.

Barber holds a degree from the University of Virginia in Management Information Systems, but caught the media fever as a player. His elequence caught the eye Fox and later NBC. Now he is on the network’s ‘Football Night In America’.

After an illustrious career with the Seattle Seahawks, hall of famer Steve Largent found his way into politics. In 1994, Largent became a member of the House of Representatives from Oklahoma’s first district. He would hold that position until 2002.  After an unsuccessful run for Oklahoma govenor, Largent is now the President and CEO of the CTIA-The Wireless Association.

Hall Of Fame Quarterback Steve Young made sure he would not have to struggle after the NFL. During the prime of his career, Young earned his Juris Doctor from BYU’s J. Reuben Clark Law School. In addition to that, he is now in the private equity field. If that wasn’t enough, he is broadcasting for ESPN and still getting his yearly annuinity from the USFL.

Players can do it. They can be successful and carve a productive identity after football. The blueprint is there.

USE A CONDOM!

   

“You’re blessed man. Use protection and limit the number of women you see” -Ray Lewis to Shawne Merriman (Quoted in 2006 Sports Illustrated article)

“A pill aint gonna keep your d**k from falling off! I don’t understand why you insist on learning things the hard way but you gon’ learn. Oh, yeah. YOU gon’ learn!” -Laurence Fishburne as Furrious Styles in Boyz N The Hood

In the wake of the Lance Briggs Paternity saga, it is known that he fathered two other children outside of his relationship with Brittini Tribbett.  Before Briggs, we have heard about the paternity drama surrounding Brian Urlacher and Tyna Roberston, Larry Fitzgerald, Matt Lienart and Travis Henry, who fathered nine, you count them, nine children out of wedlock.

With all of that said, I think that this message is on time. Look, I know that these players regardless of sport are going to be out  there sleeping around so it’s whatever. BUT, don’t complain and whine when some woman or women approach you and say “I’m pregnant” or “I have the package and you may be infected.” when you could have used protection and used it right.

Yeah, condoms may take away some of the sensation but it is better than having to pay child support for a child you did  not plan to make. It is better than getting a deadly disease. Besides, there are all sorts of condoms out here on the market that offers protection and sensations, USE THEM!

Now, you may be using condoms but you may be using them wrong or even the wrong size. When you stap it on guys, you are supposed to leave room at the tip and squeeze the air out before sex. For those who may be using the wrong size, stop trying to be something that you are not! As long as you are not hung like a gnant  or have the girth of a pencil, then you are okay, you are fine. If you are using a condom that is not your size, well you know what will happen-condom falls off, the woman discovers it  later and put you on blast on message boards and tabloids.

 Yes, there are some unscrupulous women out here and they are “Forty-Niners” if you know what I mean. You must protect yourself at all times. She’ll tell you that she is on the pill but don’t believe her. Basic, common knowlege, but for some reason, you are still getting women pregnant and paying child support, evading child support, or not paying at all. To take care of this problem, instead of just throwing the condom in the trash for her to fish out later, you should empty the condom, flush the semen and sperm down the toilet, rinse the condom and rip it up!

If you are in the posistion of having a child, make the most out of the situation. Spend your time as well as your money. If you by chance had an absentee parent growing up, remeber what it was like and make sure you break the cycle. Develop a respectful relatioship with the baby’s mother for the sake of your children. Surely, these women are not that unreasionable out here.

If the woman is pregnant, don’t tell her what to do with the baby. The choice is hers. The only thing you can do is ask her for a paternity test. If it’s yours, Just take care of your responsiblilty so you dont end up being the subject of a paternity suit. Don’t whine about child support just shut up and pay it and be safe next time!

Lance Briggs: Child Support or Baby Mama Support II: A different perspective

“At this point, I’m not interested in having a relationship. At this point, all I am interested in is him being a present father that’s around. I’m interested in him providing for our daughter and settling this matter so we both can move on with our lives. I really don’t want to be fighting everyday” -Brittini Tribbett

DISCLAMER: I learned about this story yesterday, and based my previous entry off of the “Briggs says he’ll do right by his daughter” Tribune article (http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/cs-071219bears,1,4581949.story?ctrack=4&cset=true) where I took the point of view of Briggs and his lawyer, Randall Kessler.  Today, I found a different story and it was three days earlier than the aforementioned story. In “Briggs in Legal Battle” (http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/cs-071217briggs,1,217519.story?ctrack=3&cset=true) we have more the side of Tribbett.  Again, my previous entry was hasty and reckless, and I have edited it.

According to the “Briggs in Legal Battle” and “Broken Promises” stories on Dec. 17, this is what we know to be true.

-Briggs and Tribbett were indeed involved in a relationship. The story said that the two met a little more than a year ago via a mutual friend. Briggs and Tibbett talked about baby names and they settled in the Glenview condo. The daughter was born on Sept. 10

-Tribbett learned about two other women Briggs impregnated through MySpace. After learning about the two women, Tribbett moved out of the condo.

-In October, Tribbett filed a Paternity Suit to protect the interest of the child. This maneuver was amicable on both sides.

-Briggs then turned around took the credit card and the car that he gave to Tribbett and been slow in payments.

-Tribbett’s attorney, Enrico Mirabelli said that Briggs had provided $6,000 in support in the last six months, sans the car and condo. According to Mirabelli, this equals out to $250/week for six months.

-Briggs’ attorney, Randall Kessler said that the figure is $15,000 in three months, sans food, diapers, and other things that Briggs bought.

-Tribbett turned to family to help pay for diapers and formula.

-Kessler accused Tribbett of initially asking for a support package well over $110,000 a year.

-20 percent of net income is required by law for child support payment in Ill,

-20 percent in this case is $75,000/month

 Just like in the other piece, there are many questions surrounding this matter.

1) Is Briggs’ condo, car, credit card package really voluntary or just a way to maneuver and manipulate the law?

2) How can Tribbett go from one extreme to another with no middle ground?  Why is she relying on family for diapers and formula?

3) Does Briggs have evidence that the credit card may have been misused? Right now, it seems as if he took it because of the ‘amicable’ suit.

4) Why Briggs has not yet filed a formal response to this suit? It’s not like the Bears are in the playoff hunt.

5) Are the two women telling the truth about their babies? How do they know its Briggs’?

6) Why did the Chicago Tribune allow Kessler to portray Tribbett as a “golddigger” and “one night stand”? Did they reference the Dec. 17 story at all?

With that said, the daughter is still the real one who suffers. Three months old and her life is filled with confusion, turmoil and accusations from both parents. It was reckless of me to prematurely call Tribbett a ‘Jumpoff’ when I didn’t initially know the context of the relationship. I’m now questioning ‘golddigger’ at this point because $250.00/wk, $1,000/month, $6,000/six months is unreasonable and anemic if the father is making millions of dollars. However, there should be some middle ground for payment. According to Illinois law, the minimum is 20 percent of net income. If 20 percent of whatever Briggs’ net worth is, regardless of contract (Briggs is a Free Agent after the season), Tribbett should get that and nothing more and nothing less.

After getting this support, Tribbett should continue to attend school and make a better life for herself and her child. She should go about her life before she met Lance Briggs. Put that money to good use.

For you guys whining and complaining about child support, my position still stands. Be an active participant in your children’s development. Spend your time as well as your money. If you don’t want the deal with the mother, you don’t have to. When it comes to the well being of your child, you would find a way to make it work. You guys play in pain right? Surely, you can endure this matter and come out in one piece.

Speaking of you guys, I have something for yall in the next entry. To others, feel free to discuss the questions asked.

 

 

 

 

Dolphins to Parcells: Make Us Better!

 

It’s official.  Bill Parcells signed a four year deal to be the Dolphins’ Executive VP of Football Operations. The two-time Super Bowl winning coach will head the football operations and personnel, and report directly to Dolphins’ owner Wayne Huizenga.

This was the same role that Parcells rejected with the Falcons.  This is one in many challenges for Bill because he is not on the sidelines nor is he a general manager. He is basically buying the groceries. He is a proven winner on the sidelines, and well will see how he is in the front office.

The urgent questions are

-What will happen to Cam Cameron?

-What will happen to Randy Mueller?

-What will happen to Ricky Williams and Zach Taylor?

Lance Briggs: Child Support or Baby Mama Support?

“I have had an open door policy toward parenting,” “Lance has apparently had and open-pants policy toward paternity.” - Loyola Student Brittini Tribbett

“Have I taken care of my child? Absolutely. I’ve been through a lot with this, but I will take care of my daughter first.”     -Bears LB Lance Briggs

 

 ”The women in these situations, they’re only worried about the money and getting lawyers and all that stuff,” “They’re not worried about the most important thing: the kids. As a father, you are going to take care of your child, and that’s all the woman should worry about. The kids are the only ones who matter.”  -Bears MLB Brian Urlacher

Bears, LB Lance Briggs is in a bit of ‘babymama’ drama today, as the mother of his three month old daughter is taking him to court for ‘failure to pay adequate support for the child’.  Brittini Tribbett claims that the Bears’ Pro Bowler only pays $250 weekly in child support, and she received a total of $5,200 in support since Sept. 27.  Tribbett filed paternity suit papers two months ago.

According to the Chicago Tribune, Briggs was paying for a north suburban condo for Tribbett and the daughter. In addition to the condo, Briggs rented a vehicle for her and provided her with a credit card. If that wasn’t enough, Briggs also gave Tribbett $10,000 for pregnancy and delivery related medical expenses. (http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/cs-071219bears,0,3830640.story)

Currently, Tribbett moved out of the condo, and Briggs also took away the credit card and the rental car. However, Tribbett is still using Briggs’ Range Rover. So, basically Tribbett receives $1,000 monthly in child support, while Briggs’ 2007 salary is $7.2 million.

The smaller picture is: “$250.00 is nothing. Tibbett should receive 20 percent of Briggs’ income! This is wrong!”

The bigger picture is: “Briggs went above and beyond what was required for support. He kept Tibbett in a condo, provided her with a car, credit card, and paid for medical expenses.”

So, what happened between the child’s birth and September? Why was this arrangement acceptable at first, and now it is not? Why did Lance Briggs take everything back? Could it be….

A) Greed

B) Irresponsibility on Tibbett’s part

C) Council from Briggs’ handlers

D) Tibbett’s discovery that she may not be the only babymom in Briggs’ life

E) All of the Above

F) None of the above

Honestly, the only person I feel sorry for here is the daughter.  The daughter is the one suffering here because she is growing up with a “golddigger” for a mother and her father is just plumb dumb. This is the same guy who wrecked a Lamborghini and fled the scene. If Briggs can do that, what makes you think he would be a responsible, active parent?

As for Urlacher, at least Briggs’ intentions were good at first. He did try to provide for the mom and the kid. It was greed that messed her up. Until Brian can pay his required 20 percent for his child with Tyna, he shouldn’t say a thing about this matter!

However, there is a solution for this mess. Briggs can file for joint or full custody for the child. Briggs have a decent shot of winning this way because he can probably conjure up an image of  Tribbett  being  an unfit mother and use ‘mishandling of finances’  as examples. Besides, If he really want to do right by this daughter, spending time with her and being somewhat of an active parent is more valuable than money.

Tribbett should continue her studies, get a job, and move on with her life. She wanted a baller, and got him for a night. It was what it was. If she’s mad because Lance doesn’t love her or never loved her, she should get over it and stop playing victim.  She knew that this guy was a prominent athlete, and she saw dollar signs.  Her mistake was being greedy. She had a condo, car, and credit card. Just think about how set she would be if she just went to school and still worked a job. After graduation, focus on a career.

In the future, Briggs should be more careful and responsible. He should strap up, use the condoms and limit the women he sees. Had he done this from jump, he wouldn’t be in the mess he is in now. Right now, the numbers of HIV and AIDS infections are high; getting a female pregnant should be the least of his worries.

Note: At the time of posting this entry, I was unaware of  additional details in this story. My opinion was very hasty, and I have tone down this post but that is not enough. I will be offering another post about this matter today and an additional post about these situations in general.

 

 

Donovan’s Damage Control

Here is the bottom line on this blowup between Donovan McNabb and Pam Oliver. From my perspective, it seems as if McNabb and the Eagles Organization are doing some damage control when both parties know what time it really is in the offseason. Despite his denials and his proclamations, Donovan knows that he will not be a Philadelphia Eagle next season. He knows that the writing is on the wall and what it says! The wall says “Donovan=Ron Jaworski”  Let me explain the similiarity.

Philadelphia took Houston QB Kevin Kolb with their first pick of this year’s draft. This move was considered to be shocking since the Eagles’ need is not at quarterback. The same thing happend in the 1985 draft when the Eagles selected Randall Cunningham in the second round. It wasn’t long until Randall replaced Ron and Ron was out of Philly. The same thing can be applied here because McNabb is often injured and the fans are about sick of him. It seems as if the Eagles are listening despite the claims of ‘McNabb isn’t going anywhere’.

So what does the five time Pro Bowler do? He goes on HBO Real Sports to talk about how hard it is for a black quarterback. During the season, everything seemed to be fine. Everything seemed to be business as usual until the Dallas game. How much do you all out there wanna bet that something went down between the organization and McNabb the week of the game? Remember, Pam Oliver said in her interview with the Philadelphia Inquirer that she simply asked McNabb how he was doing and he volunteered a whole lot of information . http://www.philly.com/inquirer/sports/20071218_Fox_reporter_defends_story_about_McNabb__quot_Im_a_little_shocked_and_dumbfounded_that_it_has_all_been_denied__quot__Pam_Oliver_said_.html

Not to mention that Oliver withheld some of McNabbs most pointed and juicy remarks about the organization to cover his butt.  Donovan thought about what he told Oliver and how it would sound. So, he denied what he said and made Oliver look like a liar.

It doen’t matter though because the Eagles and the fans have their minds made up to move on without Donovan. If Philly can relase Jermiah Trotter without a good reason, what makes you think that Donovan McNabb is immune? The question now is, which quarterback starved team will get this guy?

As for Oliver, all she had to say, is ‘It was said and it was documented. I will stick by my story’  She shouldn’t have caught emotions.  Honestly, she shouldn’t have withheld quotes because in the end, it would not have mattered becuase McNabb won’t be an Eagle for much longer anyway. This may be just a blip of trouble for Pam but if she keeps the beef up, it may impact her job.

Donovan McNabb Vs Pam Oliver

“Right now, smoke is still coming out of my ears.”  -Fox Sideline Reporter Pam Oliver

Donovan Mcnabb chatted with Fox’s Pam Oliver during a pregame interview Sunday  In the report, McNabb “seemed to believe that his days in Philadelphia are numbered” and that he “sees an organization distancing itself from him” In fact these were Oliver’s exact words:

“Donovan really seems to believe that his days in Philadelphia are numbered. When I spoke to him before the game, I got the impresson that Donovan is a little hurt by what he sees as an organization distancing itself from him and an orginanization that’s overly concerned about the negative fan reaction to him.”

After their 10-6 victory over Dallas, McNabb denied what he said in the interview and claimed that he “wanted to be here (in Philadelphia) eight more, nine more years if possible”  Donovan basically called Pam a liar, and she is not having it!

In a phone interview to the Wilmington (Del) News Journal and Philidelphia Inquirer, Oliver is still heated at the Eagles QB. “I just feel like our relationship is definitely broken,” she said. “It is not easy being called a big, fat liar.You wake up to that and it’s unplesant.” Oliver continued to say that she no longer consider the five time Pro Bowler as a trustworthy source. The two developed a strong relationship stemming back to McNabb’s rookie season.  Oliver feels like Donovan stabbed her in the back.

Oliver sticks by her story. As of yet, there is no reply from McNabb regarding Oliver’s statements.

So, who is lying here?

After responding here, check out my take on the incident in the next entry.

A Giant Proposal

  

http://www.kxan.com/global/video/popup/pop_player.asp?ClipID1=2023539&h1=NBC%20Captures%20Aaron%20Ross%27%20Proposal%20To%20Sanya%20Richards&vt1=v&at1=News&d1=17767&LaunchPageAdTag=News&activePane=info&playerVersion=1&hostPageUrl=http%3A//www.kxan.com/Global/story.asp%3FS%3D7508013&rnd=45420116

During the Giants’ game against the Redskins, CB Aaron Ross proposed to his longtime girlfriend, Olympic gold medalist sprinter Sanya Richards.

They met each other as athletes at The University of Texas, and they have been dating since 2003. Ross was the 2006 Jim Thorpe Award winner and defensive MVP of the Alamo Bowl. Currently, Ross is second on the Giants’ depth chart.

In addition to her three gold medals, Richards is currently the world’s top-ranked female 400m sprinter. 

Judging from this Espn.com article (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/draft07/news/story?id=2822133), they pair seem like they are made for each other. They workout together and support each other on and off the field.

Let’s wish the happy pair the best!

Blame Romo, Team

Photo from NFL.com

Last night, I read an article on yahoo saying that some Cowboy fans are blaming Jessica Simpson for Tony Romo’s three interception peformance in Dallas’ 10-6 loss against Philly Sunday.

The statement and insinuation is assinine, absurd and downright retarded. Don’t get me wrong, I am no way a fan of Jesssica, but to believe she have something to do with Romo’s performance in the game is unfair. Think about it, how many wives, girlfriends, jumpoffs and groupies come to these games? There are alot of these women at the games, but thier presence do not affect the players one way or the other.  I bet that the women Romo is dating all atteneded the games where he was performing well. You fans were not criticizing them!

While Romo is having a great year and elevating his free agent stock, bad games happen every once in a while.  These bad games happen because maybe, the oppenets defense really studied, made adjustments and got hip to Dallas’ scheme. So, instead of blaming Jessica, Blame Tony and the offensive coordinator for not making the adjustments needed. Blame the Eagles defense for simplying being the better unit.

If you do want to blame Jessica for something, blame her for her undeserved success and career!

Rookies Of The Year

 

Photos from NFL.com

Have you ever had a feeling about a player be it good or bad by just looking at them and briefly watching them play? Well, that is the feeling that I had about Vikings RB Adrian Peterson and Niners MLB Patrick Willis during this year’s draft.  On draft day, the only names that we heard about were JaMarcus Russell and Brady Quinn.

After learning about Peterson before the draft, I just knew that he would be a lock for Rookie of the Year. In a Sports Illustrated article that I read, Peterson said that he runs angry. After reading that, I thought to myself, “Adrian will be a great asset to the team that drafts him-definitely rookie of the year material.

Fast forward to week 14, Peterson is 3rd in the league in rushing with 1,278 yards and 12 touchdowns. Already praised as the best back in the league,  Peterson is also the leading vote getter among running backs for the Pro Bowl.

This vicious hit was my introduction to Patrick Willis.  After that hit, I just knew that this guy would be a beast at linebacker. Fourteen weeks later, I was right again. Willis leads the league in tackles with 142 tackles (111 solo). I cant wait until Willis uses his wide receiver speed and start sacking people more often.  Under the tutelage of Hall Of Famer and Niners Assistant Coach Mike Singletary, the sky’s is the limit for this kid. P-Dub is definitely defensive rookie of the year.