Monday, August 10, 2009

My First Football Game in 5 Months





I couldn't believe what I saw. Was it true? Was it 200+ lb. men flying around and hurling their bodies into one another and break neck speeds(literally)? It couldn't be could it? Yes, Jesus and the Football gods have ended their dispute of whether or not to make football a year round sport. As usual, Jesus won the argument, but he has allowed the Football gods to continue doing what they do best, orchestrating football matches from early August to early February. Oh ya, that's REAL football they are orchestrating by the way, and I'll go in a back alley with any soccer fan to prove my point of American football, being THE real football.

The Hall of Fame game was played this past weekend. It wasn't the greatest game in the world, but the game of football was on and my eyes were glued to the TV. I realized a few things that I am going to share with you. Terrell Owens has to have some fountain of youth and is not letting anyone else have any. How can this man continue you to play with the consistency he does at his age. He did start his career with the 49ers as did Jerry Rice who played 19 years in the league. Sidenote: Yo, Michael Crabtree, you might want to sign that contract with the 49ers if you know what's good for you homie. I'm not saying, I'm just saying. Chris Johnson is fas(not a typo he just ran across the computer screen and stole the "t" off the screen and you just didn't see him.)
The biggest Vince Young highlight wasn't his TD pass, but he threw an INT and bounced back from it just to throw a TD pass later in the game.

The actual Hall of Fame presentation the previous day was cool also. As I get older, I recognize more of the players that are inducted into the Hall. I remeber Randy McDaniel always having a high rating on Madden so I'd always trade for him and have a dynasty that would win five straight Super Bowls until the computer cheated in the 6th Super Bowl. Didn't know much about Ralph Wilson to be honest other than he owned the Bills and was one of the AFL founders, did I need to know more? I knew Bruce Smith was the 2nd best DE to ever live. I knew Derrick Thomas was either 1a or 1b when it came to outside linebackers to ever play this game. I know Bob Hayes might not ever be duplicated again, unless Usain Bolt wants to play football at a Hall of Fame level, if he's even capable. I also knew that Rod Woodson was one of the greatest cornerbacks of all-time, and know that I am in denial when I say Deion Sanders was a better cornerback than Woodson was.

Ralph Wilson's speech was cool and it was good to see him accept his recognition being that he is 90 years old even though he doesn't act his age. There were two posthumous recognitions recognized at the Hall of Fame this year, being Bob Hayes and Derrick Thomas who were presented/accepted by Roger Staubauch and Carl Peterson respectively.

Randy McDaniel had a good speech as it also was the deepest voice speech as well.

Bruce Smith had the funniest acceptance speech of anyone with one single quote, saying that he was responsible for stealing, former Bills RB, Thurman Thomas' helmet in the Super Bowl.

Rod Woodson's speech was the most inspirational as he spoke about the struggles of bi-racial individuals in the US.

No one's speech was "memorable" ala Michael Irvin or Darrell Green of recent years but their in the Hall of Fame and I'm not so take that, take that 6Magazine.

My one issue with this past weekend's festivites is this, why do those elected into the Hall need to be presented? To be honest, I don't want a hear a childhood friend, former coach, wife, son, etc anyone present a player. Let the player be presented by his play. A great video highlight reel from high school to professional is more than enough, then skip the "presenter" and let the player get up and accept his enshrinment.

That's all I got,


Ricky Writer





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