When my time on earth is gone, and my activities here are passed, I want they bury me upside down, and my critics can kiss my ####!
This time on HE SAID SHE SAID, we have picked a very controversial character. You either love or hate this man….there is no in-between. Would you allow your son to play college basketball for the infamous Bobby Knight? Those of you that know me know I am a college basketball freak so I am more than happy to debate anything that has to do with my passion. The problem is there is more bad news covering Coach Knight than there is good. We all know of the chair throwing incident or grabbing of players and of course deriding the press. So, where does one go to find the good in Bobby Knight? Believe it or not, I didn’t have to go very far. While I only have 2 daughters, would I allow my child or children to play for Bobby Knight? The answer is simple….yes, I would.
Robert Montgomery Knight was born on Oct 25th, 1940 in Massillon, Ohio. He grew up in nearby Orrville where he played basketball, football and baseball for the Orrville Red Riders. He played three seasons at Ohio State University (1960-1962) where he served as the sixth man on OSU’s National Championship team. After coaching high school basketball in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, Knight joined the Army and coached the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.
Knight developed his coaching antics while at West Point. Although he has a reputation for physical intimidation, he dictates more with an acid tongue. Knight was only 24 years old when he took the reigns at West Point. While there he took Army to the semifinals of the NIT three times. This may not seem like a great accomplishment until you consider that no player was over 6’6” because of West Points’ height requirements. Throughout the years, Knight has remained the consistent drill sergeant who fiercely taunts his players while demanding total obedience.
Bob Knight coached at Indiana University from 1971 to 2000 where he led the Hoosiers to 3 NCAA titles (1976, 1981, and 1987) as well as 11 Big Ten championships. He coached U.S. teams to gold in the 1979 Pan American Games and the 1984 Olympics. On Sept. 10th 2000 Bobby Knight was fired by IU president for a continuing pattern of “defiant and hostile” behavior. 3000 protesters marched to IU president’s house, Myles Brand, on campus and downtown Bloomington in reaction to his firing. Knight bid farewell during a rally held the next day to 8000 supporters. Coach Knight signed with Texas Tech on March 23, 2001. It was reported to have been a 5-year deal worth $1.25 million dollars with no extra behavior clauses in the contract. Knight surpassed Dean Smith on Jan. 1st, 2007 with 880 wins and became the winningest basketball coach in NCAA men’s division 1 history.
So what makes Bobby Knight, well, Bobby Knight? To me, it is the passion and love he has for the game of basketball. He is nicknamed “The General” and rightly so. His competitiveness reminds me of another famous General, George Patton. This commander also had a winning record and was known for coming close to destroying a lustrous career for slapping shell shocked soldiers in Army hospitals. Patton accepted no less from one soldier than he did from another. Bobby Knight can be described in the same manner. He expects high principles and demands not only from his players but from his coaching staff as well. However, Bobby Knight is first and foremost an educator. Every young man who has had the privilege of playing under Knight can take the lessons taught to them while playing ball and use them throughout their lives.
Coach Knight’s demand for excellence doesn’t exclude the classroom. While at IU Knight’s graduation rate was nearly 98 percent. Around 65 percent of college student/athletes will fail to graduate. Under the hard-love of Bobby Knight, Indiana University’s men’s basketball squad was an academic success. Only a handful of NCAA schools combine basketball excellence along with a high level of graduation among athletes. Knight has an ability to motivate, teach and push his kids to success. There are a number of assistant coaches and former players that have gone on to become successful head coaches. Perhaps the most famous is the current head coach of Duke, Mike Krzyzewski.
The General is a fiery coach who leads through discipline and intimidation. His in-your-face approach has been the subject of much criticism and sometimes rightly so. His passionate approach seems to follow generational lines. The younger generation sees Knight as a bully while the older generations say they do their best under strict guidance like that of Knight. In August of 2003 Knight was honored as the very first inductee in the Vince Lombardi Titletown Legends. This induction pays tribute to individuals that possess characteristics passed down by Vince Lombardi; these include dedication, teamwork, respect, love, family, and discipline.
Bobby Knight’s name is synonymous with greatness. His accomplishments far outnumber the mistakes he has made out of passion. His numbers speak for themselves and his integrity by not recruiting in the wrong way is very admirable especially in this day and age. If you have a son ready to leave home for work or school, you will not be there to protect or take care of him. If your child were good enough to play division 1 basketball you would want someone to take care of them in your absence. To that parent Bobby Knight represents everything you would want in a person shaping your son’s early adult life.
What would I want for my child in their college career?
I want discipline.
I want leadership.
I want knowledge.
I want them to be taught by the best.
I want academics.
I want someone who will be there for them during and after their college career.
"Without free speech no search for truth is possible... no discovery of truth is useful... Better a thousand fold abuse of free speech than denial of free speech. The abuse dies in a day, but the denial slays the life of the people, and entombs the hope of the race."
Charles BRADLAUGH British social reformer (1833-1891)
On August 1st minor league baseball took being politically correct to the field. The Lowell Spinners and the Brooklyn Cyclones played what some are calling the first ever P.C. baseball game. In the spirit of P.C.-ness, different positions were renamed. First, second and third basemen became “basepersons,” the batboy was a “batperson,” and perhaps the strangest of all, the shortstop was renamed to the “vertically challenged stop.” Errors were not announced to the fans so that the player who committed them would not be offended. Although losing could have given one of the teams a complex, the score was kept and Brooklyn won this odd game, 9-5.
I do believe one should censor themselves but the problem with the culture of P.C. or being political correct, is that it browbeats the general public into accepting certain judgments, values and opinions. Our society embraces these to the point of sacrificing an individual’s right of expression. This leads to contempt, malevolence, and hatred for anyone displaying an unpopular belief. Many deny themselves their freedom of speech for fear of humiliation, fear of appearing ignorant, and even fear of retaliation.
Several months ago shock jock, Don Imus, was fired because he referred to the Rutger Women’s basketball team as “nappy headed ####’s.” Now he faces a libel, slander and defamation lawsuit from Kia Vaughn, the star center for the women’s basketball squad. Please do not leave me messages accusing me of siding with Imus, I am not. His words were deplorable and he had a responsibility as a public figure to censor himself. However, freedom of speech means that an individual has rights to individual liberties. That liberty includes both the accepted and unaccepted of #### or written expression. This subsumes even bigoted speech no matter how repulsive you or I might find it.
We all know that the old saying, “give them an inch and they’ll take a mile” is very true. Let’s say for arguments sake that Vaughn wins her lawsuit. Now I want you to look to the future. During an NBA game one of the players takes his time getting down the floor to play defense – not a vision that is too hard to picture. One of the sports announcers spots this and says the player is slacking and lazy, hurting his team. Afterwards that “lazy” player finds out about the commentators remarks. Claiming the announcer hurt his chances of signing a major contract with someone like Nike for fitness wear, the player sues the announcer and the station carrying the game. And you know what? Using the Imus case as precedent, he will win. It is now coming to the point that any sport’s personality needs the advice of a lawyer before making any comment about a player, team or franchise. Other examples include Rush Limbaugh and John Rocker. Both made stupid remarks which were politically incorrect and both ended up losing their jobs due to this stupidity.
Many more sports figures have lost their job, been suspended or fined for exercising their freedom of speech. Many terms can be labeled as politically incorrect. I wonder which are P.C. and which are not. Who are the members of the “thought police” that make this determination and how do you join? One of the qualifications of being Politically Correct is that you must not only have correct thoughts at all times, you must also condemn those who display incorrect thoughts.
Team mascots are certainly not off limits to the searching eyes of the “thought-police.” The University of Illinois caved to political pressure and booted their mascot of 81 years. Will others soon follow suit for fear of being ostracized from the ranks of the Politically Correct? Will fear of economic consequences finally push owners to change the names of mascots that have represented them for what is for some, a lifetime?
Maybe we should do some good and help a few of these owners. I’m listing the names of each team in the MLB, NFL and NBA. I ask of you to come up with new names; names that are politically correct. Because this is my blog ;) , I will serve as the “thought police” and decide which are P.C. and which are not. As squads are renamed, I will add the new mascot beside the old along with the name of the clever person who thought of the P.C. mascot. Once a team has been renamed no other names will be taken for that particular one….no matter how brilliant they might be!
Do you find this silly? I hope you do. I also hope you find it a little disturbing. It is not only the liberties of Don Imus and others like him that I am debating for; it is for you. I fight for your right to agree with this piece but most importantly, I fight for your right to disagree and voice that opinion.
It does seem that mothers have now changed the old rhyme told to us long ago to Sticks and Stones may break my bones but call me names and I’ll sue you for millions.
MLB
Arizona Diamondbacks - Avsfreak24 thinks this mascot should be changed to; Arizona Golddiggers
Atlanta Braves
Chicago Cubs
Colorado Rockies - Apparently Rev agrees with me about Freedom of Speech. This is from him; Colorado Stoners
Cincinnati Reds
Florida Marlins
Houston Astros
Los Angeles Dodgers
Milwaukee Brewers
New York Mets - I thought this was funny. It also comes from AvsFreak24; New York Stepchildren
Philadelphia Phillies
Pittsburgh Pirates
San Diego Padres
San Francisco Giants
St. Louis Cardinals
Anaheim Angels
Baltimore Orioles
Boston Red Sox
Chicago White Sox
Cleveland Indians
Detroit Tigers
Kansas City Royals
Minnesota Twins
New York Yankees - Once again AvsFreak24 has a suggestion; New York Bankees
Oakland Athletics
Seattle Mariners
Tampa Bay Devil Rays
Texas Rangers
Toronto Blue Jays
Washington Nationals
NFL
Arizona Cardinals - From SwackDaddy; Arizona Roadrunners....The Cardinal is not indigunous to AZ, and They Have no passing game.
Atlanta Falcons - Practicing his FREEDOM of SPEECH, this one comes from Reverend Rhythm; Atlanta Dog-Executioners...I think this speaks for itself!
Baltimore Ravens
Buffalo Bills - Another good one from SwackDaddy; The Buffilo Williams
Carolina Panthers
Cincinnati Bengals
Chicago Bears
Cleveland Browns
Dallas Cowboys
Denver Broncos
Detroit Lions
Green Bay Packers - SwackDaddy strikes again!The Fudge Packersrofl
Houston Texans - Yet another name speaking against all P.C. comes from the Reverend; Houston BorderCrossers
Indianapolis Colts
Jacksonville Jaguars
Kansas City Chiefs
Miami Dolphins
Minnesota Vikings
New England Patriots
New Orleans Saints
New York Giants
New York Jets
Oakland Raiders - dehbashi suggested this one; Oakland Jailers
Philadelphia Eagles
Pittsburgh Steelers - Socratesofswat came up with this for my beloved Steelers; Pittsburgh BOOTY HUNTERS
San Diego Chargers
San Francisco 49ers - My favorite from Rev (although his "thought police" might arrest him!!); San Francisco (well, you know)
Seattle Seahawks
St. Louis Rams
Tampa Bay Buccanneers
Tennessee Titans
Washington Redskins - Suggested by bafongu; Washington Mocaskins
Today is my partner on "He Said, She Said" and one of my favorite people on or off this blog's birthday! Happy Birthday Reverend Rhythm!! I hope you have had a great day and are blessed with many many more!
You have brought all of us a lot of laughs so I found a little something I thought you would find funny! Lova ya darlin!!!
Billy Gillispie’s remains focused on lifting Kentucky Basketball back where it should be…the top. Apparently it is never too early to recruit talent. High school sophomores Ross-Miller and Dakotah Euton have both committed to play for UK. Hoop Scoop ranks Ross-Miller as the 5th best player from the class of 2010 and ranks Euton 11th. This has placed the WildCats second (behind Ohio State) among the nation’s best recruiting class of 2010.
With incoming freshman Patrick Patterson and Alex Legion, Ross-Miller becomes the 6th player to either sign or commit to Kentucky since Gillispie was hired. Other commitments are from high school senior to be DeAndre Liggins and junior to be G.J. Vilarino. With the number of prospects that have visited UK more help could be on the way for the 2007-08 season. Included among the visitors are forward Leonard Washington, who originally signed with Southern Cal, and Mike Jones, who transferred from Syracuse to Indian Hills Community College.
Former Kentucky Women’s head coach, Mickie DeMoss has come out of retirement after only 3 months. DeMoss announced she will be joining Texas as an assistant coach. However, it might not be that easy to do. The new job could violate UK’s buyout clause which was part of DeMoss’ previous contract with the WildCats. Less than a year before resigning DeMoss signed a 5-year deal with Kentucky which would have paid her $350,000 per year. Included was a buyout clause that said if the coach left Kentucky to take another coaching job she would have to pay the university $200,000 for each year remaining on the deal, totaling $800,000. It is not clear how long DeMoss would have to stay out of coaching before being allowed to return without having to pay the big bucks. So far, the University of Kentucky has no comment. Walter McCarty replaces Marvin Menzies and joins Rick Pitino’s staff as Louisville’s assistant basketball coach. "I am very grateful to have the opportunity to be back with Coach," McCarty said. "To be back here with him, it means a lot." McCarty was Pitino’s starting forward on the 1996 National Champions, the Kentucky WildCats. Pitino also coached McCarty when he played for the Boston Celtics. "All young people today overestimate their abilities and what they need to work on," Pitino said. "They'll get an honest answer from Walt. They'll be able to understand what it takes to be a pro." Marvin Menzies left Louisville to become the new head coach at New Mexico State. The Maxwell Award is given each year to the most outstanding player in college football. UK’s senior quarterback, Andre Woodson was named to the pre-season watch list for this prestigious award. The Chuck Bednarik Award is given annually to the best defensive player in college football. Wesley Woodyard, the WildCats’ senior linebacker, was named to this pre-season watch list. Woodyard’s name also appears on the watch lists for the Ronnie Lott Trophy (national defensive player of the year/character) and the Bronko Nagurski Trophy (national defensive player of the year). The SEC is still working to get the Sept. 15th Louisville/Kentucky college football game televised. While CBS, ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPNU have no openings for that date, the league is still working with the Big East and television networks to get the largest distribution possible. Southeastern Conference Associate Commissioner Mark Womack said there is some flexibility in the league’s television contract which could mean that the game will be shown live in the Lexington and Louisville markets. UK’s Athletics Director remains confident everyone in the state will be able to watch the game."We know that's important to the fans, and we'll work with the league to get it done in the best way possible."The Minnesota Twins selected Ben Revere as the 28th overall selection in the First Year Player Draft. 19-year-old Revere was ranked as the 42nd best high school prospect by Baseball America. Most in the baseball world expected the young man to go somewhere in the second round. "My advisor called me at 3:30 and said the Twins were really interested in me for the 28th pick, and my heart started pounding big-time," Revere said. "I just never thought I would go in the first round. And when the moment it came, well, it's just been a blessing, definitely." During his senior year at Lexington Catholic High School in Lexington, Kentucky, Revere batted .516 with 10 doubles, five triples, and 41 RBIs. This, along with 9 HRs and 24 stolen bases earned Revere the 2006-07 Gatorade Kentucky Baseball Player of the Year.
"Being with a woman never hurt no professional ball player. It's staying up all night looking for a woman that does him in." - Casey Stengel
Abstinence the night before a sporting event is preached by many coaches and practiced by some athletes. It has long been believed that sex before any competition zaps one’s energy while no hanky-panky can build up aggression. There are some examples that seem to prove this theory. Muhammad Ali abstained from sex for six weeks before climbing into the ring. Rickson Gracie refused to do the “mess-a-round” for at least 2 weeks before his bouts. Champion race horses are virgins until retirement when they are sent out to stud. Even Mickey, Rocky Balboa’s trainer said, “Women weaken the legs.”
But does sex the night before the big game really have any negative impact on the athlete? According to scientists, the answer is NO! There is simply no evidence to support this myth. In fact, there are studies that show pre-sports whoopee may actually raise testosterone levels. Emmanuele A. Jannini of the University of L'Aquila in Italy is a professor of endocrinology, the study of bodily secretions. After studying the effects of sex on the performance of an athlete, Jannini found that sex in fact boosts aggression by stimulating the production of testosterone. "After three months without sex, which is not so uncommon for some athletes, testosterone dramatically drops to levels close to children's levels," he said. "Do you think this may be useful for a boxer?"
The news gets even better for the ladies! Barry Komisaruk, a psychology professor at Rutgers University in Newark, New Jersey says women who are sexually active produce a powerful pain-blocking effect which can combat muscle pain and other sport’s related injuries. "At least one of the mechanisms by which [sex] blocks pain is that it blocks the release of [a neuropeptide called] substance P, which is a pain transmitter," he said. The block can last up to 24 hours!
Maybe coaches use this line to make sure their athletes get the rest they need before the sporting event. But, come on…..even a great “roll in the hay” doesn’t burn THAT many calories so how tired could you be? I think it is just like anything else; use common sense!! If your body needs the rest then voedee-oh-doe early! Otherwise, unless you are a race horse, BLANK your brains out and you will still be good to go the next day!! Now, if you will excuse me, I have a basketball game tomorrow! ;)
I was a sophomore in college in 1983. My then future husband was playing a college baseball game and while I loved to watch him play, I was extremely anxious for his game to be over. The reason….another game was about to begin, the “Dream Game.” The University of Kentucky WildCats was to face-off with The University of Louisville Cardinals for the first time in 24 years. Some say the 2 teams had not played a regular season game since 1922 due to UK’s rule forbidding play against state teams. Others will tell you for the years between 1959 and 1983 these neighboring cities never played each other because of Adolph Rupp’s hatred for Louisville and his arrogance of his school’s border-to-border supremacy. Under Coach Denny Crum the Cardinals became a national power in the 1980s. In 1983 the NCAA Tournament seeding renewed the rivalry when they matched UK and U of L in a regional final.
The game took place in Nashville so you can imagine the fans traveling the short distance from Kentucky to fill Stokely Athletics Center. A crowd of approximately 12,489 created a sea of blue and red. There were no empty seats and people were standing in the corridors and in the tunnels. There was much more at stake than a trip to the Final Four. Everyone knew it; the entire country could feel it….there was pure hatred in the air.
I am always emotional when my WildCats play however this game was just off the charts. UK took the early lead but the Cardinals came back in the second half and with 8 seconds left to go in the game U of L’s Gordon banked in a shot giving Louisville a 62-60 lead. With precious seconds left, UK pushed the ball down the court, passed it to Jim Masters who hit a 12-footer that sent the game into overtime.
I was exhausted!! Something just hadn’t been right the entire game and I had no idea what it could be! I was thankful for the second chance overtime would bring and positive we would get out act together and send Louisville home. I was wrong. The Cardinals outscored my WildCats 18-6 in overtime en route to an 80-68 thrashing that sent the Cards to the Final Four.
I don’t think I can name all the emotions rushing through my body at that time. Anger, confusion, disbelief…..did I say anger? Oh, yes, I did but it should be mentioned again….ANGER!!
I had of course gotten over that game and had forgiven all. It might be because Kentucky leads the all-time series with Louisville, 25-12. And then this happened; while catching up on my WildCat news I came across an article about former UK point guard, Dirk Minniefield. He confessed that he and some of his teammates spent the night before the “Dream Game” smoking marijuana. Speaking to an NBA-sponsored camp for high school players Minniefield said, "After we smoked, I didn't give a (hoot). I went to my room and smoked some more." During the game with UK holding to a lead in the final moments, Minniefield had a chance to score a basket and clinch the lead. The awkward shot was weak and deflected by the Cards’ center, Charles Jones. "I don't know if the marijuana had an impact. I'm not a doctor. Being a player, I'm going to say that (it did)." This so-called athlete admits he was a habitual user of not only marijuana but cocaine as well. "For me, it was a normal run-of-the-mill thing to do," Minniefield said. "I'd been smoking pot since I was 14. It was just another thing in the life of Dirk."
My anger has now turned to rage. Dirk Minniefield is an embarrassment not only to the University of Kentucky athletic program but to all college athletics. Why would any 16 or 17 year old teenager want to hear anything Minniefield thinks or has to say?
I am pissed-off at former screw-ups spending their later careers advising youngsters on how they should behave and live their lives. How about this novel idea; have the inspirational speakers truly be INSPIRATIONAL. Invite former athletic greats who did things the right way. For every loser like Dirk Minniefield there are hundreds of Kyle Macys, Steve Alfords, and Patrick Ewings, who played the game at the highest level and represented their teams and schools with class and elite sportsmanship. They are the kinds of athletes I want to influence my children.
Minniefield took up a scholarship, was given a free college education that thousands of Kentucky teenagers can only dream about. I think back to the 1992 Kentucky basketball team and how hard they played the game and the respect they continue to receive from UK fans. Don’t EVEN list Minniefield’s name in the same annuals as these great young men. What Minniefield did is unforgivable and how he is now using it to further his career is pathetic. Stay out of my town…as a matter of fact; get the hell out of my state!
This is the 3rd installment of my “Fox Sports Bloggers Show….Questions I Would Have Asked,” featuring guests that have been on the “Fox Sports Bloggers Show.” In part two I asked questions of MeanDovine, AK47Spiderman, and The_Dan. Thank you to all 3 for taking time and thoroughly answering each question. I hope all of you are enjoying this series as much as I am.
On June 6th, Frank had special guests Demonicume, ricko, and Hoffman. I listened to the show in archives and was once again impressed with the Star Bloggers Frank had chosen. I know how hard it is to try to fit all the questions you would like to have asked in just one hour. That is why I am writing this series. If you haven’t already, be sure and read parts 1 and 2. Feel free to answer any questions I asked of the Star Bloggers or ask questions yourself.
Demonicume, I have to admit when I first started reading your replies on other blogs I wondered if you were another angry person with a keyboard in his lap. But, your passionate answers did bring me to your blog and I saw a completely different demon; one with humor and wit, one with a passion for sports along with a realistic view of sports figures. In short, I am a fan. You never fail to leave me with my bottom lip in my lap and I do love that about you!
1. You were an athlete as well as a soldier. Did being an athlete help prepare you in any way for the armed service? If so, how? If not, what were you not prepared for?
2. I usually run into your replies on blogs concerning the SEC. What sports do you think the SEC excels in and where do we need help?
3. This question has nothing to do with sports but I would like to hear your thoughts on the subject because I do think you are close to the subject matter. More and more music and art classes are being cut from middle school and high school itineraries. How is this hurting our children? What would you say to those cutting these classes from being offered to students?
5. In you opinion, why all the hate towards the SEC?
6. Is there a question you wish you were asked on the show? If so what is it and what would have been your answer?
ricko, Anytime I see a response from you on a blog I have to stop and read and I don’t do that for everyone. Your humor kills me and you don’t care to stand in the “no fly” zone when you reply! If you would only change North Carolina to Kentucky you would just about be perfect ;) It is always a pleasure to see you!
1. You have written about the Suns/Spurs incident several times. How should Stern have handled the situation? If the NBA rules are changed next year, what should the rule be?
2. Do you think Duncan is one of the greatest to play the game? Who would your top five be?
3. To me the most exciting time of the year is the NCAA tournament during March Madness. The NBA had its lowest numbers ever during the first game of the play-offs. What should the NBA do to bring viewers back to the game?
4. Who is the “sleeper” team this coming year in college football?
5. If you could choose any golf pro to play 18 holes with, whom would it be and why?
Hoffman, to me, you and MeanDovine are the 2 most obvious NBA fans on the Fox Sports blogs. You came up with a different structure for the NBA playoffs. It is one I entirely agree with and believe it would bring in more fans.
1. If you could choose any player from any era, who would be your starting five?
2. Everyone has heard of Billy Donovan signing with the Magic and then backing out of the contract. Is there a college coach that could realistically make the leap to coaching the NBA and be successful? Why?
3. Do you agree with the rule college players must stay in college for one year before they may enter the NBA? Why or why not?
4. I asked this of Mean and am interested in your answer as well. Who is as good in post play in the NBA as they were during college post play?
5. Can LeBron ever break out of Michael Jordon’s shadow? Why must he do to accomplish this?
Okay….that’s it. I have now asked all the guests from previous shows of the “Fox Sports Bloggers Show” the questions I would have asked. Thanks again to each and every one of these All-Star Bloggers. I have enjoyed all of your blogs and am thrilled when you post on mine. Thanks also to FrankIrizarry for adding depth and excitement to a sports blog. If he doesn’t mind, I may just keep this up!! These are the guests coming to the show....this Wednesday (6-13) will feature Flying Pig, Chuxtory and a guest to be named later. Next week will bring Broblog, KSP113 and GR8ONE54.
I have been a Pittsburgh Steelers fan since the 70’s and the infamous “Steel Curtain.” While my favorite player was Terry Bradshaw, the man I most respected on the team was Rocky Bleier. He was the epitome of what the Steelers stood for and why I love them to this day. Bleier’s courage on and off the football field and the battlefield endeared him to fans everywhere but he became Pittsburgh’s adopted son. His story is why my admiration for this great man is endless. Rocky Bleier is The Gridiron Soldier.
Bleier played for the blue and gold of Notre Dame where he was a member of the 1966 National Championship team and the Fighting Irish’s captain his senior season. Because of his small stature (5’9”, 210 lbs.) he wasn’t what one pictured when thinking of a pro football player. The Steelers drafted Rocky in 1968 as a 16th round choice. From the beginning Bleier had to work harder and play smarter to stand out. Before he would have a chance to really prove himself to the Steelers, Bleier was drafted once again, this time by the United States Army.
After his rookie season, Bleier was shipped off to Vietnam and on August 20th, 1969, his platoon was ambushed near Chu Lai. Rocky was hit by rifle fire in his left thigh. While down, a grenade exploded nearby sending shrapnel into his right leg and foot. During his recovery he received a post card from Art Rooney. “I was pleased he took the time,” said Bleier. “The card said something like ‘We’re still behind you. Take care of yourself and we’ll see you when you get back.’ That was nice.”
Bleier could barely walk and it would seem his professional football career had ended before it really began. “I didn’t lose a leg; I didn’t lose a foot. I wanted to come back and play. That was my desire. I didn’t want to go back and run my daddy’s bar. Playing football was the only thing I knew how to do. So I spent the first season on the physically unable to perform list. I made the taxi squad the following season, and got activated a few times, enough to get credit for the year. In the third year, I made the team and played on special teams. I never had to make any decisions.”
When he reported to training camp in 1970, Bleier weighed 30 pounds less than his previous weight of 210 lbs. For over two years Rocky pushed himself through the pain of even walking, fighting for a position that was seemingly too far from his grasp. Pittsburgh’s head coach, Chuck Knoll waived Bleier on 2 separate occasions. Rocky was a fighter, a soldier and giving up was not an option. Little by little he overcame obstacles and through sheer determination and guts, Bleier won a starting position with the Steelers in 1974.
Rocky Bleier played 12 seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers. In 1976, Bleier and Franco Harris became only the 2nd pair of RBs to gain 1000 yards rushing from the same team in the same season. He would also catch the decisive pass giving the Steelers the lead and ultimately the win in Super Bowl XII.
Rocky’s final tour of duty for Pittsburgh was in 1980. That year he would be named NFL’s Man of the Year. Bleier overcame his small size, he overcame war wounds that would have handicapped most of us and he left the NFL as a four-time Super Bowl Champion. In 2007, this Gridiron Soldier became the recipient of the Distinguished American Award from the National Football Foundation.
During the upcoming weeks and months I plan to dedicate much of my blog to men and women who were not only athletes but soldiers as well. Some of their stories you may have heard and some you may have not. But their voices need to be heard; their stories need to be told……lest we forget.
In April of 1997 Americans protested gas prices by conducting a “gas out” nationwide. Overnight prices dropped 30 cents per gallon. Americans are once again asked to ban together and protest the high gas prices. Gas in most places is over $3.00 a gallon and predicted to rise over $4.00. Democrats, Republicans and Independents need to be Americans first and foremost and once again join in a protest against this government and the oil companies.
May 15th all AMERICANS are asked to refrain from purchasing any gas. I have read there are 73,000,000+ American citizens on the internet network. The average car now costs anywhere between $30 to $50 dollars to fill their tanks. If each of us joins this protest the oil companies will lose approximately 3 BILLION dollars for just that one day.
So, please stay away from the gas stations; do not purchase any gasoline and let’s show the Oil industry and this government we will not be robbed any longer. Tell everyone you know; call them, email them, write them….just help get the word out. We can stop the thieves if we ban together.
Every day we read articles, watch highlights and previews all dedicated to coaches, players, and even referees and deservedly so. However, there is one person either ignored or forgotten in this mass of media. This article is dedicated to her, “The Coach’s Wife.”
One has or acquires many different qualities to be a coach’s wife. Patience, kindness, and above all, the ability to hold one’s tongue are all virtues of this lady. It isn’t easy sitting in the stands and listening to many so-called “experts” give their opinion on what their husband should or should not be doing. Whether the team wins or loses, she is and remains her husband’s biggest fan. The one person he can always count on. She listens to what might have gone wrong and serves as an assistant coach in the early morning hours. Many times, serving as a buffer, this lady saves quite a few of the players or fans from the brunt of their coach’s anger.
To this woman with no name except that of “The Coach’s Wife”, we salute you. I hope in some small way this article will show you are appreciated and recognized. I once wore the title of “Coach’s Wife.” My husband was at one time the head coach of all three major sports at Fleming Neon High School. I have heard the “good job” when we won and held my tongue against the critics over a loss. I have had people come to my home and disrupt my family to speak with my husband. Over the years I learned to turn my phone off, stop parents from coming to my home and never, ever sit in the stands. I was a coach’s wife, not a nun! Don’t get me wrong, the majority of fans and parents are great. However, it is the select few that seem to take up all your time.
My husband brought this poem to me years ago. He found it in the Lexington Herald and I have kept it all this time. There was no author listed. I would like to share it with her..... “The Woman With No Name.”
In 1988 my husband and I attended a basketball coach’s clinic held in Cleveland, Ohio. Among the famous guest speakers were Al McGuire, #### Vitale, Jimmy “V” Valvano and Jerry “Tark the Shark” Tarkanian. After the first day, my husband and I went for drinks with some friends we had met attending the clinic. I was sitting at a table by myself waiting for my husband to return from a bathroom break when in walks “The Shark.” I was a HUGE fan so imagine my shock when he came to my table and ask to join me. Imagine my husbands shock when he arrived and saw who I was debating basketball with. Imagine Coach Tarkanian’s shock when he realized I had a husband!! ;) We ended up drinking and talking basketball until the wee hours of the morning (The Shark did not drink.) Time passed much too quickly as my husband and I learned much during those hours of talking college basketball and both of us became even bigger fans of Jerry Tarkanian.
character. You either love or hate this man….there is no in-between. Would you allow your son to play college basketball for the infamous Bobby Knight? Those of you that know me know I am a college basketball freak so I am more than happy to debate anything that has to do with my passion. The problem is there is more bad news covering Coach Knight than there is good. We all know of the chair throwing incident or grabbing of players and of course deriding the press. So, where does one go to find the good in Bobby Knight? Believe it or not, I didn’t have to go very far. While I only have 2 daughters, would I allow my child or children to play for Bobby Knight? The answer is simple….yes, I would. 
grew up in nearby Orrville where he played basketball, football and baseball for the Orrville Red Riders. He played three seasons at Ohio State University (1960-1962) where he served as the sixth man on OSU’s National Championship team. After coaching high school basketball in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, Knight joined the Army and coached the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. 
reputation for physical intimidation, he dictates more with an acid tongue. Knight was only 24 years old when he took the reigns at West Point. While there he took Army to the semifinals of the NIT three times. This may not seem like a great accomplishment until you consider that no player was over 6’6” because of West Points’ height requirements. Throughout the years, Knight has remained the consistent drill sergeant who fiercely taunts his players while demanding total obedience. 
Hoosiers to 3 NCAA titles (1976, 1981, and 1987) as well as 11 Big Ten championships. He coached U.S. teams to gold in the 1979 Pan American Games and the 1984 Olympics. On Sept. 10th 2000 Bobby Knight was fired by IU president for a continuing pattern of “defiant and hostile” behavior. 3000 protesters marched to IU president’s house, Myles Brand, on campus and downtown Bloomington in reaction to his firing. Knight bid farewell during a rally held the next day to 8000 supporters. Coach Knight signed with Texas Tech on March 23, 2001. It was reported to have been a 5-year deal worth $1.25 million dollars with no extra behavior clauses in the contract. Knight surpassed Dean Smith on Jan. 1st, 2007 with 880 wins and became the winningest basketball coach in NCAA men’s division 1 history. 
love he has for the game of basketball. He is nicknamed “The General” and rightly so. His competitiveness reminds me of another famous General, George Patton. This commander also had a winning record and was known for coming close to destroying a lustrous career for slapping shell shocked soldiers in Army hospitals. Patton accepted no less from one soldier than he did from another. Bobby Knight can be described in the same manner. He expects high principles and demands not only from his players but from his coaching staff as well. However, Bobby Knight is first and foremost an educator. Every young man who has had the privilege of playing under Knight can take the lessons taught to them while playing ball and use them throughout their lives. 
Knight’s graduation rate was nearly 98 percent. Around 65 percent of college student/athletes will fail to graduate. Under the hard-love of Bobby Knight, Indiana University’s men’s basketball squad was an academic success. Only a handful of NCAA schools combine basketball excellence along with a high level of graduation among athletes. Knight has an ability to motivate, teach and push his kids to success. There are a number of assistant coaches and former players that have gone on to become successful head coaches. Perhaps the most famous is the current head coach of Duke, Mike Krzyzewski. 
your-face approach has been the subject of much criticism and sometimes rightly so. His passionate approach seems to follow generational lines. The younger generation sees Knight as a bully while the older generations say they do their best under strict guidance like that of Knight. In August of 2003 Knight was honored as the very first inductee in the Vince Lombardi Titletown Legends. This induction pays tribute to individuals that possess characteristics passed down by Vince Lombardi; these include dedication, teamwork, respect, love, family, and discipline. 
outnumber the mistakes he has made out of passion. His numbers speak for themselves and his integrity by not recruiting in the wrong way is very admirable especially in this day and age. If you have a son ready to leave home for work or school, you will not be there to protect or take care of him. If your child were good enough to play division 1 basketball you would want someone to take care of them in your absence. To that parent Bobby Knight represents everything you would want in a person shaping your son’s early adult life. 
Rutger Women’s basketball team as “nappy headed 
down the floor to play defense – not a vision that is too hard to picture. One of the sports announcers spots this and says the player is slacking and lazy, hurting his team. Afterwards that “lazy” player finds out about the commentators remarks. Claiming the announcer hurt his chances of signing a major contract with someone like Nike for fitness wear, the player sues the announcer and the station carrying the game. And you know what? Using the Imus case as precedent, he will win. It is now coming to the point that any sport’s personality needs the advice of a lawyer before making any comment about a player, team or franchise. Other examples include Rush Limbaugh and John Rocker. Both made stupid remarks which were politically incorrect and both ended up losing their jobs due to this stupidity.
police.” The University of Illinois caved to political pressure and booted their mascot of 81 years. Will others soon follow suit for fear of being ostracized from the ranks of the Politically Correct? Will fear of economic consequences finally push owners to change the names of mascots that have represented them for what is for some, a lifetime?
not only the liberties of Don Imus and others like him that I am debating for; it is for you. I fight for your right to agree with this piece but most importantly, I fight for your right to disagree and voice that opinion.
Hoop Scoop ranks Ross-Miller as the 5th best player from the class of 2010 and ranks Euton 11th. This has placed the WildCats second (behind Ohio State) among the nation’s best recruiting class of 2010.
retirement after only 3 months. DeMoss announced she will be joining Texas as an assistant coach. However, it might not be that easy to do. The new job could violate UK’s buyout clause which was part of DeMoss’ previous contract with the WildCats. Less than a year before resigning DeMoss signed a 5-year deal with Kentucky which would have paid her $350,000 per year. Included was a buyout clause that said if the coach left Kentucky to take another coaching job she would have to pay the university $200,000 for each year remaining on the deal, totaling $800,000. It is not clear how long DeMoss would have to stay out of coaching before being allowed to return without having to pay the big bucks. So far, the University of Kentucky has no comment.
Louisville’s assistant basketball coach. "I am very grateful to have the opportunity to be back with Coach," McCarty said. "To be back here with him, it means a lot." McCarty was Pitino’s starting forward on the 1996 National Champions, the Kentucky WildCats. Pitino also coached McCarty when he played for the Boston Celtics. "All young people today overestimate their abilities and what they need to work on," Pitino said. "They'll get an honest answer from Walt. They'll be able to understand what it takes to be a pro." Marvin Menzies left Louisville to become the new head coach at New Mexico State. 
football. UK’s senior quarterback, Andre Woodson was named to the pre-season watch list for this prestigious award. The Chuck Bednarik Award is given annually to the best defensive player in college football. Wesley Woodyard, the WildCats’ senior linebacker, was named to this pre-season watch list. Woodyard’s name also appears on the watch lists for the Ronnie Lott Trophy (national defensive player of the year/character) and the Bronko Nagurski Trophy (national defensive player of the year). 
game televised. While CBS, ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPNU have no openings for that date, the league is still working with the Big East and television networks to get the largest distribution possible. Southeastern Conference Associate Commissioner Mark Womack said there is some flexibility in the league’s television contract which could mean that the game will be shown live in the Lexington and Louisville markets. UK’s Athletics Director remains confident everyone in the state will be able to watch the game. "We know that's important to the fans, and we'll work with the league to get it done in the best way possible."
Year Player Draft. 19-year-old Revere was ranked as the 42nd best high school prospect by Baseball America. Most in the baseball world expected the young man to go somewhere in the second round. "My advisor called me at 3:30 and said the Twins were really interested in me for the 28th pick, and my heart started pounding big-time," Revere said. "I just never thought I would go in the first round. And when the moment it came, well, it's just been a blessing, definitely." During his senior year at Lexington Catholic High School in Lexington, Kentucky, Revere batted .516 with 10 doubles, five triples, and 41 RBIs. This, along with 9 HRs and 24 stolen bases earned Revere the 2006-07 Gatorade Kentucky Baseball Player of the Year.
"Being with a woman never hurt no professional ball player. It's staying up all night looking for a woman that does him in." - Casey Stengel 
practiced by some athletes. It has long been believed that sex before any competition zaps one’s energy while no hanky-panky can build up aggression. There are some examples that seem to prove this theory. Muhammad Ali abstained from sex for six weeks before climbing into the ring. Rickson Gracie refused to do the “mess-a-round” for at least 2 weeks before his bouts. Champion race horses are virgins until retirement when they are sent out to stud. Even Mickey, Rocky Balboa’s trainer said, “Women weaken the legs.”
athlete? According to scientists, the answer is NO! There is simply no evidence to support this myth. In fact, there are studies that show pre-sports whoopee may actually raise testosterone levels. Emmanuele A. Jannini of the University of L'Aquila in Italy is a professor of endocrinology, the study of bodily secretions. After studying the effects of sex on the performance of an athlete, Jannini found that sex in fact boosts aggression by stimulating the production of testosterone. "After three months without sex, which is not so uncommon for some athletes, testosterone dramatically drops to levels close to children's levels," he said. "Do you think this may be useful for a boxer?"
professor at Rutgers University in Newark, New Jersey says women who are sexually active produce a powerful pain-blocking effect which can combat muscle pain and other sport’s related injuries. "At least one of the mechanisms by which [sex] blocks pain is that it blocks the release of [a neuropeptide called] substance P, which is a pain transmitter," he said. The block can last up to 24 hours!
before the sporting event. But, come on…..even a great “roll in the hay” doesn’t burn THAT many calories so how tired could you be? I think it is just like anything else; use common sense!! If your body needs the rest then voedee-oh-doe early! Otherwise, unless you are a race horse, BLANK your brains out and you will still be good to go the next day!! Now, if you will excuse me, I have a basketball game tomorrow! ;)
The University of Louisville Cardinals for the first time in 24 years. Some say the 2 teams had not played a regular season game since 1922 due to UK’s rule forbidding play against state teams. Others will tell you for the years between 1959 and 1983 these neighboring cities never played each other because of Adolph Rupp’s hatred for Louisville and his arrogance of his school’s border-to-border supremacy. Under Coach Denny Crum the Cardinals became a national power in the 1980s. In 1983 the NCAA Tournament seeding renewed the rivalry when they matched UK and U of L in a regional final.
were standing in the corridors and in the tunnels. There was much more at stake than a trip to the Final Four. Everyone knew it; the entire country could feel it….there was pure hatred in the air.
idea what it could be! I was thankful for the second chance overtime would bring and positive we would get out act together and send Louisville home. I was wrong. The Cardinals outscored my WildCats 18-6 in overtime en route to an 80-68 thrashing that sent the Cards to the Final Four.
while catching up on my WildCat news I came across an article about former UK point guard, Dirk Minniefield. He confessed that he and some of his teammates spent the night before the “Dream Game” smoking marijuana. Speaking to an NBA-sponsored camp for high school players Minniefield said, "After we smoked, I didn't give a (hoot). I went to my room and smoked some more." During the game with UK holding to a lead in the final moments, Minniefield had a chance to score a basket and clinch the lead. The awkward shot was weak and deflected by the Cards’ center, Charles Jones. "I don't know if the marijuana had an impact. I'm not a doctor. Being a player, I'm going to say that (it did)." This so-called athlete admits he was a habitual user of not only marijuana but cocaine as well. "For me, it was a normal run-of-the-mill thing to do," Minniefield said. "I'd been smoking pot since I was 14. It was just another thing in the life of Dirk."
1992 Kentucky basketball team and how hard they played the game and the respect they continue to receive from UK fans. Don’t EVEN list Minniefield’s name in the same annuals as these great young men. What Minniefield did is unforgivable and how he is now using it to further his career is pathetic. Stay out of my town…as a matter of fact; get the hell out of my state!
1966 National Championship team and the Fighting Irish’s captain his senior season. Because of his small stature (5’9”, 210 lbs.) he wasn’t what one pictured when thinking of a pro football player. The Steelers drafted Rocky in 1968 as a 16th round choice. From the beginning Bleier had to work harder and play smarter to stand out. Before he would have a chance to really prove himself to the Steelers, Bleier was drafted once again, this time by the United States Army.
his previous weight of 210 lbs. For over two years Rocky pushed himself through the pain of even walking, fighting for a position that was seemingly too far from his grasp. Pittsburgh’s head coach, Chuck Knoll waived Bleier on 2 separate occasions. Rocky was a fighter, a soldier and giving up was not an option. Little by little he overcame obstacles and through sheer determination and guts, Bleier won a starting position with the Steelers in 1974.
named NFL’s Man of the Year. Bleier overcame his small size, he overcame war wounds that would have handicapped most of us and he left the NFL as a four-time Super Bowl Champion. In 2007, this Gridiron Soldier became the recipient of the Distinguished American Award from the National Football Foundation.
read there are 73,000,000+ American citizens on the internet network. The average car now costs anywhere between $30 to $50 dollars to fill their tanks. If each of us joins this protest the oil companies will lose approximately 3 BILLION dollars for just that one day. 
coaches, players, and even referees and deservedly so. However, there is one person either ignored or forgotten in this mass of media. This article is dedicated to her, “The Coach’s Wife.”
this lady. It isn’t easy sitting in the stands and listening to many so-called “experts” give their opinion on what their husband should or should not be doing. Whether the team wins or loses, she is and remains her husband’s biggest fan. The one person he can always count on. She listens to what might have gone wrong and serves as an assistant coach in the early morning hours. Many times, serving as a buffer, this lady saves quite a few of the players or fans from the brunt of their coach’s anger.
the head coach of all three major sports at Fleming Neon High School. I have heard the “good job” when we won and held my tongue against the critics over a loss. I have had people come to my home and disrupt my family to speak with my husband. Over the years I learned to turn my phone off, stop parents from coming to my home and never, ever sit in the stands. I was a coach’s wife, not a nun! Don’t get me wrong, the majority of fans and parents are great. However, it is the select few that seem to take up all your time. 
Jimmy “V” Valvano and Jerry “Tark the Shark” Tarkanian. After the first day, my husband and I went for drinks with some friends we had met attending the 
clinic. I was sitting at a table by myself waiting for my husband to return from a bathroom break when in walks “The Shark.” I was a HUGE fan so imagine my shock when he came to my table and ask to join me. Imagine my husbands shock when he arrived and saw who I was debating basketball with. Imagine Coach Tarkanian’s shock when he realized I had a husband!! ;) We ended up drinking and talking basketball until the wee hours of the morning (The Shark did not drink.) Time passed much too quickly as my husband and I learned much during those hours of talking college basketball and both of us became even bigger fans of Jerry Tarkanian.