You Know What Seems Silly?

So, I actually got out and attended a professional sporting event last night, as I went down to watch our Eskimos host the boys from B.C. (Canadian-rules football, in case you're wondering). Now, as has become commonplace at sporting events, scores by the home team are greated with pyrotechnics, and, in the case of our particular team, the sight of a vintage fire engine, painted in the team's colours, driving around the running track with its lights flashing (just to add to last night's spectacle, it was '60s night, so the players were wearing smart-looking retro uniforms, the cheerleaders were wearing go-go boots, etc. It was quite something).

Anyway, during the second half, the Eskimos found themselves on offence, but pinned way back on their own 2-yard line, with their backup quarterback in. In other words, they were in deep trouble. But, lo-and-behold, they drove the ball 108 yards down the field, scored a touchdown, and then followed that up with a two-point convert! And the fireworks duly went off, the fire engine drove upon its appointed course, and the cheerleaders and mascots leapt around gleefully.

Now, here's the bit where the silliness arrives. You may remember how I mentioned that this occurred during the second half? Well, to be specific, there were exactly 12 seconds left in the game, after the touchdown. And the touchdown made the score 40-22. For B.C. And I thought that it would be a bit of an idea for the folks running "the show" to say: "At this point we are 100% likely to lose this game badly, and maniacly celebrating the fact that the margin of defeat will be 18 rather than 26 points is not only silly, it's kinda pathetic."

Just a thought, anyway...

Oh For The Love Of Pete...

Just stop it already!

Slingin' Sammy Baugh

A sad sports note. Sammy Baugh was the man who made the forward pass an integral part of football. In 1943, he led the NFL in passing (as a quarterback), interceptions (as a defensive back), and punting (as, well, a punter). That is probably not something we will see again.

Terminal Point of an Epoch

... yessiree, no cliches here (we give 110% and really come to play when it comes to avoiding cliches)

Anyway, getting back on topic:



Packers QB Favre to retire
Three-time MVP calling it quits following 17 seasons
Posted: Tuesday March 4, 2008 9:52AM; Updated: Tuesday March 4, 2008 1:16PM

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) -- After flirting with retirement for years, Brett Favre means it this time. The Green Bay Packers quarterback quit after a 17-season career in which he dazzled fans with his grit, heart and rocket of an arm.

Sad, but inevitable. At least he got to retire after what can only be described as a stunningly successful season.

And so now, the inevitable question - who's going to be the next Brett Favre? Who, next, is going to show that combination of ability and ebullient on-field running-around-like-a-kid personality. Tom Brady and Peyton Manning, while fine quarterbacks both, are disqualified on account of being robots. Donovan McNabb's been injured too much. Phil Rivers and Brady Quinn are apparently creeps (also Carson Palmer, by some accounts). So, who does that leave? JaMarcus Russell (Yes, I know he plays for Oakland, but still)? Drew Brees? Big Ben, in Pittsburgh (I did just wimp out of trying to spell his name, thank you for asking!)? Eli Manning (and it's no accident, methings, that young Elisha played the best football of his career after Jeremy Shockey was removed from the equation, speaking of creeps)? Maybe, but for now, Packers fans can but hope that the answer to that question is "Aaron Rodgers."*

*Edit: I somehow managed to leave Tony Romo off that list. He may, in fact, be the best candidate for "next Brett Favre."