As I was driving home from a weekend of reserve duty at Camp Lejeune, NC, I had about five hours to reflect on my life, and the events that have shaped it over the past 15 years.  Life is a complicated thing.  From the time we enter this world, to the time we leave it, we are nothing but pawns in a chess game called life.  In fact, when you really sit back and think about your life, it is actually one gigantic illusion.  The present slips away in the blink of an eye, quickly becoming the past.  The only thing we have to hold on to are our memories of those moments. 

With this in mind, I felt it necessary to post a blog that might just give us some of those old memories to ponder.  And what better memories do we have here on the Fox Blogs...than those of sports.  I will be looking specifically at the years between 1993 and 1996...as those years will lead into the message of my blog.  However, don't be surprised if I don't throw some actual life experiences in there along with the sports. 

1993 was quite a year in my life.  As a teenager, I had attended a church camp on the coast of North Carolina during our summers off from school.  It had been my dream to one day be a "staffer" at this camp.  After all, those staffers were my heroes during those years.  Well, after applying in the spring of 93 for a summer job at this camp, I was accepted...yee haw!!!!  My Tar Heels had just won the NCAA Basketball National Championship, and Davey Allison was burning up NASCAR as an up and coming driver.  Little did we know that he would end up leaving us all too soon when his helicopter crashed that summer....and we may very well have lost one of the greatest NASCAR drivers of all time, if he only would have had the chance!!  With this being said, that was the best summer of my life...as you will see later.

1994 brought another summer as a "staffer"...and who could ever forget the OJ Simpson saga!!!! Although we wouldn't learn for another year what his fate would be, we all were left bewildered and appalled at what he had likely done.  Baseball ended early that summer, as the players went on strike.  Jeff Bagwell was on his way to a possible triple crown, until the almighty dollar reared its ugly head!!!

1995 brought, you guessed it, another summer as a "staffer".  Although it was a slightly shortened season, due to the strike, my Atlanta Braves won their one and only World Series that fall.  And I can't mention 1995 without remembering those who lost their lives in the Oklahoma City bombings.  And we will never forget the heroes who likely saved as many as died. 

1996...yes...okay, one last summer as a "staffer".  And who will ever forget Kerri Strug's heroics on the U.S. Women's Gymnastics team that took home the team gold.  She had sprained her ankle earlier in the competition, and yet was able to suffer through the pain, and pull off a miracle for U.S. again!!!  On a downer, however, my North Wilkesboro Speedway would lose its races after 1996.  It still sits there empty...with the ghosts of the past still being heard from time to time...if the wind is blowing just right!!

From there I would go on to get a Master's Degree at Campbell University.  I would then join the military during its most turbulent times in over 30 years.  I would see two combat tours and lose three of my buddies in the process. 

This all leads me back to 1993.  As I sat at the gate of the camp where I was working, I can remember feeling the warm coastal breeze in my face.  I remember a car pulling up to the gate, with a man and his wife, both in their 30's, wanting to make a round through the camp.  He was a former "staffer", who had worked there during the early 80's.  He said to me, "you better make the most of these days, for they will be the best of your life...and they will pass quickly."  And of course, being the cocky 20 year old that I was, I thought to myself...." Whatever dude...these days will last forever...and I will stay young forever!"  That was 14 years ago...and I'm now 34.

Next weekend, two of my old buddies and I will be taking a road trip to visit this old church camp.  They were two of my closest "staffer" buddies during those years.  We have since gone our separate ways, each of us choosing our own paths.  However, we have remained close over the years...and I can honestly call them my brothers.  I'm very excited about seeing this place again....which has a strong nostalgic pull.  And yet I find myself equally as excited about what the next 15 years will bring in my life. 

Sports is something that keeps us young.  It keeps us close.  And as heroes grow older, and eventually fade, young heroes will simply take their place, and keep sports on the tips of our tongues, and at our fingertips.  Keep blogging my brothers and sisters.  And remember, the NOW is already gone!!!

Wanna see where this investigation is headed?  Wanna see more evidence of Mikey's involvement in the dog fighting business?  And coming soon, if justice is served, you're gonna see Mikey V with his b-hole puckered up the size of a pin head.  And I hope it will turn the dog fighting world UPSIDE DOWN!!!!  I honestly pray that justice is served.

Here's to you Mikey!!!  Click on the link below....

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2884063

Not!!!! The past few years have been filled with scandals and unruly athletes in the world of sports. Whether it be the BALCO scandal and Barry Bonds, or the Ohio state penitentiary we like to call...the Cincinnati Bengals, the headlines of newspapers and all other media outlets have littered our heads with negativity. In most cases, there is a common theme...."I didn't do it" or "It wasn't my fault". In recent days there have been articles written about the crowds these athletes choose to run with. In the case of Michael Vick, there are those who believe he is a victim of his surrounding cast. Read here to see my point:

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=chadiha_jeff&id=2881152&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab4pos1

In the case of Pac Man Jones we have the same. Well, I propose this....

Why is it up to a multi-millionaire to "choose" his running crowd? Could it be that others have chosen them? Could it be that maybe Michael Vick and Pac Man Jones are actually the "bad influencers?" Could it be THEY are the bad apples and that Mickie V and Jones are the one's bringing others down with them?

Why is it always someone else's fault? I suspect that the crowds athletes choose to hang with are in all essence recluses. They suddenly "become friendly" to those with money. Why do those involved with dog fighting need Mike Vick? Why does Mike Vick need those who are involved in dog fighting? Why do strippers and strip bar frequenters need Pac Man Jones? Why does he need them? Common sense would tell me that others need these two more than they need them. They have money...and most of all they have INFLUENCE!!!!

So again, I ask, who are the influencers and who are the influenced? Common sense tells me that professional athletes have no one to blame but themselves. In fact, if anything, their "running crowd" can most likely blame them for much of their problems. So please...for crying out loud...STOP BLAMING OTHERS!!!!

NOT!!!!  As many have already written in blogs here on the FoxBlogs, Michael Vick's supposed association with dog fighting has created much attention over the past few weeks.  As if Vick needed any extra attention, he has been accused of being involved with dog fighting.  His involvement has yet to be determined, though there have been reports from some of his associates that he has been seen at dog fights in the past.  But what is even more disturbing than these accusations, is that there have been NFL players who have actually come to Vick's defense.  As you have read on several FoxBlogs, Clinton Portis has been quoted as saying, "I don't know if he was fighting dogs or not, but it's his property, it's his dog."  He also said, "If that's what he wants to do, do it. I think people should mind their business."  Well, Mr. Portis, let's look at some of the facts that surround dog fighting. 

Dog fighting is a money making machine.  It is basically an underground outfit that makes its money by pitting two dogs against one another in a violent clash that often leads to death...and always leads to injury.  These dogs live through this torture through most of their lives.  If they are not killed while fighting, they often die from infections and internal injuries sustained from the fights.  In other words, they die a slow and painful death.  These dog fights are also common venues for drug distribution and usage.  In fact, it is a common venue for gangs and "mafia" like organizations who thrive on drugs and violence.  Dog fighting is a felony in most states, and is illegal in all states.  It is the most violent and ridiculous of all animal abuses.  Much of their training is done on cats and other small domesticated animals, who are unfortunate enough to be listed in the local newspaper as "needing a good home".  So the abuse from dog fighting isn't limited to dogs.  I don't think I need to elaborate any further on the facts of dog fighting.  

With this being said, I am challenging all bloggers who have supported Michael Vick and his fellow NFL supporters to explain to the sane world how exactly it is "okay" for Vick or any other person to be involved in the vicious and inhumane sport of dog fighting.  Have we really gotten to the point in American where our professional athletes are pardoned for what would be a felony in most states?  Now, with this being said, Vick hasn't been convicted of anything.  However, as friends and others come to the forefront of this investigation, with incriminating evidence that supports the accusation that Vick does, in fact, have his grubby little hands in this absurd sport, it is becoming more evident to the law of public opinion that he is guilty.  And for those of you who support his actions, and anyone who is involved in this so called sport, I hope you have a mirror you can look into on a daily basis, and truthfully call yourself a decent human being.  If you do, you are a fool, and someone who needs to be psychologically evaluated.  GET HELP SOON!!! 

As for Michael Vick, he was recently asked by an ESPN reporter about what this will do for his career.  Vick simply stated that he had enough support from around the nation that this wouldn't hurt him.  He was also asked if he feels that he will be convicted of being involved with dog fighting.  His heart felt answer was, "no comment".  If Michael's brain activity matched his physical abilities, he might be able to complete a sentence that is understandable to the general public.  And Mike may be able to understand right from wrong.  Up to this point, that part of the brain has yet to develop.  Good luck Mike!!  And I assure you that what your money will get you out of in this life, will not escape you in the next!!!

Well, it's no secret that the Yankees have done it again.  As if a payroll of 195 million underachievers wasn't enough, George Steinbrenner has reached deeper into his wallet to try and save face, once again,  by signing Roger Clemens.  Now I'm not saying I wouldn't spend the same money if I were in the same situation.  If George is willing to pay the extra tax for going above the league maximum, then there isn't much anyone can say.  But as smart of a business man as George appears to be on the outside, I have to wonder about his decisions in the office.  But that's another blog for another time.

Roger Clemens, love him or hate him, is one of the greatest pitchers of all time.  With a career record of 348 wins and 178 losses, and an ERA of 3.10, he could also be included in conversations of "the best pitcher of all time".  However, in the era of free agency and self indulgence, Clemens has just catapulted himself to the top.  It is fairly common for professional athletes to "hold out" for more money and more lucrative contracts.  However, how many athletes of any era have been able to dictate, not only who they play for, but when they play for them?  Roger evidently feels as if he doesn't need spring training.  I find it ironic that Roger always makes his decisions in May, in order to bypass having to work out with whichever team he deems worthy of his presence....and obviously a team that can afford to pay him 4.5 million a month.

This leads me to my next subject.  If you don't believe that Roger is an ego maniac, then listen to his announcement that he has decided to "help" the Yankees in their quest for the playoffs.  His announcement was made in the seventh inning of the Yankees game with Seattle Sunday.  Not only was the announcement made, but it was made by Roger himself.  Roger's not too egotistical is he?  As Kevin Costner said in "For Love of The Game", "I can't think of a better reason not to be a Yankee!"  And I can't think of a better reason to hate the damn Yankees!!