Uncommon Sportsman: FanPosts

National Coming Out Day: NFL Edition

echinsuocha1 — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 15:38:36 -0000

Hey, guess what today is! It’s National Coming Out Day!! SUPER!! So in celebration, here are 9 NFL athletes who have been making 2008 their coming out breakout season:

Eli Manning
It’s strange to be considering the year after a Super Bowl victory his “breakout” season. But the truth is, Eli just wasn’t very good last year - managing just a 73.9 QB rating and throwing a career high 20 interceptions. But in 2008, Eli’s been strutting his stuff with a 5th-best 99.7 QB Rating with 6 touchdowns to go with just 1 interception.

Oh trust me there are more, see the list and their Pics: InGameNow

Top 12 Convicted Athletes

echinsuocha1 — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 14:36:42 -0000

O.J. couldn’t run forever. The law finally caught up with him today, as he was found guilty on 12 counts of kidnapping and armed robbery. The news comes just a day after former NFL and Nebraska Cornhusker runningback Lawrence Phillips was sentenced to 10 years in prison for assault with a deadly weapon. It seems there’s always an athlete somewhere getting in trouble with the law - so we take this opportunity to give you 12 of the best. (Note: this list was too good for even Phillips to crack!).

12. Rae Carruth
Let’s see here, Rae - behind Door #1, we have a long, promising — and lucrative — career in the NFL as a wide receiver. Behind Door #2, we have murdering your pregnant girlfriend. So which is it gonna be Rae, Door #1 or Door #2? *ERRRRR* Ooooh, I’m so sorry, Rae, should have gone with Door #1! Enjoy your 18-24 years in prison!

11. Bernard Hopkins
Before he was boxing’s Middleweight World Champion, he was a thirteen year-old mugger. By the age of 17, he graduated to full-on, strong-arm robbery. Should have stuck to simple muggings, Bernie, as you were caught, convicted of 9 felonies, and sentenced to 18 years in prison. Of course, prison wasn’t all bad for Hopkins - it was there he discovered his passion for boxing, and only served 5 years in prison. Hopkins would go on to hold the middleweight championship for 10 years, defending his title an unprecedented 20 times.

The Good, the Bad, the Ugly, NFL Power Rankings

echinsuocha1 — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 14:34:09 -0000

2008 has started as the hardest year in NFL gambling history. Teams people wrote off are doing great, and powerhouses are playing horrible. InGameNow has ranked all 32 teams

The Good (teams that COULD make the Playoffs)

The New York Football Giants Why list the Giants at the top? Easy. Defending Champs + 4-0= #1

Tennessee TitansFirst team to 5 wins. Great D. Another easy choice. Who cares that Collins is currently steering the ship. The Titans D is unbelievable. It would be fitting that Vince Young sits on the bench to watch his team go undefeated this season.

Dallas Cowboys There are 6 teams at 4-1. Ranking these guys is not easy. Dallas looks like the most complete team. Romo to TO yesterday showed they are doing great. Dallas is the highest scoring team in the NFL this season. Many say this team is the best in the NFL…. if not for a 2 pt loss to Washington, I would agree.

World Black Pudding Throwing Championships

sir eccles — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 16:44:01 -0000

An ancient battle between Lancashire and Yorkshire continues in the form of the World Black Pudding Throwing Championships

This annual event takes place in Ramsbottom (don't laugh it's a very nice village with a steam train and stuff, just down the road from my parents) on the outskirts of Bury the home of the black pudding. In the inflatable mascot phase of the early 90s, fans of Bury football club would wave inflatable black puddings.

Now they just throw the puddings at Yorkshire puddings in a re-enactment of the war of the roses.

Personally I think it's a waste of a perfect good black pudding which should otherwise be sliced and fried then served with bacon, sausages, fried eggs and mushrooms and stuff. Nom nom nom.

eta: here's a video from last year's contest

On 9/11: A Salute to Athletes that Have Served

echinsuocha1 — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 13:00:04 -0000

"Today, our nation saw evil, the very worst of human nature. And we responded with the best of America — with the daring of our rescue workers, with the caring for strangers and neighbors who came to give blood and help in any way they could." Those were the words of President Bush 7 years ago today. And on a day that will forever be engrained in the minds of Americans, InGameNow would like to salute the many athletes who have sacrificed and served for our United States of America. This list definitely does not include all of these heros, but hopefully, everyone who reads this list will honor these individuals, along with the more unsung ones as well.

Read more abou the athletes and their stories here: InGameNow

via cache.thephoenix.com

* Perfect Seasons - 2007 New England Patriots vs. 1972 Miami Dolphins

echinsuocha1 — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 18:43:08 -0000

With the New England Patriots’ Super Bowl hopes lying in shambles along with Tom Brady lying in bed with a season-ending knee injury, Patriot fans are grasping at straws. They are claiming that, while they didn’t win the Super Bowl last season, they should in fact be considered the best team of all-time:

"Yeah, they are a pretty historic team, the Patriots. They hold the record for regular season win streak, which is still going."

Read The Whole Story: InGameNow

Forget Lance Armstrong and Brett Favre - Don Gorske!!

foulweatherfan — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 18:06:10 -0000

These men take a backseat to a man who has accomplished something truly amazing in his life. No, he hasn't defeated cancer - he hasn't even won any awards, medals, trophies, or belts. But he has reached a mark that shall forever go down in American Gluttony history - 54 year-old Don Gorske from Wisconsin has eaten a McDonald's Big Mac every day (except one) for the past 36 years.

Read more after the jump...

http://blog.ingamenow.com/2008/09/09/forget-lance-armstrong-and-brett-favre-don-gorske/

Vince Young Suicide Watch: Tennesse Titans Call Nashville Cops

echinsuocha1 — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 17:51:17 -0000

Reports are flying in that Vince Young is on suicide watch and it’s hit the radio and press… hell, the Tenneseee Titans even had a press release filed. Lets reviews:

1. Vince Young supposedly was talked out of retirement after his rookie year
2. Vince Young didn’t want to return to the game this weekend… and was boo’ed by the stadium
3. V10 then injured his knee and was knocked out 2-6 weeks

Read it all: InGameNow

* The Bears beat the Colts last night, the MLB leading Cubs have lost 7 of 8….Chicago is entering Bizarro World

echinsuocha1 — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 00:02:19 -0000

If Seinfeld has taught me anything, it is that a totally normal world can suddenly turn bizarro. Just as Jerry’s world was spun around, so too has Chicago.

In analyzing Chicago sports, it is clear something strange is going on. My conclusion is that Chicago is currently Bizarro Chicago. Let me break it down for you-

Bizarro Cedric Benson is Matt Forte. Last season, Cedric Benson STUNK. In fact, his entire time in Chicago was horrible. After being drafted #4 overall in the NFL draft, Benson sat out for 36 days of camp. To sum up Benson’s playing, the world “bust” comes to mind. Benson has had so many DUI’s (both on land and water) that he now must drive a Blo and Go. He must breath into his car to prove his isn’t’ drunk before the car will start.

On the other hand, Matt Forte had an outstanding NFL debut for the Bears. He rushed 23 times for 123 yards and 1 TD. Forte is smart enough to keep his name out of the police blotter, and is generally liked in the locker room. Forte has been a great change of pace for the Bears backfield.

Bizarro Rex Grossman is Kyle Orton. Last season, Grossman opened the season with games of 1, 2, and 3 interceptions. The Bears started 1-2 and did not look good. This year, Orton played average against the Colts. He was 13-21 with 150 yards, 0 td’s, 0 int’s. What people need to know is a Bears QB playing average is unheard of. Usually, the roll of the Bears QB is to ruin seasons. Hopefully Orton will continue to be average this year, and allow the Bears to win.

Bizarro 2007 Chicago bears D is the 2008 bears D. Chicago’s D finished 2007 ranked 28th in the league. They were injured and ineffective. Last night, the Bears brought back memories of the Monsters of the Midway. Holding the Colts to 13 pts. and under 300 yards of total offense is impressive. Best of all, Chicago scored on D (thanks to Lance Briggs). If Chicago hopes to make the Super Bowl, the D is going to have to continue in Bizarro world and score every week.

Bizarro MLB best Cubs are Cubs in September. The only bad part of bizarro Chicago is that the Cubs stink. Through August, the Cubs were the best team in baseball. Both pitching and batting were outstanding. Then, they entered Bizarro world, and the wheels fell off. The Cubs droped the last 2 games in August, and have won ONCE in September. Cubs fans across the city are freaking out.

Who knows what is up next for Bizarro Chicago. One thing is for sure, tonight, I wouldn’t be surprised to see a girl with Man Hands.

Open Letter to Terrell Owens Regarding Usain Bolt

echinsuocha1 — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 15:34:51 -0000

This week, Terrell Owens was quoted on HBO’s Hard Knocks as saying, “I Could Beat Usain Bolt If I Got a 20-Yard Head Start.” I am not impressed by this at all. I hope an NFL pro-bowl wide receiver could beat Bolt in this race. What I would like to do now is make a challenge to TO.

I formally challenge TO to a race. I am a 30 year old white kid who has run less than 100 miles in my life. To prove how weak TO’s claim is, I bet $25,000 that I can beat Terrell Owens in a 100 meter race, where I get a 20 meter head start. My only stipulations are that 1. the money goes to a charity of the winners choice and 2. the race happens after the NFL season (I don’t want to get an angry phone call from Jerry Jones wondering how his star receiver blew his hammy.)

Really, TO has nothing to worry about. He obviously has the coin to blow on this race. Plus, LeBron James, a much bigger sports star, lost to some shmoe in a game of horse. TO’s ego has nothing to worry about if/when I beat him.

Best of luck this season Terrell. I hope you stay healthy.

Sincerely,
Your friendly Ingamenow blogger

The 12 Most Badass Flattops in all of Sports

echinsuocha1 — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 13:51:10 -0000

Being a great athlete isn’t just about performance. It’s about attitude. And nothing tells the world just how badass you are than a perfectly sculpted flattop. Yes, bald is beautiful. Mohawks saw a small surge in 2007. But nothing truly has the decades-long staying power of a buzz cut precise enough to set your watch to.

Read the whole story:

http://blog.ingamenow.com/2008/08/27/the-12-most-badass-flattops-in-all-of-sports/

via blog.ingamenow.com

LOLympics in Lego

Axion — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 22:02:20 -0000

In This Thread: We look at Legos

The Bird's Nest, via i.dailymail.co.uk

The Water Cube, a.k.a. Smogaquarium via i.dailymail.co.uk

Beach Volleyball Beach, via i.dailymail.co.uk

These were yoinked from this set @ dailymail.co.uk.

In this space: I type thirty more words because it's telling me to, and I'd rather you go read their page. It's extremely unnecessary for you to continue reading this. Break things, steal stuff. Life is short, do it in the chip aisle.

Hungarian Janos Baranyai Crushes Arm in Olympic Lifiting VIDEO

echinsuocha1 — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 18:23:36 -0000

MUST SEE VIDEO, WATCH NOW!!!!

http://blog.ingamenow.com/2008/08/13/hungarian-janos-baranyai-crushes-arm-in-olympic-lifiting-video/

Not quite as exciting as Michael Phelps’ chase for 8 gold medals… but more gruesome for sure. Here is footage from Hungarian Olympic weightlifter Janos Baranyai crushing his arm during competition. Ouch:

I have never seen an arm just give way like this........at least the olympics are doing a good job of taking care of the athletes. Did you see how quickly they rushed in to block the athlete from the cameras?

Hall of Fame Voting

MrNtellect — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 15:19:41 -0000

We've all heard that so many Hall of Fame voters have an opinion that a player has to be one of his sport's elite to be considered for enshrinement their first time. In fact, there have been stories of some voters who unilaterally refuse to vote for a player on his first try into a HoF. I can understand if you have so many eligible candidates that you have to pick certain ones to vote for. However, to mentally disqualify a player from receiving your vote only because it's his first year of eligibility is insane! What is it about a player's performance that will make him more worthy a year from now? What stats will have changed??

As I listened to Art Monk's NFL HoF induction speech, I heard exactly why this "first ballot bias" is so dangerous. Monk spoke of how his father was his biggest fan, and how his father delighted in coming to watch him play. Monk went on to mention how he was sure that his father would've loved to have been at the HoF ceremony. Unfortunately, that wasn't possible, because his father passed away a few years ago. To the rest of us, it might not make any difference that Art Monk had to wait 8 years to get inducted into the Football HoF, but I think it may have made a big difference to his family. Voting for most Halls of Fame are totally subjective, and rely on what a variety of statistics means to writers, former players, and other voters. In the case of Art Monk, in my opinion, there was one simple statistic that should've guaranteed that he be an instant Hall of Famer. When there are never any character or off-field matters that might influence voters (like in the case of Pete Rose or Barry Bonds), certain all-time stat leaders should be Hall of Famers. Imagine the NHL HoF without the career leader in goals, or the NBA HoF without the career leader in points, or MLB's HoF without the career leader in strikeouts. Art Monk retired as the NFL career leader in pass receptions. Monk retired with the NFL record for consecutive games with at least one reception. He has since been passed by several players in both categories, but at one time, Art Monk could look into the mirror and see a man who caught more passes than anyone EVER in the history of the NFL. To me, that in itself makes you HoF worthy.

Since Art Monk became eligible for the HoF, he's had to watch a number of WRs go in before him with greatly inferior numbers. Monk: 940 receptions, 12721 yards and 68 touchdowns. Lynn Swann, inducted in 2001: 336 rec, 5462 yds, 51 tds (never more than 61 rec or 880 in any one season). John Stallworth, inducted in 2002: 537 rec, 8723 yds, 63 tds. Michael Irvin, inducted in 2007: 750 rec, 11904 yds, 65 tds. I mean seriously...Lynn Swann?? What a joke! He was good, but Hall of Fame?? But the real point is, voters, if a player belongs in the HoF, vote him in! The athlete himself has had the accolades, made the money, had the high profile. Getting into the HoF and the ceremony surrounding it is for everyone else. The HoF induction speech, whatever the sport, is largely the chance for that athlete to have one grand forum to show his appreciation. It's his chance to stand tall and public thank everyone who helped him achieve the things that he's achieved in his career and life. A chance to mention all the people who most folks don't know are responsible for his success. It's for the mom who drove him to practice. It's for the coach who encouraged him to stick with the game when he wanted to quit. It's for the family who invited him to home-cooked meals when he was away at college. It's for that training camp coach who lobbied for him to be able to make that first professional roster. Those are the ones who deserve it sooner than later.

2008 Canoe Polo World Championships

Axion — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 21:10:24 -0000

2008 Canoe Polo World Championships

Welcome, Uncommon Sportsfans, to the 2008 Canoe Polo World Championships. You've never heard of Canoe Polo? Well, let me get you up to speed. It's basically water polo in a canoe, but with raised goals. Dissimilar from Marco Polo, expensive equipment is required.

Why don't we let these fine folks explain it better than I ever could:

So you're all aboard, right? Want to form a team and compete for the world title? Well set a date for next year because this year's world title event is already taking place in that craziest of crazy outdoor arenas... Edmonton, Alberta, Canada!

photos stolen from richard-berry.com | full slideshow here

Good luck to our competitors! Results to come after the event concludes this Sunday, July 27th.

Poll

Canoe Polo, would you do it?

A bunch of nuts run 125km thru Alberta with a custom-minted coin, call it Death Race

Axion — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 21:50:29 -0000

Death Race brings brave souls to Alberta

This coming August 2 and 3 is the ninth North Face Canadian Death Race. From the article:

The Death Race plays on the Greek myth of Charon, the ferryman who ushered the souls of the dead across the river Styx and into Hades for a fee of one gold coin per soul.

Oh. Well that's kind of a letdown. What about this coin?

Each of the 1,000 or so entrants will receive a specially minted coin they must take with them as they make their way through the rugged mountain terrain surrounding Grande Cache.

Racers must have their coin to cross the Smoky River near the end of their trek. Losing the coin means instant disqualification.

You don't say? What is the penalty for disqualification? Is it... death? I'd guess not. They've got a juicy hook to this story, though:

One of the earliest winners of the gruelling, 125-kilometre running race was former Edmonton resident Nik Southwell. He had his eyes on the prize, but Southwell forgot to take in enough food and fluids along the way, says Dale Tuck, one of the event's founders.

Instead of dropping out, Southwell persevered and won the men's solo race, collapsing at the finish line. His kidneys shut down and he was rushed to hospital and put on dialysis.

Won the race, but losing the game...

Supposedly the net elevation gain is more than 5,180 metres and the total elevation change is 6,500 feet. (pause while I do some Canadian math) That's 3.2 and 4.04 Earth miles, respectively!

The team names are pretty tame by uncommon sports standards, nothing nearly as good as OTL:

Death Race teams have a habit of giving themselves colourful names. The list of teams entered for this year's race includes Fat, Old and Slow; Stupid is as Stupid Does 1; Wheezing Flatlanders; The Bunion Sisters; Four Hags and a Troll; and This is Gonna Hurt Tomorrow!

Did you know that Canadians like to use extra u's? Me euither.

If you're interested in festivities, there is a weekend party called Deathfest "featuring children's entertainment." Now if I were to ask you, "Hey, there's a party going on called Deathfest that includes children's entertainment: Guess which country?", would you have ever picked Canada?

Also at Deathfest, "Canadian blues-rock legend David Wilcox and country artists Doc Walker and The Road Hammers."

lol wut? Canada has country music?

-via canada.com

India is blueballing Women's Pro Beach Volleyball

Axion — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 19:43:17 -0000

The Indian woman's team participating in the World Beach Volleyball tournament have declined to wear bikinis, declaring them objectionable and against their traditions.

Ladies, please. You have got to understand, like any sport that was invented in the US, it's about how many eyeballs you can steal away from someone else. We're all waving our hands in your face like crazy, trying to get you to look at us for 5 seconds and consider buying whatever product is associated with us. There is no greater force on the planet when it comes to attracting eyeballs than T and A. And frankly, you're kicking yourselves in the tit on this one.

"We want to give a good fight in the game and not the dress code," said Kanaka Mahalakshmi, a member of the Indian team, adding that she would rather not play if required to wear a bikini that is the recognised dress code for all international beach volleyball tournaments.

Case in point: Women's soccer. Remember that time this girl scored a goal and then delivered the twins? For the next three months, the whole world was interested in women's soccer. When there was nothing delivered in the coming months, over time, the public grew cold and bitter. "Tits or GTFO" the kids say now.

Well Lucknow my little curry rolls, I'm sari about the over 9000 years of culture and that you have these body issues, and you feel all Ahmedabad about your Pune. But these are rules, and it was established early on that the bikini gives you the best competitive advantage in women's pro beach volleyball to just Bangladesh out of the ball, and maybe Bangalore if you want.

Honestly, I don't understand why this isn't the most popular sport on the planet. Check out these common hand signals:

Closed fist - omg, too fast
One finger - ok, that's a start
Two fingers - now you're talking
Open hand - WHOA!

I guess I can't just pick on the Indians (dot, not feather):

But the bikini-only rule has not been popular even in the West, with many women arguing that they should be allowed to wear either tights or shorts.

Fine then, but leave the chesticles alone. My suggestion is to get really in to landscaping: try to get a wax named after your nation and that will help out your chances. I'm staring at you, Brazil, for way too long. I mean, c'mon... the Calcutta just sounds hot.

Thanks to telegraph.co.uk and wackypedia for the fodder

White-knuckle Thrill Ride Peaks: Tour de France

Axion — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 20:31:12 -0000

Three Tour de France fans were hit by a team car!

Just think, people have been watching this for like over 9,000 weeks already, and finally they get some action. Yeah, there's the usual "He was doping! No, you're doping!" crap going on, but damn... keep your eyes on the road. Dope.

Second of all, that yellow jersey. I know you all are in France, and personal hygiene got stuck in le Customs, but let's be real here, can we just not use the same jersey for whoever happens to be winning? By the end of the race, it's a race to not wear it. le Pew!

Third, how hard do you have to get hit by a car to get X-rays? That's some Marvel Comics shiat right there. I bet that guy's all flyin' around right now, lookin' through stuff. Jealous.

Damn, I just saw there's ten more stages to go. People are gonna have to lose some limbs or get caught smoking Barry Bonds' dried out adreno-glands to top this.

This viking-guy named Kurt-Asle Arvesen won the 11th stage, and probably swings a mean two-handed axe. Just sayin'.

Maine's Uncommon Potato Festival

Axion — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 19:54:21 -0000

The city of Fort Fairfield, Maine's Potato Blossom Festival 2008 is in full swing and the busy inhabitants of such a lovely 'burg have already been partying hardy, starting the Potato Blossom blowout last Friday.

Yesterday marked the beard growing competition. It started at 4:30pm and there was a $5 entry fee. The beards were only given up to a half hour to grow as the judging was performed at 5:00pm, so this one was probably decided by a hair.

Later this week, on Thursday, the action heats up with hay-bale tossing, ladies skillet-throw, and a barrel rolling contest!

By far the pièce de résistance is the mashed potato wrestling event, to be held this coming Saturday. The mashed potato wrestling event has been on hiatus and is making a glorious return to this year's festival.

via boston.com

Wendy's Triple Classic Challenge

Axion — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 02:27:25 -0000

Our two contestants, a normal-sized American and a frail, weak figure whose masculinity is now no doubt in question. I should admit that I consider the Wendy's Triple Classic a novelty food that should not be served, consumed, blogged about, hell... not even pictured.

Wendy's Triple Classic w/Cheese

I'd also like to preface that the editor of this video did a great job. Karate Kid soundtrack, short, informative intro, and a stop-watch so you can watch this competitor consume this colossal construction of cow in 74 seconds, excellent presentation.

I said 74 seconds, but he really didn't have it all the way down on that mark, so I guess there's a penalty there.

I love the last line. That is so what she said.