It's Heisman Day

It's Saturday everyone and that means today is the day that we find out if Tim Tebow is the first ever underclassman to win the Heisman, or if Colt Brennan can pull it off after a semi-soft schedule. Maybe McFadden will pull it off after finishing second in voting last year despite the 4 losses for the "Hogs" this year and the 43 yard performance against Auburn or perhaps Chase Daniel whose numbers are incredible was a major catalyst in bringing Mizzou into the title picture but he couldn't get past Oklahoma (his numbers are comparable to Graham Harrell of Texas Tech, who could get by Oklahoma). Either way the whole season this has been debated, ad nauseum and tonight it will be decided. Will the winner display it at a local eatery, travel with it every weekend, sell it to pay off bills, all of which have been done before with this storied trophy for the best player in College Football. One thing to consider, is the Heisman really worth it. Let's look at some of the past winners post Heisman successes.

In the first 20 years many chose to pursue military service, continued education, and entering the job market over playing in one of the struggling leagues available. Of the first 20 winners there was only a total of 53 seasons of football played, and not all in the NFL. Leon Hart (8), Alan Ameche (6), Doak Walker (6) and Howard "Hopalong" Cassidy (9) account for 29 of those seasons. Ameche among the most notable of these professionals following his collegiate career playing in 4 Pro Bowls, Doak Walker the other, who appeared in 5 Pro Bowls and is also the first Heisman Winner in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The next 10 years led to more NFL appearances and success with 65 total seasons played between them with the most notable of that decade coming in the form of the second Heisman Winner to eventually make the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Paul Hornung. Hornung played in 9 NFL seasons with 2 Pro Bowl Appearances and 1 MVP. Also during this period Roger Staubach won the award and was the 3rd Heisman winner in the Hall. Staubach played in 4 Super Bowls, won 2, and the Super Bowl VI MVP as well as appearing in 6 Pro Bowls. After the successes of a few of the Heisman winners people started to expect more out of a Heisman winner once entering the NFL. Unfortunately during that period of time there was another first. Terry Baker (1962), considered by many to be the first real NFL bust of a Heisman winner.

In the next 10 years there was only 9 winners due to the legendary Archie Griffin, the only two time winner who had an average statistical NFL career in 7 seasons. Also during this period was Orenthal James Simpson, more commonly known as O.J. He won the Hesiman for his slicing (down the field) and slashing (of opposing defenders) at USC and not in Brentwood. He was the 4th Heisman Winner in the Hall (though technically He and Staubach tied to be the first and Hornung and Walker tied for third due to the timing of elections into the Hall). There was also Jim Plunkett during this period who was the Rookie of the Year and then after a few down seasons was the Comeback Player of the year during a 16 year career. And the last notable of this time being 1966 Winner QB Steve Spurrier before he was the Ol' Ball Coach. His NFL numbers a forgettable 40 TDs and 60 INTs in 10 seasons.

The folllowing decade was a little bit more promising leading to the professional careers of Tony Dorsett (Hall of Famer and 4 Pro Bowls in 12 seasons) and Earl Campbell (Hall of Famer, Rookie of the Year, and 3 time Player of the Year in 8 seasons). This decade also led to Charles White who played 9 seasons with 1 Pro Bowl but more importantly was 3 - 0 in his 3 appearances on America Gladiators. This decade gave us Marcus Allen (1x MVP, 6x Pro Bowler, and wrapped up a Hall of Fame Career after winning the 1993 comeback player of the year) and Herschel Walker. Walker is considered by many to be one of the best college football players of all time and also one of the biggest disappointments in Professional Football. After playing a few years in the stepchild USFL he had a lengthy but un-miraculous professional career. Even being made fun of annually in Minnesota for the trade the Vikings made that led to 9 picks for Dallas which in turn led to Emmit Smith and turned the team around with a solid nucleus of role players added through the drafts. There was Doug Flutie who played 21 seasons and had his own cereal, but only played 12 of his 21 seasons in the NFL, averaging less than 7.5 games per season during that period. Flutie was also the first person to be shorter than the trophy, a high distinction. Lastly was Bo Jackson who was probably the best college football player and could have been a great pro had he not put off football for baseball his first couple years and had a plastic hip his last year in the NFL. Of his high marks though are his unbeatable appearance in TECMO Super Bowl and the ProStars cartoon where He, Michael Jordon, and Wayne Gretzky solved Crimes.


The nest 20 years of winners were led off by Vinny Testaverde, Tim Brown and Barry Sanders (Hall of Fame) that made people once again think the Heisman could lead to a succeessful career the likes of Allen or Simpson. Unfortunately during this period the opposite was more common after the careers of Andre Ware (almost no NFL game play), Ty Detmer (definition of career back-up), Gino Torretta (5 teams in 4 years, careers stats 5/16 for 41 yds, 1 INT and 1 32 yd touchdown), Charlie Ward (NBA), Rashan Salaam (mention his name in Chicago I dare you), Danny Wuerffel, Ricky Marley errr Williams, Chris Weinke, Eric Crouch (the face of the future All-American Football League), and Jason White (retired before taking a snap).

In total 8 Heisman Winners have entered the NFL Hall of Fame, 20 have been to multiple Pro Bowls/AFL/CFL All-Star games, 5 have won 5 MVP, 1 CFL MVP and 1 USFL MVP, 3 Comeback Players of the Year, and one three time American Gladiator winner. What the will future hold for today's young men remains to be seen but with America Gladiators coming back on TV I can only hope someone challenges Charles White's 3-0 record.
More after the jump...

It's that time of year again to show your loved ones you care...

...by ignoring them and sitting in front of hours of football all day on a Thursday.

It's holiday season again sports fans and guess which one comes 2nd (the 1st being Homecoming passing a couple weeks ago) it's Thanksgiving. So with that it's time to sit back and thank those who have made these last weeks, months, and years so important to me. Here comes my list. of things that I'm thankful for.


Michael Vick going to jail for harming dogs in the name of "sport".
OJ Simpson maybe going to jail for life for conspiracy charges and aggravated kidnapping charges, I just want him locked up the remainder of his life. I don't know how he got off after cutting two people's heads clean off 14 years ago, but hopefully this time around he gets what's coming to him.
The chance that the distinguished Henry Aaron will once again be the Home Run king, maybe Barry will have more, but at least Hank will hold the record for most Home Runs for someone who never served time.
My family and friends.
The fact that this year's Territorial Cup game between the Cats and the Scum Devils in Tempe will be one of the biggest yet, and a Kitty Kat victory means a Bowl Game.
Birthdays at work, Bagels, Cake, or Donuts in the Kitchenette, good stuff, makes the day a little bit better.
Caddyshack, Animal House, Fletch, Boondock Saints and most of the Kevin Smith movies, you cannot be overly thankful for such great things.
Bowl Season.
Kevin Everett walking again, I don't know why I have taken such an interested approach to this story but as I have mentioned in earlier posts this is the story of the year in my book.
Rivalry Week/Rivalry Games.
Tom Emankski's instructional Baseball videos, without them I would never be able to throw a ball into a trashcan at home plate from left center. Thanks Tom. (Did you know that The Crime Dog Fred McGriff supports these videos, and he was one of the all time greats).
Beer, Whiskey, Deep Dish Pizza, Chicken Wings, Hot Dogs (done right), Brats, Sausages, Red Meat, Potatoes, and the invention of the BBQ Grill.
Chicago.
The comedy of Dennis Leary, Brian Regan, Dane Cook's early stuff, Steven Colbert, and the late Mitch Hedberg.
The Stones, The Beatles, CCR, 7 minute long solo's, DMB, Jack Johnson, Ben Harper, acoustic guitars, George Strait, Tracy Lawrence, Garth Brooks, Merle Haggard, Hank Williams, and the legendary Man in Black Johnny Cash.
The infield Fly Rule.
No DH in the NL.
2007 College Football season.
Top Chef: specifically Chef Collichio, Padma inferring that Gail Simmons of Food and Wine Magazine (I think that's actually her full name since that's all I've ever heard her called) is a slut, Harold, his Lisa Frank Pencil, "I'm a cook", gritty mushrooms, raw pepper, Dave "Chef Cry", Stephen the Sommolier, "It is what it is", everyone's hatred for Marcel a.k.a. Rocketboy, Cliff, Sam, Mike "Betty Crocker meets Charles Manson", and last but not least C.J. Big Time.
Bruce Willis refusing to let Det. John McLane go, I am all for Die Hard's being made until Bruno is on oxygen between takes.
Boston's MLS team losing (enough Boston teams winning constantly). I don't know what's more annoying, the fact that they are dominating every sport, the fact that they feel the need to let everyone know, constantly, that they're dominating every sport, or the fact they do it with that wicked awful accent.
Rushing the Field.
NOT having to hear John Madden talk about Mutant turkeys and circle yams and pumpkin pies with his telestrator on Thursday.
Turducken.
Seriously Turkey, Duck, Chicken, layers of stuffing in between. Also, there are variations where they throw in a Game Hen or Sausage just to further clog arteries.
Board games and trivia games, I haven't met a worthy adversary in awhile.
ESPN.
TV and Movie Marathons.
The Autumn months where football (NCAA and NFL) can literally be found on TV almost every night, and if it isn't on the World Series is or else there is (NCAA or NBA) basketball on.
Anthony Bourdain: Cook, Author, TV Personality.
Vic Chanko: Tony's alter celebrity ego, Vic doesn't climb mountains.
March Madness.
Spring Break.
The Hansen Brothers puttin on the foil.
Wireless Internet.
The Asterisk *
Tony Romo a.k.a. Bromo taking over the NFC and Jason Whitten scoring TDs sans helmet (and this coming from a guy who hates the Cowboys).
Kevin Costner movies: Bull Durham, Field of Dreams, The Untouchables, and Wyatt Earp, not Dances with Wolves or Waterworld
The slew of jokes that will follow the above statement.
Bill Murray, Chevy Chase, Harold Ramis, John Belushi, Dan Akroyd and their followers, Chris Farley, Will Farrell, Vince Vaughn, and sometimes the Wilsons or Stiller.
And of course the people who made me who I am today, through their teachings and morals I have become the man I am Thank You: John Wayne and Mike Ditka.
More after the jump...

God help us...

... A phrase that was uttered...well actually written by my buddy Tanner. It was in regard to an expected addition to my family. Sarcastically (I hope) but I figure it has a more global meaning than he originally intended.

Kevin Garnett's a Celtic...A white guy has been the NBA MVP 3 years in a row...a Canadian and a European...The Colorado Rockies are in the World Series...South Florida was number 2 in the college football polls...5 top ten teams lose one week, 4 the next, and the number 1 and 2 the following week...there is a chance there will not only be a one-loss team in the National Championship but possibly a 2 loss team...sports are upside down all over the place.

The worst part of it all is that not too long ago ESPN and various other news reports discussed sports during their nightly airings. The biggest sports stories were streaks, records, scores, individual performances on the field. Now I listen to sports radio on the way home from work as they discuss the daily Police blotter. The pages of ESPN or FoxSports consist of Pacman Jones "making it rain"...gunfire, and a bouncer at a Las Vegas club will most likely never walk again. More people know the intricate details of that story which ocurred months ago at NBA All-Star weekend in Vegas (a reason Las Vegas should never have a professional sports team) than about the amazing story of Kevin Everett of the Buffalo Bills who began walking last week with assistance when just over a month ago he was in critical condition following an awkward hit in Buffalo's opeing game. These are the off field stories I want to hear about. As much as I rooted against Nebraska in the mid-90's it's hard to forget some of the memorable performances from Lawrence Phillips, of course, all I think about when I hear that name is him throwing his girlfriend down a flight of stairs. The sports magazine TV shows have court reporters and legal correspondants. This is preposterous.

If you make a league minimum (depending on the sport) you make more in a year than I do in 15 at my job, and good for you, the rule is if you can get them to pay it, then you're worth it. I take a cab or walk when I've had too much to drink, why is one of my favorite players, Lance Briggs (Chicago Bear and UA alumn) crashing his Lambo into a tree at 3 AM and fleeing from the scene. You can afford a cab, even with the Franchise tag limiting your funds so. Over a decade ago, when things were different there was an athelete who was ridiculed by some and praised by others for his now famous quote, "I am not a role model". At the time Chuck was a monster on the floor, and twice as brash off of it. I wish we had more players like Sir Charles around today to be role models. Where was Reggie Miller during the Artest "Malace in the Palace" melee a few years back. He wasn't in the stands. He wasn't throwing punches. He was old school, and he knew his place. People are cracking back on Roger Goodell saying he is being too harsh with these players. Maybe Tagliabue should have done something a few years ago so this wouldn't be happening with as much frequency. Children look up to sports stars, all I wanted to do when I was a kid was "be like Mike", like it or not athletes are raising our kids, along with the rest of popular culture, and we need more positive action from them. We need to get rid of this gangsta culture prevalent in todays sports.

One of my all time favorite quotes from a short-lived TV show, Sports Night. Spoken by Casey McCall:

"Look, I got into this because I like getting people to like sports. And I've turned into a PR man for punks and thugs. And any atrocity, no matter how ridiculous, or hideous, or childish, it doesn't matter. I make it sports. Ten-cent bagman whacks a skater's leg with a crowbar, that's sports. Second round draft pick gets cranky in a Houston bar, and that's sports. And let's not forget the mother of all great sports stories - a double homicide in Brentwood. "

Where's Bo, he knew things, he wasn't on the Police Radar (unless it was an ambulance taking him to the hospital after another hip injury or Cops playing Tecmo at the station), Where's Larry Legend playing HORSE with Michael and Earvin (Magic), Who remembers Lil' Penny or Mars Blackmon telling us it's gotta be the shoes, what happened.

Sports used to be about sports, sports facts used to consist of Batting Averages, Field Goal Percentage, and Yards per Carry. Now sports fact consist of suspensions, HGH, and prison sentences.

I'm supposed to raise a child to love sports as much as I do in this culture.

God Help Us.
More after the jump...