There seems to be a great deal of curiosity, intrigue and what have you about what kind of reception will greet Brett Favre upon his return to Lambeau Field on Sunday afternoon.
Green Bay Mayor Jim Schmitt even polled the electorate for “tasteful” suggestions. Some of Schmitt’s ideas were constructing a giant waffle shaped like a 4, asking all fans to wear flip-flops to the game or playing a montage of all of Favre’s interceptions on the stadium big screen.
Among the more than 1,700 e-mail suggestions the mayor received was to hold a ceremony to retire the No. 4 of former Packers quarterback Chuck Fusina — who played in seven games in 1986.
Those are all mildly humorous ideas. But from a fans perspective, there are only two choices.
Boo, or shut up.
It's difficult to explain the view of a Packers fan on this matter, which is why a lot of people around these parts don't quite understand all the green and gold anger toward Favre. Granted, he did help uplift the NFL's most storied franchise back to significance in the 1990s and brought Green Bay its first Super Bowl title in nearly 30 years. So how could we curse his name the way we do?
Football is a business, and Packers fans understand that as well as anyone else. It wasn't that Favre left Green Bay to ultimately play for our hated rivals in Minnesota. It's how he did it, and the things he's said since, that melts our cheese.
Favre coming out of retirement, again, to play for the Vikings was seen as an affront to the Packers, and thus, to Packers fans. And his recent comments that his current Vikings team is the best he's ever played on, including the 1996 Super Bowl champion Packers team, has only fanned the flames of hatred. And those flames are spreading beyond the stands to former Favre teammates.
Former Packers safety LeRoy Butler called Favre's proclamation, "preposterous." Mark Chmura, a tight end for the '96 Packers, and former defensive tackle Santana Dotson also took exception.
So it should come as no surprise that Butler, among other former Packers, is encouraging fans to boo on Sunday.
"I hope they’ll cheer Aaron (Rodgers) and boo Brett," Butler told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "'If you’re going to stand up wearing Packer clothing or a Packer uniform and cheer when Brett Favre comes out, you should bring a bag and put it over your head."
I knew there was a reason I don't get rid of my ratty old Butler jersey.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Thursday, October 29, 2009
King of fools
You'll never hear my utter these words again, but I'm feeling a bit soft right now - I kind of feel bad for LeBron James.
Watching "The Chosen One" the other night, it's safe to say he's the baddest player on the planet (in my opinion, he and Kobe are 1 and 1A). But the sad part is that he thinks he's actually going to win a championship this season.
Let's forget that fact that he was on cover of Sports Illustrated for last week's NBA preview issue (although the guys at SI picked the Celtics to win it all), and that one of the Cleveland's biggest role players is a shotgun-toting whacko.
Instead, let's focus on the fact that Shaquille O'Neal is supposed to be this team's - and this city's - savior? Was it me, or did Shaq look remarkably slow the other night in the loss to the Celtics.
And while he might tell you he's focused on helping LeBron win a title, he can't be all that focused. According to an AP story, spokesman John O'Brien of the Cuyahoga County sheriff's office said O'Neal has applied to become a special deputy.
He would have the right to carry a gun and make arrests but not be a paid, formal employee. It would also require 36 hours of police training, and he'd have to take a police exam.
I don't know about you, but if I were so focused on winning a championship, I wouldn't be studying for some test. If Shaq wanted to do some light reading during his free time, "Free-throw Shooting for Dummies" would be a fine choice.
Watching "The Chosen One" the other night, it's safe to say he's the baddest player on the planet (in my opinion, he and Kobe are 1 and 1A). But the sad part is that he thinks he's actually going to win a championship this season.
Let's forget that fact that he was on cover of Sports Illustrated for last week's NBA preview issue (although the guys at SI picked the Celtics to win it all), and that one of the Cleveland's biggest role players is a shotgun-toting whacko.
Instead, let's focus on the fact that Shaquille O'Neal is supposed to be this team's - and this city's - savior? Was it me, or did Shaq look remarkably slow the other night in the loss to the Celtics.
And while he might tell you he's focused on helping LeBron win a title, he can't be all that focused. According to an AP story, spokesman John O'Brien of the Cuyahoga County sheriff's office said O'Neal has applied to become a special deputy.
He would have the right to carry a gun and make arrests but not be a paid, formal employee. It would also require 36 hours of police training, and he'd have to take a police exam.
I don't know about you, but if I were so focused on winning a championship, I wouldn't be studying for some test. If Shaq wanted to do some light reading during his free time, "Free-throw Shooting for Dummies" would be a fine choice.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Double fault: Agassi
I get that tennis isn’t a huge sport like football or baseball, and that it needs as much good press as it can get. But the news Tuesday that Andre Agassi failed a drug test in 1997 and avoided a suspension by claiming his “drink was spiked” with crystal meth is a joke.
Apparently any old excuse seems to work when trying to pull the wool over the eyes of the Association of Tennis Professionals. In July, Freshman Richard Gasquet was facing a suspension after testing positive for cocaine, but he was cleared to play by the ATP after explaining he kissed a woman who took the drug in a Miami nightclub.
Wow.
The ATP likely will come under a lot of scrutiny this week, and it’s already started. The World Anti-Doping Agency — founded in 1999 — asked the ATP to explain why Agassi was allowed to play and never served a suspension despite the failed test. According to an Associated Press story, Fahey said the WADA can’t take any action against Agassi because of the agency’s eight-year statue of limitation, and it’s “unlikely” the ATP will punish the former world No. 1.
“WADA would, however, expect the ATP, which administered its own anti-doping program at that time, to shed light on this allegation,” Fahey said in a statement.
Tennis has had its share of heartwarming stories the past few years — Federer eclipsing Sampras, the rise of Andy Murray and two amazing Wimbledon men’s finals. But it’s also seen its share of black eyes — Serena Williams and her verbal assault on a linesperson and all of the gambling accusations and issues.
Andre Agassi may have just lifted a huge monkey from his back, all while making a pretty penny in the process, but revelations like these are slowing killing the sport.
Apparently any old excuse seems to work when trying to pull the wool over the eyes of the Association of Tennis Professionals. In July, Freshman Richard Gasquet was facing a suspension after testing positive for cocaine, but he was cleared to play by the ATP after explaining he kissed a woman who took the drug in a Miami nightclub.
Wow.
The ATP likely will come under a lot of scrutiny this week, and it’s already started. The World Anti-Doping Agency — founded in 1999 — asked the ATP to explain why Agassi was allowed to play and never served a suspension despite the failed test. According to an Associated Press story, Fahey said the WADA can’t take any action against Agassi because of the agency’s eight-year statue of limitation, and it’s “unlikely” the ATP will punish the former world No. 1.
“WADA would, however, expect the ATP, which administered its own anti-doping program at that time, to shed light on this allegation,” Fahey said in a statement.
Tennis has had its share of heartwarming stories the past few years — Federer eclipsing Sampras, the rise of Andy Murray and two amazing Wimbledon men’s finals. But it’s also seen its share of black eyes — Serena Williams and her verbal assault on a linesperson and all of the gambling accusations and issues.
Andre Agassi may have just lifted a huge monkey from his back, all while making a pretty penny in the process, but revelations like these are slowing killing the sport.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Week 7 R.I. high school football poll
For the first time all season, it’s unanimous. Rhode Island sportswriters have tabbed La Salle as the No. 1 high school football team in the state. The Rams have been No. 1 all season, but Barrington always garnered at least a couple first-place votes. Not this week. After losing to Bishop Hendricken, the Eagles fell to No. 4 — oddly enough one spot ahead of Hendricken, which jumped from 8 to 5.
With Barrington’s loss, East Providence moved up to the No. 2 spot, meaning four of the top five teams come from Division I. The only non-Division I team to crash the top 5 is South Kingstown, from II-B.
Middletown dropped a spot, from 6 to 7, after its win over Hope on Saturday. But the Islanders remain undefeated atop Division IV. Unfortunately, Middletown probably won’t reach the top 5 unless it can pull off a Thanksgiving Day win over Portsmouth.
Speaking of Portsmouth, after struggling through the murderous portion of their schedule, the Patriots beat St. Ray's 27-6 on Saturday and held strong at No. 12. Tiverton, which rolled past Smithfield 39-13, remains at No. 17.
The Barrington loss makes the Eagles’ Nov. 6 game against La Salle a little less interesting. But with all due respect to East Providence, those two very well could be headed for a D-I Super Bowl matchup.
Team Points Last week
1. La Salle (8) 160 1
2. East Providence 142 3
3. South Kingstown 136 5
4. Barrington 135 2
5. Hendricken 129 8
6. Mount Hope 113 11
7. Middletown 106 6
8. Ponaganset 99 9
9. Woonsocket 86 10
10. Cranston East 79 7
11. West Warwick 77 4
12. Portsmouth 73 12
13. Westerly 64 13
14. Coventry 60 16
15. Cranston West 57 14t
16. Johnston 53 14t.
17t. Moses Brown 29 17
17t. Tiverton 29 17
19. Cumberland 28 NR
20. St. Raphael 12 18
Dropped out (last week’s rank): Lincoln (20).
Others receiving votes: Hope 5, Classical 3, Lincoln 3, Mount Pleasant 1, Scituate 1
Participating publications: The Chariho Times, The Coventry Courier, The Cranston Herald, The East Greenwich Pendulum, The Narragansett Times, The Newport Daily News, The Northeast Independent, The North Kingstown Standard Times, The South County Independent, The Warwick Beacon, The Westerly Sun.
With Barrington’s loss, East Providence moved up to the No. 2 spot, meaning four of the top five teams come from Division I. The only non-Division I team to crash the top 5 is South Kingstown, from II-B.
Middletown dropped a spot, from 6 to 7, after its win over Hope on Saturday. But the Islanders remain undefeated atop Division IV. Unfortunately, Middletown probably won’t reach the top 5 unless it can pull off a Thanksgiving Day win over Portsmouth.
Speaking of Portsmouth, after struggling through the murderous portion of their schedule, the Patriots beat St. Ray's 27-6 on Saturday and held strong at No. 12. Tiverton, which rolled past Smithfield 39-13, remains at No. 17.
The Barrington loss makes the Eagles’ Nov. 6 game against La Salle a little less interesting. But with all due respect to East Providence, those two very well could be headed for a D-I Super Bowl matchup.
Team Points Last week
1. La Salle (8) 160 1
2. East Providence 142 3
3. South Kingstown 136 5
4. Barrington 135 2
5. Hendricken 129 8
6. Mount Hope 113 11
7. Middletown 106 6
8. Ponaganset 99 9
9. Woonsocket 86 10
10. Cranston East 79 7
11. West Warwick 77 4
12. Portsmouth 73 12
13. Westerly 64 13
14. Coventry 60 16
15. Cranston West 57 14t
16. Johnston 53 14t.
17t. Moses Brown 29 17
17t. Tiverton 29 17
19. Cumberland 28 NR
20. St. Raphael 12 18
Dropped out (last week’s rank): Lincoln (20).
Others receiving votes: Hope 5, Classical 3, Lincoln 3, Mount Pleasant 1, Scituate 1
Participating publications: The Chariho Times, The Coventry Courier, The Cranston Herald, The East Greenwich Pendulum, The Narragansett Times, The Newport Daily News, The Northeast Independent, The North Kingstown Standard Times, The South County Independent, The Warwick Beacon, The Westerly Sun.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Things that need to end ...
1) All of this bouncing and verbal jawing before football games. The Chargers and Broncos did it before the Monday night game last week, and the Florida Gators and Mississippi State Bulldogs did the same on Saturday.
Referees and coaches had to intervene to "break things up." This is the biggest crock I've ever seen. Before the game, the players try to pretend that they don't like each other, but that's bull. If they truly despised one another, they certainly wouldn't be huddling prayer after the game.
2) Predictions about how a rookie is the "next .... " after a few good games. It happened with Mark Sanchez, and he promptly went out and tossed five interceptions while leading his team to a three-game losing streak. Mark Sanchez is not the next Joe Namath, and let me save you the trouble, Michael Crabtree is not the next Jerry Rice.
3) Politicians from crappy little states calling out the Bowl Championship Series. Look, I want a playoff as much as anyone, but it's not going to happen in the near future. That being said, Utah senator Orrin Hatch needs to cool it. If you don't play in a major conference, you don't get a shot at a national championship. That's how it works.
But Hatch is no dummy. He knows how much the Utes mean to the voting public in his state, and he's trying to gain some popularity in the hopes of being re-elected. We saw it with that idiot Arlen Specter, and we're seeing it now.
Please, and this includes President Obama: leave sports alone. Do some work to make this country a bit better, because right now, it stinks.
Referees and coaches had to intervene to "break things up." This is the biggest crock I've ever seen. Before the game, the players try to pretend that they don't like each other, but that's bull. If they truly despised one another, they certainly wouldn't be huddling prayer after the game.
2) Predictions about how a rookie is the "next .... " after a few good games. It happened with Mark Sanchez, and he promptly went out and tossed five interceptions while leading his team to a three-game losing streak. Mark Sanchez is not the next Joe Namath, and let me save you the trouble, Michael Crabtree is not the next Jerry Rice.
3) Politicians from crappy little states calling out the Bowl Championship Series. Look, I want a playoff as much as anyone, but it's not going to happen in the near future. That being said, Utah senator Orrin Hatch needs to cool it. If you don't play in a major conference, you don't get a shot at a national championship. That's how it works.
But Hatch is no dummy. He knows how much the Utes mean to the voting public in his state, and he's trying to gain some popularity in the hopes of being re-elected. We saw it with that idiot Arlen Specter, and we're seeing it now.
Please, and this includes President Obama: leave sports alone. Do some work to make this country a bit better, because right now, it stinks.
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