Dec 22 2020

A Dad’s Jets Dilemma

In this clip, Rich Eisen discusses the New York Jets and their poorly timed win over the Los Angeles Rams. But he brings up something else that’s dad-related.

Eisen’s son asked him if he was upset about the win, and while he was indeed (because this means they probably won’t get the number one pick) he felt like he should say something else. Namely that the win was great because it showed character. The team didn’t take defeat lying down. Talking about running back Frank Gore, Eisen said, “I’m a hall of famer and I don’t want 0-16 on my resume.” (Paraphrasing.)

But he’s a Jets fan. And he needs to teach his son a different lesson. Namely, that the Jets stink and will always hurt you, no matter what.

See also: Mike Francesa Says Parents Should Relax About Fandom

See also also: Raising Kids To Be Fans Of Perpetually Poor Sports Teams


Nov 08 2020

Garrett Gilbert’s Father Gale Gilbert Was A Quarterback, Too

Garrett Gilbert’s father, Gale Gilbert, was a quarterback too. It’s another case of father and son quarterbacks.

From Wikipedia:

Gale Reed Gilbert is a former American football quarterback who played eight seasons in the NFL for the Seattle Seahawks, Buffalo Bills, and the San Diego Chargers. Gilbert is the only player in NFL history to be on five consecutive Super Bowl teams, none of which won.

Wikipedia

Bit of a specious claim to fame there, but hey, it’s better than nothing.

He was also a part of The Play:

He played for Cal.

Garrett, of course, is currently the quarterback of the Dallas Cowboys because everyone else is injured. Maybe he’ll win one someday. I’m sure his dad will be proud either way. Sports dads are proud of their kids even if they stink, and Gilbert just had a decent debut for (cough) “America’s team.” Following in dad’s footsteps is a nice thing. Playing in the NFL when you weren’t expecting to do so is even better.


Dec 07 2017

NFL Should Not Be Convincing Parents To Let Kids Play Football

This article from ESPN about the state of the NFL under Roger Goodell had a line that made me go “hmm”.

NFL Convincing Parents To Let Kids Play Football? No

“How it will convince mothers that their kids should be allowed to play football.”

So… no.

First, is this article suggesting that fathers have no say in their children playing football? Or that fathers are throwing their children onto the gridiron whether they like it or not? I don’t think so. Can we at least start saying “parents” instead of “mothers” unless we’re talking about breast-feeding?

Second, and this is my main point — how the hell is it the NFL’s job to convince parents to “let” their kids play football? Answer: it isn’t. I suppose the idea here is that to keep a fresh supply of players in the pro league you need kids playing pee-wee football. (Pee-Wee!) To me, the NFL’s job is to make sure parents are informed about the dangers of playing football, and then parents can make their own decisions. If nothing else, the NFL shouldn’t be PREVENTING that information from coming to light, something they have almost certainly done.

Really though, is it the NFL commissioner’s job to “convince mothers that their kids should be allowed to play football“? Fuck no.


Aug 05 2016

Holy Crap James Harrison Is Strong (Video)

In case you didn’t know, NFL players are not like the rest of us. (Unless you happen to be an NFL player, of course.) Most of them are bigger, stronger, and faster. Also stronger. Have I mentioned stronger? Here’s a video of Pittsburgh Steelers‘ linebacker James Harrison throwing his children into the pool.

James…. I think Henry had more fun watching this one ?

A video posted by James Harrison (@jhharrison92) on

I mean… wow. One commenter summed it up thusly:

alexweatherly @teeeeeker he throws a kid higher than I can throw a balloon

Yeah. That’s about all you need to say.

You can check out Mr. Harrison’s Instagram page for more things you probably can’t do, many of them involving epic Feats of Strength.

Sorry, gotta post this now:

Get NFL fan stuff on Amazon


Feb 06 2016

Cam Newton Named His Kid Chosen

With the Super Bowl coming up tomorrow, a little story about how Cam Newton named his kid Chosen. You know, to avoid the pressure of being named Cam Jr.

PLUMBBOB/NEWTON - September 16, 1957 - NEVADA ...

PLUMBBOB/NEWTON – September 16, 1957 – NEVADA TEST SITE — The fireball of the 20th full-scale nuclear detonation of Operation Plumbbob lights Yucca Flat. Code-named NEWTON, the device was suspended by a balloon at an altitude of 1,500 feet. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The above photo came up because it happens to contain the word “Newton”, but it also is what happened to my head when I read this story. Don’t get me wrong. Cam can name his kid whatever he likes. However… “Chosen”? I assume he’s joking, at least a little bit, when he says it’s about avoiding pressure.

Father and son quarterbacks are certainly a thing — the Mannings being the easiest example. Peyton Manning will be playing in Super Bowl 50 against Cam Newton. Peyton and his wife Ashley have a son (part of a set of twins), so I guess it’s possible that kid could become a quarterback and Cam’s son could become a quarterback, and then they could play against each other in Super Bowl 75 or something. If so, you heard it speculated about here first.

In the interest of equal time, here’s a story about Peyton Manning doing something nice for a player on the practice squad who helped him with his rehab.

Go good game! Yay both teams!

Cam Newton Rocks Father-and-Son Dab Emoji Shirt Before Game vs. Seahawks

Cam Newton recently became a father, and revealed that his son’s name is Chosen. Why that name? In part, because Newton didn’t want his kid to have to live with the pressure of being named Cam Newton Jr.

Source: Cam Newton Didn’t Want To Put A Lot Of Pressure On His Kid, So He Named Him Chosen (Deadspin)


Jan 04 2016

Tom Coughlin Steps Down As Giants Head Coach

Tom Coughlin has announced that he will step down as head coach of the New York football Giants. In part, he said this was the right decision for his family.

Tom Coughlin
Image Credit: Wikipedia

Coach Coughlin, with Eli Manning as quarterback, led the Giants to two Super Bowl wins, both over the Patriots, the first one ruining New England’s perfect season. You know, the one with the David Tyree helmet catch:

It would’ve been nice to see Tom go out on a higher note, but things don’t always work out that way. I think most Giants’ fans would agree that he had a good run. I know I do. I wish him well and hope he gets plenty of time to enjoy his grandchildren.

Tom Coughlin released a statement Monday, and will step down as head coach of the Giants

Source: Statement from Tom Coughlin  (Giants.com)


Nov 30 2015

DeAngelo Williams Little Girl on Twitter

It didn’t quite work out the way they planned it, but this picture of Pittsburgh Steelers’ running back DeAngelo Williams little girl on Twitter is adorable.