Sports Thread #1 For 2/3/10: The Runthrough
The signing day obsession is reaching a disturbing high with every passing year (Image from ESPN)Everyone knows that there is a major problem with the hype signing day gets in our current age. But it is here to stay forever, so too bad for us who don't like it I guess.
As Dave Zirin said, Jemele Hill is one of the more rational and good voices in the sports pundit community. But my goodness, that Tebow piece was the worst thing she has ever written
But Jemele Hill chose to take it to an entirely higher level: a level that deeply miseducates her readers and demands a response. She chose to write, "Tebow's decision to appear in this ad should be considered just as courageous as Muhammad Ali's decision to not enter the draft, or Tommie Smith's and John Carlos' black power salute at the 1968 summer Olympics."What in the hell indeed.
Dear Lord, Jemele. Where do we possibly begin to unpack this? Tim Tebow is starring in a 2.8 million dollar ad while being praised by sports writers, pundits, and politicians from coast to coast. In contrast, Muhammad Ali's decision to refuse the draft and say "I ain't got no quarrel with them Vietcong" resulted in getting stripped of his title, being abandoned by almost every significant person in his life, pushed to bankruptcy, and hit with a five year Leavenworth prison sentence, which included revoking his passport. The very same day of his conviction in federal court, the US Congress voted 337-29 to extend the draft four more years. They knew how important Ali was and the full weight of the federal government was hell-bent on breaking his will. As Jack Olson wrote years later inSports Illustrated, "The noise became a din, the drumbeats of a holy war. TV and radio commentators, little old ladies...bookmakers, and parish priests, armchair strategists at the Pentagon and politicians all over the place joined in a crescendo of get Cassius get Cassius get Cassius."
The scary attack on Club America players continues, as a second player, midfielder youngster Juan Carlos Silva, was shot in the behind on Monday in a failed attempt to steal his car. Thankfully Silva is in good condition after the incident.
And as for Salvador Cabanas, the Paraguay forward feels that he can somehow make it back in time for the World Cup this June. It is quite stunning stuff what he told his family last night, as Cabanas' condition is improving rapidly after being in critical condition last week.
And to round off the scary news for soccer players, Rangers and US winger DaMarcus Beasley found his car set on fire outside of his home in Glasgow, Scotland. Thankfully no one was in the car.
Problems in the Celtics locker room?
It will be great comedy if Hershel Walker says to Jose Canseco, based on Canseco wanting to fight him, "Maybe you should have a fight with Mark McGwire first?" It would be easy to market that event, with the title of that fight being "Brash Brothers Brawl" already guaranteed.
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