My first post was entitled, Family, Sports, and Memories and I wrote about my most vivid memory of my dad which involved the previous Yankee Stadium, so it is fitting that my last post for 2010 focus on Mr. Steinbrenner a.k.a. "The Boss." Steinbrenner suffered a major heart attack and died in Tampa, FL at the age of 80. The sports world lost a major icon that I don't believe we will ever see again.
Steinbrenner was a key reason why the Yankees were so successful. Under his 37-year command, the Yankees won 7 World Series titles and 11 penants. Those championships which brought a lot of smiles to Yankee fans including my dad and I am sure many tears to the Boston Red Sox fans. Okay, so they beat us once. The Yankees still have 27 World Championship banners and rings!
Instead of writing a sentimental post six months after the death of "The Boss," I will share a photo that I think embodies his personality and legacy.
Since I created my blog in September, the majority of my posts have focused on the National Football League but it if you read my first post and About Me then you know my love of sports goes beyond the football field. I dedicate this post to two of my favorite teams!
#1: Knicks Sign Amare Stoudemire
The New York Knicks like most NBA teams were after Lebron James and made every effort to convince him to join the team. Well, everyone knows he went to Miami. The Knicks made their move and signed former Phoenix Suns Amare Stoudemire to a five year deal worth close to $100 million. He has helped the Knicks become relevant with his MVP style play. He has been named the Eastern Conference player of the month and set a new NY Knicks record with 8 straight games of scoring 30+ points. By the way, the Knicks who haven't been in the playoffs since 2003-2004 are currently in 5th place and the Garden is rocking again with chants of "Defense."
#2 Jets Three Comeback Wins
The New York Jets were down 20-10 with 4:26 to play in the fourth quarter against the Detroit Lions. There was a lot of curing and yelling going on. Don't worry, I followed my own advice on how to watch a game with a sports fan. My heart was racing, the butterflies in my stomach were going at warp speed, and the pacing began. Then the magic happened! The Jets score twice to tie the game, force overtime, and win it with a 30-yard Nick Folk field goal.
"I want to apologize to all the Jets fans for affecting the heart a little bit," coach Rex Ryan said.
The Jets do raise my blood pressure! Coach Ryan was preparing us for the next comeback wins against the Cleveland Browns and the Houston Texans. In case you missed it, Santonio Holmes caught a 6-yard touchdown pass from Mark Sanchez with 10 seconds left to win 30-27 over the Houston Texan. Oh yeah and he ran a 37-yard touchdown pass from Mark Sanchez with 16 seconds left against the Browns!
On Monday, October 13th the National Football League announced that former Victoria's Secrets and Sports Illustrated Swimsuit model, Marisa Miller would be this season's spokeswoman. What a coincidence! The announcement coincided with the arrival Brett Favre and the Minnesota Vikings for a Monday Night Football game against the New York Jets. We all know about the Favre scandal! I didn't write about Miller's role because I wanted to see how the NFL would "leverage" this new partnership. To date, her main responsibilities included the hosting the NFL International Series game between the San Francisco 49ers and Denver Broncos in London and a few very sexy ads. So the NFL isn't utilizing Miller's passion for football. She is a huge Niners fan and is no rookie to being a spokesperson. In fact, she was the first spokesperson for Harley Davidson man or woman.
Miller seems to have a good business sense and has branched out of the modeling world with the creation of her shoe line with Vans in 2008. That same year, Miller starred in a viral video on YouTube with All Star baseball player Ryan Braun for Remington's ShortCut hair clippers and, in 2010, she designed and released a paddle board line aimed at female riders.
Miller was smart enough to understand that she needed a career beyond the runway and she did it. That's why I am so disappointed that her role with the NFL is more of a pretty-face model than an educated sports fan promoting the sport she loves. I am sure that some NFL executive thought the Miller hiring would be a "wag the dog" opportunity. Note to NFL: This move was more of a turnover than a touchdown.
Whenever there is a scandal in the sports world, I always say the same thing, "What the hell was he or she thinking?" and then I shake my head a.k.a SMH in the texting world. As I look back at the year in New York sports, I immediately thought of the following five "Shaking My Head" moments:
K-Rod Punches His Father-in-Law
In August, New York Mets closer Francisco Rodriguez was arrested after punching his girlfriend's father in the teams clubhouse. According to Fox Sports, the assault left, Mr. Carlos Pena with facial bruises and other injuries. Why would a 28 year-old punch a 62 year-old man in the face? I don't care what Pena said to K-Rod. Besides why would K-Rod jeopardize his three-year, $37 million contract with the New York Mets. Shaking My Head!
Favre Shows His Little Quarterback
I dedicated an entire post to the Favre's scandal entitled, Here We Go Again and the league has still not decided on whether or not Favre is guilty of misconduct. They have voicemails from him to Jennifer Sterger as well as photos of his "little quarterback." What else does the National Football League (NFL) need in order to discipline Favre! At this point, I am starting to believe that the league is waiting for him to retire, so then don't have to deal with this scandal. Maybe I should add the NFL to the this list. Shaking My Head!
Samuels Busted of Placing Bets Through Gambling Ring
Charlie Samuels spent 27+ years with the New York Mets and he threw it all away for a gambling ring. According the to the New York Daily News, Samuels was caught on tape placing bets that is allegedly run by the mob. Rightfully so, the Mets suspended him without pay during the investigation and the only positive aspect of this story is that Samuels took accountability for his actions. He admitted his involvement if the betting scandal but I am still Shaking My Head!
Oh, Edwards. No Bueno! (No Good)
At the start of the NY Jets season, wide receiver, Braylon Edwards got pulled over and arrested for a DWI at 4:45 a.m. Edwards, who was driving teammates D’Brickashaw Ferguson and Vernon Gholston after leaving fellow wide receiver, Jericho Cotchery's benefit in Manhattan. What's frustrating about this is that it could have been avoided. The Jets have a Player Protect” program, a 24-hour security and driving service they players can use any time and free of charge within the New York/New Jersey metropolitan area. Don't tell me that nobody had a cell to make the call. Shaking My Head!
P.S. What was your SMH moment in sports this year?
A few weeks ago, Steffen, my husband, turned to me and said, "So, my mom is getting us a television for Christmas." My immediate reaction was "Why? We already have a 36" television in the living room and a 32" in the bedroom." Honestly, at that point, there was nothing I could say because his smile started in NYC and ended in Australia. Steffen researched televisions like an overachiever studies for a final and the following Saturday my mother-in-law, Steffen, and I walked into Sam's Club. We were in the electronics section for at least 45 minutes and, at one point, I giggled when Steffen walked over to a 55" television because it would look like a movie screen in our living room. We finally settled on a 47" Vizio Razor LED LCD HDTV television and let me just state that I am so happy that I let Steffen's excitement convince me to stop protesting the gift. This was the best gift and, if you know any sports fans, for them as well.
Unfortunately, the first game we watched on our new television was the NY Jets vs. New England Patriots Monday night game, which my beloved Jets got their behinds tossed from one end of the Gillette Stadium to the other. It was terrible to watch them lose with such clarity. On the flip side, it is amazing to watch my teams win! The NY Jets won a nail biter, stomach ache inducing game against the Pittsburgh Steelers today. A NY Jets win never looked so good. Before losing to the Miami HEAT and Boston Celtics, the New York Knicks were riding a 7-game winning streak. As we watched the New York Knicks run fast breaks, rebound, and dunk, it felt like we were at the game. The colors are vivid and the clarity is amazing! You can see the finest details including the beads of sweat from the players' foreheads standing on the free-throw line. The defense looked crisper, the players seemed to run faster, and the crowd was louder than ever. Never mind. That was us pumping up the volume. Next gift on the list is Bose Home Theater Sound System. I am not sure which system but I am sure Steffen will do his homework.
President Obama leaving Fort McNair after getting an elbow to the mouth.
On Friday, November 26, President Obama received an inadvertent elbow to his upper lip from Rey Decerega, director of programs for the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute during a basketball game at Fort McNair that required 12 stitches. As soon I heard about it, I thought about what might haven gone through Decerega's mind immediately following the incident. My guess is "Oh, sh#t! I hope I don't get jumped by the Secret Service" but we may never know for sure. In case you are wondering, Decerega walked away unharmed but I am sure he doesn't like being "the guy that elbowed the President." If it was a regular pick up game between friends, this would not make the news. When that pick up game involves the President of the United States, it is breaking news. I feel bad for Decerega. As I researched background for this post, I searched by Decerega's name. Interestingly, the first 12 results included images of President Obama holding a napkin to his lip and headlines such as "White House Identified Player Who Injured Obama." It must suck to be that identified player even if President Obama was cool about it and the Secret Secret did not kick his @ss.
President Obama received the stitches under local anesthesia in the doctor's office on the ground floor of the White House. According to ABC News, the White House Medical Unit used a smaller filament that requires more stitches but makes them tighter which will result in a smaller scar. Well, at least President Obama still has his teeth and Decerega doesn't have a staph infection. Recently, Wilson Chandler from the NY Knicks lost his tooth by an elbow from former teammate and current Golden State Warrior, David Lee. The crazy part of this is that Lee got the worst of the incident. He missed 8 games with a very serious staph infection.
President Obama, like Chandler, was back on the court just two days after catching an elbow in the mouth but I wonder how long it will take for Decerega to step in the paint.
By the way, what other president has been injured while playing sport?
Oprah is all about helping people live their best lives and CBS National Football League color commentator, WFAN radio morning host, and former New York Jets quarterback (okay, he began his career with the Cincinnati Bengals), Boomer Esiason, is doing the same. He is leveraging his celebrity status to help raise money to find a cure for cystic fibrosis, a disease of the respiratory and digestive systems. Why? In 1993 Boomer's son, Gunnar, was diagnosed with the disease. Instead of sitting around and feeling sorry for his son, Boomer created The Boomer Esiason Foundation to help fund research to find a cure.
Gunnar and his dad Boomer on the cover
of Sports Illustrated.
According to the Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Foundation, approximately 30,000 people in the United States have cystic fibrosis. Additionally, 10 million more are carriers of the defective CF gene, but do not have the disease. In case you are wondering, that equates to about 1 in every 31 Americans. The life expectancy for cystic fibrosis suffers was less than 20 years but there is significant progress. Thanks to Boomer's foundation, that number almost doubled over the past 10 years. To date, Boomer's foundation has raised over $80 million through a variety of charity events including golf tournaments to holiday shopping. Most recently, the NYC marathon included Team Boomer, a group of 120 athletes who helped raised $500k for his foundation. Go Team!! During a CBS interview, I was impressed with one particular athlete, Hayli Hodson. Hodson, who suffers from cyctic fibrosis, discussed her year long training and despite a few setbacks, managed to make it marathon day. Yes, I cried and not because I felt sorry for her but because she was so mature and matter of fact about living with the disease. The day I saw the interview, I was stressed over something (can't remember now) and watching this young woman speak to eloquently, made me feel stupid. We tend to stress over superficial things when we all should be appreciating life!
Gunnar, now 19, is a freshman in Boston College and also inspiring! In a joint interview with his dad, Gunnar discussed his life as a CF sufferer and his daily two hour treatment, which consists of clearing his lungs using a nebulizer and special vibrating vest that helps loosen excess chest mucus.
Father and Son
There are many athletes who use their celebrity status to help those in need instead of getting them into the latest hot spot and that, by far, is proving to be the ULTIMATE team player! This story would get a big "Love That" stamp of approval from Oprah.
By the way, do you know of any other celebrity foundation?
If you work in an office, chances are you've received an email inviting you to participate in a sports pool. While most companies turn a blind eye to office pools because they believe it actually boosts employee morale, some companies prohibit it despite its popularity. During my interview with Christopher Pike*, who runs an NFL pool, I learned that a non-office pool policy can be overturned.
"...after talking with some of the executives at the office who play, it was decided to let it go. Since then, he [Pike's manager] has come around and even plays now. It really builds a lot of morale and camaraderie around the office, especially when the pool gets really big. It’s all anyone talks about."
They are many different types of office pools but the most popular one, which Pike runs, is the one that asks the participant to pick the team to win and/or cover the spread. Pike provided me with a "day in the life" of an office pool coordinator during our brief interview.
How do you run the pool? I send the sheets out on Tuesday via email. People hand in their picks to either myself or my partner between then and Thursday. On Thursday night after dinner I start entering the sheets [picks] into an excel spreadsheet to create a “master list.” After that’s done, I count the money to confirm the amounts agree. On Friday morning, I email the master sheets with the pool amount. Then, Sunday and Monday I check off the winners/losers as the game goes final. Finally, on I pay the winners on Tuesday morning.
What has been the largest pool prize to date?For a single week, I would say $4000 or so. But when no one wins, the prize carries over. Earlier this year it got up to $16,000. Note: Each sheet is $10.
Do winners give you a cut? If not, how does that make you feel?I would say this is a 50/50 split. Gambling etiquette is that you tip 10% and some people do that. Some people give a few bucks. Some take the money, say thanks, and run. We’re not allowed to take a cut otherwise it would be illegal. When people tip, it is very much appreciated and makes me feel good considering how many hours a week I put into it. When people don’t tip, it really pisses me off to the point of me threatening to cancel the pool. But in the end, it is what it is. Some people are great, some are NOT.
Some people don't like to use their real names, what are some of the most unusual names submitted? I don’t know, I’ve gotten some strange ones over the years. Someone uses dopey Star Trek and Star Wars names. Other people use body parts names. One guy uses STD diseases. If I had to pick one, I’d say “No Whammies No Whammies!” though.
How many women participate in the pool? Men? Last week we had 377 entries and 100 were women.
I wasn't surprised to learn that more women are participating and thought it would be great to hear from a regular. Thanks to Pike, I had a quick call with one of his most engaged participant, Ms. Nyota Uhura.*
Why do you play? It's fun, light-hearted and it is like gambling in a communal way. Now, I watch all the games! It actually makes the games more enjoyable unless, of course, my picks lose.
How do you select your picks? That's easy. In order, team loyalty, injury report, last week's performance, and who has the better offense. Bonus: She is a Jets fan! The interview was a breeze after she shared this fact with me.
Pike mentioned that nearly 40% of all sheets are submitted by women. Why do you think more and more women are participating in office pools? I think it unifies them with their boyfriends, husbands, brothers, fathers, or friends and they are just as invested in the games as men. Women are no longer in the kitchen. We are now on the couch with the guys.
Uhura, who managed the March Madness pool at her last job, is a passionate football fan who can be seen every Sunday cheering her picks at a local sports bar with her friends and family.
By the way, do you think office pools should be allowed?
*To protect identities, real names were replaced with fictional characters.
According to Ronald Johnson,Senior Vice President, Referee Operations, the fans are sick and tired of watching players complain over a call. Yeah, right! What fans? I would like to know how many fans participated in those focus groups and what types of questions did the facilitator ask them. Fans love it when players express their emotions on the court especially over a bad call. David Stern could care less about what the fans want because he is too busy trying to appease corporate sponsors. For example, after a few NBA players showed up in sweat suits, baggy jeans, and a whole lot of bling to an event, the NBA decided to work on its image. I will save my thoughts on that rule for another blog. The following season, Stern announced adress codefor all players when representing the NBA on official business. That is a reasonable request but this rule applies to injured players sitting on the bench too. This is crazy talk. If the player isn't suited up for the game, he should be allowed to dress in jeans and a sweater. Stern has always been a control freak so this latest "Respect for the Game" rule does not surprised me but it does annoy me.
USA Today broke down the different ways to earn a technical for violating the "Respect for the Game" rule.
Making aggressive gestures, including air punches, anywhere on the court. My Take:If by aggressive gestures, they mean giving the official a middle finger or simulating choking, then yes, I am all for eliminating those. In terms of air punching, what's the big deal as long as they don't connect with anyone.
Disagreeing with the ref in an overt manner, the whole look of amazement genre. My Take: Again, if the player is threatening the official, then I am down with this rule. However, I still believe a player should still be allowed to express himself.
Running directly at a ref to complain. My Take: This one makes me giggle because players rarely run towards an official. Players and officials are usually in the area that the foul is called, so there is no need to run.
Dragging out the postmortem of a foul call with continued questions, even if it's done politely. My Take:If the referee answers the question the first time, the player will stop asking!
Any body language that indicates the call is being protested My Take: What is the difference between this and the agressive gesture rule?
Recently, Jason Williams from the Orlando Magic was suspended for complaining too much and apparently getting too close to the official. See for yourself, video link Now, that you've seen the video, don't you agree that this rule is ridiculous? Why shouldn't a player be allowed to express himself? Williams was not abusive but clearly wanted to make a point with the referee. I don't think this warranted two techicals. I guarantee you that there is no way this "Respect for the Game" rule would be enforced if the poster child of the NBA, Michael Jordan, was still in the game. Jordan was a notorious complainer (see above photo) who constantly got calls his way and, yet, he still complained.
By removing the emotional element, Stern is forcing players to hold in their dissatisfaction and, soon, they will begin to take their frustrations out on each other. Then, there will be a festival of technical fouls and the brand image that Stern is trying to protect will be in jeopardy and all because he doesn't want players to express themselves on the court. Stern, I am calling a technical foul on you!
For years, my mom and mother-in-law have banned my husband and I from watching sports at their homes. When I was in high school, my mother repeatedly told me that every time I yelled her blood pressure went sky high. My mother-in-law, often talks about my husband's loud chant for more defense and that led to her buying him his own television. In 2004, my husband, mother-in-law, and I were lucky to go to summer Olympics in Athens. We bought tickets to several events and when she agreed to go the U.S Men's basketball game against Puerto Rico, I was shocked. Did she forgot who she was about to see a game with? Needless to say, after the game, she said she would never attend or watch another game with us again. So, in an effort to help all the non-crazy sports fans, I decided to give them 5 important tips to make it through a game.
Number 1: Create a clear path away from the viewing area.
This tip can save a trip to the nearest Emergency Room. Sports fans are very passionate and often jump, run, bang, and shadow box after great or awful plays. Sure, yelling (tip 2) is the primary outlet but if you live in an apartment, the physical reaction to a play can land your sports fan in the hospital. Gasp! They are missing the game because you forgot to keep the viewing area clutter free. To avoid this scenario, it is critical to remove any coffee tables, chairs, magazine racks, plants, shoes, children's toys, food trays, and any other item that may cause a fall.
Number2: Ensure you have the right menu options.
After securing a safe viewing environment, the next essential tip is to have plenty of food, beverages (beer, water, and soda. No wine and juice! Please save that for another occasion. If you got the goods, then you are almost prepared for the game. The final menu option is throat lozenges. Yes, I know that seems odd but after all the screaming throughout a game, the sports fan will thank you later. If you don't have throat lozenges, honey is an acceptable substitution.
Number 3: Eliminate all non-essential commentaries and questions.
If you are a Chatty Kathy, this tip is especially critical for you to remember. From the moment the game begins, you are allowed to yell, high five, clap, curse, eat, and drink but the one think you can't do is ask questions. For example, if you are watching a game and the referee blows the whistle, don't immediately ask, "What happened?" because that will get you in trouble. This will annoy the fan because they won't be able to hear the play by play announcer confirm the ruling on the field. Don't worry about not initially knowing what's going on because once the fan knows, so will you.
Number4: Avoid channel surfing.
Whatever you do, please don't make a move for the remote control. Always keep in mind that a break in action or halftime is not an invitation to change to the channel. Sports fans can be as suspicious as athletes, so if their team is winning nothing must change and that includes the channel. In the event that their team is losing, it is important to not that the same tip applies. Actually, it is worse to make a play for the remote because they can miss a great comeback play. Also, you don't want to give the fan a reason to take out their frustrations on you. The best move here is no move at all.
Number 5: Wear the right team jersey.
This is the easiest of all tips. As I mentioned in my first blog, Family, Sports, and Memories, wear a NY sports jersey. For example, If you are going to watch the NY Jets, do not wear a New England Patriots or Miami Dolphins jersey. If you don't have a Jets jersey, at least wear the team colors: green and white or throwback jersey colors: gold and navy blue. If watching a Yankees game, do yourself a favor and do not wear a Boston Red Sox jersey. If watching a Knicks game, well, frankly they don't have any rivalries like bad in the day with the Pacers and Heat but I am hoping for a return to playoff glory.
By the way, What tips would you add to this list?
P.S. Only tips 2, 3 and 5 apply when you are at an actual game.
It is about time the National Football League (NFL) kicked the “shrink it and pink it” philosophy to the curb and launched an apparel line for female sports fans. I am sure we owe it all to a savvy marketing person who commissioned research study and discovered the extent of women's purchasing power. I don't think the NFL needed the study because it is no secret that women shop a lot more than men and drive a lot of sales but every strategy needs numbers to back it up. So, the plan was approved and the Fit for You apparel line was born. Okay, time to retire the business talk and let's get down to the actual gear!
Alyssa Milano: Wearing cute laced up
NY Jets t-shirt.
Alyssa Milano: Sporting NY Giants
long sleeve shirt and jacket.
Did I mention how much I love the fact that my sports gear options are no longer between pink and baby blue?! Serioulsy, I can remember going to the boys section at sporting goods stores trying to find the largest size that just might fit me and being so frustrated that I couldn't find my NY Yankees Andy Pettitte jersey. Now, women have their own section! If I was in the end zone, I would do a touchdown dance and just might wear high heel cleats. What I love about this line is that it includes a wide range of price points from $4 - $150. The line includes t-shirts, jerseys (and NOT just in pink!) pajamas, and other apparel with team logos and can be purchased on their website as well as retailers such as Kohl's, JCPenney, Dick's Sporting Goods, and Walmart. LOVE IT!
Also, I was happy to see that the ad campaign featured some of the NFL wives as well as celebrities like Alyssa Milano (above) to promote the line. Again, great marketing! Of course, the bestdecision was to include Michelle Ryan (wife of NY Jets coach, Rex Ryan) who represents our team so well. Go Jets!
Michelle Ryan proudly wearing my
5-1 Jets gear!
By the way, what do you think of the NFL's Fit for You line?
P.S. I look forward to buying my Jim Leonard, Dustin Keller, and Mark Sanchez NY Jets Jerseys in MY size! Oh wait, I forgot about Bart Scott!
From the moment the New York Jets released their 2010 schedule, I knew tickets to the October 11 game against the Minnesota Vikings would be the perfect gift for my husband’s birthday. It would give us a chance to check out the new Meadowlands (and pay a ridiculous price for a beer), experience a Monday night game, and boo Brett Favre every time he touched the ball. What I didn’t know was that I wouldn’t boo him for using the Jets as a stopover before going to the team he really wanted to play for, Vikings, but for being so stupid. Why would he send former NY Jets sideline reporter, Jenny Steger, photos of his "little quarterback" and leave her voicemail messages inviting her to his room. What?! I thought the quarterback was supposed to be one of the smartest players on the team but maybe that only applies to Brett on the field. Oh, wait. Maybe not. After all, he is number 1 on the Top 10 NFL quarterbacks with the most interceptions with 310.
When Deadspin broke the story, I honestly wasn’t surprised that something like this could happen. After Tiger Woods, I am not sure we will ever be surprised again. Unfortunately, crude behavior has been a pattern in the NFL this season and as I mentioned in my No She Didn't post, this behavior is unacceptable. However, I did wonder why Sterger waited two years to tell A.J. Daulerio from Deadspin her story because it did seem odd. She claims that she didn’t want to say anything because she was afraid she would lose her job. I don’t buy that because she had the evidence to prove her claim, so she clearly had the upper hand. I'd like to think that she is a Jets fan who held on to it until Vikings came to town to rattle Favre. We may never know but really the bigger question for me is why did Favre send those photos. Sadly, I already know the answer. Sports figures like Favre believe they are invincible and do not believe they will get caught. Yet, when they do get caught, because they usually do, they cry. Really? So, now we are supposed to feel sorry for them. I feel sorry for the wives, families, and teammates because they are thrown into a no win situation.
By the way, did he really think she wouldn't share the photos and voicemails with anyone?
P.S. The Jets won despite the terrible weather and gave Favre a different reason to cry.
In 1978, Melissa Ludtke of Sports Illustrated was not allowed to interview players in the clubhouse during the World Series between the Yankees and Dodgers. Instead of accepting the decision by baseball commissioner Bowie Kuhn, Time Inc (owner of SI) filed and won a lawsuit allowing equal access to male and female reporters. That decision paved the way for female reporters such as Hannah Storm, Selena Roberts, and countless others to become full participants in the world of sports journalism. So, I wonder what she would say about the most recent alleged sexual harassment incident involving Azteca sports reporter, Ines Sainz (below), and the New York Jets on September 11th. I am sure she would be just as disappointed as I am especially after Sainz flipped flopped between playing victim and brushing the incident off as “not as serious as you [to owner, Woody Johnson] probably believe.” Is she for real? Either she was harassed or she wasn't. Ms. Sainz, please make up your mind!
Sainz: This is how NOT to dress when conducting an an interview in ANY locker room.
What really infuriated me about Sainz is that in the days following the incident, she made a self-proclamation that she was the “hottest sports reporter in Mexico.” What?! Again. Is she for real? (Well, I guess that is why she received an offer from Playboy to pose in the nude.) I am definitely not condoning the behavior of those Jets players because there is no excuse for those remarks but her quote was not the kind I was hoping to hear from her. The Jets failed to enforce a professional environment but she failed to take a stance for not only herself but her profession. Just once, I would love to see a woman stand up for herself and give the players a verbal thrashing that would make them blush. Maybe then, some of those players who think they have a right to be crude will rethink the next time they are being interviewed by a female journalist.
By the way, why do you think that a male reporter in women’s locker rooms is never an issue?
Before the doctor said, "It's a girl," my dad already decided that I would be a New York sports fan regardless of my gender. He was a passionate New York sports fan and adamant that his child share the same passion. Unfortunately, I lost my dad when I was 6 but he succeeded in instilling a great love of New York sports in me. In fact, the first words I can remember spelling were Yankee Stadium. Whenever we drove by the old stadium, I had an opportunity to win a dollar for a successful spelling. (Hey, back in the day a dollar was like winning the lotto.) This speical spelling game, which we only played, is my most vivid memory of my dad which I cherish to this day.
My love of New York sports started with my dad and continued to grow into adulthood. I guess that is why I don’t understand why some women complain about their husbands or boyfriends watching sports. I always tell my friends to throw on a pair of jeans, retire the heels for sneakers, sport a jersey (preferably a NY team), grab a beer, and enjoy the game. Don't get me wrong, I love my heels but not everyday! Besides, when else can one scream at the television and not be called crazy? Okay, maybe a little crazy but blame it on the beer.
The love for a sports team creates a bond between family members but also among sports fans. This bond is undeniably strong even when one is in a stadium with thousands of strangers. The best example is a Jets home game! From the minute the jumbo screen shows Fireman Ed on his brother's shoulder, the fans go crazy and like a conductor directs over 80,000 thousand fans in the famous Jets chant. Sure, the chants are stronger and louder when the team is winning but the point is that the love for a sports team creates memories. In the end, it is all about spending time with the ones you love. Trust me. I have the memories to prove it.
