I’m feeling some type of way, y’all, about what I’ve been seeing on major networks… and some commercials in general. Man, my thing is, just let sleeping dogs lie (Uh, maybe poor choice of idioms, but my intention held no malice. LOL!)…

So, if you’ve watched a single segment of any sports’ program recently, you know that Michael Vick is now apparently the second coming. As the latest crowned quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles, Vick has perfected his game—accelerating his passing game and perfecting his running prowess—is being mentioned with the great veteran quarterbacks. I love it! I’m glad he’s back and because he spent a good deal of time off the field, he’s fresher than the average 30-year-old quarterback who may have had an uninterrupted career.

Surely, if you’ve lived on this planet for any amount of time you’ll know that Vick was part of this horrific group who funded and operated dog fighting rings (hence the poor usage above) and obviously supervised while animals were injured and killed. He served his time, along with attending various help classes, and he also donated to several charities. Now, you fast forward to today and Vick has all the analysts’ tongues wagging (OMG! Another one… I’m telling you, I guess you just don’t know how much you use dogisms to make a point.) and team officials wishing they’d chosen him. So, now that he’s the man on top, there are some haters out there who want to bring his past back to the nations’ attention by displaying just how horrible the superstar NFL player really is. Really?

Why? He served his time. I’m sure he’s learned a great deal and now he’s trying to get on with his life… Shouldn’t everyone else, too? There are so many examples I could pose here for conversation sake, but I’m sure you all can go through your mental rolodex to note a handfull, too. With not minimizing his actions, I want to add that the man didn’t kill another person. And, as a pet lover I was disgusted by this entire story, but at the same time I’m not trying to be his judge and jury each time his face or stats go across the screen in a positive manner… Why can’t people create commercials and such that relay the message that he’s a real life example of how you can make bad decisions, deal with the consequences, and still make it? Man, sometimes I just wonder what planet I’m really on.

What 18-year-old do you know who… if given the opportunity to better his family’s situation… while having someone totally handle any potential heat… and all the while doing what he or she loves… would turn down the chance to do so (I’ll wait…)? You don’t know any either, right? So, please tell me why one really fast bus is leaving skid marks on one superstar NFL football player?

In general, I’m not a fan of being thrown under the bus, but this one is for the record books, literally… Or, at least, was for the record books. Reggie Bush, 2005 Heisman Trophy winner from University of Southern California (USC), is now a superstar player with the New Orleans Saints… He also had to return that trophy this week. Some argue that he should be able to keep the trophy, based solely on his performance on the field… That the allegations surrounding his situation, then, were off-the-field issues.

I think I’m gonna agree with that side of the fence. How many years removed are we from this presentation of the trophy, and please enlighten me on how this removal is taking away from any stat he accumulates or charity work he does today? It’s a shame and honestly, too much to get into in this post, but the punishment (I feel) doesn’t necessarily fit the “crime”.

I think people sometime forget how they’d like to be treated if they found themselves in certain situations. And, just like honest people looted in New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina to provide for their family, I’m not sure I’ll ever meet an 18-year-old who would be willing to see their family’s struggle remain if they could do something to change it for the better.

So, I was sitting on the couch with a friend (a guy; valuable for later) and Hubby just shooting the breeze, nothing special. Hubby went upstairs and then came back down with an excited, “expectant” look on his face.

He says, “Honey, guess who was traded to the Ravens?”, and we all starred at each other. I was totally unsure of the answer, secretly hoping that T.O. had been miraculously traded from the Cincinnati Bengals. I guess I was just taken aback by his overall expectation that I’d just know… period. After the stare was obviously getting us no where and Hubby wasn’t answering our question of what the position was being filled, I yelled out (sorta squinting my eyes in doubt) “Houshmandzadeh” (yes, I checked the spelling)!

Ding, ding, ding… I was right! Who knew? I couldn’t believe it. Why was “Houshmandzadeh” even in my vocabulary (Crack up!)? And, Hubby was completely overjoyed as I’m sure he felt the glee of hoisting the my-wife-knows-sports trophy over his head. For me, it was more of a process of elite-player elimination… In which T.J. fit the bill with being part of the shocking ones (at least for me) who were let go from their respective roster.

I mean, I love sports (It’s obvious.) and with this time of year coming up (Uh football, not fall… Ugh!), I could just run naked outside with the deer and chickens (well almost…). And although it was pure sports’ knowledge for me, it was much more for him. Significant others, I’m telling you, it’s worth the hoisting of the trophy… Especially when you’re the only lady in the room (major shopping points… Hey, I’m still a woman, too!).

[Aug. 29th AMENDED BLURB... University of Texas coach, Mack Brown, said Sergio Kindle's recent fall down two flights of stairs might have been the result of narcolepsy.]

He fell down the stairs? Ummm… okay.

So, Sergio Kindle… the “not-signed-yet-with-the-Ravens” lineman out of University of Texas is in stable condition with a head injury. Guess how? Well, the Ravens gave a report (apparently from Kindle’s dad) that he was celebrating being drafted before he was due to training camp and, well, fell down two flights of stairs (Are your eyes all squinty, too, wondering “what?”?). Like, could he not regain his balance after the first flight?

Ravens’ first pick in the 2010 draft has a head injury and it’s a sad situation because I’m thinking how do you know he’ll be the same? And, uh rah, what time are we talking before he’ll be able to practice with the team? And most importantly, how bad will his second head injury be once his mother is done with him?

I think you can tell that I’m drained by it all, but you know, I just want these guys to think. Your life was about to be what its never been, but now, now there is every real possibility that it will be even worse than ever. Think, fellas, think…

…You know how I know? Because, depending on the age, you’ll know how much more time you could potentially spend in jail.

Dear Mr. LT (not really, but just for effect),

Please tell me why you, Lawrence Taylor (Yes, the old-school LT), are even uttering the words, I thought she was 19? Why, LT, why are you even interested in a female with “teen” after her age (Okay, wait, besides the perkiness, tightness, and “naiveness”)? You are “LT”, still one of the greatest ever to step foot on the football field and play at the top of the game as a professional player in the NFL for the New York Giants. You struck fear in your opponents and talked “ginormous” trash with the best of ‘em (Ali included… in my opinion), yet here we are…Were you confused and thought her pimp said her name was Jus-tine, or Les-teen, or maybe even Augus-tine versus him saying she’s 16?

So, am I to believe that you didn’t have sex with her and only, I repeat, only performed a “masturbatory act”? What? Okay (Sigh!). You know, for me, “convenient” comes to mind when I think of this “act”, especially when I think of New York’s law that pretty much says it will put someone under the jail for having sex (the regular kind) with a minor of  age 17 and under. Now, you know what? I’m actually believing you. This wasn’t even hard for me… I mean, after saying she was abused and raped, the young lady then said she was apparently over joyed in feeling like she didn’t have to do anything and still got $300, so I’m okay with that (And wait, the whole $300 is another matter… You are a legend. Can a sista’ get more than $300?). Okay I’m back…

All joking aside, Mr. LT… I would think at this time in your life you’d like to have the negative life issues to a minimum. I mean, you kicked the famed drug habit years ago and we haven’t heard about any run ins with the law for some time. You even got your dance on during your stint on Dancing with the Stars… So, why now? Why this? Why you? I’m sure this won’t keep you down, but maybe in the future you’ll contact Patti from Millionaire Matchmaker. I’m sure she’ll be able to find you a more suitable match… Someone still much younger (Let’s say 35ish), but someone who, I’m sure, will only require a recent photo and not a mug shot or pimp referral.

Fondly,

A fan of legal age

What would be your reaction if I asked you if your mother was a prostitute (Yeah, scratching eyes out would be my first response, too…)?

A first-round NFL Draft pick, Dez Bryant, was asked back in March by a potential team’s general manager, Miami Dolphins’ Jeff Ireland, just that. I know… Yes, I’m serious. Now, the thing is, teams usually asks several questions to see if the perspective candidate would be a good fit for the team. And this Ireland guy originally (and probably truly still does inside, but we’ll give him the benefit [some of us!]) stuck by his question saying that he asks necessary questions, but later apologized to Bryant, saying his question was inappropriate.

Uh, where do I begin? I usually try to stay a bit neutral on topics or if I do take a position on a subject I try very hard not to potentially offend a reader who may drop by. I’m struggling with how to do that in this instance. Mother, turn your head (WTFreak!… [And uh, if you don't know the call out for this acronym let's just leave it that way.])… How in the world do you have that question on the list of questions you have for this young man? How do you think its a fair conversation and how do you think you’ll come out looking except like a beep-da-beep-beep (Just a tune in my head, Mother!)?

Well, I’m glad Bryant decided against flipping the table over, which is what many of the prominent analysts are saying would have been totally justifiable. He, instead, simply answered, “No, my mom is not a prostitute.” OMG! What restraint and poise. He confessed he was mad, but didn’t show it. Needless to say, he didn’t go to Miami (The Dallas Cowboys picked him up.). I’m aware of the news of his past and the fact that his mom had him at 15 and she served time in jail for selling crack cocaine, but does anyone get a second chance? The boy (no offense) made it… He was drafted in the first round. That’s big time. Give him his props! You all can research to get all the other details… I’m going to stop writing now…

The NFL Draft is underway…

It’s always nice to be chosen (LeBron isn’t the only one! Heehee…) and in the position to be credited for all your hard work.

You can’t peel me (and Hubby) away ’cause its just great to see who the newbies are. And, it offers a great sneak peak into the next football season. Relax, get your selected beverage, and hang out with your significant other watching the Draft.

Every once in a while I just wanna smack some of these athletes in the back of their necks… Seriously. They have so much and they just can’t seem to break bad habits or engage discipline in order to stay on the straight and narrow.

Now, don’t get me wrong, we all have issues that we’re working through and hey, no ones perfect. But, uh… if I’m making millions, I’m not gonna let a little weed jeopardize those millions (No, Mother… I don’t smoke! Heehee!). Now doesn’t that sound ridiculous (sacrificing the money, that is)? It does, but these are the exact reasons why some of these professional players are losing money and time from playing the game. Please tell me Santonio Holmes, why?

Why have you been traded from the Pittsburgh Steelers to the New York Jets because of off-the-field antics? Why do you feel that marijuana, domestic craziness, and throwing glasses at women are more important than the millions you’re making to play the game? Where is your discipline to show yourself and others that you can refrain, and (I’m just warming up.) where is your gratitude for being able to be one of the few who get the chance to play at this level, and where is your sign of growth expressing to everyone that you’ve learned something from past mistakes?

Come On Man! Story after story, headline after headline… the stories are ridiculous and avoidable. It saddens me to no end that people would sacrifice their career, not to mention their intregrity, in order to show just how selfish they can be. Weed inspires what exactly? Unemployment? I’m drained.

Yell it from the rooftop, “Finally”!

Finally, someone other than me (and Hubby, of course… oh yes, and a few dear friends of ours) is seeing that there is something extraordinarily wrong with the Ben Roethlisberger situation. For those who may not have a clue about Ben or his situation, let me bring some enlightenment your way… Roethlisberger is the blue-collar quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers and has lead his team to two championships in recent history. Along with this esteemed resume`, he is the head of two allegations; one for rape and the other for assault. Are you drained yet?… I’m possibly almost there.

So, when the rape accusation popped up, no one could believe it. And why not? Why can’t we believe that a young man, with power, fame, wealth, and assess could possibly be associated with such a coo. Really? I’m just astonished that it took another negative headline to actually make the first valid. Now, its a concern to team management, owners, and NFL powers. Great, better late than never, right?

Now, I’m not on the bandwagon of women who put themselves in these precarious situations, but neither am I a fan of celebrity athletes who use and abuse their, you guessed it, celebrity. Roethlisberger is a single man, and some say attractive (I only have eyes for you Honey [uh, and L.L.!!]!) and so I’m sure he’s in the constant battle of fighting off women. What I truly hope is that the fight isn’t the other way around. It, for me, would be a sad, sad commentary.

It’s really a weird position to be in… you know, not really having a true stance either way.

I’m referring to the four that’s now two… the NFL Playoffs. All four teams had great stories, something worth noting, or something else worth cheering about. Let’s see, we had the Minnesota Vikings, New Orleans Saints, New York Jets, and the Indianapolis Colts. All great teams, right? So, it left little room for me to pull out the tantalizing story or the horrible offense created by some player… Now, that’s not to say there weren’t any, but you get where I’m going here. 

Now that there’s two: the Saints and Colts, I find myself in the same predicament. The Saints, with the forever after story of a lifetime and the Colts with their dominating play, what is a girl to do? It’s rare that the two best teams end up being the last two standing, so this is poetic justice. But, between the two I’d go for the Saints… Come on… A team who loved by the community and who has done so much to bring their community and people back to where they once was? It’s a no brainer.

And so I shrug a little less.