February 10, 2012
NBA Friday
February 9, 2012
America’s Most Dis-Liked Athlete
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick has been voted America’s most disliked athlete, edging out Tiger Woods for the dubious title in a poll released Wednesday by Forbes
Vick is still dealing with the backlash from a federal conviction on dog fighting charges, while Woods has dealt with poor performance on the golf course after a cheating scandal led to his divorce.
About 60 percent of fans polled disliked Vick, tying him with Woods, but more people expressed a strong dislike for Vick compared to Woods.
Jets receiver Plaxico Burress, who served jail time for accidentally shooting himself with an illegal handgun, was third with 56 percent. He was followed by Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh at 51 percent and Nets forward Kris Humphries at 50 percent.
Just five months ago, Suh topped a Forbes poll of the most liked players in the NFL. He was later suspended for two games for stomping on a Packers offensive lineman.
Humphries made the list following his short marriage to reality TV star Kim Kardashian.
The top 10 was rounded out by Heat star LeBron James (48 percent), Lakers star Kobe Bryant (45 percent), former NFL wide receiver Terrell Owens (45 percent), Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez (44 percent) and NASCAR driver Kurt Busch (42 percent).
The survey was conducted by Nielsen and E-Poll Market Research.
February 9, 2012
Justin Tuck’s “Blue Buzz” Surprise
Those grins the New York Giants were sporting during their trip through the Canyon of Heroes may have gotten a boost from a nip or two of “Blue” booze…Moments before the Giants left the Meadowlands on Tuesday to celebrate their Super Bowl win, each member of the team — including the coaches and the front office — was given a custom-engraved 750-milliliter bottle of Johnnie Walker Blue whisky, a gift from gregarious defensive end Justin Tuck.
“I wanted to give the guys on the team, the coaches and everyone who got us to Indianapolis a personal gift to thank them for everything that they’ve done,” Tuck said.
Each bottle had the player’s name and “Super Bowl XLVI champions” engraved on it. The total tally for 80 bottles was $17,600.
“Johnnie Walker is kind of a working man’s drink,” fellow defensive end Dave Tollefson said of the premium scotch, which goes for $40 to $50 a drink. “Johnnie Walker and some Coke. It just speaks to the attitude of our team and the type of guy he is.”
An eyewitness said that minutes after Tuck delivered the bottles to his pals around 8:00am local time, some players were seen scrambling to their cars to stow the precious bottles, which sell for around $220 each.
“To be a Super Bowl champion, not once, but twice is a dream, and I wanted to give something special to the teammates and coaches that made the dream possible,” Tuck said. “My hope is that they share this with the friends and family who helped them achieve not only this individual win but the journey to it.”
February 8, 2012
Memphis to Big East???
Memphis is the latest school to sign up for a spot in the new Big East
A person familiar with the decision says Memphis is joining the Big East. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because an official announcement was pending.
Memphis Athletic director R.C. Johnson said the school is holding a conference call followed by a news conference Wednesday to discuss the university’s athletic affiliation.
The Tigers will join the league for the 2013-14 season and compete in all sports, becoming the fourth Conference USA team to move to the Big East in the last two months, along with Houston, Central Florida and SMU.
CBSSports.com first reported Memphis was on the verge of joining the Big East.
The Big East is trying to replace basketball powers Syracuse and Pittsburgh and West Virginia, and create a football league with at least 12 teams.
Syracuse and Pittsburgh are leaving for the Atlantic Coast Conference and West Virginia is headed to the Big 12.
Along with previously adding in December three CUSA schools, Boise State and San Diego State agreed to join the Big East in football only in 2013.
Last month, the Big East announced Navy will become a football-only member in 2015.
When West Virginia, Syracuse and Pitt are leaving is still up in the air. West Virginia has sued the Big East in an effort to join the Big 12 in 2012. The Big East filed a countersuit trying to force WVU to abide by the conference’s bylaws, which require a 27-month notification period for schools to depart.
Big East Commissioner John Marinatto has said the league intends to hold West Virginia, Pitt and Syracuse until the summer of 2014.
February 8, 2012
NFL Predictions 2012-13
February 7, 2012
Amare Stoudemires’ Brother Dies in Car Crash
Officials say the brother of New York Knicks player Amare Stoudemire has died in a car crash.
A Florida Highway Patrol report says Hazell Stoudemire was driving an SUV that crashed into the back of a trailer being towed by a truck early Monday morning. He had been driving on a highway in the heart of Florida’s citrus country. The report says Hazell Stoudemire, who lived in Lakeland, Fla., was not wearing a seat belt and died at the scene.
Authorities are still investigating the crash and awaiting test results to find out if alcohol was a factor.
Amare Stoudemire has returned to Florida to be with his family and was going to miss Monday night’s game against Utah. Knicks spokesman Jonathan Supranowitz says he doesn’t know how long Stoudemire will be away.
