An NFL Potpourri...

As we near closer to the 2015 NFL training camps, a bevy of stories came out today, so we're going to highlight all of them in brief...

From the world of Deflategate or "the big-story-that-should've-never-been-a-big-story" Commissioner Roger Goodell upheld the 4 game suspension of New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady due to using deflated balls during the 2015 AFC Championship Game this past January. The straw that broke the camel's back was based on a report that Brady destroyed his cell phone which contained the text messages for the two assistants on the team to ensure that the balls were deflated. Brady plans to sue and the Players' Association will file an appeal.

Although the league has no subpoena power to obtain the phone records, the fact that he continues to deny that this occurred through what appears to be a cover-up proves an old adage: Shun the very appearance of evil. It's the equivalent of the kid who ate his mother's cookies when told not to and then tries to throw away the plate when she asks "who did it?" Guilty or not, there is no better freedom of the mind and soul than to just confess our sins. Had he just confessed when the report first came out and apologized, more than likely his preparation would be for the first Thursday night of the season against Pittsburgh, not against the NFL in a court of law.

Last week we discussed the image of women in male-dominated sports and how it is beginning to change. Today we have seen yet another barrier broken as Jen Welter, who played professional football in an indoor league, was hired to work with the Arizona Cardinals inside linebackers corps as a preseason intern coach, the first female coach in league history.

"The heart factor, the intelligent factor, being the person with the motor that will never quit factor," Welter said at a news conference earlier this afternoon, "you can overcome any limitation."

Overcoming limitations is what we should be always strive to do, history is never accomplished by those who decide comfort makes a better home. Congratulations to Welter and hopefully this is an encouragement to the next person who is told "You can't do it!"



From the "what happens in the locker room stays in the locker room" files, we have former New Orleans Saints LB Junior Galette, who was released last week among allegations of a domestic assault in 2013. He decided to air his grievances against his former teammates on Twitter, using his girlfriend's account to levy accusations such as Saints Head Coach Sean Payton is a drug addict, to former teammate Will Smith punching his wife. Multiple team sources revealed a rift between Galette and teammates, alleging that he got into fights in the locker room and was unwilling to train with them after signing his extension last year. (Visit Canal Street Chronicles if you want to see the NSFW tweets that he sent out.)

Whether these accusations are true or not, it shows the display of poor judgment that Galette has displayed. While grace should be extended and he shouldn't be blacklisted in spite of his actions, his next employer should have a serious heart-to-head talk with him and see if he is contrite. If not, buyer beware.

When is too much money not enough?

When you're new LA Clippers forward Josh Smith.

Smith, who has spent his career as one of the most enigmatic players in the league with his penchant to shoot ill-advised 3 pointers, decided to sign for the league's veteran minimum ($1.5 million) with the Clippers with the hopes of advancing to the NBA Finals. After a very mediocre stint in Detroit, he was let go by the Pistons and signed with the Rockets to join his longtime friend Dwight Howard. As a result, he reached the Western Conference Finals for the first time in his career, gaining respect around the league for realizing how to use his versatile talents to help a team win in the playoffs.

Now, we have seen many players (Tim Duncan, Dirk Nowitzki, and more recently David West) who have taken less in order to increase the talent level on the team with the hopes of winning a title. That is usually considered very selfless, and we as fans like to see when players decide to see the bigger picture of holding the Larry 'O Brien trophy instead of chasing the millions. However, in a recent interview with PBT, Smith decided to declare that maybe the sacrifice might have been a bit hasty:

"It wasn't about the money because of the Detroit situation. But at the end of the day, you know, I do have a family. So it is going to be a little harder on me this year. But I'm going to push through it and try to do long-term after this year. But I think, this year, focusing on doing something special with this group of guys - we have the opportunity to do something special. Right now, this is what I want to focus on."

OK, so while he is correct in that he will be making less, he is still getting paid from his Detroit contract. Many people liken these comments to the infamous statement from former guard Latrell Sprewell when he said that he "had a family to feed" and wouldn't accept a deal worth $14 million. Overall Smith is getting $6.4 million and even as he made the sacrifice, the comments come off as insensitive at worst. While I won't claim to know how his finances are being handled, it does appear that he is still not seeing the big picture, as if he wasn't informed about the high cost of living in LA compared to the tax-free life in Texas.

The most successful athletes must have a tunnel-like focus in order to make it to the top of the mountain, but sometimes that focus becomes so myopic that they forget that they have been blessed with a talent that only the top 2% can maintain. Children hit the hardwood in the cold winter nights, dreaming of making even the minimum that Smith is playing for this year with every shot they attempt. Even if he didn't mean to sound so close-minded, Josh Smith has shown that there's a better way to present your "woe-is-me" case, and that's not to present getting paid $1.5 million as being difficult, even before taxes.

Word of advice Josh, and I say this as an Atlanta Hawks fan who saw you shoot 30% from 3 point-land for 9 years, here's something you may want to check out the next time you start claiming you have it so bad:

When silence speaks volumes...

Earlier today the Los Angeles Lakers held a press conference to introduce three of their newest acquisitions during this off-season: Forward Brandon Bass, Center Roy Hibbert, and Guard Lou Williams, the latter being the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year. With the addition of 2nd overall pick D'Angelo Russell it appears that the Lakers are building changing their course after their worst two seasons in franchise history. Of course, everyone knows that the centerpiece of any chances for a Tinseltown revival rests upon the aging legs of superstar Kobe Bryant. So naturally it would appear that after the past few years the iconic leader of this franchise would be willing to quickly embrace the newest members of the purple and gold...

...as Lee Corso says, "Not so fast, my friends."

Now, it could be assumed that Mr. Bryant is away on vacation, which is what many an NBA player will do during this time of year, and certainly his right. Or, based on his newly christened teammates' reaction to the reporter's question in the video, it can also be assumed that this isn't what he imagined would be the way his career would finish: having to play with three guys he knows will not get him to a place he has frequented: the NBA Finals. It was reported that one of the reasons that prize free agent LaMarcus Aldridge turned down the Lakers was because that the meeting with Kobe and the Lakers brass did not go well, with the brass attempting to sell the star forward on the LA lifestyle and championship legacy, which Aldridge did not take to kindly to.

Regardless of the reasons, this speaks to a larger issue: does he have a responsibility to reach out to his new teammates? During the twilight of his career, is it really up to him to provide the olive branch to create any level of chemistry? We don't know if or when he will speak to them, but what is he supposed to say? "Welcome to the Lakers, now get me the ball and get out of the way?"

However, to look on the other side of the table, there comes a time when a star needs to step out of their comfort zone to do what is best for the organization that has done so much for him, and vice versa. This is an opportunity for Kobe to bring together a team that has been moved off course the past few years, and to change his reputation of being a me-first player who has alienated every star he's ever played with, from Shaq to Dwight to Gasol. Defenders of Kobe say that the blame should be on the players who left, but when you see this video, you have to question if the person who has really been the epicenter of the Lakers' problems has been the one who has been there all along.

A new image?

Back in 1973 Billie Jean King defeated Bobby Riggs in the famous "Battle of the Sexes" tennis matchup in Houston, Texas. Despite rumors of match-fixing that later proved not to be true, it was a major stepping stone in women's sports gaining the respect of the largely-dominated male audience. So the next few decades saw a rise in the ranks of women's tennis, golf, basketball, and more recently, soccer as the U.S. Women's team won their now-record third World Cup championship earlier this month.

Although those accolades have received their proper mention in the sports pages, there is still this been this perception that "oh, it's just a women's sport, it still doesn't carry as much weight as the men." Many subscribers of that viewpoint mention the ratings and dollars that the men's sports bring in, but that underscores the underlying point that over the past few years we have seen women athletes make such great strides that now the question has become, "Can a woman succeed in a men's sport?"

That question has been answered in the form of San Antonio Spurs' assistant coach Becky Hammon, who has led their NBA Summer League team to the championship game. Hammon, 38, has been compared by Coach Gregg Popovich as another coach in the mold of former assistant coaches Steve Kerr and Mike Budenholzer, the former just winning the NBA title in his first year and the latter winning the NBA Coach of the Year. Hammon has overcome a lot to get to the this point, and the snide comments that were spoken on social media blogs have now given way to the belief that she will be an NBA coach one day. It was her grit and determination that has placed her in this position to make history, and this may be the genesis of a revolution in the once-unbreakable glass ceiling in men's professional sports.

Recently Serena Williams just won her 21st Grand Slam championship at Wimbledon, one behind Steffi Graf and more Grand Slams than all active women combined. However, the story afterwards was not about her amazing accomplishments on the court, it was about her appearance off of it. Which begs the question: why is it that in 2015 society still continues to hold women to a standard that it's not about wins and losses, but it's as long as they fit their standard of outer beauty?

Whether it's the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, or the countless appearances of women athletes in modeling shoots, there has always been this perception that as long as they look good, nothing else matters? When Caroline Wozniacki showed up to play Williams in 2012 wearing tissue underneath her clothing to mock her body structure? Is it still that we give women a pass on their success or lack thereof just so as long as they fit the media viewpoint? Sports can be a microcosm for how we treat others in our daily views of society. Comments like the ones directed at Williams shows that we as fans have a way to go.

So the next time you look at a Ronda Rousey dismantle an opponent in 14 seconds or Williams win another Grand Slam, will the conversation still be "she's ok for a girl"? The time has come for the image to be one of success, not of physical glamour...

When does forgiveness begin?

Tonight at the Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati Pete Rose appeared as one of the Reds' "Franchise Four" players, along with Hall of Famers Johnny Bench, Joe Morgan and former NL MVP Barry Larkin for the annual MLB All-Star Game. As the final player introduced, Rose entered to a rousing ovation from the Ohio faithful who became the game's all-time hits leader. Known as many by his nickname "Charlie Hustle," Rose was revered for his constant hustle on the base paths as well as his ability to go-all out on every play. Baseball fans of yesteryear remember him for his gut-wrenching hit on catcher Ray Fosse at the 1970 All-Star Game which affected Fosse's career going forward.

However, despite being a key member of the "Big Red Machine" that won two World Series titles in the 1970s, the Pete Rose that many know now is the one that was banned from baseball for life in 1989 for admitting to gambling on baseball while being a player-manager for the Reds. He signed the agreement once he was caught, effectively ending his career and later being barred from being voted into the Hall of Fame. For the past 26 years the never-ending debate of whether or not he should be reinstated has been a topic of discussion on sports talk radio shows, countless television programs, and even at Cooperstown, NY, home of the Hall of Fame. Many remember the uncomfortable interview he had with Jim Gray at the 1999 All-Star Game in Atlanta.



Even with the recent release of the Dowd Report which highlights Rose's gambling as a manager, the calls for him to be reinstated have grown louder than ever. New MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred has stated that he would keep an open mind about re-opening talks with Rose, which brings an even greater question: To what extent should a person extend forgiveness?

We've seen countless athletes fall to a myriad of scandals...Sammy Sosa (drugs), Lance Armstrong (lying) and Tiger Woods (infidelity) yet the public has been willing to forgive them once they came clean and was willing to show humility. Forgiveness is a human quality that we all possess, even to the point of extending it to the most heartless person. When Peter asked Jesus in Matthew 18 how many times he should forgive, Jesus responded "Seventy times seven." Even when Jacob stole Esau's birthright and Esau swore revenge, he forgave his brother and they made amends.

This is not about whether or not Rose should be inducted into the Hall of Fame, but it does go to a bigger question: how much longer must we hold grudges with one another? Forgiveness releases not the person who did the offending, but the person who was offended. They say time heals all wounds, and the only way to do that is to be willing to extend forgiveness, or take the first step in saying "I'm sorry."

Where does the fault lie?

"Without wise leadership, a nation falls; there is safety in having many advisers."

Los Angeles is usually considered one of the epicenters of the NBA landscape. The Lakers have established not one but two dynasty periods throughout its storied history, combining sizzle and substance the likes of which has never been seen sans the Michael Jordan era of the 1990s. The late Dr. Jerry Buss was the beloved owner, and from Magic to Kobe, this franchise has made Showtime an iconic definition which is the envy of organizations not only in basketball, but in sports.

The Los Angeles Clippers, on the other hand, has been nothing short of a laughingstock since they moved to the city of angels from San Diego. Two words: Donald Sterling. Two more words: 'Enough said. Bad drafts + bad management = $2billion price tag. It took the drafting of a once-in-a-generation highlight machine in Blake Griffin and a vetoed trade by then NBA Commissioner David Stern to bring All-Star PG Chris Paul to the other side of the Staples Center.

As the Clippers have become the commercial darlings of the NBA with their recent success, the Lakers have had a reversal of misfortune since the passing of the late Dr. Buss. The reigns of the franchise have been handed over to his children Jeanie and Jim Buss, and with an aging Kobe Bryant, Showtime has turned into "No-Time" as they have had their worst seasons in back-to-back years ever. It has created angst among the fan base, and a push to expedite the growing process back to prominence. However, the results of the 2015 free agency period have spoken volumes about what both NBA insiders and outsiders have long suspected: that the shine of LA is not what it appears to be behind the scenes.

In the past the Lakers could simply rely on their beautiful weather and Hollywood-connections to summon the greatest players to don the purple and gold. As a matter of fact, the Lakers brass reportedly pitched that to at-the-time free agent LaMarcus Aldridge in hopes he would leave Portland and join them. It didn't go too well, and neither did the second meeting. Aldridge turned down the Lakers offer to join the San Antonio Spurs, an organization that was never known for signing in-their-prime free agents from other teams, but drafting and developing players to win multiple championships. Their culture is one of professionalism and a "team above player" mentality. Perhaps it was the fact that he decided to play closer to home, but the fact that he chose San Antonio over LA was similar to what happened with Dwight Howard when he spurned the Lakers and took less to join the Houston Rockets. The Lakers are used to being the standard bearer for free agents, and now they are left holding the bag, having to get under the radar players in hopes of making one last title run during Kobe's twilight.

The Clippers also realized the changing NBA landscape as their franchise center DeAndre Jordan turned down playing in LA and a chance to compete for a title to join an aging Dirk Nowitzki in Dallas for $20 million less. It was reported that he was upset at the way he was being treated by fellow Clipper Paul, even to the point where he felt slighted because Paul wasn't giving him high fives in the huddle. Whether that it true or not, it has shown that it takes a lot more than just glitz and glamour of Tinseltown to get players to sign on the dotted line.

Before we start to think that it's just happening out in California, here's a man who took a major sacrifice to see his championship dreams come true:

David West is a two-time All Star who was the leader of an Indiana Pacers squad that made it to the Eastern Conference Finals twice. Known for his intensity, the Xavier forward has been a mainstay in the league, being an enforcer wherever he goes. As he enters the final stages of his own career, he spurned a player option worth 12.5 million to stay in Indiana to join the Spurs culture for the league minimum. Think about it, he gave up 11 million dollars to get a chance at a title, something he felt was no longer obtainable with the Pacers. Whether it was because of the words stated about the management throwing his teammate Roy Hibbert under the bus for the playoff results, or it was about something else, the fact is that he gave up an astounding sum to be part of a leadership that is stable and has a plan in place.

It doesn't matter how talented someone can be, it's extremely difficult to overcome a losing culture. Ask yourself what would you give up to be a part of something great? Would you give up riches to be part of something with many wise advisers who can set you on the right path?

The Sports Fans' Declaration of Independence

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness."

This is the second sentence of the Declaration of Independence, which was the document that eventually led to the United States of America becoming their own union as they declared independence from Great Britain. Tomorrow we will all celebrate the Fourth of July to commemorate our nation's birthday. While we take in the fireworks, the hot dogs, and overload on beverages, let's take a moment to reflect on what the meaning of independence is all about. It's about saying that you are ready to be your own person, to grow with a level of freedom we've never experienced before.

That stated, we as sports fans need to make a declaration as to it pertains to what we have a right to. The following are the truths that we should hold to be self-evident. Tired of your favorite team treating you as if you don't matter? Here's a declaration that outlines what you have a right to do as a sports fan:

1) We declare the right to hold our favorite teams and owners accountable if they are expecting us to pay outrageous prices but not willing to put a winning product on the field, diamond, court, or ice. I'm looking at you, NBA teams that intentionally tank for a higher draft pick.

2) We have a right to let our dollars speak elsewhere, this especially goes for alumni of collegiate programs that are not doing right by the students. This is what the athletic director at University of Alabama-Birmingham tried to do in attempting to eliminate football. First and foremost, every attempt should be made to give the students an opportunity to live out their dreams, and not make it strictly a dollars/cents issue.

3) We have a right to let our voices be heard and disagree of the organization's direction, provided it is respectful. Too often local media becomes nothing more than P.R. pieces for the organization, as I experience often living near the Washington, D.C. area. Fans deserve the right to a voice that is not afraid to call out the owners/GMs when they make questionable decisions.

4) We have a right to call out the athletes if they make poor choices, on and off the field. We can judge righteous judgment (John 7:24) as long as we don't call them out by their name, or insult their families. Fans, leave the kids out of it!

5) We have a right to support another organization if the one we currently support does not intend to create a winning culture but focuses more on how much they can gouge the fans out of their money.

Declare your independence today, and have a Happy 4th of July!