Islamist militants in Mogadishu last weekend killed two people and arrested 10 others for watching World Cup soccer, which is banned in Somalia. Islamist leader Sheik Abu Yahya Al-Iraqi said that soccer “descended from the old Christian cultures, and our Islamic administration will never allow” watching the World Cup.

At least the terrorists can’t blame the United States. When the World Cup tournament rolls around (whenever that is), America’s cultural critics roll out their standard critiques decrying the lack of soccer mania in this country. Soccer is international, they say; it is the world’s game. The United States is backward and exclusionary for not loving it. Soccer will be the next big sport in America, they predict; just wait. And it’s not really soccer anyway, they sniff; we should call it by its real name, football.

The “soccer vs. football” argument is a century-long gripe. “Soccer” originated in England as Oxbridge slang, a contraction of the formal term “association football.” In 1905, an indignant New York Times reader complained when the paper used the “undignified” term soccer when reporting a game. “It is to be hoped that this heresy will not spread,” he wrote. But the word soccer was necessary to distinguish this foreign import from the already established American game of football. Arguing that we should stop saying soccer is like saying Americans should stop saying gasoline instead of petrol, or have a parliament, or adopt the metric system – changes that would be pointless, burdensome and culturally cowardly.

It’s not just Americans who have a fondness for their native games; Canadian football, Australian Rules football and Gaelic football are all called “football” in their countries of origin. Football in America is thus part of a long tradition in countries that used to be part of the British Empire. Since when did the left start opposing anti-colonialism?

America’s lack of enthusiasm for soccer is also chalked up to racism, according to some U.S. bashers. But contrary to hooligan sniping, there is more of an ethnic mix on the average U.S. football team than almost any comparable soccer team. Silly leftist critics who think that “white opposition” to soccer is because it is played by “brown people” need to watch more professional sports on ESPN instead of Univision.

Soccer has been “the next big sport” for a long time. “Soccer Gaining Ground” one headline proclaimed, over a news report claiming that the sport was “getting a tighter grip on America.” This prediction came in 1907. Whenever American soccer teams do something extraordinary – such as defeating England 1-0 in 1950, the so-called “Miracle on the Grass” – there is a flurry of predictions that soccer’s time has come. Some say the influx of immigrants from Latin America points to soccer’s demographic inevitability. Maybe so.

Tastes change with the times, and Americans are free to choose the sports they play and watch. What really upsets our critics is that the most popular sports in America – football, baseball and basketball – originated here in the Land of the Free. They are 19th-century inventions that have become part of the bedrock of American culture. The only way the World Cup match got more U.S. viewers than the World Series in 1994 was because the baseball series was canceled.

Soccer may find a market niche in this country, but it’s unlikely to be as popular as it is in countries that lack American sports. And if people in this country do want to watch the World Cup for some reason, at least Islamist radicals will not gun them down for it.

The massive amount of weekend rain and bulging rivers played havoc with sports arenas and athletic fields on the pro, college and high school level throughout Middle Tennessee.

At about 3 p.m. Monday, water began to rush onto LP Field’s playing surface, reaching approximately six feet high and nearly reaching the first row of seats.

A nearby Nashville Electric Service substation had to be shut down because it was being threatened with flood waters, according to Robbie Bohren, the Titans’ director of media relations. When the substation shut down, it cut power to the stadium’s pumps. That led to flooding of the service entrance, followed by the playing field, which sits at the lowest point of the complex.

Large trash cans were bobbing on the field and blue pads that line the inner concrete wall of the field were torn off and floated like rafts. Lots R and N were completely under water by late afternoon.

Monday also was the deadline for Titans fans to renew their season tickets.

“There are more pressing issues in our community — life and death,” said Don MacLachlan, Titans executive vice president of administration and facilities. “We have had fans trying to call us and even trying to get to the stadium for fear of missing the deadline.”

MacLachlan said fans should not come to the stadium and that the deadline will be extended to Monday and perhaps beyond.

The Titans practice facility at MetroCenter was threatened by rising waters but had not received any damage.

The last thing on the majority of Tennessean’s minds is football, especially those in the Nashville area. We got pounded here in Podunk, but nothing to compare what is still happening to the east of us. Safety is more important that tickets, to anything!

This isn’t a playing field. It’s a swimming pool, that no one would want to swim in.

Tiger Woods comes out with his *damage control* press conference today, but did he do more damage then good? I have been reading some of the various comments around the web. I also spent much of my day listening to local sports talk, and I gotta be honest with you.  Some of you just don’t get it.  That song and dance put on by Tiger this morning wasn’t for you, hell it wasn’t even for his family.  It was for the sponsors!

Here is the biggest reason I say some of you just don’t get it, because you still feel Tiger owes you something. Tiger owes you the fan nothing.  I have said it before, and I will continue to say it.  If you go back and look at how Tiger was marketed from day one you will see he was marketed as someone of *Elite* status.  He was never marketed as a family man, or an average joe playing a sport (see Brett Favre as example).

For the people who want to continue to bring up the question *oh what kind of role model is Tiger*?  Give it a rest already.  If you teach your kids to be like someone, then you have already led them down the wrong path.  If you want to use someones accomplishments as a learning tool then that’s fine.  If you want to use Tiger, or any other athlete for that matter as a role model you should point out that these people put in the work, and dedication to their given sport to be the best. Hard work and dedication is something you should want your children to learn about. You can also use his mistakes as a learning tool. Teach your kids that every decision you make has a consequence.  It’s your job as the parent to raise your children, not actors, musicians, or athletes.  Far to many people have forgotten that over the years.

For all the people out there that say they will NEVER watch golf again because of this scandal,  yes you will.  When you find out that Tiger Woods is returning to the tour you will tune in. You will either tune in to wish failure on him, or you will tune in to see him dominate the field. Either way, you tuned in.  If you didn’t watch golf prior to this scandal, then you weren’t watching to begin with, so your just trying to chose a side for something you really could care less about.

If I’m being honest Tiger’s biggest mistake in this whole deal was saying * I do*.  Derek Jeter is considered one of the biggest ladies men in sports today, if Tiger wasn’t married so would he. Magic Johnson contracts the HIV virus while cheating on his wife with a hooker, years later he is regarded as one of the greatest to play the game with  no mention of his infidelity.  Shawn Kemp had 8 kids with 6 different women.  Travis Henry had 9 kids with 8 different women, and had to borrow money from teammates to make his child support.  Kobe Bryant was accused of rape, while Calvin Murphy left a trail of women behind during his career.  Sadly infidelity and sports go hand and hand.

I do not condone Tiger Woods actions, however I will not pretend as he is the only high profile athlete to travel down this road.  I just find it very amusing that people are very quick to jump on Tiger Woods, while they hope their own skeletons never come out of their closet.  I also find it amusing that people think Elin is crazy for taking him back.  They never had a *marriage*, it can be considered a business arrangement. Anyone who think they had an actual marriage is just fooling themselves.  Example, Tiger deposited $5 million dollars into an account only she could touch the day after the news broke of affair number 2.

The bottom line is this. When Tiger decides to come back to the tour, he will dominate.  Golf needs Tiger, more then Tiger needs golf.  Fans have A.D.D when it comes to their favorite athletes.  When Tiger starts winning again,  this scandal will be long forgotten.

Thu, Dec 17
IND (X) @ JAC

Sat, Dec 19
DAL(X) @ NO

Sun, Dec 20
CLE @ (X) KC
HOU (X)@ STL
NE (X)@ BUF
MIA @(X) TEN
SF @(X) PHI
ARI(X) @ DET
CHI @(X) BAL
ATL @(X) NYJ
OAK @(X) DEN
CIN @(X) SD
TB @ (X)SEA
GB (X)@ PIT
MIN(X) @ CAR

Mon, Dec 21
NYG (X)@ WAS

Side note: Some of the picks y’all put up gets sent into spam, for reasons unknown. Not to worry, even though whatshisname never bothers to check it, I do! And, I will approve them.

A) Tiger made Tiger who he is. His ABILITY to play a sport has given him his fame and wealth.  Yes fans buy the products he endorses, but no company would ask him to endorse their product if he wasn’t the best in the world.  So fans who feel you have made Tiger who he is,  buy a clue!

B) Lets assume that the fans made Tiger who he is, do fans really want to take credit for making him into a man who is unfaithful to his wife? I’m just sayin! Once again fans, buy a clue!

Well its official Tiger Woods will be taking a break from golf to get his train wreck of a life sorted out.  Gatorade cut ties with Tiger earlier in the week, saying the decision to discontinue the *Tiger Focus* came months ago. Yeah right! Now I will say this, the Focus series tasted horrible.  I still continue to hear callers to the local sports talk radio stations claiming Tiger owes everyone details, and an explanation. Once again Tiger owes you nothing!  With Tiger taking a break from golf, the golfing world will once again be reminded why Tiger is golf.  Its a proven fact that when Tiger doesn’t play, ratings tank.  All these golfers that have come out with comments about the Tiger situation should refrain from making comments, and instead be thanking Tiger for helping them make millions.  When people talk about what players like Jordan, and Gretzky have done for their chosen sport, Tiger should be included in these discussions.  Tiger Woods made golf  relevant to a younger generation. He also brought the multi- million dollar endorsements deals to the sport.

Despite what fans think about Tiger right now, when he returns from his break they will be tuned in to watch.  Whether it be to see how he is playing after the break, to cheer for epic failure, or to see him with another tournament.  Whatever your reason, the point is you tuned in and ratings will soar through the roof.  Golf and the companies involved win. Once again whether fans or golf want to admit it, golf needs Tiger!  At this point in Tigers career, golf needs him more, then he needs golf.  All major sports need their superstars to not only sell the sport, but the products that go along with it.

As I said in an earlier post the train wreck that has become Tiger Woods life will pass.  Fans have a short and in some cases selective memory when it comes to their athletes.

*Edit* For the record I am not a Tiger Woods fan, or a fan of the sport.  I am not defending Tiger Woods actions, I am merely stating the facts from an objective point of view.

]]> http://www.ickscorner.com/2009/12/a-much-needed-break/feed/ 4 http://www.ickscorner.com/2009/12/give-it-a-rest-already/ http://www.ickscorner.com/2009/12/give-it-a-rest-already/#comments Sat, 05 Dec 2009 21:01:54 +0000 Ick http://www.ickscorner.com/?p=4273

I was not going to post anything about whats going on with Tiger Woods, but I have had enough. For all of you fans out there that think Tiger Woods has handled this completely wrong, and your entitled to details, go buy a tabloid magazine to get your gossip fix. Tiger Woods doesn’t owe the fans any details.  The fact of the matter is this story has blown up because for years no  one had any dirt on Tiger, and now the media is going to ride this story as long as they can.

The fact that ESPN has brought up Micheal Vick, and Kobe Bryant as comparison points to what is going on with Tiger Woods is a joke.  Micheal Vick funded an ILLEGAL dog fighting ring, NOT EVEN CLOSE to the same thing. Kobe Bryant was accused of RAPE, once again NOT EVEN CLOSE!  Tiger Woods made mistakes, and has finally proven to the world that he is human.   Tiger Woods is handling this in the way he should, behind closed doors with his family.  When did we as a society get this sense of entitlement to know everything going in every one’s life?  People complain about how much the Government knows about each of us, but in the same breath complain that they need details about a private matter?

For all you fans who feel Tiger Woods sponsors should drop him as their spokesperson, you would be FIRED if you had to make that decision for any of the companies that he endorses.  In these tough economic times no C.E.O or corporate big wig is trying to be without a job.  I could give you 100 different reason for why Tiger Woods will not be dropped, but I will let this video below speak for itself.

If the powers that be from say NIKE dropped Tiger Woods,  don’t think for a second another major player in the sports equipment game would pick him up in a heartbeat. NIKE looses Billions, while the company that picked him up adds Billions to their bottom line.  Besides if you think for one second that some of those C.E.O’s can’t sympathise with what Tiger Woods is going through right now, then I have a bridge I’ll sell you!

This to will pass, just like it did for Micheal Vick and Kobe Bryant, fans still cheer for them. Kobe Bryant has the number one jersey sales in the world, and Micheal Vick is back playing football. Fans have a short memory when it comes to their favorite players.  Fans will be yelling for every ball Tiger Woods hits to *Get In The Hole*, as they always have.  Big companies like NIKE and Gatorade will still make billions off products, and Tiger Woods will most likely remain the greatest golfer to ever play the game.

Maybe if the Obamas had talked more about the city of Chicago instead of talking about themselves, Chicago may have had a chance……….

Ooops.

Congratulations to Rio for landing the 2016 Olympics!!!!!

4 days and counting!

It’s the most wonderful time of the year!  Four days away from a toe in the ball!  Week one notes to follow.

Game of the week may well be in Stillwater, OK.  This is a new money / old money clash.  Oklahoma State coach, Mike Gundy (now 42 and still a man) take the field against SEC power Georgia in an afternoon ABC game.  Oklahoma State seems to be the darling of all the pick ‘em experts AND Vegas.  I’m going against the grain on this one.  Take the Dawgs and the 6 points. 

Can we all just agree that Oregon needs to beat Boise St on Thursday night?  They play nobody the rest of the year.  Nobody.  The Broncos win this one and they stroll to the BCS and knock out a spot for a team from a real conference that has played someone.

Check out Penn State’s schedule.  I’m not linking it.  Look it up, lazy.  Can’t something be done?  They play nobody.  Again, nobody!

Oklahoma vs. BYU in Dallas should be a good one.  I don’t know the over/under.  If it is below 700, I say take the over in this one and count your money. 

~ Mike Ditka ~