Where It All Started

This is the intro of the first NFL game I have ever watched: Super Bowl XXIV!  I remember this game and what led up to it fondly.

I was one out of three girls on my block and the boys were interested in football-namely the classic Nintendo Game, Tecmo Bowl. I played a few games with them and in one of those few games, I wondered if the names in the game were real people or computer generated. I wondered if Lawrence Taylor, Walter Payton, Steve Largent, Marcus Allen, Joe Montana, and Ronnie Lott were real (remember, I was an 8 year old then)  One day, while the TV was on ESPN, I got my answer when I saw a feature on Montana, Jerry Rice, and the rest of the 49ers. I was watching the buildup before the Super Bowl.

I remember being in front of my fathers TV watching the Niners and Broncos playing in the Superdome for the Lombardi Trophy. In that game, My eyes were on Rice and Elway. I loved watching #80 slicing through the middle on the way to the end zone. I was sitting wondering “what will he do next?” He was amazing. I watched Elway throw interceptions and smiling afterwards. My dad thought that he was on high on something  because he was smiling after those mistakes.

After that game, I became an NFL fan and a Niners fan. After the Broncos’ 55-10 loss to the 49ers, I got the chance to watch more Elway games, and I saw him at his best. I didnt judge him after SB XXIV.  I also, watched L.A. Raider games when they had Marcus Allen, Bo Jackson, and a speedy receiver and kick returner named Tim Brown. I enjoyed those guys too.  I am a North Carolinian and for the majority of my childhood, we did not have a pro football team. So, the majority of people were either Redskins, Cowboys,and Niner fans. I pulled for San Francisco and the Los Angeles Raiders. This was before I learned that the LA Raiders moved there from Oakland and these two teams were fierce geographical rivals.

 Although my allegence changed a bit over the years, and there are certain aspects about todays game I don’t like, I still watch and I don’t see that changing anytime soon. If I get married, I don’t see my husband and I arguing over the tv. I see my husband and I arguing over our teams. LOL!

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!

Daddy Issues

In the aftermath of the Michael Vick situation, the QB’s sperm donor whores himself out to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution not once but twice. This “man” was quick to snitch on his famous son because he didn’t get more money. Basically, paying for an apartment and a cell phone wasn’t good enough for this deadbeat.

After reading the disgusting display of betrayal and greed by Vick’s “father”, I understand why Michael and his siblings take the surname of their mother. Reading what Michael Bodddie said in the AJC also made me understand why Michael and his brother Marcus are the way they are.

With all of that said, The whole Vick/Boddie thing is another classic example of a deadbeat parent weasling his or her way back into the picture once the child makes it big. Once said “parent” is back in the picture, they tend to take advantage of the child’s generosity.  What Vick did was admirable. There are not many athletes/celebrities who would help an absentee parent and attempt to make amends. Vick isn’t the only player that tried to form a relationship with a deadbeat parent and failed.

Ray Lewis on several ocassions tried to help and form a bond with his estranged father. However, the father took advantage of Lewis’ generosity. After Ray built a career, he opened up the lines of communication with his father and even sent some money on ocassions. All the pro-bowler wanted was to have some man-to-man time with his biological father. After a few attempts, Ray stopped trying and cut his father out of his life for good.

In many interviews, Lewis attributed his legal troubles and paternity issues to his father not being a strong presence in his life. While mothers are strong, nurturing and resillant, they cannot completely teach a boy how to be a man. Granted, Lewis fathered 6 children with two different women but he makes an effort to spend some time with each.

Last week, it was revealed that that Broncos RB and breeder Travis Henry fathered nine children out of wedlock. How much do you all want to bet that this guy was raised in a single parent home? This is what happens when there is an absence of a father in the home.

Abesentesim is a viscious, destructive, disease that must end. The effects of this disease is generational, that’s the bad news. The good news is, the disease is curable. Men, you can cure this ill by stepping up to be fathers to your children. I’m not talking about spending money on child support. I’m talking about spending something more valuable than money. I’m talking about spending time!

RED ZONE’S SEASON FORECAST: AFC WEST

1.  Chargers

While I’m not really confident in General Manager A.J. Smith’s and CEO Dean Spanos’ decision to dump Marty Schottenheimer for Norv Turner, I believe that this team can easily win the AFC West and become a problem for the conference’s elite.  While Turner’s hire only benefit QB Philip Rivers, San Diego is a team that can basically run itself. Despite having a talented offensive coordinator yet flawed head coach at the helm, this team will preservere.

Look for the bolts’ defense to be stronger than ever this year as Ron Rivera brings his championship winning Tampa 2 scheme to the West Coast.

2007 projected record 13-3

2. Broncos

Offseason Tragedies aside, this is a strong and solid football team. I see Jay Cutler coming into his own as a starting QB. Skill players such as RB Chris Henry and WRs Javon Walker and Rod Smith are only three weapons that Cutler will rely on.

Denver’s defense was ranked 14th in the league last year. While their stats are not stunning, they managed to keep the Broncos conpetitive.

 2007 projected record 10-6

  

3. Chiefs

Granted, Larry Johnson received his big pay day and is currently in camp, it just doesn’t matter without a passing game to take the pressure off of the pro bowler.

The defense is pretty much shot. The linemen are going to have some hard times this year. Well at least, these guys play to win the game!

2007 projected record 9-7

4. Raiders

Just wait ’til next year, Baby!  The defense, while menancing and nasty, cannot win games alone.

 2007 projected record  8-8