8:01 PM Interesting statistical analysis by the college hoops blog Storming The Floor on the sons of famous basketball players. The apple falls a lot farther from the tree than most people probably realize.
7:41 PMChris Mortensen reports: "As I reported earlier on SC & MNCD, Big Ben is telling teammates and friends he's fine, will play vs. Ravens on Sunday night."
7:20 PM ESPN has announced college football's award finalists. One glaring omission: USC's Taylor Mays not a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award given annually to CFB's top defensive back.
Athletes trying to become musicians is hardly new, as anyone who has seen or heard Terry Bradshaw’sattempts to become a country star in the 1970s can attest. But Bengals tight end Ben Utecht - previously known as “that Colts TE who isn’t Dallas Clark” - is going for a different audience: the Christian rock set. Well, not so much “rock” as “pop rock” - think less Creed and more D.C. Talk.
CM SPIN says that Utecht has released his eponymous debut album with the intent of spreading joy and his Christian faith. And I used the word “attempt” because listening to some of the tracks available on his Web site, I simply have this to say: I’ve heard Stryper, I’ve seen Stryper, and you, sir, are no Stryper.
There are statistical oddities and then there are incredibly troubling statistical trends. This story falls under the latter, and it’s sure to put a damper on Pittsburgh optimism heading into Sunday’s Super Bowl. Even if they win, they’re sure to lose many of their heroes to an relatively early death, if the trends inspected in this story from the SOUTH FLORIDA SUN-SENTINEL continue.
(Steve Courson, One of 21 Steelers who died young in the past 12 years.)
According to research by SUN-SENTINEL Sports Columnist David Hyde, a whopping 21 former Steelers have died in the past 12 years, and all were younger than 60. Some have come of natural causes. Some have come from freak accidents — the strangest has to be Steve Courson, who was felled by a tree, literally — and some have come from causes that may have been brought on by football — Steve Furness’s heart attack primary among them — but all of the deaths have been startling.
TMZ reports last night Terry Bradshaw, Jimmy Johnson and Michael Strahan all “boozed” together at one of my favorite Hollywood haunts (really), The Belmont on La Cienega Blvd.:
(What I need: Pitbull flunky friends like Terry!)
They don’t just show up on Sundays and pretend to like each other — the guys from the NFL on FOX studio team also hit the bars as a team. Terry, Jimmy and Michael Strahan spent Friday night kickin’ it at the Belmont Bar and Lounge in Hollywood. And check this out — Bradshaw even got a female lead blocker on the way out. We’re told the woman in the video is being seriously considered by the Detroit Lions.
Strahan, accompanied by Jay Glazer (who was completely ignored by the TMZ video crew and editorial), was amiable amidst the cam slam. Likewise Johnson. But Bradshaw, check that, Terry Bradshaw’s friends were a completely different story. Read more…
• DAMN I’M CUTE believes Tara Reid was pleased with Sunday’s outcome, since she supposedly said at a Super Bowl party in Italy:,”F— Tom Brady! I hope the Giants win.”
One small detail. He’s not leaving after this season. Nor after next season. Or the Season after that.
He’s retiring when his contract expires after the 2011 season. Done laughing?
Does this sound a little attention-whorish on Bradshaw’s part? Or is the NYP manufacturing breaking news that is actually rather deflating (now, they would never do that).
The only thing mildy interesting thing in the piece is Bradshaw suggesting that Michael Strahan could replace him. But that probably won’t happen, since we doubt Strahan is going to put his life in suspended animation with the off-chance that he could get to rub elbows with Curt Menefee in four years.
The NEW YORK POST today splashes “exclusive” next to a headline that reads “
