Category: Sports

It’s a Sign! Christians Can Be Downright Nasty Around Christmas

Posted on by TL
Jesus and the Census

I always think of Monty Python’s Life Of Brian when I read about organizations getting charged with blasphemy.

Yes, blasphemy.

So I had to chuckle when I read Greg Tajeda’s latest at Chicago Argus. Greg reports that the Joliet Jackhammers have posted a sign that reads, “BUY JACKHAMMERS TICKETS TODAY! – God.”

That’s quite an endorsement.

As you can imagine, there are people who are quite offended by this specious use of the divine. The Jackhammers have a disclaimer on their Web page indicating “people who buy a season ticket package during the month of December can have the ballclub donate a portion of the purchase price to any church or religious organization the fan chooses,” according to Tajeda. The National Associaton of Latino Elected Officials (NALEO), however, seems to have taken things a step further with their call to participate in the 2010 census. After all, “This is how Jesus was born,” an ad from the group claims.

From Chicago Argus:

IN THE CASE of the NALEO, they are trying to encourage Latinos to realize they should take it seriously next year when the Census Bureau sends them a form so they can be included in the official population count. For the Jackhammers, they’re trying to sell season tickets for 2010.

How does religion get involved in either of these “causes?”

For NALEO, they cited portions of the New Testament that would indicate that Joseph and Mary were headed to Bethlehem so they could be included in something resembling a modern-day Census, which would mean the baby Jesus was born just in time to be counted.

Their advertisements literally tell us, “This is how JESUS was born,” and adds later, “Don’t be afraid.”

NALEO IS ONE of about 136,000 groups cooperating with the Census Bureau to try to get as accurate a count as possible in the Census, which officially records how many people are living in the United States on April 1, 2010.

I’m not going to parse this any further. I simply see too many Christians who get wildly offended at alleged attempts on the part of — you name it: society, the media, atheists, the Left, the Right, liberals, Hollywood, government (local and federal) — to take the CHRIST out of CHRISTMAS.

Hogwash.  Christmas is what happens when you and your family get together and celebrate.  It’s what happens when you and your family go to Church on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.  Christmas is what happens when you and your family and friends exchange gifts, wish each other well, or pray for each other and help the less fortunate during this holiday season.

Sorry.  During this CHRISTmas season.

Nobody can steal your Christmas.  Nobody.  So get over it.

Some Christians can be downright rude during the Christmas season. Look, it’s not happening. There is no war on Christmas.

NALEO probably used bad judgment, but blasphemy?

I don’t think so.

Remember, this Christmas season (no, I’m not saying “holiday season” for a reason here), the big message is “Peace on Earth, good will to all.”

Please be sure to participate in the 2010 census. And the Joliet Jackhammers are awesome.

Merry Christmas.

Michael Jordan Sues Jewel, Dominick’s for Using His Name, No. 23 to Sell Steaks

Posted on by TL

Wow. This was just incredibly bad judgment on the part of Jewel and Dominick’s.

From the Sun-Times:

Michael Jordan is suing Chicago’s two big grocery chains, Jewel and Dominick’s, claiming they used his good name and his good number — 23 — to sell steaks and other goods without his permission.

According to the suit, filed Monday in Cook County Circuit Court: “Jordan brings these claims for violation of the right of publicity, false endorsement, false designation of origin, deceptive business practices, and unfair competition against” Jewel-Osco and Dominick’s.

In both cases, the grocery store chains had advertisements in a commemorative Sports Illustrated issue congratulating him on this year’s induction in to the basketball Hall of Fame, according to the suit.

According to the suit, the Dominick’s ad featured Jordan’s name and number with the phrase “You are a cut above” and a photo of a steak.

Below the congratulations is an ad for $2 off a Rancher’s Reserve steak. In the case of Jewel, Jordan takes issue with a full-page magazine ad that congratulates him on the Hall of Fame honor.

The pair of basketball shoes, with a number 23 on the tongues, “appear to be an inaccurate and misleading copy of Air Jordan basketball shoes, which are the subject of an endorsement agreement between Jordan and Nike, Inc.

I would not want to wrestle with Michael Jordan in the courts.

Read more at the Sun-Times.

Ben Roethlisberger Throws for 503 Yards Sunday Against Green Bay

Posted on by TL

Ben Roethlisberger set a franchise record Sunday throwing 503 yards against the Green Bay Packers. It took a final drive right out of last year’s Super Bowl to give Pittsburgh the 37-36 victory.

It was amazing.

From the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:

The Steelers tried every which way to get back to winning football games before they went back to an old favorite, the drive that delivered them a victory in Super Bowl XLIII.

With their coach admitting in so many words and deeds he had lost all faith in his defense to stop the Green Bay Packers, the offense drove 86 yards on 12 plays and squeezed every last second of the clock to do so to deliver a 37-36 victory at Heinz Field.

This time it was not Santonio Holmes toe-tapping in the right side of the end zone for the winner, but rookie Mike Wallace catching a 19-yard pass with both toes barely in bounds with no time left. That tied the score, Jeff Reed’s kick won it and, while it did not deliver another Lombardi Trophy, it put a five-game losing streak out of their misery.

“We’re not dead yet,” Steelers coach Mike Tomlin declared. “We have a little pulse here.”

Indeed, the Steelers cling precariously to contention for a wild-card playoff berth with a 7-7 record, but the reality of their chances can hold for another day. That they put their finger in the dike that was near dissolution was reason alone for them to celebrate last night.

“I think we went through a whole range of emotions [last night],” linebacker James Farrior said.

The fourth quarter alone featured four touchdowns and two field goals in the kind of fastbreak game rarely seen in Heinz Field. In fact, a lot that occurred yesterday rarely had been seen at all in Pittsburgh.

Roethlisberger’s 503 yards passing set a franchise record and he became the third quarterback in NFL history to top 500 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions. Hines Ward had 126 yards and Heath Miller 118, both on seven catches.

It had been weeks since I felt the urge to pick up a Terrible Towel, but last night I  clutched it like a security blanket during the Steelers’ last drive. The final touchdown pass, with no time left on the clock, was a piece of art.

Read more here at the Post-Gazette.

Pittsburgh Steelers Sick of Losing

Posted on by TL

The Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers (6-7) aren’t quite feeling the Christmas spirit. Facing the Green Bay Packers (9-4) Sunday, the team has let in-fighting boil over into the press, and Ben Roethlisberger has exchanged barbs with former teammate Jerome Bettis.

It isn’t pretty.

From the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:

The Steelers held their annual Christmas party last night, and they still did not receive the gift they most cherish.

One victory.

"It’s very important," receiver Hines Ward said. "I’m sick of losing. Losing’s not fun. My day does not go right when we don’t win. It’s hard to wake up and do anything."

Their previous victory came Nov. 9; their most recent victory at home came Oct. 25. Anyone who had seen only the Steelers’ past five games would think they were the Detroit Lions, St. Louis Rams or Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

If the Steelers lose to Green Bay at Heinz Field Sunday, it would tie their longest losing streak in 40 years. For many, it already is the longest skid they have ever experienced.

"Not in high school, not here and I don’t think so in college, no," quarterback Ben Roethlisberger said. "For me, you get upset, you get disappointed about it because I hate losing. I hate losing more than anything. The more I pout, the more I sulk, doesn’t mean we get to go back in time and win that game.

Oh, the pain.

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com

Bengals Receiver Chris Henry Dies

Posted on by TL

From WTAE Pittsburgh:

Charlotte-Mecklenburg police say Cincinnati Bengals receiver Chris Henry has died, one day after suffering serious injuries upon falling out of the back of a pickup truck in what authorities describe as a domestic dispute with his fiancee.

Police say Henry died at 6:36 a.m. Thursday. Henry was 26.

Away from the team because of a broken forearm, Henry was rushed to the hospital Wednesday after being found on a residential road. Police say a dispute began at a home about a half-mile away, and Henry jumped into the bed of the pickup truck as his fiancee was driving away from the residence.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, the Cincinnati Bengals and their fans.

Read more.

BREAKING NEWS: Terror Alert in Chicago, IL

Posted on by TL

This just in via email:

BREAKING NEWS: Terror Alert in Chicago, IL

The Chicago Bears football practice was delayed nearly two hours today after a player reported finding an unknown white powdery substance on the practice field. Head coach Lovie Smith immediately suspended practice and called the police and federal investigators.

After a complete analysis, FBI forensic experts determined that the white substance unknown to players was the GOAL LINE.

Practice resumed after special agents decided the team was unlikely to encounter the substance again this season.

Sorry Bears fans.  I couldn’t resist.

Why is the Lead Story on the Christian Science Monitor Silly Speculation on Tiger Woods’ Future?

Posted on by TL

I subscribed to the Christian Science Monitor on and off during my undergrad years and occasionally during grad school. Following the advice of a roommate, I started to read, and was impressed with the international coverage of the CSM.

So why is tonight’s lead story a silly speculative piece on Tiger Woods? Will Tiger Woods quit golf for good? the publication asks.

Can pro golf survive without Tiger Woods?

In the cold light of morning – after the golf superstar announced that he was leaving his clubs in the garage while he tries to pull his scandal-tainted life back together – the answer seemed to be a grimly-determined … maybe.

Survive, yes. But in a way that continues to attract hundreds of millions of regular fans, not to mention sponsors with very fat wallets? The answer here seems to be far more qualified.

I don’t get it. As I’ve said before, I hope Tiger and his wife are able to reconcile. I feel for his wife.

Will Tiger golf again?

Read more here, if you dare.

Tiger Woods To Take ‘Indefinite’ Leave From Golf

Posted on by TL

From WTAE Pittsburgh:

Tiger Woods is taking an indefinite leave from professional golf to work on saving his family, using the word “infidelity” for the first time in a statement posted on his Web site.

Woods says he is aware of the disappointment that “my infidelity” has caused to his wife and children. He says he might not be able to repair the damage, but he wants to try.

We wish he and his family well.

Roethlisberger Sacked Five Times in First Half Against Cleveland (…so far)

Posted on by TL

Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has been sacked five times so far in tonight’s game against Cleveland.  The last sack was on 3rd and 19 facing a paltry three-man Brownie rush.

My favorite fan post right now on NFL.COM’s Game Center is from panther440:

Steeler fans, trade those terrible towels in on a new Sham Wow
absorb 400% more tears !

Oh, the pain.

Browns are up 6-0 with 2:54 to go in the first half.

UPDATE: Browns just scored on a 10 yard run by Chris Jennings. The drive ran 8 plays, 74 yards in 3:35.  Browns are up 13-0 with 41 seconds left in the first half.

The Steelers look slow offensively.  Steeler defense just has not shown up yet.

I Don’t Care Who Tiger Woods is Sleeping With, and Neither Should You

Posted on by TL

I was tired last week of hearing the name Tiger Woods. The guy can golf. I don’t care who he’s sleeping with.

Do I believe in fidelity in marriage? Yes, I do. Am I sad to hear that Tiger has allegedly strayed? Yes, I am. Is it any of my business?

No. Absolutely not.

Welcome to Puritanical America. We judge you no matter who you sleep with, even if you only sleep with you wife.

It sounds like Tiger and his wife, Elin Nordegren, are taking some time apart. That’s okay with me. And that is none of my business either.

Tiger Woods is not some pol who has spent the last 20 years of his life railing against liberal social mores. I have no notion whatsoever of where Tiger Woods stands politically, and, right now, I don’t care.

I hope that, during this time apart, he and his wife can find some privacy, occasionally chat on the phone.

Yes, the man needs to make some decisions, now that it’s all public.

But that decision rests between him and his wife.