What a Night

Last evening was one of the best in my entire life. As I watched the Chicago Blackhawks win the Stanley Cup I was overcome with joy, amazement and relief. Since I was a youngster I followed the Hawks and the NHL as a whole. Growing up near the city of Chicago I have a huge loyalty to any team with the city name before it.

Much like football I was drawn to hockey at a young age. The sport was so fast and filled with non-stop action. When I was growing up the sport and the NHL in particular was not very popular, much like it still stands. Even though most of my friends could care less about the sport or my favorite team I trudged on. Being a Hawks came with some ups, but a lot more downs. From the home games not being on TV, to one of the worst 10 year periods in team history, Blackhawks fans have longed for a championship.

As much joy as I had in watching the Hawks raise the cup it was made even better by my three year old son. For the last few months he has been hockey crazy and more so Blackhawks crazy. Since the beginning of the playoffs he watched every game with me and better yet wore his jersey throughout the entire playoff run. Except for when his mom made him watch it. His excitement for game time, goals and wins were heartwarming that brought me and him even closer than we were. Even though he is so young and won't remember much of this Stanley Cup run I am so glad he was able to witness it, because championships like this are very hard to come by.

Congratulations to the Blackhawks organization and to all of their fans!

My wife made that cookie before Game 5.

"Rape" lisberger Practicing Again

Well, at least on the practice field we know he isn't harassing or pushing himself on women. My one time man crush has been allowed to return to team activities by NFL Sheriff Roger Goodell. Roethlisberger's suspension still remains 6 games, but he has accomplished enough therapy to return to the field.

I wonder how teammates view him? Not the up front view, but what they've been saying behind his back in the locker room on the field. Really, how can any "Real Man" be lead by a scumbag like this. How can he be trusted not to get in this kind of trouble again. I do realize that he has help lead the Steelers to two Super Bowl titles since joining the franchise, but it seems that in Pittsburgh they could really care less. What they want is a team they can be proud of both on the field and off. That my friend I respect tremendously. For the community to stand strong and speak badly of him publicly now is a god send. We all must realize that these football players so many see as "idols", "warriors" and "role models" are merely men and need to be called out on their crap no matter what their status.

As you can imagine my man-crush on Big Bum is over and I will never be able to look at him or anyone donning his jersey the same ever again. I believe in my heart of hearts that he won't be long for Pittsburgh as not only are they a classy organization, but an outstanding community as well.

So practice away "Rape"lisberger, but keep your head on a swivel as I suspect a ton of NFL fathers, Mamma's boys and real men will be looking to put a real big hurt on you.

Weekend Disappointment

This is very unusual for me, but I'm going to veer away from the NFL in this post and share with you the deep disappointment this Memorial Day weekend was for me. With the exception of the Chicago Blackhawks taking a (2-0) series lead in the Stanley Cup Finals.

There is no other word that hurts more than disappointment, not someone being upset, angry or even hating me. My disappointment falls at the feet of society and Americans or my little area America. Over recent weeks I have had the time and fortune of spending more time outside with the kids. At parks, shopping and just out and about and what I have noticed is terribly upsetting. From trash and litter throw about all oer our parks, roadways and berms is just unacceptable. I spent a couple of days and some local parks while the kids were playing picking up other people trash of the ground. When there are trash scattered all over and lazy people still choose to throw their trash on the ground is despicable. I have also noticed even more laziness in around our local stores. Cart corrals are where carts belong when you are finished shopping. These corrals are numerous in every store parking lot, but yet people find it such a chore to walk these carts the 10-20 feet required to put them where they belong. Over the last week I have spent time in these parking lots assisting these stores placing people laziness where it belongs. Then on my way into the grocery store this weekend as I pulled down the parking lot to find a parking spot I witness this. A lady who just emptied her cart pushing her cart away from here down the aisle and turning to get into her car without a care where this cart ended up or what damage it may do. As watch this I notice the cart make a turn for some cars so I do what any well-mannered, red blooded American would do. I speed down the aisle (carefully mind you) and stop the carts momentum with my front quarter panel and grab it as I driving and bring it to a halt and place it where it belongs. What would this lady say if someone did the same thing to her and damaged her precious little Lexus, I have to imagine that she would be none to happy. Why has America become so damn lazy and disrespectful?

My biggest disappointment came on Monday on Memorial Day. I love and respect those who have served and our serving our country. Those who have sacrificed themselves to protect what is oh so important to this country, Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness which all equals freedom. A small way to show gratitude is to hang a flag on your house. When I was growing up this was common practice around the majority of my childhood neighborhood. Flags were everywhere and it helped remember our veterans and have deep pride for this great nation of ours. Then yesterday came along and in my little neighborhood that houses well over 500 houses and townhouses I counted 7 American flags hung on the outside of various residences. Mind you that one of those houses was ours. Then on a 70+ mile trip I counted four American flags on houses. That is just a sad, sad fact to me. In a country filled with so much opportunity that millions of people flock here from other countries to live, we can not find a little more time in our day to show some respect to those of us who protect those very opportunities and freedoms. I see so many other display their pride for their home countries and or past heritages that it really makes me sick. If you are born or raised here you are American, not Italian American, not African American, not Irish American, not Mexican American, etc., etc, etc. We are just plain American and we must all show respect for our holidays. Lets get back to enjoying these days with showing respect and gratitude for our protectors and elders. Spending time with loved ones and remembering we live in the greatest nation on Earth. No more stores being open on holidays such as Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and so on and so forth. Have we become so warped that we really need to do serious shopping on these days. I remember only sporadic stores being open and only for a few hours at that growing up as a kid. We need to get back to community, caring and respect for one another and the land that we live on.

I hate to say it, but this weekend made me disappointed in America and being American. That hurts to say more than anyone will ever realize.

Bad Idea

Shortly after posting this the NFL awarded the 2014 Super Bowl to NY/NJ. In this decision the NFL actually broke one of their own rules on Super Bowl host cities regarding weather. One of the usual prerequisites to be a Super Bowl host city is that the average temp be 50 degrees plus which is far from reality in the NY/NJ area in February. In fact last year on Super Bowl Sunday it was 16 degrees as a daytime high. Keep in mind the game is played when the sun has already set and only gets colder. As much fun as football is to watch when it is snowing, the cold weather doesn't benefit the game at all.

Many have said that this is great for football and the New York/New Jersey area. Stating that football is a cold weather sport and many of the greatest games ever have been played in the cold. Like the Ice Bowl which I have watched and it just looked painful for everyone involved, it wasn't exciting more like drawn out and miserable. The infamous "Tuck Rule" game which was fun to watch, but a farce as far as the outcome. What about games like the "Fog Bowl" which was almost completely unwatchable on TV and could just imagine even worse in person. If football is such a great cold weather sport than why do of the best players in the league hail originally from warm weather states like CA, FL and TX. These states are more conducive to longer and more productive practices along with being more fit as a whole than cold weather states.

I don't know how true it is, but don't people in the NY/NJ area really hate tourists to begin with. Does New York city really need anymore to begin with? Isn't it a huge tourist attraction to begin with? Is there not enough crabby ass people there to begin with? Now the residents their have to deal even more skyscraper watches, picture takers and window shoppers making most of them even angrier.

I know that the NFL is rewarding and helping NY/NJ for building a new stadium and helping to pay for it by awarding them this biggest of games, but the disadvantages just don't seem worth the risk. Why not help areas that are much more effected by the dowturned economy where jobs, fun and hope can be raised by hosting a Super Bowl. The NFL is a huge cash cow and could afford to build their own stadium somewhere some place that could house the Super Bowl for many, many years to come instead of all this jumping around. Put a dome on it, build it in a warm weather and rent it out for other events all through-out the year. Have the combine their, maybe even the draft and quite possibly waste our time with the Pro bowl again and again and again.

The most recent rumors surrounding Super Bowl venues is that NFL is strongly considering letting New York or even better yet, East Rutherford, NJ to hold the big game sometime in the near future.

What an absolutely horrible, lame, terribly bad idea. This isn't just because I hate New York and their professional sports teams with a passion either. Or the fact that my wife is a New York Giants fan. I understand that New York is the mecca of American cities with tons to do that holds the largest population and TV market in the country.

From a weather perspective it just sounds like a horrible idea. Now if the stadium was domed I would be all for it, but I want my Super Bowl weather to have the best possible conditions possible. I know that there has been bad weather in so-called warm weather cities have had far from perfect conditions, but more than likely you'll have something tolerable that lends to the best possible game scenario imaginable. The weather in and around New York come Super Bowl time averages around 40 degrees, but we all know winter usually last a bit longer than averages suggest. Do we really want to see a smash mouth football game between two pass heavy teams in a windy winter storm?

Yes, the city of New York and the Jets and Giants would benefit greatly from this game, but would the game suffer enough to make it a wash. I believe it would, it isn't fun to go out during Super Bowl week to the parties and events when you have to layer up and run from here to there in the cold. Then you throw in the illness factor where it usually seems much higher in colder climates. Do we want a Super Bowl filled with multiple players suffering with colds or flu's?

What about that oh so terrible old fogey half-time show the NFL likes to put on display. Who of these geriatric rockers that NFL loves wants to put on a show in the freezing cold. Most of them have horrible arthritis that the cold would make playing and moving around the stage even more troubling. Then if the NFL did want to add some youth to the show with the next best hot female. Would men really want to watch a covered up young hottie playing in the snow or a beautiful young woman showing some skin, sweating in the warm confines of the South, West or a dome?

I'm sorry New York, having a Super Bowl any where remotely close to East Rutherford is just a very bad idea. I would say the same thing if Chicago proposed to host a Super Bowl. When you think the big game you r first thought is warm destination to get away from the winter doldrums and witness the biggest game of the year. Not parkas, hats, snow and certainly not New York city.

Score One For NFLPA and NFL Fans

With the Supreme Court decision yesterday stating that the NFL is not except to antitrust laws was a big win for the NFLPA and the fans of the league.

The NFLPA strikes the first jab in the up and coming labor negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement. One in which could endanger the 2011/2012 NFL season if something cannot be negotiated before next season. Right now it seems like a long way away, but time flies especially when on deadline. The players and the union now have 1 card in hand with this ruling, but still have a long way to go in a up hill battle against a bunch of rich, crusty, some old, some not owners.

The fans of the NFL can score one on their scorecard also as this decision may eventually lead to a broader licensing agreement with more apparel makers which would again bring competition which almost always lowers prices. Without the antitrust exemption more teams may operate in a more singular basis which could also effect prices in tickets which would also benefit NFL consumers.

The original case that this decision stems from is American Needle v. NFL where the apparel company sued the NFL for locking them out of making NFL apparel once the NFL reached a long term agreement with Reebok. Though they have not won their case as of yet as it heads back to a lower court to be reheard they have scored a victory for the NFL players and the leagues consumers. At the same time this decision was a blow to the NBA, NHL and other professional sports leagues who were hoping that the NFL could be seen as a single entity so they could challenge that same path. Now expect other to challenge the MLB who stands as the only professional sports league that is protected from antitrust laws.

JDRF: Walk For The Cure

As some of you already know, my wife suffers from Type 1 diabetes. A disease that not only effects her, but changes the life for each of our 4 kids and myself. Constant worry about my wife's health is always in the forefront of our minds as she battles this disease along with so many others in this country. It is a growing epidemic and I couldn't imagine having to watch kids deal with the same things my wife does on a daily basis.

Last year my wife walked in her first JDRF Walk For the Cure and she enjoyed it immensely in being able to help in finding a cure. The rest of us tagged along and supported her from the sidelines, but this year we all decided to join and fight along with her. We are walking together as the strong family that we have become and have appropriately named "Our Team" the Wallace Warriors.

I am not very good at asking for help or support in any manner, but I come to you today to ask help me raise money for this very worthy cause. Not only do you help effect the lives of the millions of people suffering from juvenile diabetes, but also the family members that suffer along with them. The better medicine or even cure we can find for this rapidly spreading disease the better it will be for all of us.

I appreciate any and all donations. We will forever be thankful for your support.

If you can help us fight and find the cure click here to donate.

Is This Just the Beginning?

The big news around the NFL today is the Washington Redskins wide receiver Santana Moss and his connection with a Canadian doctor Anthony Galea who is being charged with distributing HGH.

While the NFL portrays itself to have a very strong PED policy and testing procedures it is easy to see that these drugs are prevalent throughout the league. From the latest story about Houston Texans linebacker Brian Cushing to the overly drug-out PED case against Minnesota Vikings defensive tackles Kevin and Pat Williams (no relation). Now one of the smaller guys in the league is linked to HGH and it really should be no surprise to anyone.

While it is yet to be seen or heard in how much treatment Moss received from Dr. Hormones I sit on the fence in how PED use in the NFL makes me feel. Unlike baseball there is no major outrage when players are found using PED's. Is this because baseball is more of a sport than can be played by average Joe's much better than going through a car wreck that a football game is. Since I began watching football many years ago I have seen players grow from so-called big boys to enormous muscular beasts who's bodies are closer to dreamy sculptures than everyday folks.

These more super-human bodies have caused more huge collisions, devastating injuries and early retirements than ever before.

On one side of the fence I hate that any and all sports have PED linked to them as it takes away from very thing that was driven into my head when I was young, play as hard as you can and at the same time fair. Using these drugs is far from fair for anyone, the players are cheating themselves in not knowing how their bodies will react at an older age. Smaller players get pushed out because while they maybe as talented they just don't have the size to compete over the long haul. Opportunities for true competitions of real natural athletes is now gone and game determinations could be at hand.

On the other hand I understand NFL players need for drugs like HGH. This is the roughest, toughest sport on the planet and now with the size and speed of each player injuries are high and stakes are even higher. The money that a player in the NFL makes is huge, but far from guaranteed which is ludicrous, because of the violent nature and short career span. These players feel it necessary to take these PED's in order to compete and get back on the field ASAP so their jobs aren't taken by a younger, faster less experienced player. If I were in there shoes I would be leaning towards the PED path also. So while I would love to see true athletes go up against each and fairness be a reality I realize that we are way past that. The NFL is too much of a cash cow to go back to the likes of big farms boys on the line and 200-220 pound linebackers roaming the middle of the field. They'll leave that for the high school games thank you very much.

How deep the roots of Dr. Galea spread throughout the NFL is yet to be seen and the effects most likely will be minimal as the NFL fan thrives on the car wrecks they enjoy every Sunday during the season. So no matter what the outcome it is very doubtful that we'll be seeing any drop in NFL tickets sales in a professional football city near you anytime soon.