22 December 2003

Let's Go....Broncos?

In an odd twist, I found myself rooting for my favorite NFL team's fiercest rival, the Denver Broncos, to win their game last night.

There is a logical reason for this.

With the Broncos' defeat of the Colts @ Indianapolis, The Kansas City Chiefs, despite their wretched showing on Saturday against the Vikings, clinched a first-round bye for the playoffs, clearing up a small part of the playoff picture.

Also buried in the muck that was the Vikings' trouncing of KC was a milestone for the Mainframe's favorite MVP frontrunner and theologian, Priest Holmes. With his second 3 TD day in as many weeks, Holmes tied the single season-rushing TD record held by Emmitt Smith with his 25th paydirt carry. To give an example of how many TDs that is for one player, keep in mind that the closest anyone else is to him in rushing touchdowns is a team, the Broncos, with 20.

With one game remaining next week, Priest needs one rushing touchdown to break said record and two TDs to tie the single season TD record of 26 total touchdowns held by St Louis Rams great Marshall Faulk.

Needless to say, I don't think his holiness will take the day off this Sunday.

18 December 2003

A Little Levity in a World of Cell Phone Celebrations

I love Dan Patrick. Not in a gay way, mind you, but a "damn, he's a funny dude" way.
Along those same lines, I'm a big fan of the Dan Patrick Show on ESPN Radio . I listen to it everyday while I'm working.

On most days, the show tends to lean toward the lighter side of sports, interspliced with guest interviews from athletes to actors and civilians to CEOs. Basically like most sports talk radio shows on the dial.

Today, however, perhaps to take a break from the bickering and arguing over the Joe Horn cell phone call, Dan introduced a great story that took place in Omaha, Nebraska over the weekend.

A young man named Brandon Peel displayed a level of sportsmanship that, to be honest, used to be more prevalent in our society.

I won't bore you with a synopsis of the event when you can read about it here. What I can do is urge you to click on the link. I found myself welling up over the unselfishness, class, and maturity shown by this 18 year old.

If only 32 year old professional football players could take a cue from this kid. I don't mean to single out the Joe Horns oand the Terrell Owens of the world. In the NFL, The "Me Above the Team" is an epidemic.

But, Joe Horn has been quoted numerous times that his act was purely for "entertaining the fans".

You know what, Joe, you're right. I'd much rather watch you absorb a national audience with an unoriginal selfish act than see an 18 year old kid give the most priceless gift to a 15 year old kid with Downs: a smile and a chance to touch his dream of wrestling.

What was I thinking?

17 December 2003

Kick in the "Shins"

Hi. Remember me? Well, if all two of you are reading this, I've come out of my hibernation....and we can all thank Mr. Wolf.

Last night, I was downloading a song file that he listed @ number 1 on his top 5 list for 2003. I didn't get a chance to listen to it until today.

The song is Gone for Good by The Shins. It is perhaps the most gorgeous use of sound manipulation that I've heard in recent memory. It also inspired me to get off my ass and write about it.

To listen, check it out at Mike's cool ass blog. (December 9 post)

Believe me, it's worth it.

Thanks Mike for making me buy another CD.