Cam Newton Discovering Pitfalls Of Open Microphones

Nobody can deny that what Cam newton was able to accomplish in one year at Auburn was impressive. After all, winning a national championship in his first year after transferring to the land of "War Eagle" from Blinn Junior College was quite the eye opening event.

However, just because great things have been accomplished doesn't mean one can simply proclaim their greatness without opening themselves to criticism. When approached on Tuesday, the day before the NFL combine for rookie athletes, Newton proclaimed himself an "entertainer and an icon." Newton went further with his remarks, stating that he "did more in one year than most do in their entire career."

Now, I don't want to chose sides in the pro or anti Newton battle, but I think the kid is soon going to find out that proclamations such as these rarely end up working in your favor. Adding to that, every body pretty much knows that one national championship does not an icon make.

But my main critique of Newton's proclamation is the fact that Newton didn't exactly earn the Coach's Trophy in one years worth of work. He was, in fact, a backup at Florida during Tim Tebow's time before leaving for Central Texas and Blinn, where he stayed a year before moving to the state of Alabama. That's three years of learning, training and playing in order to achieve what he got. Next time, he might want to calm down the rhetoric and simply let his work on the field and at the combine do the talking.

The Earnhardt Tribute

Seems hard to believe that it's already been 10 years since NASCAR lost the man who in all probability will go down in history as its greatest driver.

On February 18, 2001 Dale Earnhardt lost his life in the final turn of the final lap of the Daytona 500, an event considered the Superbowl of motor racing. It was a fitting end for the man who had spent 20 years attempting to win the heralded event until he finaly achieved his one and only victory in the race in 1998.

In this post I pay tribute to the man who I pulled for all those years that I can remember simply by saying what I feel to the man. If you have any thoughts on the man or his legacy, feel free to chime in bellow.........

Dale, you were my hero, and not a day goes by that I don't wish that you were still with us. It's safe to say the sport has changed since you've been gone, and I can honestly say that I don't really keep up with it any more. My heart just isn't in it.

I pulled for you all those years not just because you were a winner or because you drove the coolest looking car. I was an Earnhardt fan because of what you stood for - the average man. I think it goes without saying that's why so many fans don't watch the stuff anymore. There's nobody out there who stands for us now, so what's the point?

10 years is a long time, but it still feels like yesterday in a way. I'll never forget the "Pass through the grass," the "Talladega shuffle," or any of your uncanny moves that made us jump for joy and scream in amazement.

Dale, you were a true man of honor, and even thought you've been gone for a decade now, I still have no problem saying from the bottom of my heart that I love and miss you still.

Godspeed Mr. Intimidator, I'll be seeing you in God's garage.

For Tiger, New Year, New Overblown Controversy

First it was the wrecked Escalade, then it was cursing on the green.

Ever since his improprieties have been unleashed on the general public, Tiger Woods' life has seemed to be a constant struggle for image maintenance and redemption.

As of last weekend, however, the world of sports now has its latest Tiger Woods scandal -- "Spitgate 2011."

After missing a put during the recent Dubai Desert Classic on Sunday, Woods turned his head and spit on the green while positioning his ball. What has followed is an onslaught of sports show personalities and bloggers decrying how repulsive and "out of touch with golfing etiquette" Woods is now, not to mention the fact that the governing body of the Dubai event has fined him an undisclosed amount.

But seriously, spitting? With all the unscrupulous acts being committed in today's "TMZ" like sports world, we're reduced to talking about spitting? For goodness sake, if it had been John Daily the only thing heard would have been "don't hold a match to it, it might be flammable." But since it was everyone's favorite whipping boy its "oh God, look at what that foul-mouthed adulterer has done now!"

To put it into perspective, we could be talking about how Albert Haynesworth of the Washington Redskins was recently accused of sexual assault, or how his teammate Brandon Banks remains hospitalized after being stabbed outside of a night club in Washington. But no, lets talk about Tiger and how he's slowly but surely turning into the animal that he really is.

Get real people, it's just spit. Besides, compared to other things Tiger could have done, I'd say this ranks somewhere in the "so? And I sneezed today" category. Move on to the next thing, folks.

Algerian Goverment Following in Egypt's Fatal Footsteps

The Algerian govt. shut down the internet and Facebook accounts on Saturday in response to a social media induced civil uprising similar to the recent Egyptian protest.

Apparently, the Algerian heads of state have not been watching how events have unfolded for their nearby neighbors. Former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak formally stepped down from his 30 year position of power Friday after weeks of passionate and sometimes violent protests rumored to be initially organized by social media interactions. Mubarak had also ordered the countries internet infrastructure to be shut down in an attempt to halt the influence of several social media sites on the uprising.

With Algeria now on the verge of falling into a similar social media fueled revolt, other neighboring nations in the middle east are sure to have their eyes glued to the events which will unfold in an attempt to gain possible knowledge on how to handle such situations in their own countries.

These recent events have not only proven that social media sites such as Facebook, Flicker and Youtube are growing more popular than ever world wide, but also are now giving many around the world evidence of social media's power to influence, motivate and change the attitudes of millions of people around the world.

In my opinion, every govt. on the planet had better begin to keep a close eye on the exchanges and conversations made about them online. If they don't, they too might soon find out just how powerful online interaction are becoming everyday.

Fans Sueing NFL and Others Over Super Bowl Seating Debacle

Dallas Cowboys stadium, the NFL and Super Bowl XLV had just about very black eye you could think of last week. Wintry weather, workers injured by snow slides, boorish game day entertainment that included a national anthem with screwed up words, and fans unable to watch the game from their bought and paid for seats all haunted what was to be Jerry Jones' crowning display in his new playground.

While many of the hiccups seem to be already forgotten now, one incident in particular could turn out to me more of a break than a bruise as 1,000 fans filed suit against the all three parties named above Wednesday in response to the seating debacle. The lawsuit is currently seeking over $5 million in damages and ect. spurring from the incident.

In an attempt to make things right, the NFL has offered those fans affected by the mishaps, which involved uncompleted temporary seating and seating heavily obscured by the stadium's roof, a chance to redeem their tickets for either a monetary refund measuring three times the face value of the tickets or tickets to a future super bowl of the ticket holders choosing. Other amenities offered to those fans taking the future tickets include free travel, hotel stay, food and drink during the event and an opportunity to be on the field at the conclusion of the game.

These fans aren't having it, though, as many point out that they were there to root on their favorite team. For those not keeping score, only eight teams have gone on to repeat as Super Bowl champs, and many teams have failed to even return to the playoffs the year after playing in the big game. To further complicate the NFL's play nice offer is the fact that there may very well be a lockout during the 2011 season, barring a breakthrough in the Collective Bargaining Agreement talks between the NFL owners and players unions.

So to the fans who just won't let a ridiculous incident go without letting people know just how disappointing, frustrating and mind-numbingly senseless the whole thing was, I say go get them. It's high time the NFL and its team owners learned not to screw with the fans. Besides, Jones made his $1.2 billion bed, and I think it's about time he took to lying in it for a good spell.

Big Ben Partying it Up..........Again

With Super Bowl XLV just days away, members of both local and national media swarmed Dallas Cowboys Stadium and the surrounding DFW metroplex to take part in the traditional circus sideshow known as Super Bowl Media Day. All seemed to go well on that day, but it was the Thursday night before the big game that got all the media abuzz with the latest titillating news, and at the focus was none other than Ben Roethlisberger.

For those who have been out of the sports world loop for the last few years, Big Ben was accused of rape in July of 2009 and March of 2010. To add to Roethlisberger's woes was a long enduring reputation of partying and living like there was no tomorrow.

So, it comes as no surprise that the talk of Super Bowl town on Friday morning was not of Xs and Os, but of the fact that video had been published of Big Ben and his linemen partying it up in a local piano bar just days before their game against the Green Bay Packers.

Coach Mike Tomlin and Roethlisberger alike downplayed to scene when asked about it Friday, with Big Ben adding that taking his linemen out before the game was a tradition that they partook in before the previous two Super Bowls that Reothlisberger played in with the Steelers.

But in reality, who could be surprised that question were risen given Big Ben's reputation as of late. He did, in fact, get off easy with only a four game suspension at the beginning of this season after all, a punishment which left former Pittsburgh and Hall of Fame quarterback Terry Bradshaw furious due to its lack of severity.

So, with all this being said, why didn't Roethlisberger and his "big men" just go to a nice, laid back restaurant instead of boozing and crooning via karaoke in a public venue? The answer is simple; Big Ben still doesn't quite get what all the fuss is about. In my opinion, I don't think he ever really will, not until he's lost everything and no one cares anymore.

Rise Against Re-enters Mainstream With New Single: Full Album Soon to Follow

Chicago based punk rock group Rise Against recently released their latest song, "Help is on the Way," for play on national radio stations and for purchase on iTunes.

The new single, released on Jan. 25, is a fast paced melody based on the destruction in New Orleans caused by both hurricane Katrina and the recent BP oil spill. The song keeps in form with many of the hit band's contributions as a politically motivated overture decrying the actions and inactions of those involved in several political controversies. Click here to listen for free.

The release marks the first new music to come from the group since the 2008 release of their fifth studio album, "Appeal to Reason", and serves as a sneak peek for their soon to come full album, "Endgame." The new album is set to be released on March 17, 2011 according to the band's official website.

So far, the music community is buzzing in anticipation of the latest album, and many online listeners and purchasers of the song claim that "RA" has gone back to their powerful base and emotional lyrics which accompanied the band's first mainstream album, "Siren Song of the Counter Culture."

After listening to the new single, I feel that the track is rich in melody, power, and embodies a substantial amount of purpose, which is refreshing in today's music world.