Tragedy......too young

When will the killing stop? My guess....never. Another young life was lost this past Tuesday morning....Sean Taylor, the safety for the Washington Redskins. Although many are mourning over the loss of this amazing athlete and teammate, to me the death seems a little screwy.
Dr. Edge brought to my attention how odd it is where the wound was located and how the intruder went directly to his bedroom. Also, Taylor's girlfriend and mother of their child, and the child itself were there, and they came out unharmed.
The entire football club is deeply saddened and are still trying to cope with the loss. The coach of the Redskins said, " "We're going to miss him, I'm not talking about as a player. I'm talking about as a person." Although, through this sadness detectives are apprehensive about the cause of this horrible crime and WHY it happened. Miami Dade Police spokesman Alvaro Zabaleta said...

Police had no description of a possible suspect and were investigating whether the shooting was connected to a break-in at Taylor's home eight days earlier, in which police said someone pried open a front window, rifled through drawers and left a kitchen knife on a bed.

Not only has this affected the team, but his family as well is taking this hard not only from the loss but the questions and mystery of it all. Taylor and his father were extremely close; they are helping police in finding more information in this tragic loss.
Taylor was having the best season of his career on the field and had stayed out of trouble off the field since the birth of his daughter, Jackie, in May 2006. He was becoming a leader, and his teammates had elected him to the players' committee that meets regularly with Gibbs.
Through all of this I hope that the athletes in the professional world, and the world in general can see that life is precious and that your never promised tomorrow. Live everyday to the fullest and never regret anything.

Gentlemen?.....I think not....

WOW, I love our world today where you can't even go to a sporting event as a woman and be pressured to lift up your shirt and expose your breasts, and if not-be pelted with food and beer. The New York Jets have recently cracked down on fans who yell obscene things at women during halftime. The breakdown goes as follows-fans yell at women crossing the pedestrian path to expose their breasts and yell in approval is she agrees.
Are you kidding me?! If "fans" were egging me on to do so, I woulf flip them the bird and move on and IF I did get pelted with beer or food, there would be some serious consequences.......I hope.

The authority "has assured us that they will address this conduct at all Meadowlands events," Matt Higgins, the Jets' senior vice president-business operations, said in a statement. "We will not allow a small minority of people to ruin the experience for our fans and will be monitoring the situation."

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello is disgusted by the fans behavior and demands necessary actions to be taken; although this behavior is not TOO out of the ordinary, lawmakers and officials agree that it has gone too far.
"Where people have been caught exposing themselves, they have been evicted from the stadium and often arrested," Jones told the AP. "Where other fans exhibit dangerous or illegal behaviors including harassment, they have been dealt with in similar fashion."
George Zoffinger, president of the agency that runs the stadium, said that the 370 member stadium security will be increased for remaining games-I sure hope so. Although, I do not think that these problems will be resolved until these fans learn how to act like normal functioning adults.

Won by a Hair

Have you ever had that race, the game winning basket, the last hit that won the game......barely? Well that's exactly what the Southlake Carroll Girl's Cross Country team did. Well, not at first exactly....after the race, dissapointed due to the fact they got 2nd place for the first time in 4 years to Kingwood High School. Southlake Carroll has one of the most consistent teams in high school history and when this happened the Coach Ondrasek of Southlake Carroll was bound determined there was a mistake.
"This is strictly a timing issue and a chip malfunction," UIL spokeswoman Kim Rogers said. "It was one runner out of 1,100. It happened to affect the championship." The chip timing device that is used in many mass cross country races is one of the most accurate forms of counting places and for their to be a mistake is very uncommon according to many.
The Kingwood girls were initially awarded the medals at the State Meet and the Southlake Carroll girls were awarded two days later with the gold medals....the rightful owners.

"The girls are, of course, sad and I'm sad, but the right thing was done," Burleson said. "Coach Ondrasek was fighting for his girls. I would have done
the same thing."

After the University Scholastics League jury of appeals overturned the official results, they agreed there was a scoring error. Although the Southlake Carroll Coach was worried during the process, he stated, " The actual event that took place that was questioable to Coach Onrasek was when he knew his 5th runner placed better than 58th place. After petition was filed, which the Kingwood coach knew nothing about till reading it on the internet and then confirming by calling the coach herself.

One lesson that was learned that was the most important: always double check. Also, just because something is timed from a "computer chip" does not mean that it is always accurate, there will always be room for a mistake. High School cross country all over the United States is known for big upsets and letdowns, but one thing for sure, girls OR boys....it's who has the most glory.

Goin for Broke?

How can you be a millionaire one day and a regular old joe the next? Ask Marion Jones perhaps; due to fighting court battle fees, her homes foreclosing and losing all of her endorsements. My question is, earning an average total of $80,000 a race and millions from endorsements-why isn't there any saved? In a way, after all of the hoopla I do feel bad for her-I mean she loses all that she has known-her career, the people she trusted, her coaches, her endorsements, etc....

"Jones’ financial woes were revealed in a 168-page deposition in a
breach-of-contract suit she filed in Dallas against veteran track coach Dan
Pfaff. Pfaff countersued and won a judgment against Jones for about $240,000
in unpaid training fees and legal expenses."

What does one do after all of this? Do they get a regular job and go on with their life like nothing happened? Well, that's up to her I'm guessing, but what would you do? Also everyone that is involved seems to be getting stirred up in this controversy; her agent for example. He plead guilty to bank fraud on Friday, It would be the first time an agent has “been decertified through this process,” Masback said, CEO of the USATF.

"In a case that also involved Jones’ coach and the father of her child, Wells entered a guilty plea in federal court in March. Prosecutors said he played a minor role in a scam that used track and field figures to cash and launder millions of dollars in forged or counterfeit checks over several years."

Knowing the fate of Jones' agent has not been decided yet, but from the looks of things, he might as well be banished from the field. Anyone associated with the Jones's camp from now on will most likely be looked down upon and associated with her fall.

Like I have stated before, as sad as it is-Marion Jones is done. Her career, her character, and most of all the little girls who looked up to her no longer can because she is a fraud. She knew what she was getting herself into, she is a big girl who can make adult decisions and now she has to live with the consequences.

26.2 miles, Can you RUN that?

The prestigious New York City Marathon took place this past week November 4th and let's just say it was a weekend of news. Paula Radcliffe, who recently just gave birth this past January, ran her first marathon in two years, and won! "I've really, really missed it," Radcliffe said. "It's way more fun than cross training in a pool or cross training in a gym, and that's what it's all about. That's what keeps me motivated to work hard and to cross train hard is just getting out there and enjoying the atmosphere." This is an amazing accomplishment for someone who hasn't raced this distance in almost two years, but also for someone who just recently beared a child.
Martin Lel of Kenya won the men's title, which finished just moments later, making his kick in the final mile to edge out Abderrahim Goumri of Morocco in 2:09:04 in the first race without a pacesetter. Hendrick Ramaala of South Africa finished third. Kenyans are knowing for being extremely succesful in the sport distance running.
Although, in more tragic news, marathon runner Ryan Shay who is a five-time national champion distance runner, died while participating in the Olympic Trials. Shay was diagnosed with an enlarged heart years ago and instructed to get a pacemaker, but doctors cleared him to run. "We all are devastated over Ryan's death. It is a tremendous loss for the sport and the long-distance running community," said USA's Track and Field CEO.
This is not the first case of distance runners dying from such causes; some say that marathon running may be too much for the heart to handle. Who would've thought that something doctors say to do these days to help the health of your heart, can almost kill you?! Is too much of a good thing too much?

It's Like Comparing Jordan to Swoops

Have you ever seen a WNBA game? To be honest neither have I, at least not a whole one. Why is it that women's sports have a lower fan base than men's? Is it because we still are stuck in that "Suzy Homemaker" image and not supposed to be rough and competitive? For example, more people can identify Michael Jordan than Sheryl Swoops. In my opinion, here are just a few of the problems I find in not only the WNBA, but women's sports in general.

It's just sad to see the figures of fan attendance from the NBA to the WNBA; these women are strong individuals on and off the court, they work just as hard as the men do in the NBA and no one gives them any credit!
Although there are the few and far between fans that DO love the sport of women's basketball and talk about it daily. They rant back and forth about draft picks, who's going to be good this season and who should just throw in the towel, etc...
When women participate in professional sports or sports in general some are ridiculed by name calling such as lesbian, manly, etc..the list could go on forever really; but when a woman athlete actually does come out, for example Sheryl Swoops, there is a media frenzy and gives all those out there more justification that women who play professional sports are manly or lesbian.
Athletes from other sports just as well have "come out", although (rarely) when men come out it is a HUGE ordeal and seen as the most unexpected event to ever occur, but do you notice when a woman does in a professional sport most people see it as "it was only a matter of time" attitude?
Even though I do rant about inequality in women's sports, the only one's that can really change everyone's views about it is us, sadly. We have to not only train and compete, but hold up our feminine image that society has placed on us, will it ever end?

Are Women Strong Enough?

The age old question.....Can women play football? Well, traditionally it's seen as a masculine sport, but hey who made the rule that it HAD to boys?! Now, in this day in age women are seen equal to men in every aspect of life: work, family, politically, religiously, etc.... but are they in sports? Why is it in movies when girls want to try out for football it is seen as a joke to the opposite sex and they somehow triumph at the end and ultimately end up being the winning point for the team? I think it is because it's seen as such an unreachable goal for females to play football; why can't little girls growing up want to tackle opponents instead of doing pirouettes?
Although, females have triumphed progressively when Katie Hnida was the first female kicker in Division 1 football to score. This was an amazing accomplishment for females although it turned into tragedy with allegations of rape and sexual harassment.
With the future looking bright for women playing college football, many are sceptic saying "it's just not right," saying women do not belong on the field. Title IX in the NCAA is law that may give females the chance to do anything or any sport they want. Title IX gives females and males equal opportunity in collegiate sports with the same amount of money given and sports available; "Women’s athletic participation levels substantially increased during the late 1990s, but this growth slowed considerably in the early 2000s." (Who's Playing Sports?)
My opinion is this-women are becoming discouraged because they hear so many no's and not enough yes's; why is this? Females need to prevail in what they want and be seen as equals in every sport. If they can do it and want to, it's their responsibility if they get hurt- no one elses. We are smart enough to know what our bodies can handle and what we want them to be put through, let us be the judges of our own bodies and decisions and play the sport we desire.

A Fallen Hero

After apologizing to the media, the world, all the little girls that looked up to her, Marion Jones stated that her former coach Trevor Graham was the one that gave her her first "dose" of steriods. Even though this may be true, I simply believe that everyone is responsible for what goes in their mouth or body, don't you think?
Yes, there are pressures of being a professional athlete to be the best, fastest, and most popular- but is taking a performance enhancing drug the cost? In my opinion, an athlete who may be a "little" slower, who works hard in the weightroom, eats right, and doesn't party every weekend but most importantly DOESN'T take steriods- that's the real hero.
Where are the news stories about the athletes who have gotten to the top the right way? What about Nolan Ryan, Michael Jordan, or Troy Aikman? Alot of people are feeling sorry for Marion Jones, and saying that they should commend her for saying sorry and stepping up to the plate; I believe this is true to some respect- BUT has this ruined the face of track and field forever? Honestly it's going to be hard to look up to an athlete in the future without speculating that they are using some type of drug to be the best.
Marion Jones also announced that she is retiring from the sport as well; I think this is a smart decision for her as well as for the face of the sport. Making apologies YES does humble you a bit and relieve your conscience but I think the best thing for Marion Jones to do is stay out of the spotlight and concentrate on raising her children and possibly speak to local high schools about the dangers and consequences of taking steriods.

Say No to Drugs-ATHLETES!!!

Is it just me or does it seem every athlete that we've ever looked up to since we were little kids used a performance enhancing drug one time or another? The recent drama about America's sweetheart Marion Jones is just a little glimpse into the ugly world of sports.
It's just a little discouraging watching pro sports on T.V. and not knowing whether or not that athlete has natural ability or not. This day in age there are so many types of steriods or performance enhancing drugs that still have not been able to be detected which is scary to think about. This is not only happening in America but all over the country; such as Australia whose cricket, soccer and rugby players are being banned from their sports for "using."
What happened to the good ol' days where you played your sport with the God given talent you were given? The world moves at such a fast pace now to where everyone wants to the best, fastest, smartest, richest etc... I think the way society teaches us growing up is to do whatever it takes to be the BEST without thinking about the consequences along the way. The way I look at it is play to your optimal best and whatever that is hope it be your best; why chance it and take a drug that you MAY get caught with and ruin your career forever?
What world are we looking at in five to ten years when are our children of today see their hero's using steriods? Already high school students are "dipping" into the fad of steriod use. There is heightened concern over not only their age of using, but health issues as well. Reportedly high school student steriod use has almost doubled in five years, 6.1 percent in 2003 up from 3.1 percent in 1998. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Sadly this is a growing trend that hopefully will be a dying one in the near future; giving harsher punishments is the trick; the system is too lenient and forgiving. Examples such as Marion Jones will hopefully scare some younger generations to do the right thing and compete the right way: drug free.