An all-SEC national championship game is not only a testament to how strong the conference is, but a better example of just how good both the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Georgia Bulldogs are. Both schools have spent time ranked No. 1 at different points this season, and narrowly missed an in-season matchup with each […]
Category: Sports Columnists
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Another Viewpoint: “Buck O’Neil: The Forgotten Man”
Before I serve the main course, I would like to set the table. Followers of this space are aware that my three knuckleheads, Maddie, Jordan and John, often provide me with inspiration through their questions about sports. In this particular case, inspiration came from another source when I took my act on the road. Confused yet? […]
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Should Saquon Barkley Go No. 1 Overall in NFL Draft?
Speed, agility and power—Penn State running back Saquon Barkley offers them all. The third year runner dominated all season for the Nittany Lions and is highly expected to declare early for the 2018 NFL Draft. Scouts are unsure where Barkley could go as he’s been projected to go as high as No. 1 overall or […]
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Will the Oklahoma City Thunder Be in the Western Conference Finals?
The Oklahoma City Thunder haven’t exploded out of the gate as many predicted. Standing at 18-15, the Thunder are 7-3 over their last 10 games but haven’t displayed the same team cohesion found among many teams poised to make a deep playoff run. However, Russell Westbrook, Carmelo Anthony and Paul George form one of the […]
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Which Kobe Was Better? No. 8 or No. 24?
The Los Angeles Lakers will proudly retire both of Kobe Bryant’s jersey numbers on Dec. 18 during halftime of their home game against the Golden State Warriors. Bryant famously wore No. 8 during his first 10 years before switching to No. 24 and closing his career out 10 years afterward. While players can sometimes make […]
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Does the Frequently Viewed Ryan Shazier Injury Make You Reconsider Dangers of Football?
The NFL is under fire nationwide. Social issues and domestic violence problems aside, injuries this season have taken a toll on players and viewers alike. Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebacker Ryan Shazier lies on the field after an apparent injury in the first half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Monday, Dec. 4, […]
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Another Viewpoint: “Another Teaching Moment”
The gang—my grandkids, Maddie, Jordan and John—were gathered in the usual meeting place (my kitchen) when Ms. L excitedly announced that we had tickets for the production of the Nina Simone stage event. A voice piped up from the peanut gallery, “Who is Nina Simone?” It took me about a heartbeat to realize this was […]
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Can Josh Gordon Return to Form?
Fresh off a near three-year hiatus, embattled Cleveland Browns receiver Josh Gordon will return to the football field on Dec. 3 for the first time since 2014. Substance abuse and suspensions have zapped the winds out the sails of what appeared to be a bright career but after two-plus seasons away from the NFL, Gordon […]
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Should Derrick Rose Retire?
It seems as if Derrick Rose has been battling injuries since he entered the NBA. Now it seems he may be tired of fighting the war against his body. FILE – In this Nov. 5, 2017, file photo, Cleveland Cavaliers’ Derrick Rose, left, drive against Atlanta Hawks’ Dennis Schroder (17), from Germany, in the first half of […]
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Another Viewpoint: “My Two Cents”
A few issues I have been soap boxing for quite some time have come to the surface recently, and I have got to take this opportunity to say, “I told you so.” For years, I have said that Thursday Night Football is a money maker for the league, but bad for the players. I am not the only one […]
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Is Lonzo Ball a Bust?
Shooting 30 percent from the field, 22 percent from deep and just 46 percent from the free throw line, Los Angeles Lakers lottery pick point guard Lonzo Ball hasn’t resembled the sure-fire superstar his infamous father LaVar Ball promised he would be. The younger Ball has shot horribly from the field, played with a lack […]
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Another Viewpoint: “A Hot Mess”
My kitchen is the room of choice for solving problems and just hanging out, and the other day conversation centered on LaVar Ball and his three sons. Suddenly a voice came out of the peanut gallery, “Who is LaVar Ball?” It came to me that if these knuckleheads who eat and sleep sports don’t know, […]