The NCAA: Making Even Worse Decisions in 2010!
// February 15th, 2010 // 1 Comment » // Uncategorized
Speaking of bad decisions....
You can check out all my posts for NESN.com here.
According to the NCAA, this rule change has received unanimous support. If you’re like me, someone who for 5 seasons was held under the oppressive thumb of the NCAA, you’ve come to the realization that the NCAA is run by four men in a sitting room, smoking comically large cigars, sipping bourbon, and cackling about their recently hatched diabolical plan.
In this case, a rule that takes away touchdowns for trash talk, and “other individual acts”.
But why, NCAA? What’s the logic?
”Taunting and prolonged individual acts have no place in our game, and our officials have generally handled these rules well,” said former Oregon coach Mike Bellotti, the committee chair. ”This is just another step in maintaining our game’s image and reflecting the ideals of the NCAA overall.”
Bellotti hits the nail on the head. Taunting and Individual acts have no place in “our game.“ Unfortunately the NCAA is the only group still playing that game. Which, by my estimate is happening solely in their heads. They surely can’t be speaking about the game that I played, or that counltess athletes across the country will be playing come September. Because in that game trash talk, emotion, and jaw rattling hits exist and are what makes the game fun and intense. But the NCAA does not want individualism. Nope, never. They want to “maintain our game’s image.”
Ohh, that makes perfect sense. Except for, the act of scoring a touchdown is an inherently individual act. Then there is the Heisman, the most important and celebrated trophy in college football which is given to ONE individual. And, how could we forget about the NCAA endorsed video games which use players individual likeness to sell the college football experience.
Trash talking is one of the residual benefits of playing the game and one of my fondest memories of playing. Ray Rice, former Rutgers running back, and current OCNN news correspondent/Baltimore Raven once told me to “Get your F—ing hands off me, I’m a F—ing millionaire.” Hilarious. And True. He’s playing on Sundays and I’m writing blogs.
Speaking of Rutgers, in 2007, their entire offensive line approached me, then a starting defensive tackle, and told me “You couldn’t walk on at Rutgers” and as their right guard eyed me up and down he said “Looks like we got us a little b—h here.” While Ray Rice was right, his offensive line was wrong, UConn 38 Rutgers 19: Rob Lunn Defensive Player Of The Game.
But then there was my personal favorite, against South Florida in 2008: “Hey 65! I love your f—ing blog!” It was true, I was/am a better writer than ball player. But the idea is this, that without the trash talk, without the exchange I wouldn’t have those memories to look back on and smile about. Sure the “talk” doesn’t do much for the “walk.” Winning and losing will still be decided by points and not clever uses of four letter verbs, but as someone with experience on the front lines of trash talking, the game won’t be the same without it.
You can check out all my posts for NESN.com here.
Woke up last this morning, failed to properly brush my teeth and sat down at my home office still wearing my PJ’s. So yes, in one brilliant stroke of laziness I’ve fulfilled every stereotype of blogger (or perhaps ex football player dealing with a new found lack of celebrity). That being said, I did what any red blooded American would do when the so called “storm of the century” is supposed to hit New England.
Seal is having the last laugh. Heidi Klum.
Grand Slam. Free Breakfast. 820 Calories. 69 grams of (delicious) fat. Its a free breakfast, so don’t get on your high horse you judgmental bastards. And it’s called a Grand Slam…you know, for the sports fan (and the kids!). So, go on 
America! You’ve earned it, ’cause there is nothing more American than two eggs, pancakes, and bacon, all served under the flicker of florescent light. You’ll take your coffee just the way you take your democracy….strong and black*.
All of this “Tebow in the NFL” talk has led me to the conclusion that people aren’t too sure if he can make it. Judging by the above picture, his side-arm delivery is rock solid and ready to take the NFL by storm (of locusts). There has been some talk about him 
Speaking of Tebow, here’s your morning miracle: 
Kyle Eckel left Navy in Spring 2005. You can read the article for the details on how that worked out, but basically this “sports writer” has no concrete facts, or evidence of foul play, and plays the “I just can’t do it” card (seriously, 
I remember way back when I inked my then unpracticed, untested signature on the dotted line, thus evaporating the very notion of being “wanted” or “pursued”. The weeks before I ended up signing with UConn were like a new relationship; Fresh, interesting and plenty of sexting (there really is nothing like new love.) My official visit was full of lobster and steak, and (if you can believe it) Head Coach Randy Edsall serving me hot butter. The day after signing, and the following 5 season were more like “the morning after”….little regret, a hot shower, and some soul searching. I enjoyed every minute at UConn, but you can bet your sweet ass I was serving my own butter once I was on campus. Delicious, delicious, self-served butter. Hmmmm. Memories.
