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| This issue, TSAReport.com caught up the with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and LISC CEO Michael Rubingeras they celebrated a partnership that has infused $20 million into 150 football fields for youth in low-income urban communities. Minnesota's Visanthe Shiancoe talks about his New York swagger, new team, and new position with Vikings. New Orleans, Rasual Butler gets down and personal, talking about the Trina smack and his plans for underprivileged children. TSAReport.com also introduces new guest columist Dave K. Far-El. Check it out! |
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NFL HONORED IN HARLEM
Words by T. Ruiz |
On December 11th 2007, Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) honored the National Football League for the $20 million it has granted over the last decade to revitalize more than 150 playing fields in underserved neighborhoods nationwide. In attendance, at the ceremony which took place at Harlem River Park in Manhattan, were the Abyssinian Baptist Church Crusaders football team members (one of nearly twenty football teams that plays at the revitalized park), former NFL players, and community residents. The Harlem River Park field, which once consisted of very little grass and a lot of dirt, now has a new synthetic turf field provided by the NFL Grassroots Program, a partnership between the NFL Youth Fund and LISC, the nation's leading community development support organization. The field was funded in part by a $200,000 grant from the grassroots program. It is one of five fields in N.Y.C. being refurbished by NFL grants. "Football fields are an integral part of creating viable and healthy communities," said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, who also is a member of LISC's national board of directors. "The development and refurbishment of these fields gives youngsters across the country a safe place to play the game, and brings families and neighborhoods together." The $20 million in grants from the NFL during the past decade has leveraged an additional $58 million in funding from other private and public sources to rehabilitate old fields or build new ones.
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BIG CITY SWAGGER MEETS THE MIDWEST
Words by: L.A. Sharp
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With the move to Minnesota this year, Tight End Visanthe Shiancoe took his well-known big city bravado to the chilly climate of the Midwest. The results have been bitter sweet. The Vikings have been able to return back to respectability. However, a slow start to the season came back to haunt them, as they fell short of the playoffs by just a game, losing out to his former team in the Wild-Card chase, the New York Giants.
“His ego is a little bit higher. You can smell something when he comes around. It smells like money,” Antonio Peirce, friend and former teammate of Shiancoe told the New York Daily News.
In response, Shiancoe said through laughter, “That’s my boy… You know you need swagger to be in New York City.”
Despite his reputation for flamboyance, Shiancoe is a self-proclaimed God-fearing man. When asked to discuss something embarrassing that people may catch him doing Shiancoe said, “I pray a lot. Not to say that praying is embarrassing, but when I do it, a person may be in the middle of a conversation with me, and a thought may just pop-up in my mind, and I would just start to pray.”
Shiancoe must have been doing a lot of praying on the field this year, as he and the impressive Offensive Line for the Vikings, helped running back Adrian Peterson become the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year – along the way, Peterson broke the single game rushing record for the NFL.
Although he left the bright-lights of the big city behind, for Shiancoe, the future still looks promising. After years of backing-up perennial Pro-Bowler Jeremy Shockey, Shiancoe is now a key member of a resurging franchise.
Who knows? Maybe a little Big-City swagger was just what the Vikings needed.
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A "LIL' BOP" TO A JUMP SHOT
Words by H.L.
A day before The New Orleans Hornets took on the New Jersey Nets at the Meadowlands in East Rutherford, New Jersey on November 12th, TSAReport.com caught up with Rasual Butler. Although exhausted from the Philadelphia 76ers game played earlier, winning 93-72, the South Philly native found enough energy to make humorous comments. Considering himself the best dressed on his team, Rasual arrived in comfortable sweats, sneakers, and a jacket, commenting “MY STYLE IS normally INCOMPARABLE AND CONSERVATIVE, I LIKE TO PUT THINGS ON THAT PEOPLE WOULD ASK ME WERE DID I GET IT?” The New Orleans guard isn’t very flashy, but due to his height of 6 foot 7 inches, Rasual stood out amongst his surroundings. Mr. Butler made some time for our readers by answering a couple of questions, giving us a little insight on his exciting life.
TSAReport.com- Why were you given the nickname "Sual Bop," by your friends?
Rasual Butler- My nick name was giving to me because of the way I used to walk when I
was younger with a lil little bop as I was learning my fast growing body at the time
and because of my jumpshot.
TSAReport.com- OK Rasual, be honest, when Trina slapped you in her "Here We Go,"
video featuring Kelly Rowland did it hurt?
R. B.- When I was smacked by Trina in the video it didn't hurt it was little
sexy. I actually enjoyed it! But she didn't want to hurt me either; it
looked a lot worst than it actually felt! The director and I assured
her that she wouldn't hurt me, it was good acting from her and I.
TSAReport- What do you and your teammates do on your days off in New Orleans?
R.B.- Some of us go bowling. Chris Paul thinks he’s the best bowler we have
on the team. I know I'm the best bowler on the team!
TSAReport.com- I hear you would like to establish a college charity fund, have
you thought about what it would entail and who would benefit from it?
R. B.- My charity fund is going to be directed to young-black, underprivleigedunderprivileged and
poverty stricken kids that still find a way to stay in school and participate in sports.
School and sports can’t go without the each other. I just want them to know that
no matter the circumstances, if you put your best foot forward beleivingbelieving that you
will better yourself and family by giving your all in everything you do and keep a
positive mindstatemind state you will be blessed! I am here to be that blessing for some
people.
TSAReport- What should your fans expect from you this year?
R.B.- My fans should expect my best season and seeing plenty of improvement in my game, showing that I am a more complete player and
leader!
TSAReport- Last, but not least, the coolest person you know.
R.B.- My Grandfather
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'72 DOLPHINS VS '07 PATRIOTS: WHO'S #1?
Column by Dave K. Far-El
The other day I was listening to a debate between two sports fans about
which NFL team was better, the 1972 16-0 Dolphins or the 2007 16-0 Patriots.
Taking into consideration how difficult it must be to go undefeated in any
sport, this seems like a tough argument. I don't think it is and I have
an answer and I don't even think it's that close. it was initially a
close enough of a debate that in order to make this decision I had to look
at the teams past records in the playoffs before the undefeated seasons.
When it comes to the Dolphins, some would argue that they were a dynasty. In
my opinion, that team was the making of a dynasty that '72 Dolphins team was
filled with super stars like Larry Csonka and Bob Griese. Without even
knowing Miami Dolphins record before that '72 season, I thought that their
record would not be as prolific as the New England Patriots in their
previous five years before this undefeated '07 season. But I was wrong
because the Dolphins were not even founded until 1966 and went to their
first Superbowl in 1971 but lost to my beloved Cowboys and won the next two
Superbowls. The Dolphins went to three consecutive Superbowls and was the
first team to win back to back Superbowls. The New England Patriots, since
2000 have 4 Super Bowl appearances and three victories out of the four
appearances starting from 2001 and 2005. The only other team to do that was,
once again, my beloved Cowboys. Remember, the Patriots only lost to the
eventual Superbowl champion Indianapolis Colts in the 2006 AFC Championship game 34-38 and this was after years of whipping the Colts. So I'd say that
the Colts were due a victory. That, my friend, is what I call a dynasty.
Especially when pointing out the consistency of what the Patriots have
achieved leading up to this undefeated 2007 season. They are the first team
since the NFL went to a 16 game regular season to go undefeated.
Unfortunately, for the rest of the NFL, it's not as if it looks like the
Patriots are going anywhere any time soon. But again, with exception of one
Superbowl victory, the five-year period of the two teams is pretty
identical. This is a tough decision for to make. So upon further review of
the '72 Dolphins vs '07 Patriots….The 2007 Patriots are better than the 1972
Dolphins. Or maybe the '72 Dolphins are better than the '07 Patriots. Or
maybe my beloved Cowboys are a better dynasty than both teams. Or maybe I'm
going too far now, I don't know, it's a tough call to make.
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TSA BLURBS
I’LL SEE YOU IN COURT
Roger Clemens has filed a defamation lawsuit against former trainer Brian McNamee. In the lawsuit Clemens claimed McNamee was threatened with jail time if he did not link Clemens with steroid use. McNamee, a key witness in the Mitchell investigation into performance-enhancing substances in baseball, claimed he injected Clemens with steroids several times between 1998 and 2001. · A 23-year-old model has filed a lawsuit accusing New Jersey Nets star Jason Kidd of groping and threatening her at a Manhattan nightclub two months ago. The lawsuit, filed in Manhattan's state Supreme Court, said Kidd "battered and assaulted" the woman in the Lower West Side club Tenjune on Oct. 10 when he "grabbed her buttocks and crotch on multiple occasions." According to the woman's lawyer, Russell S. Adler, "She told him 'Get off me! Get away from me!"' before bouncers pulled Kidd away. · Comcast and the NFL Network are going back to court. Comcast is claiming the league is violating a contract over which the two sides are already embroiled in a lawsuit. The complaint, filed with the New York State Supreme Court in New York County on, asks for unspecified damages because of NFL officials' efforts to encourage customers to switch from Comcast and other large cable providers to television services that carry the network as part of basic programming. · Two suspects were arrested and will be charged with carjacking Atlanta Hawks forward Shelden Williams at gunpoint. The men have been accused of five armed robberies near Atlanta and are being held at the Douglas County jail, according to police. They are to be charged in Fulton County on Williams' carjacking but first must answer to the charges in Douglas County. The suspects were identified as Bernard Moss and Darius Mathis. · Authorities have charged two women and a man with three counts of kidnapping, three counts of conspiracy to commit a felony and one count of resisting arrest. Three North Carolina football players were attacked early at their off-campus apartment. All three were bound with tape, and threatened with a knife. The two women were charged with one count of first-degree sexual offense. None of the players required medical attention. · A nephew of former heavyweight champion Trevor Berbick has been convicted along with another man of killing the 54-year-old boxer. Authorities said the nephew and Gordon beat Berbick to death in October 2006, leaving his body in a church courtyard. Harold Berbick had been involved in a land dispute with his uncle. Trevor Berbick was the last fighter to face Muhammad Ali in the ring and briefly held the WBC heavyweight title before losing it to Mike Tyson in 1986. · Madison Square Garden settled a lawsuit with a former New York Rangers cheerleader who had accused executives of making unwanted advances. Courtney Prince, who was fired in January 2004, received a settlement of $800,000 in damages. · Judge Kenneth Karas served notice stating that he might go beyond the six-month maximum prison term suggested in Marion Jones' plea deal, saying he "is not bound by that agreement." The federal judge is considering punishing Jones twice -- once for lying about her steroid use and once for lying about her role in a check-fraud scheme.
LETS TALK SPORTS
Bobby Petrino was hired as the football coach at Arkansas. Petrino recently resigned from the Atlanta Falcons after just 13 games. · Mike Ditka will dissolve his Hall of Fame Assistance Trust Fund in the wake of a report that the charity had given only a small amount of money to needy former NFL players. USA Today reported that Ditka's fund had collected $1.3 million since it was formed in 2004, but netted only about $315,000 after expenses and distributed just $57,000 to former players. Ditka disputed part of the report, saying the trust has actually given away $159,000. Ditka said the fund's balance of more than $600,000 would be divided equally between Misericordia, a residential facility for developmentally disabled youth and Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund, another fund that helps former professional football players in need. · The NFL has awarded an $113,000 grant to the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis. The Miami Project played a role in Bills tight end Kevin Everett's recovery from a serious spinal cord injury. · A police officer won't face criminal charges for shooting and wounding former San Diego Chargers linebacker Steve Foley during a late-night confrontation in September 2006. Aaron Mansker was off duty, out of uniform and driving his own car on Sept. 3, 2006, when he tailed Foley to his suburban home on suspicion that the football player was driving drunk. Foley, who was unarmed, got out of the car to confront Mansker, who responded by shooting the player in the left leg, hip and hand. The injuries ended Foley's football career. · Alex Rodriguez hired Guy Oseary, who has worked with Madonna and Lenny Kravitz, to be his manager. Oseary is not a registered baseball agent, and Scott Boras remains A-Rod's representative on baseball matters. · Tennis star Anna Chakvetadze was tied up by burglars who broke into her home according to reports in Russia. The six intruders entered Chakvetadze's house just outside Moscow via the garage and stole money and goods worth more than $140,000. · The NFL has fined five Atlanta Falcons players for various displays of support for incarcerated quarterback Michael Vick. According the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the league has confirmed that tight end Alge Crumpler, cornerbacks DeAngelo Hall and Chris Houston and wide receivers Roddy White and Joe Horn have all been fined for "uniform violations." With the exception of Horn, who was fined $7,500, each player was hit with a $10,000 penalty for actions during the team's 34-14 loss to the New Orleans Saints on December 10. The players wore black eye strips with writing on them recognizing Vick. White displayed a "Free Mike Vick" T-shirt under his jersey after scoring a touchdown, a message Horn assisted with by pulling up the wide receiver's jersey. Hall carried a poster of Vick onto the field during introductions and taped it to the back of the bleachers on which players sit. · Former Super Bowl-winning coach Bill Parcells signed a four-year contract with the Miami Dolphins as executive vice president for football operations. · Andy Reid and his wife broke their almost yearlong silence about their sons' problems and vowed their support in an interview with Philadelphia Magazine for its January edition. The Philadelphia Eagles coach said the motivation to give the interview was the hope of helping others. The Reids wants parents facing the same problems to know one thing: "They're not the only ones. That this happens everywhere." · Top high school basketball prospect, Tyreke Evans is playing out the season with bodyguards, amid fears of retaliation over a slaying near his violent hometown. The two-time state player of the year whose short list of colleges includes Memphis, Texas and Villanova -- was driving when a cousin in the vehicle allegedly shot and killed a 19-year-old approaching on foot. Evans has not been charged said local police. · Roger Clemens said former trainer Brian McNamee injected him with the painkiller lidocaine and the vitamin B-12 -- not any performance-enhancing drugs. The pitcher's interview with CBS's "60 Minutes," maintained the denials that he was issued steroids since McNamee implicated him in the Mitchell Report on doping in baseball, which was released Dec. 13. · After finishing with a 1-15 record, the worst in franchise history, Cam Cameron had to go. The firing means Miami will have its fifth coach in five seasons. · Bill Stewart was promoted to West Virginia football coach. Stewart didn't need an actual job interview. His performance in the 2 1/2 weeks since Rich Rodriguez resigned spoke for itself. · Sean Taylor of the Washington Redskins, who was fatally shot by intruders in his home last November, will be replaced as a starter in next month's National Football League Pro Bowl by Dallas Cowboys’ free safety Ken Hamlin. · The New Jersey Nets will play most or all of the 2009-10 NBA season in New Jersey instead of Brooklyn, said a team spokesman. The Nets had planned to play at its new arena in New York starting in 2009, but the new arena probably would not be ready by the start of the 2009-2010 season according to Nets principal owner Bruce Ratner. · The U.S. Basketball League canceled its 2008 season before it began. The 23-year-old league, which has helped develop such NBA players as Spud Webb and Raja Bell, plans to reorganize and hopes to return in 2009, said spokesman Jacob Gordon. · Lindsay Davenport wins third title since comeback beating France's Aravane Rezai 6-2, 6-2 in the ASB Classic. · Rich McKay signed a two-year contract extension to remain the Atlanta Falcons' president, but will relinquish the general manager's duties. · Former No. 1 tennis star, Martina Hingis, tested positive for cocaine at Wimbledon and was banned for 2 years. · National Football League defensive player of the year Warren Sapp, who led Tampa Bay to a Super Bowl title in 2003, announced his retirement on his website a couple of days ago stating "I'm done".
SPORTS BIZ
According to a report by TSN of Canada, Daryl Katz has made a new offer to purchase the Edmonton Oilers. The founder and chairman of the Rexall Pharmacy chain, Katz - had his original offer to buy the team turned down in August. The terms of the new bid are being delivered directly to the shareholders of the Edmonton Investors Group, according to a release obtained by TSN. Citing undisclosed sources, TSN is reporting the new offer - which is for shares - has an asset purchase value of $188 million. · Chicago Cubs executives have held talks with city and state officials about the possibility of selling Wrigley Field to a state sports agency, according to published reports. The talks have focused on selling the 93-year-old ballpark to the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority, citing sources close to the Tribune Co.-owned Cubs. · The New York Mets will raise ticket prices about 20 percent for next season, reflecting their high payroll and upcoming move to a new ballpark. Prices last season ran from $108 for Metro Club Gold seats near the dugouts to $5 for spots in the top rows at Shea Stadium. · Ticketmaster plans to launch a Web site next year where people can resell tickets to pro football games, the latest push by the event ticketing company into the lucrative secondary ticket market. The company signed a multiyear deal with the National Football League that includes branding and promotion for the site. Financial terms were not disclosed. · The New York Yankees did accomplish something this year: They lowered their luxury tax for the second straight season. The only other club that must pay the competitive-balance tax, as it is formally known, is the World Series champion Boston Red Sox, who owe $6.06 million. New York's bill is down from $26 million last year and a high of $33.98 million in 2005.
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Some of the information provided is courtesy of AP, Reuters, and, Ticker. |
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