From Steve
Speaking of Goodell, NFL Commish has to be the best job in America doesn't it? Get paid millions and go to any NFL game you want whenever you want. Is there a better job? The POTUS job certainly isn't better, CEO of a major company can match the pay but not the benefits...the only other job I could imagine would make me stop and think for a second is professional golfer, but the amount of travel and stress keeps it a distant second in my book. So how has this man been able to keep what is arguably the best job in America for so long, having screwed it up so much?
Steve -
It's up there for sure, because let's not forget that when last reported he was making $44-plus million per year. (Also of note: Part of the reason the NFL changed its tax classification was so it would not have to report financials and a part of that was because Roger Goodell's salary was large.)
Yes, there are bad parts of the gig. You are carrying the shield for the Shield and a lot of times the crap falls on you. Yes, a lot of times Goodell has deserved the poop pile, but it's part of the job description, and as William Money (killer of women and children) told Little Bill in Greely's at the end of "Unforgiven" - "Deserve's got nothing to do with it."
Jim Nantz has a pretty sweet gig, too.
As for the professional golfer, well, the high sides of it are clearly cool, especially if you are a sponsorship baby like a Tiger, Jordan or Phil and have millions already int he bank before your first tournament. The stress of trying to make it paying out of your pocket during the early days of your career may be one of the most difficult ways to get established in all of sports.
There's no question Goodell's got a better gig than Trump's.
From a few of you in various forms
Is ESPN unleashing Berman again on an unsuspecting NFL audience a good thing or a bad thing? I mean, the guy is so past passé he really has no connection to the new generations of NFL viewers.
Gang -
The reactions of the new leadership at ESPN is quite telling. And obvious that the decisions of the previous regime flopped mightily.
As for the Chris Berman reboot, in some ways ESPN is trying to drive the Family Trickster to Wally World in an effort to reconnect to the good ol' days of when we loved ESPN.
That's understandable for a lot of reasons, including the loud and frequently repeated refrain of "Remember when SportsCenter showed highlights."
Berman is and will forever will be linked to the highlights package, especially, the "Rumblin' bumblin' stumblin'" NFL clips.
We thought his act was tired a few years before he was asked to walk away, but we understand the reasoning here.
It would be like a nightly news cast asking Cronkite to come back even though everyone knew he had lost his fastball. They are paying for the familiar face, the familiar voice, and the familiar style that harkens back to a better, friendly and more connected time.
Ohio State football coach Urban Meyer watches the Buckeyes' spring game in April. Ohio State has placed Meyer on paid administrative leave while it investigates claims his wife knew about allegations of abuse against an assistant coach years before he was fired last week.From MocTastic
JG, got a question about this OSU stuff. Hypothetically, a coach (husband) hits his wife. The wife chooses not to call the police, she gets her husband in counseling, then she tells a friend. The friend tells a friend tells the HC's wife. The HC wife now tells her husband, so, now the HC must report the Coach, even though the original abusee did not want it reported.
Or... an assistant coach hits his wife, the wife and husband goes into counseling, the counselor tells the wife she need to share this with her friends, but she says, if I do my husband probably gets fired so the wife now cannot use her friends to talk to , to be friends with. How is this good by not being able to talk to your friends for consoling?
These situations are totally different than the Penn State rape accusations. There were children involved. The abused wife is an adult, she could and should call the police if she desires.
So now we are in a she said, she told a friend, friend told a friend, told his wife who told him and if he doesn't report something he can be fired.
Where did PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY go in this process?
MT -
No one said this or the any of the domestic stuff at Baylor or anywhere else was akin to the Penn State stuff. The Penn State stuff and the Michigan State stuff are way out there in a different realm for a variety of reasons, including the serial nature and the vast institutional cover-up involved that protected sexual predators who targeted children.
In your scenario, with some one not looking for help or a way out, well that's a tough one. That aspect of domestic violence - along with the rare occasions of false allegations - make it so difficult to deal with for the authorities and society.
But there are a lot of instances in which there are real dangers for abused spouses, who are emotionally confused and may not want the news of the abuse out there for a lot of reasons. Kids, spouse's job, even still being in love with the abuser. But just because the victim does not want it reported, it's a definite quandary on whether some one should report it and wait around for something truly tragic to happen like serious injury or worse.
We're a big proponent of personal responsibility. Always have been, and it's one of the most important aspects of my parenting philosophy.
But, if your hypothetical is supposed to mirror THE mess at THE Ohio State with THE Jackass (Zach Smith) and THE HJIC (head jackass in charge - i.e. Urban Liar), there are a couple of missing links here.
First Courtney Smith did call the authorities. Nine times in fact. She was also talked out of calling the law on multiple occasions by family members, so there's that.
Second, it's not like Courtney and Shelley Liar are best buds. She's the wife of your husband's boss, and a direct link to the guy who has allowed you and your family to make millions.
Plus, this was not exactly a secret among the circle of coaches and families. Well, other than Urban "The Ostrich" Liar, who had his head in the sand and simply did not know about the D-Baggery that THE Jackass was up to.
There's also the clear fact that for a state employee there are varying legal requirements to reporting this, be it involving other state employees or students.
The fallout and the decisions of THE Ohio State only reinforce the feelings of isolation and fear that domestic violence victims fear. Urban Liar, king hypocrite with the "Treat Women with Respect" sign in the locker room, getting a slap on the wrist could very well cause another victim somewhere in a similar place to stay silent, wondering, "Well, no one will do anything any way."
And that may be the biggest travesty of all of this to be honest.
Yes, we believe in personal responsibility. But we also believe in justice, helping our fellow mankind (even when they may not know they need help) and respecting women. And we believe in truth.
Side notes: Here's Weeds dealing with THE mess at THE Ohio State and here's Paschall with some Saban quotes on how Alabama does it better.
From Ty
With all the high school cancellations last week due to rain and the drainage conditions at several locations why doesn't some company like @PilotFlyingJ install artificial fields here like @KnoxSchools has?
Ty -
Fair question, especially considering the home of the artificial turf is right there in North Georgia.
By the time the Lil' 5-at-10s have little 5-at-10s there will be only a few grass fields around. It makes too much sense long term not to considering use and maintenance and such.
But big corporations spending big money on something like this is a tough ask, especially locally, where a lot of the big, locally owned places send their extra coin to some of the big-named private schools.
Plus, we're not sure of the time of the Pilot/Flying J donation, but here's betting it was right around the time that Bill Haslam was running for mayor.
Would it help? Sure. Will it happen? Surely not.
From Paden
A vegan, a crossfiter, a soccer bro, and a guy who doesn't watch football anymore because of protestors walk into a bar. Who talks about it first? Poll it @jgreesontfp
Paden -
So, if I'm there, sadly, I likely will make the mistake of talking first and then realizing the magnitude of said mistake when the topic turns.
As for the first-talkers of that group, well, let's explore.
Paden, such an excellent question and this week's offering that forced us to spend way too much time pondering.
For us, we're going cross fitter last, because Crossfit Guy normally wants to be asked about it rather than offer it, and if you can spot the clear clues (Dude has a helmet because he rode his Huffy to the bar, an Ironman logo tat, some half-marathon T-shirt, drinking an Ultra) you can avoid this.
We go Vegan third, because the topic likely won't come up until someone orders food if at all. Now if we get a plate a nachos or some wings, well, it's a slam dunk "How can you put that into your body" blah-blah-blah.
As for the last two, well, if someone recognizes us, well, each is going to immediately go into a rant. Also of note, if there's a TV in sight and a football game on, then each also will immediately go into sermon, maybe even at the same time.
Soccer Bro: That's not the real game of futbol.
Protest protestor: That's no longer the real game of football.
We must remember that Soccer Bro almost assuredly will have some sort of Euro League jersey on and order a pint that looks (and often tastes) like Quaker State.
We're going to go Protest Protestor by a nose because the other thing that will set him off is any Trump appearance, and well, that dude is pretty much everywhere at the moment.
(Now they all are playing for second in a bar, which is the huge home-field advantage of craft beer snob.)
Great question Paden.
This week's Rushmores
Rushmore of best covered songs of all-time: Concur with the public sentiment of "I Will Always Love You" by Whitney/Dolly. (Dolly's version was aces, and somehow, someway, Whitney was still better.) Killing Me Softly with His Song by Fugees/Roberta Flack. Hurt by Johnny Cash/Nine Inch Nails. (Johnny could have several up for consideration, including Sunday Morning Coming Down, and speaking of Kris K.) Me and Bobby McGee by Janis Joplin/Kris Kristofferson. Yes, that leaves off Watch Tower, and RESPECT and several other excellent ones. And this one is sneaky awesome. Bonus clip of the morning is "Sound of Silence" by Disturbed/Simon and Garfunkel. Check it out here.
Rushmore of Angels. Clarence from "It's a Wonderful Life" is far left. By far the best Christmas movie out there, Christmas Vacation and Christmas Story included. Mike Trout. Charlie's Angels. Angel Cabrera. Dude has two majors, including a green jacket and a boss nickname - El Pato (the Duck) - and makes millions swinging a golf club and burning heaters during the round. He's making the Rushmore, narrowly over Miguel Angel Jimenez. (Sure there are a lot of Biblical angels we could have gone with, but, well you know.
Rushmore of animated movie scenes that make normal humans cry. (Way tougher Rushmore than we expected friends). Up is a tear-jerker. Dumbo. Lion King. Bambi. And that leaves off Toy Story 3, Fox and the Hound, the dog getting hit by a car in Lady and the Tramp, and a few others. Dang, I thought Disney movies are supposed to be fun.
Rushmore of foods you can't walk by without taking a sample. (This one is way more personal than most Rushmores, so if you have a different one, that's fine.) Honey Baked Ham, fresh boiled shrimp, Chick-Fil-A nuggets, chips and dip/salsa.
Not exactly fan mail
So you are saying Hillary Clinton is "socially irresponsible"? Give me a break. Trump insults, lies and creates havoc daily and you point out this one tweet from Hillary? Social responsibility is a job that belongs to all of us, especially folks that have a platform like you!
Wait, there's more...
Devotion to the institution, NFL, UT, Auburn,etc., is no excuse for ignoring basic acceptable behavior. I see this in your article and it disgust me to no end. I for one am ready to abandon football as my favorite sport after years of being a devoted, attending, fan. The behaviors that are condoned by the "industry" and reporters like you are disgusting. We all are suppose to demonstrate and reward good behavior plus identify and punish bad behavior. Second. Before you continue to reward this type of behavior, ask yourself, what if this was my daughter/sister/mother or wife.
Although Johnson was found not guilty, (so was OJ Simpson) the justice system in Knoxville was designed and over the years perfected, to protect the athletic, especially a star football player. What would you think if your daughter was the victim and you were told the Police Chief called Butch Jones at 8:00 am to warn him of the fact of the matter plus to tell him they would collect evidence four hours later. Butch called Johnson and gave him four hours to destroy any evidence. That is not justice. That is disgusting, sick, immoral, illegal, etc.
The Police Chief should have lost his job, Butch should have lost his job along with many others. However, in the society that you continue to perpetuate, Butch can only be fired based on lack of wins. It is also disgusting that UT can hire away a coach from UTC at this late of a date. Another example of the privilege that many have bestowed on Fulmer and UT. Just win, how you do it doesn't matter. Not what we tell our youngsters about how sports builds character. No, sports builds empires at the expense of society.
Getting closer
Like anyone cares what a fat redneck college football (bleeper) has to say about soccer. You don't understand anything more than the "See ball, hit ball, tackle ball, shoot ball" sports. So shut the (bleep) up, sit the (bleep) down and let the adults worry about soccer (Bleep)hole.
Good talk.
Enjoy the weekend friends.