Flying Fan

Photo Credit: 
http://www.wanderlustatlanta.com/ 

Two fans were injured at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia after a 20 year old male fell from the upper deck and landed on a fan in the mezzanine area.  The young man fell about 35 feet during the Tennessee vs. NC State game.  Both fans were taken to the Atlanta Medical Center after the incident, where it was stated that both fans suffered minor injuries.

"We were celebrating.  He started pumping fists and was leaning over the rail.  He just slipped off.  We looked down.  It took forever to get someone down there.  He was moving a little but it took about fifteen minutes to get a stretcher down there." -Ryan Coleman, Tennessee Senior

The young man fell when Tennessee scored there second touchdown of the first half.

Replacement Refs In

Look like the replacement refs are in for the NFL, at least they are for week 1.  Ray Anderson, NFL Executive Vice President, informed the 32 teams on Wednesday via memo stating that the replacement refs will work as much of the regular season as necessary.

"One of our key goals in this negotiation is to enhance our ability to recruit, train and replace officials who are not performing adequately.  We believe that officials should be evaluated and performance issues addressed in the same way as players, coaches, club management and league staff.  We have proposed several steps to accomplish this, including having a number of full-time officials and expanding the overall number of officials." -Ray Anderson

The NFL Referees Association has been locked out since early July and negotiations are currently at a stand still between the referees and the league.

"We are not surprised, based on Ray Anderson's statement, that the NFL was not going to reach out to us. However, this is consistent with the NFL's negotiating strategy which has been 'take it or leave it and lock them out.'  It now appears the NFL is willing to forego any attempt to reach a deal in the last seven days before opening night." -Michael Arnold, NFLRA spokesman

The NFL's opening night of regular season is Wednesday September 5 between the Dallas Cowboys and defending champs New York Giants.

Notre Dame suspends Cierre Woods

Notre Dame announced Sunday that Running Back Cierre Woods as well as Defensive End Justin Utopo would be suspended for the first two games of the season.

"Our players are aware of the standards I set for our program and that failure to meet my expectations will result in consequences.  Justin and Cierre violated our team rules so I've suspended them for the first two games of the season." -Coach Brian Kelly

The school did not announce what caused the suspensions but other players of the program have also been suspended including quarterback Tommy Rees and Linebacker Carlo Calabrese.  The suspensions come at the same time as Cornerback Lo Wood being out for the entire season with a ruptured Achilles.   

TO Out

Joe Nicholson/US PRESSWIRE

Just when we think that things may be looking up for Terrell Owens, we  get news that things are back on the downfall.  Seattle announced Sunday that they had terminated TO's contract.  All teams had to reduce their roster from 90 to 75 by Monday August 27th at 4PM EST. Unfortunately for Owens he was one of those 15 that the Seahawks decided to let go.  

Owens took to twitter and stated the following:

I'm no longer a Seahawk I THANK the organization for the opportunity, I'm truly blessed beyond belief.  My FAITH is intact and will not waiver."

Owens last played in the NFL for the Bengals in 2010.  During the preseason TO caught only two passes in the second and third preseason games.  Lack of production and the large number of drops outweighed his catches and workouts.

"We really liked the group that we assembled.  Terrell came in here and busted his tail and he looked really effective right from the start.  But as we just took a look at our guys that are coming through the program and growing up with us we thought it would be best for us to stay with those guys." -Coach Pete Carroll

Lance Armstrong Bows Down

 Photo: EPA/OLIVIER HOSLET

There comes a point in every man's life when he has to say 'Enough is enough.' For me that time is now." -Lance Armstrong

Vick Leaves Game With Injury, AGAIN

It's only game 2 of the preseason and Michael Vick has already had to leave the game twice due to injuries.  Is this a bad sign for the Eagles?

Ejected Fans Required to Take Course

Seems like the NFL is fed up with the misbehavior of fans at the games. Any fan that gets ejected from a football game must now take a four-hour online course before being able to return to a game.

Jeff Demps Signs With Patriots

JAMIE SQUIRE/GETTY IMAGES

What a way to return home from the Olympics by signing a contract with the New England Patriots.

Tyrann Mathieu Enters Rehab

Photo: wbir.com

According to a news report by WVUE-RV in New Orleans, La, Mathieu's adoptive father, Tyrone Mathieu, has stated that the former LSU star has been at the Right Step Recovery Center in Houston, TX.  Tyrone Mathieu told the news that Tyrann is committed to restoring his health and will not play football until he is confident that his rehab is complete.

Tyrann Mathieu was dismissed from the LSU football team on August 10th after violation of the program's substance-abuse policy.  According to sources Tyrann had failed his third drug test and was dismissed from the team.  According to LSU approximately 20 college football programs have approached the school asking for permission to speak Mathieu about transferring to their football program.  Although teams have approached Mathieu, Tyrann has stated that he was interested in enrolling in classes at LSU with the hopes of returning to the football program in 2013.

Hope that everything works out for Tyrann Mathieu and he gets the helps he needs. There is nothing worse than a great talent that goes to waste.

No Coconut Water for Chad Johnson

Due to the recent bad happenings in Chad Johnson's life, Zico brand, producers of coconut water, has decided to drop Chad Johnson from its endorsement roster.  Zico Brand released the following statement:

"The Zico brand is about supporting naturally powered athletes.  We partnered with Chad Johnson because of our great respect for what he has achieved on the playing field.  However, in light of recent events involving Mr. Johnson, we have decided to terminate our relationship.  The values we espouse, through our employees, our customers and our brand,  are central to our mission.  We have taken this proactive step to demonstrate just how important those values are." -Zico company statement

The endorsement of Chad Johnson for Zico was just announced on July 25th and lasted less than his marriage to Evelyn.  Reebok spokesman Daniel Sarro said that Chad Johnson was still under contract with Reebok although he is no longer on a team.  So in the mist of losing pretty much everything for head butting wife Evelyn Lozado it seems that Reebok may be the one of the only things that Chad has left.  

Chad Johnson Arrested and Released by Dolphins

Twitter went crazy last night when news that Chad "Ochocinco" Johnson had been arrested on some type of domestic charges. Once details began to surface jokes and "words of advice" for the star was the discussion on twitter.

Howard to the Lakers

Associated Press

Dwight Howard is finally no longer a Orlando Magic.  The superstar Center as been traded to the Los Angeles Lakers in a trade that involved four teams.

The four team trade sent Howard to the Lakers and was completed late Thursday night according to sources.  Howard still stands firm on not signing an extension and becoming a free agent at the end of this upcoming season.  But the Lakers are not worried about that.  Lakers were willing to sign Howard without an extension believing that once Howard gets an experience of a championship culture he would be willing to stay longer.

Richardson Scheduled to Have Surgery

Trent Richardson is tentatively scheduled to undergo arthroscopic surgery today to remove a "hang nail particle" of loose cartilage that's causing irritation on his left knee.  Richardson could go without the surgery but the team and Richardson decided it was best to take care of the situation early in the preseason.  The small particle has caused swelling in his knee and was detected by an MRI that was conducted on his knee.  Richardson had arthroscopic surgery February 3rd after suffering a torn meniscus during the BCS Championship gave against LSU.

"Trent Richardson is traveling to Pensacola, Florida, where he will have his left knee further evaluated by Dr. James Andrews tomorrow." -Statement released by Cleveland Browns yesterday

Richardson is expected to be back ready to play before the regular season opener and his recovery time is scheduled to be approximately two weeks.  

Son of Andy Reid Found Dead

TIM SHAFFER/REUTERS

In just the past 2 weeks the NFL community has been hit by back to back deaths that has been a shock to everyone.  The oldest son of Andy Reid, Garrett Reid, was found dead Sunday morning in his room at the Eagles' training camp at Lehigh University.  The 29 year old Reid had struggled with drug abuse for years and was imprisoned in 2007 but had since made a turn around in his life.  Garrett Reid was assisting the Eagles' strength coaches at camp and no foul play has been associated with his death.

The entire NFL community was saddened by the news of Reid's passing and more than 900 people gathered for Garrett's funeral Tuesday morning.  Among those that were present for the funeral included NFl commissioner Roger Goodell, Browns President Mike Holmgren, and Patriots coach Bill Belichick.  The Eagles players and team employees were brought to the funeral together by bus and among them there was also other players and coaches present including former Eagles QB Donovan McNabb.  Garrett Reid's service was held at a Mormon church in Broomall, PA.

"Today is one of life's tough days.  Andy is a rock-solid man.  I think what makes him a great coach is his combination of compassion, feeling and strength.  We've all suffered--most of us have suffered tragedy in our lives.  Losing a son is unimaginable.  Losing a child is unimaginable--the pain.  Again, he is rock solid." -Jeffery Lurie, Philadelphia Eagles Owner

My condolences go out to the Reid family and friends.

Former Penn State Players set to Appeal Sanctions

A group of former Penn State players have come together and notified the NCAA of their intention to appeal the sanctions set on the football program due to the Jerry Sandusky scandal.

The group of players consist of former quarterback Michael Robinson (2001-2005), Anwar Phillips (2001-2005), Josh Gaines (2004-2008), Shamar Finney (1998-2002), Richard Gardner (1999-2003), Gerald Cadogan (2004-2008), Anthony Adams (1998-2002), Just Kiurpeikis (1996-2000), and ex-assistant coach Bill Kenney.

The group is represented by Attorney Paul V. Kelly, who sent in an intent to appeal letter to the NCAA dated August 7, 2012.  According to the governing body for college sports has said that the sanctions brought are not subject to appeal.  This is not the first intent to appeal letter that the NCAA has received on behalf of Penn State, a PSU trustee has also sent in an intent to appeal letter.

History: First Woman Set to Officiate in NFL

NFL.com

The National Football League confirmed Monday that the first time that a woman will officiate in a NFL game will take place this Thursday during the Packers vs. Chargers preseason game.  Shannon Eastin has 16 years of experience as an referee and has been a referee for the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.  The news of this historic moment was first announced by the LA Times early Monday.  The NFL are currently using replacement referees after locking out permanent officials due to contract disputes.  The first woman to officiate any major United States professional sport occurred in the NBA in 1997.

"I want to encourage women: Don't be afraid.  Pursue and have dreams. This is my dream. With every step, I hope to show it really doesn't matter if you are male and female." -Eastin told the Associated Press

Eastin will serve as the line judge during Thursday night's game.

Terrell Owens Sign With Seahawks

AP

Look like things may be looking up for 38 year old Terrell Owens.  The Seattle Seahawks announced Monday night that they had agreed to a one year deal with free agent wide receiver Terrell Owens.  A source told ESPN's Ed Werder that Owen's received a one year deal worth approximately $1 million.  The Seahawks was impressed with Owens who worked out with the team Monday where he ran the 40 in 4.45 seconds.

Owens has had a rough time in the last few years.  Owens hasn't played in the NFL since the 2010 season and underwent knee surgery after suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament in April of 2011.  After several attempts of returning to the NFL, including a public workout in which he invited teams to come watch him workout, Owens received no interest from any NFL team this past season, which led him to playing in the IFL for the Allen Wranglers.  Owens was then removed from the Wranglers and loss his ownership percentage in the team after issues with the team.

Owens last season in the NFL with the Cincinnati Bengals, he had 72 catches for 983 yards and 9 touchdown.  Last year with the Wranglers Owens had 35 catches for 420 yards and 10 touchdowns in 8 of 11 games.

"God is good. Thankful. Grateful. To ALL my new teammates and the "12th Man"... Lets Do This" -TO on Twitter

Team USA Basketball Point Proven

Photo Credit: AP

Well the world has been so caught up in comparing the current Team USA basketball team to the '92 Dream Team that they haven't really paid attention to their play until this game.  If Team USA was trying to prove a point to the world, it was proven against Nigeria today.  The United States team beat Nigeria by more points than the Nigeria team even scored in the entire game.  Team USA broke the record for the most points scored in an Olympic contest, which was formerly held by the 1988 Brazil team with 138 points, scoring 156 points.  Not only did the team break a record, Carmelo Anthony broke a Team USA individual record for most points scored by a player in an Olympic game with 37 points in only 14 minutes.

To say that Team USA went off on Nigeria is an understatement.  Carmelo and company beat Nigeria by 83 points with the final score being 156-73.  The team went on a shooting rampage from the tip off of the game going a 13-0 run in the first three minutes of the game and scoring 49 points, which included 11 3-pointers, in the first quarter alone.  The team ended of the game shooting 71.1% from the floor and shooting 63% from 3 point range making 29 of 46 3 pointers.  Doc Rivers stated after the game that it this game may have been the best shooting performance in history.  Lebron James only had 6 points in the entire game and Kobe Bryant scored only 16 points in only 11 minutes of play.  Russell Westbrook had an exciting game as well exploding to add 21 points.  Sad thing is though is without Camelo's 37 points and Westbrook's 21 points the United States still would have beat Nigeria by 25 points.

I don't know what point Team USA Basketball was trying to make but point proven and the world heard you loud and clear.