Pro Bowl?! Pro Bowl?! There's no Pro Bowl!

If there is ever a sport where the fans should revolt about it’s all-star game...it is football. The Pro Bowl isn’t about bringing the NFL stars together and making the fans’ fantasy league dreams a reality. It's about making money, and in this economy who can fight that. And I know it's technically not an all-star game, but we all know that's the inference. Every player on the field is a pro, and not coming from an obscure arena-league. But every other sport has it's all-star game, and we know the NFL is doing everything in its ability to make this their's.

You can argue that every all-star game is simply a money-making tool for the association or league that oversees the sport. But when the Pro Bowl roster is announced, and then the third-string player at that position is moved up because the other players didn’t want to play...there is a problem. The league should be ashamed of asking fans to vote for the Pro-Bowl, because it doesn’t matter. For the most part, the stars don’t want to fulfill my fantasy of having the best at each position come together and form the ultimate team. They’re fine and happy with that simply playing out in the fantasy leagues.

And if there is a sport that has a clear case for not manufacturing these super teams, it is the NFL. The chance of injury is high, unless we let them play flag football. Millions of dollars, careers, and an entire franchise’s future can easily hang in the balance of a player needlessly being injured in an exhibition game. So, I completely understand Brett Favre wanting to rest those 40-year-old legs after a long, tough, grueling season on the gridiron. And if I was a team owner, I would not want my marquee players on the field, either. To add insult to injury, moving it to the week preceding the Super Bowl automatically removes any player on a Super Bowl team.

So who’s the starting NFC quarterback--not Drew Brees, not Brett Favre...it’s Tony Romo! Romo, is this year’s NFC Pro-Bowl starting quarterback?! Romo! And this is going to be in his bio and stat sheets? If there was ever a place to put an asterisk mark it’s on that stat.

So, the players don’t want to play in the Pro-Bowl. The fans are not going to see the their fantasy league teams a reality. And yet, there is a Pro Bowl. Please stop the charade! It’s not a Pro-Bowl, let’s be honest and real what this game is and make it interesting. Maybe revive Battle of the Network Stars and have Romo doing a three-legged race with Heidi Montag. Because the truth is, what is now called the Pro-Bowl is little more than just that.

Four Steps to Turn your Daughters Sports Fans!

How to raise two girls to be sports junkies? Well, to be honest, the formula is still a work in progress. I won't have definitive proof until they become college students. But that hasn't stopped any athletic supplement makers, so I won't let it stop me either. So, here is what I've learned so far:

No. 1: Make them turn the channel to ESPN so often that they have the satellite station number memorized.

All I have to say is, turn on ESPN and in an instant 206 has been punched on the remote. Sometimes, they'll question and ask who's playing. Often, I don't know and will respond, "Does it matter? It's (fill in the sport) season..." Soon enough whether it's college or professional basketball, they are entranced and asking me who we're rooting for. SportsCenter should be on every morning while they get dressed for school. Nothing gives a more well-rounded education than SportsCenter, and they're half asleep--simply happy that the television is on. It's really the only time I can get them to watch it for more than 10 minutes...

No. 2: Always have someone to root for!

I often don't care who wins, I just want to watch a game. But the kids need a hero and a villain. Sometimes it's easy: Texas, Virginia Tech, Spurs... Other times it's Notre Dame versus Syracuse, like last night, and I really don't care. But if there's no one to root for, in my daughters' eyes, then there is no reason to watch! So, I'll quickly use deductive reasoning. Well, we cheered Notre Dame on at the Alamodome (there was no reason to cheer for Washington State), so we're Irish fans tonight girls! The next question is always, "What color are they?" I'll give them the color, and they're off...living and dying with every shot and foul.

No. 3: Kids are like sponges in front of a tv! Why do you think so many infomercials for products kids have absolutely no need for are advertised during cartoons?!

I'm all for them watching cartoons, but when it comes to family time I really have a hard time watching Pokemon and Bakugan. (I see old age setting in because they give me a headache!) So, I say, let's put on sports. I stay generic, and you never know what you might end up watching. My 9-year-old loves watching every sport she can with me. She even became a monster truck fan, and begged my dad to take her to a monster truck show--a first for both of them. How? Well, my dad loves watching Formula One, and sometimes monster trucks will come on after the race, and the two will sit and watch them. Next thing you know, she's a Formula One/Monster Truck fan!

Now, back to my beef about infomercials during cartoons. I cannot tell you how many times my 6-year-old has barged into the room telling me how I must get the purse that has a pocket for everything, or oxyclean will take all my stains out, or money is literally flying out of our house due to the crack under our front door. These advertising geniuses know that I'm not watching Teen Titans, but they can drive these messages so deep into my children's conscience that they will recite them verbatim the next time I say, "I can't find the keys in my purse."

No. 4: Take them out to the ball game!

There's nothing, I mean nothing, that the thrill of actually being at a game to make your kids die-hard sports fans better than attending a game! Unfortunately, you need to save for most of the year, or go into credit card debt to attend many games. But a little mascot, good ole American junk food, humiliating timeout games, the opportunity to see your face on the biggest tv in your life, and repetitive cheering of the same word--like "defense," "offense" or maybe even a phrase, "Go Spurs Go"--will too have your child running for the nearest tv when you say, "The Spurs on tv." So far, that also works when I say "Texas" or "Virginia Tech" in my house. 

From an early age, I've known that my 9-year-old is in the bag. She has always asked detailed questions on the rules of the games and players--she devours the information. My six-year-old, princess-loving dancer seemed most likely destined to become the most informed cheerleader on the sideline rather than the play-by-play announcer. But she has since started choosing Spurs over cartoons, and will beg relentlessly to see the end of a close game. So, as you never know! Or, as the infomercials say, "It's worked for me, and it can work for you, too!"

USC's Drama Dept. Got a New Leading Man

Lane Kiffin is my favorite man that I love to hate! His press conferences should be aired live so we can all watch the train wreck of quotes that will soon fly over the Internet as they occur. There's nowhere better for him to be than Los Angeles, and even more appropriately--USC! The university with one of the best Drama programs in the country, has a new drama king. I honestly think his press conferences will make Southern California forget about watching high-speed chases because there will always be a wreck when Kiffin has a mike.

Kiffin just had a supporting role when he was there before. But he returns a leading man, although I'd say his box-office returns have been less than stellar! What exactly has Kiffin done that's so amazing to deserve this much attention? He went 5-15 before being fired from the Oakland Raiders and was only 7-6 at Tennessee--having lost in the Chick-Fil-A Bowl to my VA Tech Hokies. 

I'm saddened for the Volunteers and their fans because this program definitely didn't deserve to be treated like this. But if you ask me, Tennessee is coming out way ahead on this one. You lost the man who was gunning to be the next Steve Spurrier (ughh, just writing that makes me nauseous), either Kiffin or USC has to pay Tennessee $800,000, and you now have the opportunity to get a real coach who can make a difference. And if you steal Muschamp from Texas, I'm going to be very sad not to be covering him any longer (I'm dating myself now, but I used to cover Muschamp when he played for Georgia...and that team has put out some great coaches!). But you're going to be so much better off!

Not to mention Vol fans, Kiffin is always going to have Rocky Top on his mind...every time he says the name of his son--Knox!

God Opens a Window ...

UT's hopes of being No. 1 in the nation were dashed on Jan. 7, but that was football. That season's over and now for the first time in school history, the UT basketball is ranked No. 1!! First time in UT history that their basketball team has ever been ranked No. 1. In Longhorn Country you can say, "When God shuts a door, he opens a window." 

So, for UT that window is an undefeated, No. 1 ranked basketball team. Unlike football, though, all you have to really be is in the top 64 and you have a shot at the national title. Of course, there's a harder road to the Final Four for No. 64 than No. 1, and I don't want to take anything away from the UT basketball team, but being No. 1 at the halfway point is kind of like being crowned Ms. Congeniality. Now I think Texas has great potential to win the national title! (Winning back-to-back games against UNC and Michigan State shows they can handle the vigors of March Madness.) And the rest of the field has the rest of the season to knocking them off.

But I'm going to try an break my journalist-leanings to always knocking off whoever is on top and root UT on to breaking its bridesmaid run of being second--although No. 2 in football, women's volleyball and baseball is an amazing accomplishment. (Heck, my VA Tech Hokies would love to be No. 2 in anything!) But there is something about always coming in second that is a definitely bitter-sweet. 

So, go for the crown--I mean ring--UT, and looking forward to bouncing through the ups and downs to March Madness. Oh, I'm dying to start writing about my love of March...but I'll stop here!

Colt's Eternal Championship

Alabama took the national title in one of the most interesting championship games, I can remember. It was like riding roller coaster for both the Bama and Longhorn fans. But it can't be defined as a traditional battle, and it wasn't a blowout (although I expect many would challenge me on that)--it was a storyline unique to its own. I'm sure many sportswriters thought they'd have the game story written at half and could've just plugged in second half stats, quotes, and have an early night home. But while the writers hurried to type their stories, Garrett Gilbert decided to make the leap from top prep to top collegiate quarterback. 

It's a storyline that I honestly think will not be completed in this lifetime. 

I loved watching a true freshman step up in the most important game of the season. He had no warning, no prep time, and no expectation that he was going to play on January 7. But there he was on international television going through the range of emotions from confusion to excitement to fear, and then at halftime he accepted the situation and gave it everything he had to win the game. I can't wait to see what he brings next year, and if Texas can get their offensive line situation solidified I think you'll see Texas right back in the national championship in less than four years.

Gilbert was an example of perseverance in the face of chaos. The other quarterback standing helplessly on the sidelines showed grace in the face of tragedy. Colt McCoy brought tears to my eyes as he demonstrated true sportsmanship, not the fake shaking of the hands before the game sportsmanship, but heart-felt respect for the game sportsmanship. He congratulated Alabama, but it was his standing firmly on the Rock that showed the depths of his soul. 

Colt gave a testimony and demonstrated his faith for the world, and the life or lives whom he impacted in that two-minute interview will be worth so much more than a national championship! God does have a plan for everything in this world, even when the world messes it up. And I'm sure there are Longhorn fans out there who would agree the world messed up their 2009 national title. Where or not that is true is only known in Heaven, but the glory God used Colt for on the national championship night is eternal!

Hook Em Horns

I've been a very bad blogger during football season. It started off so strong, and then I started co-hosting a radio show "Longhorn Live," doing daily updates, and the next thing I knew the whole football season had gone by and the last thing I posted is now moot. Blount got his second chance with Oregon, and his combine performance will probably decide his NFL future. Tomorrow night is the national championship with Texas, the team I've been covering all season, going up against Alabama. I'm looking forward to the game and have to come up with my score for the pre-game show tomorrow. But I'm calling a defensive battle. Low scoring. Great red zone stands. Kickers ... hope you're warmed up!

Looking back on this football season, I did things I never thought I would've done this year. And I never took any of it for granted because I doubt it'll ever happen again. But God surprised me with many opportunities this year, so who knows what 2010 will hold.

My favorite memory was the Texas-UCF game during Veteran's Day weekend. Had an amazing time going to the 1969 national championship reunion with the Air Force pilots who did the flyby. My friend Cory was very gracious to allow me to tag along. I even invited myself to breakfast with the team before the game with the pilots. I honestly expected someone to say, "Uh, we invited the pilots...not you." But that never happened and the next thing I know, I was sitting with the entire team, all of the coaches, athletic directors involved with football, and was eating steak and eggs. It was an honor to sit with the pilots and hear Cory's pep talk to the team before the game...and they won so I'd say he completed that mission with flying colors.

I also had the honor of spending time with Frank Denius. Most UT football fans would recognize that the practice fields are named after him. But he is not only a great benefactor to UT, but one of the 10 most decorated World War II heroes. He got choked up every time I broached the war topic. I had such a small taste of being in a combat zone during the Invasion of Panama that I can fathom but cannot even come close to understanding the sacrifices Mr. Denius has made for everyone around the world. I don't believe enough recognition could ever occur to fully honor a man of such fortitude and bravery.

So, when I watch the game tomorrow night. I'll remember my brief, and yet animated conversation with Sergio Kindle as he plays his final college game before entering the pros. The sweet smile and wave Jordan Shipley gave my daughter and her friend Ava before a game. And the warm handshake and humility that coach Mack Brown always gave upon greeting me. This Texas team is very special, and come win or loss tomorrow they are group who can hold their heads high for completing an undefeated season with such grace.

Hook Em Horns!

Blount Blows It ...

Oregon running back LeGarrette Blount came into the season with big hopes for both the Oregon Ducks and himself. NFL scouts had him on the radar as a second- or third-round draft pick, and he had boasted coming into the game that the 16th-ranked Ducks were going to give Boise State a whuppin on Thursday night. So, instead of keeping that whupping on the field of play, he allowed his anger to get the best of him and delivered a sucker punch on Bronco's defensive end Byron Hout.

Blount then boiled over when the fans began taunting him for loosing control, and it took two officers and two coaches to hold him back from whuppin some students in the stands. Blount seemed intent on keeping his pre-game promise of exacting revenge for last season's loss to Boise State. The scene was replayed over and over and over on ESPN, as the commentators and I sat at home speechless at such a spectacle of rage.

And in the instant of one clutched fist Oregon dropped from the sky as if it was Duck hunting season in Idaho. The NFL scouts now say Blount is undraftable, and Oregon is left with two redshirt freshmen to carry its running game. The Ducks, who thought this was going to be a breakthrough season, are now wondering how long they can stay in the Top 25.

I highly commend Oregon's first-year head coach Chip Kelly for immediately deciding Blount would be suspended for the remainder of the season after viewing the video. It's nice to see integrity and morales still take a higher priority than winning football games. An even larger testament to sportsmanship than the insincere hand shakes the NCAA is now requesting teams do at the beginning of games. Every action has a consequence--some good and some bad.

The ripple effect of Blount's actions have the capacity of actually having more good than bad consequences. While the senior played his final football game (outside of a backyard pick-up game) on the Boise blue turf, his scholarship is still intact offering him the opportunity to earn a college degree--a gift I hope Blount takes full advantage of. As Blount sobbed at the realization of his actions, Kelly held him accountable. It takes strength for Kelly to stand-up and give a great life lesson, and it's one that should have practical implications for Blount the rest of his life. And Oregon now faces an adversity it didn't expect to face this season. Now more than ever, the Ducks will need to come together as a team and constructively work to have any chance at the Pac-10 title.

But how Kelly ties this team together at this point, is as critical as his decision to remove Blount permanently from the team. Kelly had this team tied by vengeance coming into the game, not the healthiest way to bring people together. Oregon was pumped to exact that revenge on Boise State. Passion is instrumental to a football team's success, but vengeance rarely produces positive effects. And the Ducks played the game listlessly with their emotions built so high that they had difficulty staying focused on the tasks at hand. (It was one of the reasons I picked Boise State to win the game. It was in stark contrast to the Bronco's head coach Chris Petersen, who chose to prepare his team as it was any other game of the season.)

The game was also a good example of why the pre-game handshake only proves an insincere action is not better than no action at all. Going into game day, a player has to have the heart to throw his body into forces of equal or greater momentum, and to do that takes passion that can easily enter the realm of rage. And, honestly does anyone think there was good sportsmanship in the Oregon-Boise State game after Blount's punch and Hout's taunting? But they shook hands before the game . . .

Developing a heart to handle our emotions is one of life's most difficult lessons to learn. But it's also one of the most important life skills one needs to be able to handle the stresses life throws at us--and there's no room for insincerity! Maybe now, instead of encouraging a facade of sportsmanship, the NCAA will focus on what's at the heart of good sportsmanship and encourage teaching the lessons of morality, integrity, and faith that can truly develop that heart. And maybe through seeing that put into action on the field, its fans will follow suit and not taunt someone who is at a breaking point in his life.