Marisa Miller: 2010-11 NFL Spokeswoman

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. 

P.S.  What do you think of Miller's role?

Shaking My Head Moments of 2010

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:

1. 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!
2. 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!
   
   
3. 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!
   
4. 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?

Here We Go Again!

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.