Ryan ChartrandAs I sat back and reflected on what was the world of sports, I began to realize there is just too much going on. There are just too many stories to cover. How can I possibly spend all my time on one thing?
How am I supposed to choose between Tiger Woods, Don Imus and Adam “Pacman” Jones making it rain? There is just a lot going on. So I decided to hit a bit of everything.
Let’s start with “a tradition unlike any other,” also known as the Masters. I love Tiger and am still unhappy he didn’t win. Even though he didn’t win, he is the sole reason for which 95 percent of the Masters’ viewers tuned in and will continue to watch golf.
I’ve always been drawn to greatness. Tiger is my favorite athlete for countless reasons. His focus is unmatched. Here’s a great example. Around hole 12, I turned to my roommates who were watching the tournament with me and asked if they thought Tiger’s beautiful Swedish model wife popped into his head once during his final round. Both looked at me and responded “no.”
Then I started thinking just how many times different guys around the country watching the tournament had probably thought about her. Pure focus. Man, Tiger’s impressive.
The scary thing is, Tiger didn’t even play that well and he still only lost by two strokes. If he is his usual self, he wins by five, and don’t worry – Tiger will win the U.S. Open running away.
That was just the start of a week that turned out to be pretty interesting. Imus, who has a national talk radio show, opened his mouth a little too wide. He is known for his blunt comments and say-anything-to-get-a-laugh mentality.
While discussing the NCAA women’s basketball title game between Tennessee and Rutgers on “Imus in the Morning,” he crossed the line. He referred to the Rutgers team as “nappy-headed hos.” Then he went on “The Al Sharpton Show” and referred to Sharpton and a caller as “you people.”
Then he came out and said, “I’m not a racist or a bigot.” Sure Imus, keep telling yourself that, because you’re the only who could possibly believe that statement.
I also heard John Rocker is attending temple and Tim Hardaway just came out of the closet.
Imus, figure it out – for someone who has been on radio for nearly 40 years, you’d think you would have better judgment than that. To really think, you would go as low as degrading a group of women in their early 20s who accomplished something special this season? You must be losing your mind. Also, those women who go to Rutgers, you just may be working for them in the next couple of years.
Last but not least, there’s Pacman Jones. How can you not love a guy who throws $81,000 up in the air at a strip club and then wants his money back? And then the only way to get that money is to have your entourage shoot at everyone and start a brawl that spills out onto the Las Vegas strip, eventually leaving one man paralyzed.
What could be expected with someone who has been interviewed by the police nine times in the last year?
That’s why Roger Goodell, the NFL’s new commissioner, just gave Jones a little wake-up call by suspending him for the entire 2007 season.
I have some things to say to the commissioner. First, I think some players need to be held accountable for their actions. You have certain immature millionaires running around with guns in the middle of the night at strip clubs. The problem is, it’s such a small percentage of players that are getting in trouble and creating a stereotype for the entire league. Kudos on your bold stance, Goodell. Way to show Jones that it doesn’t rain in your office.
But honestly, what are the chances Jones doesn’t get in trouble during his upcoming year of vacation?
This week’s lesson: stay focused, keep your comments to yourself and if Pacman’s around, you’d better have an umbrella.