The Sports Truth

Athletic competition is ultimately defined by what happens between the out-of-bounds marks, whether it’s the sidelines in football, boards in hockey or baseline in basketball, though a lot of media attention focuses on stories outside the field of play. Twitter, a popular social media site among celebrities and athletes alike, has given the common spectator unprecedented access inside the day to day personal lives of star players, for better or worse. While some certainly do use the site to promote their own brand and give informative insights, a healthy dose of twitter-happy athletes end up doing more harm than good. Particularly in collegiate athletics, where competitors must walk a tight line just to remain eligible, it seems as if Twitter is an unwelcome news pipeline. Whether it’s typing without thinking, exposing facets of college life universities/athletic departments would rather not see disclosed, or the ease with which unprepared young men are exposed to a barrage of personal praise and criticism with each passing game, a Twitter account is a modern day Pandora’s Box for the big time college athlete. Continue Reading…

1. The Kansas City Chiefs’ Run at Perfection (2-0) Some analysts would’ve been the skeptical that the Chiefs managed back to back wins all season, much less in the first two weeks. Already at 2-0 Kansas City is off to its best start since 2005, back when Larry Johnson first stepped up as a backfield beast and Matt Cassel was a third string quarterback behind Tom Brady and Doug Flutie. Now with LJ serving as a big name backup for the ‘Skins and Cassel the current face of the franchise, the Chiefs look to have some life for the first time in nearly 5 years. Credit Scott Pioli with finding some gems through the draft and free agency as this year’s rookie class has already made their presence felt on defense and special teams and 2008 3^rd round pick Jamal Charles emerging as one of the biggest home run threats in the league, alongside a host of solid if not spectacular early round linemen.
2. Can’t-Win Dallas Cowboys (0-2) Perhaps the Cowboys weren’t a consensus preseason Super Bowl pick, but few, if any, onlookers expected this team to be fighting for their playoffs lives so early. In a quick 0-2 hole, that is precisely where the ‘Boys are now, leaving themselves little margin for error if they are to become to first team to play a Super Bowl home game. It’s not just that Dallas has opened with two straight losses, it’s the quality of teams they’ve fallen victim to. Sure, the Redskins are supposed to be better under McNabb but by no means is their on-field remake of Grumpy Old Men supposed to contend for the NFC East. The Bears are a surprising 2-0 squad in their own right, besting the Cowboys just a week after they probably should have lost to the Lions were in not for a questionable ruling on Calvin Johnson’s would-be game winning catch. Sure, new Romo girlfriend Candice Crawford got the Cowboys over the playoff hump, but if the team stumbles to miss the post-season entirely the Dallas faithful may start to reminisce more fondly on the Jessica Simpson era. Continue Reading…

College campuses are often times a place that promotes change, full of early adopters quick to embrace new trends and ideas. However, change came at an almost unheard of rate on NCAA scoreboards as the final ticks dwindled down in 4^th quarters across the country on Saturday. Here is a look at some fantastic finishes that kept stadiums packed until the fat lady hit her last high note.Arkansas Georgia The Razorbacks were favored between the hedges for the first time in who knows how long, but after taking an early lead, the Dawgs clawed their way back, putting themselves in position to at least send the contest into overtime. Ryan Mallet got the ball back with 51 seconds remaining in a tie game, following a UGA punt that placed Arkansas at their own 27-yard line. This proved to be 15 seconds too many as Mallet performed the first of what should be many Heisman auditions, leading his team down the field in just 3 plays, culminating with a 40 yard scoring strike to Greg Childs down the left sideline, sidestepping 1 defender before bursting towards the end zone. Georgia then narrowly missed a deflected Hail Mary completion that could have tied the game, giving the Hogs a hard fought road victory.Clemson Auburn In a battle for Tiger supremacy, 4 stanzas weren’t enough to determine which breed was better. Just when it looked like Clemson kicker Chandler Catanzaro had nailed a 31-yard field goal to stretch the game into another round of OT, game officials decided to throw in the special features disc and give the alternate ending the go ahead. Center Dalton Freeman was flagged for a false start penalty as the kick sailed through the uprights, thanks to an ill-advised pump fake before snapping the ball to the holder, forcing Catanzaro to try again from further back. This time the kick sailed wide left, giving Auburn a 27-24 victory. Continue Reading…