FOOTBALL IS BACK!

Football is BACK!! September 8, 2011 The Green Bay Packers beat The New Orleans Saints 42-34, marking the beginning of the 2011 NFL Season.  

Today also marks the 10^th anniversary of the attacks on September 11, 2001.  The NFL acknowledged this by having all commentators, coaches, and players wear a commemorative ribbon.  There was a moment of silence before EVERY game and some sort of tribute.  I had the privilege to attend the Lions vs. Buccaneers game in Tampa today.  At halftime Military personnel parachuted onto the field carrying the American flag, and a solider surprised his family by coming home.  Watching all the tributes on TV from the NFL has indeed been touching. We will NEVER forget 9-11-01, God Bless America. 

Back to FOOTBALL!  Just in case you missed it on ESPN ; Baltimore beat Pittsburgh 35-7, Chicago beat Atlanta 30-12, Cincinnati beat Cleveland 27-17, Houston beat Indianapolis 34-7, Jacksonville over Tennessee 14-16, Buffalo over Kanas City 41-7, Philadelphia over St. Louis 31-13, Arizona beat Carolina 28-21, San Diego beat Minnesota 24-17, San Francisco beat Seattle 33-17, Washington over New York Giants 28-14, and the night game is Dallas versus New York Jets.

The most important game of the day was the Lions vs. Buccaneers. The Detroit Lions won the game 27-21!! Many people do not believe in the talent of the Lions. Some have even said the Lions are “cursed”. Lately the Lions have struggled. In 2008 they ended the season 0-16, 2009 2-14 and 2010 6-10. BUT Lions fans are DIEHARD fans. We believe in our team for better or worse. The defensive line is massive and prepared to kill to offense. There are even Playoff predictions being made. After watching the game today, I am PROUD to be a LIONS fan. While there were some issues with ball placement, fumbles and gaining yards, there is a lot of potential. I am aware that in this game potential means nothing; it’s all about actions. The Detroit Lions will have an AWESOME season and prove all the haters wrong. GO LIONS.  

Sources: espn.com

nfl.com

detroitlions.com

Women and Sports Media

Women have been able to make a way into the sports media world over the last few years. All-men sports, have always questioned if the particular sport was accepting of women commentators, anchors, and journalists. Also questioned if the female was knowledgeable in the sport.  YES there are females who have MORE sports knowledge than males.

There have been many stories of disrespect against females in this career path.  One particular case was that of ESPN’s Erin Andrews when nude pictures of her surfaced. Erin has been voted Sexiest Sportscaster and many men enjoy watching her reports. These pictures surfaced from a peephole where someone was watching Andrews. While I cannot predict what would have happened if she had not been a sports reporter, I can almost guarantee the photos would not have been of ANY real relevance.

Another big issue was with reporter Inez Sainz. While at the Jets practices, it was said the players acted like “frat boys”. Now I in NO WAY defend the Jets players for how they acted, BUT how to you expect 53 men to react to a women in tight, short clothing showing up to practice? It shows little to no respect for yourself or the sport itself.  I have to put  MAJOR responsibility on the reporter. As a woman in this field we have to be VERY mindful of what we do, what we say, how we dress and how we act.

There is no excuse for the way Sainz dresses while doing interviews and reports. If you want respect you have to demand it and in this business, show you are worthy of it.  No the players had to right to embarrass or offend her, but she did both those things on her own.

ESPN analyst Jemel Hill commented on the situation stating “... Then there's the matter of the attire she's worn on the job around professional football. A quick Google search turns up numerous images of Sainz standing on a football field in clothing that seems better suited for a nightclub.”

            You must dress for the part you want in life!! It may be old fashioned and some may even call it a double standard, but as WOMEN we have to act a certain way.  There is no reason that we need to dress provocatively or have a certain attitude to make it in this business. It makes it harder for the women that actually respect themselves and the sport to be able to get in. There are much better ways of getting the job done, simply DO YOUR JOB!! Use your brains and not your body to get what you want and need.

Sources: http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/09/13/reporter-sends-mixed-messages-about-conduct-at-jets-practice/

http://www.cleveland.com/ohio-sports-blog/index.ssf/2010/09/espn_columnist_jemele_hill_tak.html

The Lockout is OVER

The National Football Players Association began in 1956, in order to try and solve issues with in the NFL, creating the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) in 1968.  The union decertified in 1987 for lockout. In 1998 the 1993 CBA was extended until 2003. The 2011 lockout happened because the CBA expired and the owners and players could not come to an agreement. On March 11, 2011 the NFLPA decertified. Due to the decertification, players were able to file anti-trust lawsuits against the owners.

This was a HUGE controversy because the owners and players could NOT reach an agreement for a while. The fans were NOT happy about the lockout and most didn’t understand it. This lockout was NOT because the players did not want to play.  It happened because of the lack of communication and understanding between the owners and NFLPA.

On July 27, 2011 an agreement was reached and the lockout ended. The NFLPA was able to negotiate an agreement with the owners. The new CBA cannot be ratified for 10 years meaning it cannot be touched until 2021 and there is no opt out.  The end of the lockout came just in time for the start of training camp.

The NFLPA did an amazing job getting the players what they needed. Better healthcare, pensions, and keeping a 16 game season. Hopefully the two sides can now see eye to eye and try to see things from the others point of view. 

I feel the NFLPA is a great asset to the players and was a HUGE help in this situation. Although players could file individual lawsuits against the owners, majority of the players relied on the NFLPA to take care of the situation. Players were REALLY excited to play and fans were even more anxious to watch!!

FOOTBALL IS BACK!!!! GO LIONS :) 

Sources 

http://www.nflplayers.com/Member-Services/About-us/CBA-Download/

www.nfllockout.com

http://www.nflplayers.com/About-us/History/

It's just a mascot....right?

The Washington Redskins mascot has been the cause of many controversies.  The most notable was the 17 yearlong lawsuit with Native American plaintiffs in which the NFL team won. The mascot is said to be “racially offensive”.  The definition of Redskin is “used as a disparaging term for a Native American”. The U.S Patent and Trademark Office granted federal trademarks to the team in 1967 and was cancelled in 1999.

I believe the term is offensive and should be changed. There isn’t just one person that sees it as offensive, but an entire race of human beings that are reminded of painful issues when they see the logo and name.  Now as I understand it, the cancellation was overturned in 2003 stating, “ The youngest of the plaintiffs was only 1 year old and could not have taken legal action at the time”. (Native Legal Update)

It doesn’t matter how old a person was when a decision was made, if it is wrong, offensive, and racist it should be changed. I feel like the Washington Redskins won this battle because the majority of Americans does not know what its like to be discriminated against racially. I am not trying to begin a debate or accuse anyone of anything, but I don’t see a team with a derogatory name towards African Americans or Caucasians. No one is more important than the other.

I give the judicial system credit for trying this case as long as it did. On the side of the team, Native Americans are sometimes looked at as strong and tough. I’m sure they didn’t set out to upset the Native American community, but now that they have, it needs to be rectified.

This controversy has affected MANY people, Native American or not. We are all humans and deserve to be treated with respect. Yes, I understand that the Washington Redskins are not the only team with an offensive name or mascot. They ALL need to be rectified. No matter what name may come before American, WE ARE ALL AMERICAN at the end of the day. We need to come together and think about how we are hurting each other.

Maybe one day, we can erase all discrimination. Just because we aren’t calling someone a “Redskin” doesn’t mean we aren't insulting an entire race.

 Sources

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/redskin

http://abovethelaw.com/2009/11/the-washington-redskins-controversy-an-interview-with-amanda-blackhorse/

www.redskins.com

Social Media

Facilities Management

NCAA punishment- Is it fair?

The University of Southern California has been viewed as football powerhouse for years. The football program has recently been under a 4-year investigation for violating NCAA rules.  While still a student at USC, star player Reggie Bush is said to have received many gifts from sports agents including a house, and a new suit for the Heisman ceremony. NCAA rules specifically state

            “Under NCAA Bylaw 12.3, a student-athlete (any individual who currently participates in or who may be eligible in the future to participate in intercollegiate sport) may not agree verbally or in writing to be represented by an athlete agent in the present or in the future for the purpose of marketing the student-athlete's ability or reputation. If the student-athlete enters into such an agreement, the student-athlete is ineligible for intercollegiate competition. Also, a student-athlete may not accept transportation or other benefits from an athlete agent. This prohibition applies to the student-athlete and his or her relatives or friends.”  

The NCAA ruled that Reggie Bush violated these rules and found him to be ineligible starting in 2004. According to ESPN, the “penalties include the loss of 30 football scholarships over 3 years and 14 victories in games in which Bush played.” The Heisman Committee may also have to do an investigation of its 2005 winner.  

NCAA has many rules for students and agents to abide by and I believe there should be a punishment when broken. However, stripping the program of scholarships, victories and a national title seem unfair to everyone else involved in the program. After this story, the NCAA really paid attention and narrowed in on many different rules being broken.

This story is a BIG deal in the college world. Schools and athletes have to tread carefully to make sure they are following EVERY NCCA rule. No program wants to go through what USC is going through. USC has been banned from bowl games for 2 years, will be under probation for 4 year and has lost many scholarships.

There are many different viewpoints on this situation. Some feel Reggie Bush did nothing wrong, others feel it was USC’s duty to protect its student athlete. Personally I think the punishment is excessive and very over the top. There will be students suffering for this mistake for years. They had NOTHING to do with it!!

Other football programs need to take this has a sign; the NCAA does NOT play when it comes to rules. If the program breaks the rules they will have to pay for it. Coaches, students, athletes and fans have to suffer for the mistake of 1 player. Will other players learn? Judging from the Tyrell Pryor situation, the answer is no. College athletes need to learn that NCAA rules are there for their protection. When broken, everything can be taken away in an instant. What is more important, a gift here and there or reputation? Think before you act